TKR A new knee to add to my collection

[Littlejem]

I can't believe it's over a month since I last posted! I'm doing really well, even walking my dogs over on the fields for up to an hour. I'm cutting back on my pain and anti inflammatory tablets, some days I can and others I need them. Still feels quite tight around the knee, which I guess is normal, and I get occasional pain on the inside on the joint. I'm using my exercise bike most days for about 10-15 mins,it's a bit boring but I balance my iPad on it and play games, makes it a little easier All in all, life is almost back to normal and most days I do feel it's getting stronger. My nemesis is still stairs, I'm trying to use them normally but often end up relying on my 'good' knee to take the strain. Does anyone have a time frame on taking stairs normally and your knee being strong enough to take it? X

 

[Celle]

It's good to hear that you're doing so well.

I wouldn't worry about the stairs yet. About 4 months post op seems to be the average, but it can take a longer or a shorter time. Just do whatever keeps the knee happy.

While I can do the stairs normally, even now, years after my last TKR, I catch myself favouring the latest TKR knee and I have to remind myself t use the knees equally. I guess it's a habit that I got into in the early days.

 

[newlybionic]

It's great you are doing so well. As time goes by you will be able to do stairs again. I found that one day I went to go up and down stairs without thinking about and just did them step over step. That tight feeling can be a sign of swelling so treat it with ice and elevation.

 

[Littlejem]

@newlybionic thanks for the advice, I had stopped icing as I assumed at 11 weeks I didn't need to but you think it would help? Do you also think I should I stick with my anti inflammatory tablets too, do they help?

 

[newlybionic]

The ice continues to help me especially at the end of the day and I'm at 4 months out. Some people use anti inflammatories post op but they can be hard on your GI system. I usually take Tylenol instead at 1,000 mg ( 2 extra strength tablets) . The maximum dose per day is 4,000 mg.

 

[Majella]

Glad you are getting stronger, you are doing amazingly well for your surgery date! the stairs will come with time.
I still struggle sometimes getting down, and catch myself double stepping

 

[Littlejem]

Thanks @Majella, my daughter always says I heal quickly and having had 5 major surgeries, mastectomy, spine/disc fusion, 2 new hips and a knee in the last 8 years, it's probably good that I do! @newlybionic, I've decided to try to cut back on the anti inflammatory tablets and just take paracetamol, which I believe is the UK equivalent to the US Tylenol but I'll be sensible. I do have other meds to help counteract any gastric problems with the anti inflammatories and I always take them with food but I know it's not good to be on them for too long. Thanks guys xx

 

[Littlejem]

In the last few months my 'good' knee has been giving me much more trouble than my operated knee, is this normal?

 

[newlybionic]

I can only tell you that my bionic knee has taken over as the strong one and the other has been starting to complain.

 

[Littlejem]

Thanks for the reply @newlybionic I suppose I'm seriously worrying that I'm going to need another replacement fairly soon whereas that knee had seemed fine pre surgery. I do find myself favouring the operated knee as stronger for coming down stairs.