TKR bertha's recovery

[bertha]

I know you are right. I'm not being reasonable. Thanks for the nudge!

 

[Celle]

I know it's hard. It's a pity they can't hand out a prescription for patience, along with the prescription for medications.

 

[McKelly]

Oh wow! How were you able to get yourself back to the OR after 7 weeks? That had been my initial plan, to do my right knee after 6 or 7 weeks, but now that I know how it is, I am not sure I want to do it at all. I'm thinking maybe I can manage with one good knee.

Frankly if I'd waited till after January 1st I would have had to pay a new deductible and out of pocket cost of around 8500.00 and that was more than I could afford. I felt good and was walking without assistance on the day of my second surgery. I had pain and swelling, but I knew it would improve with time.
My only issue with having them done so close, is that the first knee was not really ready to bear the weight of the second knee being...well...unable to bear weight!
It just takes time.
There's no way I would settle for one good knee, if there was an option to have two good knees...but that's just me [emoji3]

 

[Red's Mom]

@bertha I did my knees 4 weeks apart. It wasn't easy but at 13/9 weeks out I'm very happy that I am close to being "recovered". After learning that true recovery can take 12+ months I decided to just get both done and have one long recovery. Personally I think it would be very difficult to live with the bone on bone pain for multiple months. Getting it all done quickly saved money, recovery time and mental energy.

 

[bertha]

Today is four weeks. My energy, pain and walking definitely better. But the swelling and heat still there. If I feel good and do things around the house or on the computer, the swelling increases. So here I am now icing and elevating. Unfortunately I had a death in the family and I have to take a trip. I'm really worried. I spoke to my doctor and he said I should be fine as long as I move my legs on the plane to prevent clots. Any one out there had to take an emergency trip at four weeks?

 

[Celle]

I'm sorry to hear about the death in your family.

I took a long car ride at 4 weeks. It was a bit uncomfortable and it drained my energy severely.

We do have this article about Flying soon after surgery

A few things I've found useful:

• Ask for wheelchair assistance at the airports.
• Choose an aisle seat, so that you can get up and walk around during the flight.
• Do lots of ankle pumps while you are sitting down.
• Try to ice your knee whenever you can. If it's a long flight, ask the crew for ice.
• I packed gel packs, to freeze at my destination.
• Try to prop you leg up a bit - even if it's just on your carry-on bag under the seat in front.
• Don't forget to take your medications on time.
• Be prepared for extra screening at airport security, so arrive early for flights.
• Prepare you family - tell them you are still recuperating adn will need extra help.
• Make time for at least an afternoon rest.

 

[bertha]

Thank you for your advise. And thank you for the article which I just read. I will follow through on all this. I already requested a wheelchair. The problem is that the flight is not direct. So we will land and then take off again. I'm worried but I will try to be good about moving my legs and pumping my ankles and I pray for the best. I'm leaving Wednesday and coming back Sunday. The viewing at the funeral home is Thursday and the funeral is friday.

 

[Celle]

At the funeral, try to sit where you can elevate your leg along a bench, pew or chair, and also where you can leave early if you get too uncomfortable.
Make sure that your pain medications will be in full effect during the service, and try to take a rest immediately afterwards.

How long are the flights?
Do you have to change planes at your intermediate airport? If so, you'll need wheelchair assistance there as well.

 

[bertha]

Yes I will be changing planes with a layover of about an hour. I requested a wheelchair for all the legs. Each flight is about 90 minutes. There is the funeral followed by burial followed by lunch. Maybe I will skip the burial.
I am worried but I have to go...it is my brother...

 

[newlybionic]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you have a safe trip.

 

[bertha]

The trip went ok. I won't bore you with the horrible flight delays. But I am back home and all is well. Monday will be 6 weeks. So here is what is happening:
My energy is better even though I still need to rest
I only take Tylenol at night even though there is pain but tolerable
I can walk without a cane but still use it sometimes
I can go upstairs one foot at a time but with the cane
I can't do that going downstairs
I do my PT
I ice and elevate 3-4 times a day
But, the swelling has not decreased. I started measuring my knee at 3 weeks and there has been no improvement in the swelling since then
The heat has improved slightly
I'm seeing the doctor on Wednesday
Now the big thing: I am starting to think that maybe I should do my second knee next month. Do you think my left knee would have healed enough to support me when and if I do my right knee at 9 weeks post op? I'm scared and not sure if I should. It is just such a difficult time especially the first two weeks.

 

[Celle]

We have had people who have their second knee replaced onlyo a few days after th first one and they manage OK.

The first few weeks are difficult anyway but if you have the second knee done soon, you will have a slightly longer total recovery, but only one recovery instead of two.

 

[GingerP]

@bertha I am so sorry for your loss at this time in your recovery and needing to travel. I'm so glad that the trip went well and that you are seeing progress. I asked my Dr at the 5 week appt about getting the second knee done. He brought up the x-rays and we both looked at them and he agreed that it was ready to be fixed. As time has gone on, I changed my 'good' knee to be the surgical knee instead of the one that hadn't been done when I would go up stairs and down. I'm doing fine with that and I think I was doing it by 5 or 6 weeks. My surgeon couldn't get me in for another 6 weeks after that appt so it wasn't something I could have done right away. I'd suggest a visit with your Dr. My knee that hasn't been replaced is worse than the one I had done. It grates when I stand and even pushing a cart in the store, it hurts horribly after 15-20 min. I know how painful those darn knees are.

 

[bertha]

Thanks for the input. I am seeing the doctor tomorrow and I'll discuss that with him. In my mind it seems to be the right choice to go ahead and do it now. It makes sense financially, and in terms of work since I am still off, and might as well recover both knees. The hardest part is to accept to go back to the operating table and go through the first two weeks which were horrible. My right knee grates with certain movements but there isn't unbearable pain. I'll post after my appointment tomorrow.

 

[RMasano]

I am sorry for your loss. We had our knee done on the same day and we seem to be parallel in our recovery. My knee also has not gone down in swelling. Measured at PT yesterday and extension and ROM has gotten better but my knee still measures the same swelling.

Hope your appointment goes well and you can go ahead and do the other knee.

 

[bertha]

Doctors visit went well. He was happy with the recovery. I am also pleased because six weeks really seemed like a majic number. Almost right away I am walking better and I have more energy. The swelling is still there but he said I have to be patient it will take time. He also recommended I wait for my full recovery of the first knee before I do my right knee. Frankly I was relieved. I am happy to wait.

 

[newlybionic]

I'm glad the office visit went well. Concentrate on letting your knee heal. Ice and elevate ( you know the drill). Once it gets stronger you can take care of the other knee.

 

[GingerP]

@bertha I'm happy you had a good dr visit. It does seem like a,long time to start feeling better but when you feel a little more 'zip' in your day, remember to not over do it, but enjoy that little victory to recovery.