Bilateral TKR Day 6 post bilateral TKR

[Freya]

Thanks Deb!

 

[Lilli215]

Freya what a shame that your journey home has resulted n so much pain. My journey home took two anda half hours including a ferry crossing, I was absolutely exhausted and an emotional wreck. Read everything that the admin team have listed for you on your thread, there is a wealth of useful information there. Like us all you have a long journey ahead of you and I would be telling lies if I said it will go smoothly with no setbacks because that's the last thing it will be. These new knees have a mind of their own so be prepared for that, they rule the roost and willhave no problem in letting you know that!! This is a terrific site and you will get lots of support, sympathy and encouragement from it. Take it very easy now that you're home, stick to your pain meds like glue and sleep whenever you can as night sleep can be difficult to come by, I averaged about 2 hours per night for the first four weeks and as you will read on here the majority suffered sleep problems in first few weeks. Hang on in there, it's hard but it's worth it.

 

[Freya]

Update: smiling... so the PT woman comes to my house and tells me she has never met anyone who's Range of Motion numbers did not go down after coming home from hospital. She measured mine. Flection (bending my knee behind me) was 94 two days ago and today on both knees it's 110. Extension two days ago was 14 on both knees and today it's 10 on both. So, I'm guessing I'm doing better than I thought. Freya

 

[Roy Gardiner]

94-110 in 2 days shows decline in swelling and the knee able to take up the available flexion. All you need now are gentle stretches to help mobility, and patience. Patience is by far the most important.

 

[KarriB]

That's great! Just continue icing/elevating/resting.

 

[Freya]

Well the PT woman came on Monday and gave me about 20 exercises to do 1-2 x daily. Well I didn't hear "work up to the number of reps" I just dug in trying to do them all. Monday evening/night was the worst pain I've EVER had and as a result, I just did the bare minimum for exercises yesterday. Guess what?? Hardly no pain AND I slept through the whole night with no pain. What a relief. Today she came and was speechless I did them all, with all the reps, twice. lol Freya

 

[KarriB]

20 exercises? I only had 6 and they were all stretches to do laying on a bed except heel slides. Be very careful, don't do anything that hurts and do not medicate just for PT.

 

[teacher ted]

Freya,
Don't let the PT work you to death, it comes with time.
My biggest mistake after two one month apart was overdoing it at week 2, you can hurt yourself.
Anyhow, I am 11 and 10 months out and am in love with my two knees, I mean one looks twice as ugly as the other, but they work great!
Little steps, little steps, you'll get there.

 

[KarriB]

It's not exercises that'll get your knee bending, it's time that your knee/soft tissue needs to heal and let the swelling go down.
Can you tell us your surgery date so we can make a signature do you?

 

[Freya]

Yes, of course. My surgery was April 25. Most of these exercises are stretches, leg lifts, heel slides, and none of them are too taxing, if I only do 15 or 20 reps, and NOT the 50 reps she'd like me to work up too. I'm doing great and am not pushing myself too hard. I'm icing and am pretty much off the pain meds, managing with Tylenol arthritis formula. Just added up all the exercises. Between the bed and sitting ones there are 12 all together, which isn't too bad. Takes me about an hour all together to do. Thanks for your thoughts and concerns. Freya

 

[becticu]

@Freya, good morning. Oh my there is nothing baby about you! I was set for bilateral and changed surgeons and he only does staged knees. My left was March 22 and right will be June 5. I came to the conclusion that I would have died (just kidding) if I did both. So change your word from baby to brave!! This is the hardest thing I have ever done.

I think what you are experiencing is normal for coming home. I didn't have rehab because I only had one knee done so I came home the next day. Days 3-11 were probably the hardest for me and were very dark days, BUT it does get better! Don't be surprised if you have a good day and then 2 bad days. I just asked God why I couldn't have 2 good days in a row! I am 7 weeks out now and still have good and not so good days. Don't stop your meds too soon, you need them. Rest, elevate and ice, ice, ice.

The nice thing about this site is you are safe here. We've all been through this and understand. You can be happy, sad, angry all in the same day and it's okay. You will find good support here!

 

[KarriB]

I'm glad you're not doing the 50. I think you can take it down to once a day if you want.

 

[Jennszoo]

Yes. Day 3-11 were exactly the worst for me, too.

 

[Freya]

Thanks everyone! Yes I've come to the conclusion that every good day is to be followed by a couple of not so good ones. The truth is I feel fine so I go about my life as I always have ~ full steam ahead. Then it's to the bed for a day or so paying for the full stream ahead. Freya

 

[Celle]

You need to ease off your activity on the good days, @Freya. Have a look at this article again, and check what you should be doing:
Activity progression for TKRs
Remember that your knees have been through major surgery and they need rest and gentle treatment, so they can heal well.

 

[SusieShoes]

Sounds like you're doing wonderfully, Freya! A few little exercises are all you need right now. My PT says it's all about progress. If things hurt more after PT, you did too much, so back off. I like that advice. Sensible.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Freya]

So, tomorrow it will be 3 weeks since my surgery, and today my PT told me I've achieved 120 in bending my knee and 0 on extending it. Went to the doctor Friday and he couldn't believe how straight my knees are. Stiffness is pretty much gone, no pain meds, graduating from walker to canes. All in all doing pretty good. Freya

 

[KarriB]

Wow! That sounds great!

 

[Freya]

It's really almost unbelievable. So happy.

 

[Celle]

Excellent! Now you have the Great ROM, you won't lose it. You can ease off the exercises and let the activities of daily living take over as your therapy.