Bilateral TKR BTKR 28th May 2019 - post op journal

[Atlas_aus]

Phew, I feel your relief! Seriously, that's removed a major worry from you. Two weeks behind you now, and starting to get back into life again. I felt so good once I could drive at 3 weeks and move around without aids at 2 weeks. I was very careful not to overdo anything, used my exercycle for 10 minutes a day and had series of gentle exercises I also did daily, but only 1 set. I pottered in the garden, and everything was ticking along very well. Until - at 14 weeks, a cold winters day, with glorious sunshine, I put on my running shoes and decided to go for a walk. Walked for only a half hour, but pushed the pace so I was huffing and puffing. All good - until I got up from sitting a little while later. My knees were SO tight! Not really sore, just very tight. It took a few days to resolve. I didn't ice, I am so over icing. What I found helped was frequently massaging firmly. That really loosened things up. It made me wonder if heat would have been a good thing to do, any thoughts anyone? It took a few days to come right again, lesson learned. Would heat be appropriate now at 15 weeks?

You are soooo right.... Of all the things I was concerned about not being able to pee was not on my list.... And the sheer frustration of what is a normal bodily function was beyond me. And the inconvenience, the 'strange' feeling I had down there, trying like hell not to hurt myself in my sleep, it all added a lot of extra stress I did not need. But that is just an uncomfortable memory now

I will start the cycle on Tuesday, my 3rd week. My knees generally feel fine, the muscles above are still sore and tight as are my calves, though my calves have always been sore and tight for some reason, and that is with regular massages. I will touch base with my OT in the next week or two and start some sort of exercise regimen. But it will be on my terms

I think you are on the right track with the heat, it's my go to when I have tight or sore muscles... Perhaps once we are past the swelling side of things then a combination of ice and heat is called for as we push that little bit further day by day.

At this point in time ice is still on my agenda but I will be continue to add heat as I need to, so far so good... There is just something more soothing about heat then ice !

Thanks for your support everyone it really does help to share with people who have been through it

 

[sistersinhim]

You can experiment with heat. It's generally not a good idea while you're still swelling. Heat feeds inflammation while ice inhibits it. If you swell more after heat, it's too early to do so you need to wait a few more weeks to try it again. Always let your knee's reaction be your guide in all you do.

 

[Atlas_aus]

Hi,

Thanks. Yes my knees will let me know if i am doing it wrong

 

[possum65]

I look forward to the time when my knees are not taking the lead role any more!

 

[Atlas_aus]

I look forward to the time when my knees are not taking the lead role any more!

Hey Possum,

Yes I am hearing you.

 

[klinkmcbear]

@Atlas_aus I'm just catching up on your thread now. I'm so glad that you've been able to pee! The whole stretch with the catheter sounded awful - - but great that it's in your rear view mirror!!

The more I read on bonesmart, the more it's driven home that each recovery is different. I'm going to try using more heat because of reading your thread - it seems to be a good solution for some of us, so it's certainly worth a try. I've been icing like crazy, and in many situations it helps, but in others, not so much. I love reading about the different solutions that work for some but not at all for others. One size definitely does not fit all!! But this forum gives us things to experiment with to help each of us figure out what works best for our own recovery.

 

[Atlas_aus]

@klinkmcbear Thanks mate, yes every journey is different it seems.

It's been a good week, still going along pretty well. Visited my OT for the first time he was happy with my bend but lying flat is a problem at this stage. Before we started I mentioned one of his exercises wreaked havoc on my back and explained we were going to have a balance between back and knees. He gave some exercises to do including putting my leg on a chair or similar, flat and if needed with some weight on it !

We finished the session on the bike and I surprised him in being able to do full rotations rather easily.

Driving a lot more, out and about shopping with my Wife and finding it not too bad. I tire a lot more quickly than I used to and I am finding it easier to use the crutches if I am doing a lot of walking.

