TKR A new knee to add to my collection

[beaglador]

1. Hi Littlegem, I was prescribed the same pain medication as you and now at 8 weeks post op I have been able to cut down to cocodamol 8/500 which you can buy over the counter. I take 2 or 1 plus 500 mg paracetamol as needed. Otherwise just paracetamol. I hope you are progressing well and have good pain control. The codeine worked very well for me right from the start. I also had hardness at the top of my incision for a while but the area has softened up now. I hope you get relief soon.

 

[Littlejem]

Thank you @beaglador, my pain has definitely been better this week and over the last few days I've started to cut back on the cocodamol, replacing it with paracetamol. I was starting to feel really wiped out towards the end of last week, I just wanted to sleep the day through and just put it down to our good weather at the moment but I now think that the painkillers were also affecting me. Feeling quite a bit better today, not sure if that's because it's a little cooler or because I've only had paracetamol but definitely feeling better. It's good to hear that the area at the top of my knee is normal and will hopefully get better soon, thanks for the massage instructions @Tabbycat I'll give it a go. X

 

[Littlejem]

I been hearing a lot about flexon and ROM, I'm guessing this is how much you can bend your knee? My physio measured my bend a few weeks ago and I think she said it was 105? Does this sound right, she seemed really pleased with it? I'm off to hydro tomorrow so I'm going to ask if they will measure it again for me, I assume the higher the number the better, or have I got that completely wrong?

 

[Tabbycat]

105 is great! Keep up the good work

 

[Littlejem]

I been for a hydrotherapy session this morning and I'm really happy with my progress I must stop comparing to my hips!!

 

[Littlejem]

This afternoon, my knee is sore maybe I've done too much. This morning I did 12 minutes on my exercise bike, it felt fine. After lunch the dogs were looking so sad at me, I have walked them but only with my husband as although Sid is only little, a mini dachshund, Henry is a large Weimaraner. I decided to give it a go, the field I walk them on is literally just across the road from me. I took one stick/cane with me but I t was hard work as the grass was long and difficult to walk through but I did it although it took me about 20 mins which is about double what it would take when I'm well. It feels like someone is squeezing the area underneath the kneecap.

 

[sistersinhim]

Sounds like a typical over did it pain!

 

[newlybionic]

I would bet the fact that the field was uneven that it was a bit tougher in your knee since you're really working all your muscles to maintain your balance at the same time you are walking there.

 

[Littlejem]

Yes the field is very uneven and I should have known better, no more dog walking there for a while! Thanks for the advice X

 

[Celle]

I been hearing a lot about flexon and ROM, I'm guessing this is how much you can bend your knee? My physio measured my bend a few weeks ago and I think she said it was 105? Does this sound right, she seemed really pleased with it? I'm off to hydro tomorrow so I'm going to ask if they will measure it again for me, I assume the higher the number the better, or have I got that completely wrong?

Yes, ROM is Range of Motion. Flexion is how far you can bend your knee and extension is how far you can straighten it. This article explains:
ROM (range of motion) information

105 sounds OK. Your ROM can continue to increase for a year or more after a knee replacement so, little by little,you will see more improvement.

 

[Littlejem]

Can anyone recommend a joint supplement? Even though I'm still taking painkillers, I some days I feel that every joint in my body aches, today is such a day

 

[Celle]

Can anyone recommend a joint supplement? Even though I'm still taking painkillers, I some days I feel that every joint in my body aches, today is such a day

I don't think a joint supplement will help. It sounds to me as if you are under-medicated, even though you're still taking painkillers.
Can you tell us what painkillers you are taking? (Type of medications, dosage and how often.)
I'm going to ask @Josephine to advise you.

 

[Littlejem]

Thanks @Celle. I'm taking 1x Tramacet, (Tramadol/paracetamol mix) and 1 paracetamol, 3 times a day, plus one X Naproxen 250mg once or twice a day. I know I have other problem joints, wrists, shoulders and my other knee, I also have a lower back problem and wondered if the joint supplements would help with these areas?

 

[Celle]

Thank you. The information about your medications will help Josephine with her advice.

 

[Josephine]

I'm taking 1x Tramacet, (Tramadol/paracetamol mix) and 1 aracetamol, 3 times a day, plus one X Naproxen 250mg once or twice a day.

Tramacet is actually quite a mild dosage 37.5mg with 325mg acetaminophen. To the best of my knowledge, an really effective dose is 500mg or ever 100mg every 6 hours. And the acetaminophen (Tylenol) effective dose is 1,000mg every 6 hours. So you are taking about one quarter of the dose you need for effective pain management. Of course, this depends upon what your general pain score is throughout the day. I see you are about 5 weeks out which puts you slap bang in the middle of the "angry tissue" stage where pain management would need to be pretty good. I would suggest thta 1 Tramacet 3 times a day is not quite enough, not even with the extra paracetamol which still only brings it up to 825mgs. See what I mean?

I have other problem joints, wrists, shoulders and my other knee, I also have a lower back problem and wondered if the joint supplements would help with these areas?

Well, you have a point there though I am unable to suggest anything as it's not my field. But whatever you do decide to take, be sure you discuss it with your pharmacist and/or GP to make sure they don't conflict with what you are already taking. Good luck!

 

[Littlejem]

I do see what you mean and that's really interesting @Josephine, I hadn't realised it was that mild, thanks for that info! Tramacet works really well for me and also helps my back pain so I'll stick with it and as I now know it isn't too strong I can up the dose on my bad days to the max 2 every 6 hours. Thanks

 

[Littlejem]

I saw my OS today and he is very pleased with me, he says that I am exactly where he would want me to be for the time which is great news. My bend is doing really well and I can now go up and down stairs normally as long as I have something to hold onto, but I just need to work on my straight leg lift. All in all, seeing him has really boosted me and I'm happy with my progress.

 

[beaglador]

That's a great report Littlegem seeing as you aren't even 6 weeks post op yet. Strange how we are all so different in our recoveries. I am 9+ weeks, and can go upstairs normally, but not down, partly because my knee is still quite swollen, and my bend, tho not too bad, isn't improving very quickly. But I could lift my leg before I left the hospital, and haven't been told to work on my quads. My problem is my glutes which are very weak on my tkr side, since my hip replacement.
How are your hips now?

 

[Littlejem]

Hi @beaglador my hips are doing really well and everything was working brilliantly before my knee started giving me problems last year. I'm still having bad days with my knee but more are good now thank goodness. I was lucky and recovered quickly from both my hip surgeries too and was back at work at 4 weeks, albeit part time, my daughter says I'm a fast healer. I've only really started coming downstairs normally this weekend, I tried before but didn't feel my knee would bend enough. I certainly don't try it every time and when I do, I go very slowly and hang on tight to the rail, my OS said today, it will be a while before you feel really confident and safe coming down. I've been unable to lift my leg straight since my arthroscopy last November so I'm really going to have to work on that

 

[Littlejem]

Forgot to say my OS said I had an very unusual pattern of arthritis. He said the arthritis on the top of the joint, was absolutely awful, very worn but the bottom of the joint, was no where near as bad, my kneecap wasn't too bad and just needed to take a few spurs off, it didn't need resurfacing.