TKR Bethsail’s LTKR Journey January 10, 2018

I sit here rotating my knees back and forth on the exercise bike, getting a few rotations, and so desperately want a good all out workout...it will come. The folks who told me recovery from this is learning to walk again were correct.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Congrats on the new knee! Now, take the time to baby it and let your body heal. Doing too much at this point in time is counter-productive at best and will actually make your recovery harder and slower. Plus, you shouldn't be driving until you are totally off pain meds, other than Tylenol, and similar. The knee implant is ready for bending, but your surrounding tissues, etc. are not ready until the pain and swelling abate. Your knee was basically abused and needs some time to recover from that, and, IMHO, you are doing way too much PT this early. Normal daily necessary activities plus some heel slides and the other recommendations on the list from moderators here are all you need for a great recovery.

Don't let anyone tell you when you should be recovered, or where you should be; only your knee and body know that and they will let you know, believe me. My husband thought he was being helpful by telling me where he thought the CPM machine should be set and how long I should be using it. I told him that my knee knew exactly what it could handle and for how long and while I knew he was only trying to help, it wasn't helpful. After that he stuck to actually being wonderfully helpful by taking care of me, and not pushing me to meet anyone's expectations.
If you need pain meds, don't deprive yourself of them; why suffer when it'll only make you miserable instead of comfortable. I think I needed round-the-clock pain meds for around six weeks, then by 2 months I think I was basically done with them, other than OTC pain relief. But even then I think I needed an occasional one when I did too much. I know we have many people in this country abusing them, so doctors are almost paranoid to prescribe them, but those who have had this surgery need them for a longer period and should not pay the price for the abuse by others. If I needed them and my doctor was one to withhold them, I'd either be in his office or the ER letting them know how much pain I was in until they listened to me. Take care and keep us up to date on your progress and remember.......:ice::ice::ice::elevate::elevate::elevate:!
 
Be good to your knee and your knee will be good to you. It's so easy to overdo it.

Good luck
 
4 weeks today!!!!!!
Done— with Ted Hose. Done—with Warfarin. Good ROM, incision healing nicely. Just need to get the swelling and pain at night down. Still very fatigued, but that seems to go for a few more weeks. Doctor visit tomorrow to check ROM. I’m at 107 so all good


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
All good, indeed! Sounds like you're having a stellar recovery! :happydance: Have a great doctor's visit!
 
I sit here rotating my knees back and forth on the exercise bike, getting a few rotations, and so desperately want a good all out workout...it will come.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That *is* what we call a good workout right now. :heehee: And you're right--it will come.
 
Hi kneeper....yep, it will. Got 10 min on the bike forward today.Every day a little bit more, the tortoise wins the race.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
That's exactly right, slow and easy will get you there!
 
I’m now 4.5 weeks. Good ROM, doing well but I’ve learned I need to not do too much and I don’t always know what that is until I’ve overdone it. I was very active until the arthritis crippled my knees so my head is always ahead of my body. I just want to move so badly but doing too much leaves me in the recliner or bed the next day:). I’m still very fatigued. Incision is healing beautifully with a few scabs remaining. I’m visiting family in FL —nice to warm up— and am going to the beach and pool for a bit tomorrow. I will cover the incision to keep it out of the sun and only stick my feet into the pool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Your fatigue is completely normal. In my first couple of months I could only do one extra 'job' a day, then I'd have to recoup the next day. As I healed more and the energy drain got less, I could do a job each day, then progressed to more than one job a day with rest periods in between. You'll get there. It just takes time and patience!
 
Had another milestone yesterday, got in and out of the shower without having to use the toilet chair (I’ve been using it like grab bars). My ROM is good, my pain is getting g better, but the exhaustion and swelling are still high. I’ve put off returning to work for two additional weeks as I am starting a new job with a 104 mile round trip commute. I can’t push it off any further so I’m hoping things keep improving. I’m walking some without the cane, just forget to, which is what I was told would happen. I’ve been told to keep the cane until I no longer limp. Working on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Once you think you no longer need the cane, put it in the trunk of your car so you will have it with you (or at least reasonably close) should you need it while on your commute or when out and about. You just never know when the need might arise.

You’re doing the right thing to wait two more weeks before going back to work. Your recovery is going well, and you will continue to get better and stronger. There’s a good chance you’ll be surprised, and pleasantly, by how much better your knee will feel in those two weeks. It still won’t be 100%, of course, but very few jobs will wait for that. :nah: Any time you can give yourself is worthwhile.
 
@SusieShoes you are right there. They wanted me to start working remote about three weeks ago—it’s a high capacity leadership job—and I don’t want everyone’s first image of me is someone clearly not 100%. and dealing with the exhaustion. In two weeks it is what it is but I am counting on a little progress in this area.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Anyone have any advice about dealing with the scar tightness? I still have a few scabs at five weeks, otherwise it looks great. But it takes a number of gradual bends to get it flexing and it appears to be the scar. I’ve been told I can’t use mederma, etc until the last scans are gone. Any insight?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You are still very early in a year long recovery. Tightness and stiffness is completely normal for many months after this surgery. Even if you can't see swelling on the outside, the inside knee is still swollen. That makes it hard to bend it. This recovery takes lots of patience, and that's not an easy thing! As time goes on, that tightness will diminish. You can't force it away. It takes as long as it takes. But, if you try to work it away, it'll just swell more and be tighter. I suggest to just elevate and ice. This helps to reduce that fluid inside your knee.
 
I found the area of the scar to feel stiff for a while. You tend to think it will never go away--but it does. One day you notice that you don't notice the scar anymore--if that makes sense. ;) It is very easy to become focused on it I know I was for quite a while. Just part of the healing process. Having had the benefit of the tkr experience, I was much less obsessed with my scar when I had surgery for a broken wrist a few years later. :)
 
It seems to be the scar that is tight and reducing your bendability but it’s more likely the swelling inside, even if you can’t see swelling. I still have some.
 
Congratulations for being able to shower without a shower chair. I’ve never used one, but the last time I showered kinda scared me. I definitely need to install bars or something. Keep up the good attitude. You will get there. Hugs...
 
Today I hit another milestone— a complete rotation on the stationary bike! Felt so good. Finally got my beige compression stockings that I ordered on line— the shipping was sooo slow.... but they look so much better than the white TED hose and are similar compression. I stop wearing them in two days but I enjoy having them on. Incision is healing nicely but having a lot of pain on the inside of the knee. The ice is helping—I ice almost anytime I’m not up and about. Overall a good day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Where did you order your compression stockings? I so disliked those white ones!
 
Hmmmmmm.... Do the white ones feel worse than the nude ones??? Asking for a friend... :)
 

Staff online

Members online

Back
Top Bottom