TKR christeen's knee journey 8/11

[CATSMUM]

Brilliant report, you're doing so well. Keep up the good work.

 

[Poz222]

Yes, that is what he said... To just increase doing my regular activities and work on specific strength stuff later. He is very understanding and is confident it will come around. But it felt loose today.

One question maybe someone can help with. I think the swelling came down but suddenly (like the past 2 days) I have like a dent that is ring shaped around the top of the kneecap. My knee is kinds swelled (like having half a hollowed out grapefruit, then there is a top semi-circle "trench" then a kind of spare tire skin/fat... Like a cankle but on the knee (I will try to post photo. Is this maybe something my OS has to know or will it smooth over when all the swelling is done? I have a skin crease there too?

 

[Poz222]

Anyone have thoughts on the strange indentation above? Should I contact OS? Knee not "feeling" any different, just looks different.

 

[Dogmom]

Mine looks similar depending on how my leg is positioned.

 

[cairistiona60]

I was told it was scar tissue and would resolve, I hope.

 

[Dearjr]

It happens because of swelling and should go away. If you use the knee a lot it will swell. So ice and rest

 

[Poz222]

So my knee "frown" might go away when the swelling does? It just appeared...

 

[Celle]

Your knee looks OK to me. I'm sure it will start to look more normal as time goes on.

 

[Poz222]

Ok.. I'll put my patience pants on I guess...

 

[bdink21]

Your knee looks good. Still swollen in parts so you have little hills and gullies lol. It will get more normal looking when the swelling goes down. That's based on how my non TKR looks when it is very swollen and then starts to go down. My TKR knee is completely swollen so other than my pretty scar it's ugly to me. I can't wait for this swelling to go down :/

 

[Poz222]

On the road again"! I be driving again!! Today hubby had to drop his car off to fix so I followed him with mine and I felt great! Granted I don't think I could do a LONG drive as the restrained position would get uncomfortable... But now I know I can do short trips!!

 

[bdink21]

Freeeeddddoomm!!!!!! Yay for you!!

 

[PolarBear60]

That's how it starts. Before too long, you'll feel comfortable extending your range.

 

[Poz222]

Speaking of "expanding my range", I am currently at 4 weeks (day 28 post op) and feeling stronger and much more confident every day. I wondering about tips for flying. We have a situation/opportunity for my husband where he needs to go to a corporate training and it is 3.5 hour flight. He will be there 2 weeks and has a short-stay apartment. We would be going in 2 weeks (I will be 6 weeks post op then) and many times I go with him as we have family and friends there too. But with this knee I am debating?

My OS said he is ok with it, just keep taking the aspirin, make sure every 30-45 minutes I get up and move or do some leg exercises and we have good status with airlines so I can hopefully get an upgrade or at the very least a bulkhead seat... And I will bring ice bag and ask for ice and get wheelchair assist and a direct flight.

I think I will be strong enough but I am wondering if I am missing anything? Something I have not thought of? I have 2 more weeks to get stronger. I will of course buy trip insurance in case I chicken out or need to return early... Anyone else fly soon after surgery? Am I crazy?

Just as an FYI, I would not consider this except My husband does not want to leave me alone here for 2 weeks and will decline the trip if I can't go as he would be so worried about me left here. He does so much for me, I don't want him to miss this opportunity...

 

[Pumpkin]

Poz222,
We have members who have flown home a few days after surgery and have done fine.
In the end it is up to you, and how comfortable you are with flying. Your OS has given his OK and told you what to do, and you have a good plan in place to avoid the ODIC.

 

[Celle]

This article about flying may help you:
Flying soon after surgery

 

[Poz222]

Thanks Celle, that is good info. I am trying to cover all those bases. I booked the flight using airline miles and managed to get business class going out but only economy coming home so I will have to deal with that. But by using miles I can cancel my trip easily if I decide I am not ready to fly without penalty.

 

[Poz222]

Well, they picked up my CPM machine today... I kinda miss the beast and am a little sad to see it go (even though truth be told I had barely used it in the past 5 days as I am much more active). But a part of me misses it (silly I know).

I am booked for my trip so now to see how able I am in 11 days.

I have been slowly doing easy meal prep, went shopping (with cart of course) and just general getting around... Starting to feel a bit more "normal" even with a stiff knee, pain is down (it really only swells / hurts at night) but I ice and rest and elevate periodically during the day...

 

[bdink21]

Well just think letting go of that CPM machine as progressing to a new level!! I felt the same way about the walker and left it sitting near the couch for a few days, you know, in case I needed it. It's nice to hear you're doing well. I think you'll be fine on that trip, I'd only be worried about the flight but at least business class you'll have more room to stretch out.

I have to agree with that feeling of normalcy in doing everyday things even with a stiff knee. There are times though when I forget about the knee, when I don't even feel it and I know someday it will be like that all of the time. I hardly take pain meds during the day but boy at night that knee likes to wake me up. Like right now it's starting to ache so I'll take something and ice it to try to quiet it down.

 

[Poz222]

Yes, the little angry man inside my knee is definetly nocturnal... He wakes up at night and starts beating on my knee from inside... I go to sleep with the ide machine on and take pain meds (percocets) during the day I get by with Alieve... When I am waking up, half between sleep and awake I don't feel my knee and in my sleepy mind I think... Ahhhh... I'm all better, then I go to roll over... And NOPE! Sorry lady... Not all better!! OUCH! And I am back to reality.