1 month this coming Tuesday and I am very happy with my overall progress. I see my specialist next week so that will be interesting.

Until I hope your journey is going as expected.

 

[TimeBuster]

What a wonderful report.

I remember the first time I was able to make a full rotation on the bike, I literally started crying.

Keep up the great work

 

[klinkmcbear]

@Atlas_aus - full revolutions on the bike....and easily....wow, that's awesome!! I'm with @TimeBuster , that was a huge milestone for me. It sounds like everything is going pretty good for you - Way to go!!

I feel like besides all the knee stuff, the rest of my body has taken a big hit; aches and pains in my back, neck, glutes, etc. My PT explains that the rest of our body is working so hard to compensate for what the knee can't do yet, so everything is getting out of whack. It makes sense! I've been going to a chiropractor who does ART (Active Release Techniques), and that's helping with my other aches. I'm also using the foam roller and a tennis ball to hit some of the trigger points and work out some of the knots. I'm going to try yoga, maybe today. PT says that's a good idea, but obviously I won't be able to do a lot of the positions. I'll just stretch during those moves. I'm a couple of weeks farther out than you, but just some ideas that might bring some relief.

 

[BCSAnna]

@Atlas_aus

Glad to hear that your recovery is going well and that you have finally shed that catheter. My grandmother used to say, "The most enjoyable flower of all is a sweet pee." And, I would have to agree with her.

I am now in my second week of recovery which has, surprisingly, gone better than expected. This coming Wednesday, I will be getting my 44 staples removed. Hopefully, the event will be quick and painless like you experienced.

Keep up the great work on your road to recovery.

Amma

 

[possum65]

I was so excited when I could do a full forward revolution on my exercycle! A real milestone indeed. Just visualising you with legs stretched out straight with weights hanging off!

 

[Rockgirl4]

@Atlas_aus I am still in shock that you're already driving AND can do full revolutions on the bike. Please send some of that good fortune and mojo this way!!! It sounds like things are really going well, and I'm thrilled for you. I'm doing well overall except for the bending taking its time, but I really want to drive and ride my bike.

@klinkmcbear I STILL say we're knee twins! I've had the same bac/hip/glute issues and am using my foam roller, my own gait belt, plus a lacrosse ball to get at the knots and then stretch where/what I can. I do a lot of Pilates-type moves because of a chronic lower back issue, and I can't wait to get back into my normal routine. It's coming soon though.

 

[Atlas_aus]

What a wonderful report.

I remember the first time I was able to make a full rotation on the bike, I literally started crying.

Keep up the great work

Hiya @TimeBuster ,

I wish I could say I was 'working', but really I am just lazing around and doing little bits here and there. Thanks for the good wishes.

 

[Atlas_aus]

@Atlas_aus - full revolutions on the bike....and easily....wow, that's awesome!! I'm with @TimeBuster , that was a huge milestone for me. It sounds like everything is going pretty good for you - Way to go!!

I feel like besides all the knee stuff, the rest of my body has taken a big hit; aches and pains in my back, neck, glutes, etc. My PT explains that the rest of our body is working so hard to compensate for what the knee can't do yet, so everything is getting out of whack. It makes sense! I've been going to a chiropractor who does ART (Active Release Techniques), and that's helping with my other aches. I'm also using the foam roller and a tennis ball to hit some of the trigger points and work out some of the knots. I'm going to try yoga, maybe today. PT says that's a good idea, but obviously I won't be able to do a lot of the positions. I'll just stretch during those moves. I'm a couple of weeks farther out than you, but just some ideas that might bring some relief.

Hello, thanks for the reply. Once the catheter was ridden of things really started going well. I still have a long way to go but touch wood, so far so good. I agree with you about the rest of our body not being happy too.... For some of us who have bad knees for decades my body adjusted as it went to try an lesson the pain... Now we have thrown everything back into balance, it's no wonder it is complaining. I can see why they say buy new shoes..My Wife can't believe how straight my legs are now... Must have been pretty bad before !!

