TKR Amy's Right Knee

[newlybionic]

I hope they figure out what exactly is going on. I'm so sorry that you had such a hard time with the epidural. The last thing I can remember of starting the therapy was sitting up in the OR and having the epidural placed. Ouch. Then I don't even remember laying down. I guess they must have given me a sedative then. I've had epidural 4 times now (3 with childbirth) and while it hurt they never had to attempt it several times. I would recommend that you find a good anaesthesiologist if you ever have it again. You have the right to choose and don't have to use the one that you meet just minutes before.

 

[Braunzie]

@RunwithSmoke - this is a challenging enough procedure without side events.. But ...

Hang in there, check in with @Braunzie who is always in search of that elusive PATIENCE ATM. When she finds it, we are ALL storming it!

I promise I'll share if and when I find it!!!!

 

[RunwithSmoke]

Newlybionic, This was at the Mayo Clinic. I thought they had all this down to a science. But for anything I have done in the future, I will have anesthesia. My other knee is arthritic and hurts, but I'm afraid to ever go through TKR again. I wish they'd hurry up with the stem cell studies, and I so hope it is something that will be useful to us humans.

 

[newlybionic]

Hopefully you can avoid having surgery on your other knee. I know my other knee is in bad shape too. I hope your feeling better every day.

 

[RunwithSmoke]

@newlybionic thank you. I wish the same for you.

 

[RunwithSmoke]

I'm 11.5 weeks along since my RTKR and my knee is slowly getting better. It still looks bruised sometimes, has some inflammation and the kneecap is very sore. And I still have a very hard time getting it to straighten. It was at 6 degrees at eight weeks. I'm not sure what it is now. I can make it straight if I work at it, but I don't like making it hurt. Does anyone have any reassurance that it will not stay bent forever?

 

[Celle]

It won't stay bent for ever. Extension often takes longer to achieve than flexion, so don't worry about it. Some of these exercises might help: Extension: exercises for improvement
Just choose a couple that you like and do them gently. Don't allow them to hurt you.

Walking like this will also help, especially if you lengthen your stride:

 

[kneeper]

You're still healing at 12 weeks--and for some people the swelling seems to hang on. It did for my first knee, not so much for the second. Hang in there.

 

[RunwithSmoke]

Thanks @Celle and @kneeper - I've been doing a couple of the extension exercises and I walk with the heel to toe motion. I'm still icing and elevating. I think I am doing the right things, but since my knee doesn't seem a lot straighter, I worry that it will always be bent. It is also still swollen with a very sore kneecap.

If I keep doing the exercises, but not too forcefully, and walk heel to toe, are you fairly certain that my knee will straighten as it heels? Am I worrying for nothing?

 

[Celle]

I'm sure you leg will straighten, with time, or at least get much better than it is now.
Don't expect a fast improvement, as tendons and ligaments that had shortened will have to stretch again and that can take a while.
If the swelling is still lingering, that could slow things down, too..

 

[newlybionic]

It took me quite a while to strengthen my leg. It was more than 12 weeks until I was close to zero. I just sat on the table at PT and the back of my knee hit the table. No extra exercising or anything special. I do periodically feel like someone has a grip on my kneecap and it's difficult to bend

 

[RunwithSmoke]

What a relief. Thanks! I will just keep at it then, doing but not overdoing.