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Revision TKR Against the wind

Pain reduced a bit this morning. Had been relentless last 3 days. Going to rehab today, 1st one. So between rehab and getting cleaned up before I've got a big day! Next Tuesday I get my bandage and staples removed. I guess I'll say goodby to "incision mgmt system'. Never figured out what it really does....maybe I'll reserch it today.
 
This is awfully soon for PT. Be sure to not let them hurt you. You need to stay in total control of what happens to your knee. Never let anyone push or pull on it. Better yet, don't let anyone touch your leg at all. And don't let them sneak in a push on your foot with their foot. They'll do it in a heart beat!
 
Thanks!! They didn't lay a hand on me. Watched me do a few heel slides, leg raises and ankle pumps. They want me elevating, ice and elevate and check in next week after the bandage is off. Was a positive experience!
Thanks everyone!
 
I suppose it depends on where you go for PT. I was never manhandled either. I was asked before I was touched and I always found PT to be a positive experience. I had to quit going to save some PT for later in the year when I do my second knee, but I still do exercises at home and ride my bike. No one should push you or make you hurt, but I found the opposite. After PT, I was usually loosened up and in better shape than when I walked in. I'm between 6 and 7 weeks out and just starting to get some energy back. Dont overdo, but i found PT can be positive at the right place.
 
My inside thigh muscle is really sore the last few days. Seems to be a carryover from the surgery rather than from overdoing a post surgical exercise? Anyone else have that? I remember it from one of the other surgeries....but can't remember if it was in the 1st week or so?
 
skippyhak said:
My inside thigh muscle is really sore the last few days. Seems to be a carryover from the surgery rather than from overdoing a post surgical exercise? Anyone else have that? I remember it from one of the other surgeries....but can't remember if it was in the 1st week or so?
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You're going to get all sorts of aches in different places at this early stage in your recovery. Try icing the sore spot. If that doesn't help, try heat - but keep the heat well away from your knee.
 
Oh yeah, Celle is so right. I called them my travelling aches and pains!
 
Day 12 - Cancelled my rehab for this morning. Wife out of town and I thought I could take care of myself and my animals but I'm still to weak to get myself ready, etc.

My other 2 replacements I started out patient PT in week 3. These 1st 2 weeks are really ice, elevate, rest and then just get up and move around doing basic daily living activities is plenty!

I'm also doing my ankle pumps, heel slides, knee compression and leg raises. Plenty. My overall movement is gradually improving each day, subtle improvements but moving forward! Thanks to everyone for their support and help!
 
Day 13 - First day where I had a break in the pain and pill routine. Slight reduction in the constant level of pain. So in turn I'm able to move around the house a bit more and my exercises were easier to perform. I think there' also a slight reduction in the swelling. My range of motion is also improved a bit. And slept less during the day (naps). Healing.
 
skippyhak said:
These 1st 2 weeks are really ice, elevate, rest and then just get up and move around doing basic daily living activities is plenty!
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That's the idea!
My surgeon doesn't allow any PT at all for the first month after a knee replacement. He says your knee needs that time, to start on its journey of healing. For that month, we rest, ice and elevate our leg, and walk around the house.
After that month, we just go to PT once every 2 weeks, where we are shown a few new exercises to do at home.
His patients all do well and achieve good ROM, as I did, and he hasn't had to do a manipulation to help with ROM for the past 4 years. I think that speaks for itself.
skippyhak said:
Slight reduction in the constant level of pain. So in turn I'm able to move around the house a bit more and my exercises were easier to perform. I think there's also a slight reduction in the swelling. My range of motion is also improved a bit.
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Good to hear!
 
That's my recovery plan! Yesterday moved around a bit more...today a bit more stiffness and soreness. So less movement today and more ice and rest and elevation.
 
Day 15 - I had my 1st follow up appt today since my revision. X-ray, removed the staples (26 of them), added steri-strips to cover incision after removal of staples. I've permission to drive when I'm ready. I can now shower without having to wrap my leg.
They were all thrilled with how the the x rays and incision looked. Also surprised on the lower levels of pain pills I've been using compared to the last replacement. Seems to make a big difference when you get a "good fit" with components versus an appliance that didn't match up with me; results in lower pain levels. This is giving me more stability. The old one had "too much" side to side movement according to the Dr. and the PA.
Anyway I was dreading the staple removal, a few of them hurt when they came out but overall not too bad. By the time I got back home I was exhausted! Iced, elevated re-watched Season finale of Game of Thrones (2nd watching) and then fell asleep for an hour.
So another bridge crossed on my way to recovery and rebuilding my life.
Thanks in advance for all the kind wishes!
 
Day 22 - I'm getting pretty good at rehabbing and recovering on my 3rd try. I read a bunch of posts this morning and I can see how extremely difficult the recovery is on the 1st go around. My experience on my 1st replacement was constantly over doing things. Working out too much, and not elevating and icing enough. I was always trying to cut down and wean off pain meds so I didn't stay on a regular medication schedule. I just kept doing too much thinking I would heal faster if I pushed harder. Almost every week I'd have some episode of over-doing things and creating more pain and swelling and then think that something was going wrong. The only thing wrong was over doing activity and under medicating, under elevating and icing. Particularly the elevation. I bought a Lounge Dr. pillow prior to this revision and it has really made a difference for me. It keeps the leg elevated and at the correct angle. I sleep flat on my back with my legs elevated all night. That is not my regular sleeping position. But it's the only position that works for me during the early stages. Right now I'm on my feet less than 1 hour per day. So I'm laying down with elevation 23 hours per day. Each week this ratio increases, but right now 23 hours laying down is the correct balance. For me sitting down in a chair with my feet below on the floor will not reduce the pain or discomfort. If the leg isn't elevated it will get sore pretty quick in my experience. So patience!
PS: I'm in rehab twice weekly and each day I do exercises at home; heel slides, ankle pumps, leg raises and knee extensions.
 
Day 26 - Was able to go completely around both forwards and backwards today. I was shocked! I'd been rocking back and forth over the last 2 weeks and thought I was a ways off based on last years surgery. I checked my journal and it was Day 57! Now 30 days earlier! I went around both ways without any pain or much effort. Last few days I've been on my feet for a bit more than a mile each day. Just walking around the house and out front in the rive when its not 110 degrees! Cooler weather is not far off. Getting healthy outside in great weather.....can't wait!
 
It sounds as if you're doing just great! :yes!: :yay:

Lots of rest, ice and elevation and just a little exercise is working well for you.
 
Day 33 - Entering the dregs of rehabilitation period. The 4 to 8 week period. Less pain but really can't push things as far strengthening. I've reduced pain pills to 3 per day. Been fighting depression over the last few days. Wondering how it will all play out? The failure of last years TKR is haunting me. Knee seems to want to go back to it's bent position. Not as badly bent but worrisome. My PT is concerned? Or is she trying to scare me?
On the bright side.... hard to find that at present.
 
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