Yoga, That is a whole other level for my old bones and muscles, not sure I am ready for that ! Will just try little steps first and see where I end up.

 

[Atlas_aus]

@Atlas_aus

Glad to hear that your recovery is going well and that you have finally shed that catheter. My grandmother used to say, "The most enjoyable flower of all is a sweet pee." And, I would have to agree with her.

I am now in my second week of recovery which has, surprisingly, gone better than expected. This coming Wednesday, I will be getting my 44 staples removed. Hopefully, the event will be quick and painless like you experienced.

Keep up the great work on your road to recovery.

Amma

Hi Amma,

It was SUCH a relief probably more mentally than physically to be honest. Either way I am glad it's gone! I too was stressing about the staples but honestly it was the easiest part of the journey to date. Having not had them before I was imagining all sorts of special pliers or screwdrivers to get the little suckers out... But clearly someone figured out how to do it more humanely

Good luck with it.

I was so excited when I could do a full forward revolution on my exercycle! A real milestone indeed. Just visualising you with legs stretched out straight with weights hanging off!

Hey Possum,

Not a great visual !

Tomorrow I am trying a real bike just to see how it is... I tried before surgery and was nowhere near being able to do it.

 

[Atlas_aus]

Hello @Rockgirl4

Yes, I am in shock too, I envisioned the worst after reading a lot of things including some of the not so good reports on here. I guess if you set the bar low enough it is not to hard to exceed it !

I certainly can send you lots of good wishes and thanks for being so kind. As we know all our journeys are different but hopefully we all end up at the end better off than when we started, I know I do already.

 

[Atlas_aus]

Saturday 22nd June 2019

Howdy all,

Beautiful Winter's day here downunder so we decided to go for a drive and explore the north side. It is days like this I miss my big motorbike... Hopefully at the end of this journey I can get back on one.

Myself and my wonderful supportive Wife. No idea how I would have got through this without her.

Spent about 3 hrs all up in the car, getting out a few times to take some snaps and enjoy the scenery. "Falling" into the car seat is a lot easier than trying to get out I must say !!

Swelling has all but gone now, though my new knees look 'bigger' than my originals or my upper and lower leg muscles/mass have reduced a great deal. Hopefully with a bit of effort (groan) and exercise they will return to the way they were... Never hurts to dream

Returned the Game Ready system yesterday, a week early, was not using it, but sure as, if I had only got it for 2 weeks I would want more ! Down to icing once a a day at the moment which seems to be going ok. Have hardly any pain meds for a couple of weeks (though popped some one night) and I must say I am very happy as I come up to 1 month post op on Tuesday.

Now the swelling has come down I have noticed a lot more clicking and clunking... Does not hurt, just feels really weird ! Hopefully when everything has repaired and some of muscles return it will be normal once again....

Normal, huh... Never thought I would be able to say that again after so long living with 2 bung knees. But with the advances in this sort of procedure I think now was the right time to get it done. 1 Month down and I am soooo happy I took the leap of faith.

Some other small 'wins' in the last couple of days, and I think it is only those on this forum that could relate :

• Dressing myself !
• Can now put my own sox on, and do up the laces on my left shoe. Right is being stubborn however !
• Shower and dry myself all over !!!
• Walk up stairs like a normal person, down like a normal person, but in slowwww motion

Anyway that is it for now, hope you all are having a great w/e and your individual journeys are going as well as possible.

 

[Jockette]

Very nice picture of you and your wife. My husband was very good to me in my recovery, also.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

I wish I could say I was 'working', but really I am just lazing around and doing little bits here and there.

Your approach is exactly correct, don't try to 'work' it doesn't, er, um, work.

I have noticed a lot more clicking and clunking

It just goes away completely over time.

 

[sistersinhim]

How inspiring your BTKR is to those coming up behind you! Your sensible recovery is working well for you. Good work at not working! Keep up the good not working!