What a wonderful statement of your healing philosophy! Slow and steady gets you to the finish line and with far less anxiety and pain. So very happy to hear you’re doing this well!
I think you mean this "Tight band" feeling across the front of my kneeOther posters have mentioned rubber band knee,
Extension exercises are unnecessary if you have zero extension! In fact, it's a jolly good way to lose extension so I suggest you stop it!After extension exercises, some additional swelling behind the knee
Same here. Are you doing 10-20 of these 23 times a day? If so, that's a bad way to do them. Read this Heel slides and how to do them properlyafter heel slides, some additional swelling around the patella
But for how long? Ice for at least 40-60mins and more than 4 times a day.with maybe four icing sessions after activity
Of course - remember this article? Energy drain for TKRsStill very tired after any exertion
This is most likely due to low grade pain.sleeping is still a couple of hours at a time
I quite agree!I don’t know how some even think of going back to work at six weeks.
Does that mean you do or don't want me to post my questions? It's entirely up to you!No worries on the questions, grateful for any advice.
Not necessarily. Not unless it wasn't good for 2-3 years pre-op. It could just be you still have swelling (internally, probably).My pre-op ROM was not good for months before the op, about 90 degrees, so I surmise that my muscles will have shortened as a result,
You mean you can't stand the cold ice? Then put more padding between skin and ice pack! It only needs to be cooler, not necessarily cold!I will increase my icing again, although I cannot keep it on anywhere near as long as the beginning. I feel the cold a lot quicker now. I am guessing that's because there is a lot less swelling and hot blood swilling around!
Did you factor in this stiffness and swelling into your pain score?1. Pain now consists of a dull ache in the background say a 2 level, mostly at night. Only occasional sharp stabs, say a 6. More like a nerve stab feeling.
Stiffness all the time.
Since your pain score is obviously higher than 2, probably a 6 all day if I'm any judge - then you need to be taking 2 co-codomol at a time or 1 co-codomol and one paracetamol and take them 34 times a day. You also need to take the last dose about 15 minutes before retiring so you get good night time cover. You're only 5 weeks out and this isn't enough right now.2. Prescribed co-codomol 30/500 up to 8 a day plus paracetamol as required originally. Now on only one co-codomol a day before bed, and maybe two or three paracetamol rest of day.
mentioned above3. Between slight and moderate picture for swelling. Swelling increases after sitting, standing, walking etc, then goes down to base level after elevation and icing.
Yes, you do need better pain management.4. ROM about 80 after warming up, and around 5 for straightness.
Jolly good!5. After your advise now icing maybe 4 time day, for an hour a time.
That's about right!6. Elevating as per guidelines maybe 80 percent of waking time. Good to bed with elevated leg, but then
Move to flatish halfway through night as back gets gripey.
That's fine7. I wander around house, toilet etc every hour maybe 3/5 mins each time. Shower, make cups of tea etc.