TKR Days of Recovery (TKR 1/4)

[LD of Michigan]

@Arjay
Thank you for your detailed comments. Yes, I too seem to need to go potty often at night even when I try not to drink much water after 7 PM. So contraptions and hoses a plenty would not be good when you're trying to make it. LOL! I'm lining my leg with a soft pillow case under the ice packs which seems to make icing more tolerable.

I have a prescription for Trazadone from before surgery and was waiting until not taking Oxy and Tylenol so much to resume taking this med. It's helping. Four full hours of sleep last night and allowing myself to sleep a bit in the day too - to catch up.

 

[beachy]

I took Trazadone for 16 yrs. Doc prescribed it when my son was deployed to Iraq and I wasn't sleeping. It did the trick. For many years. You have to be very careful taking it when you're on narcotic pain meds. But, sounds like you know that. I weaned off trazadone last year. Finally.
Glad you're getting some rest!

 

[LD of Michigan]

Day 34 or so. I am sleeping much better. And doing light chores and cooking fast meals more and more

I did have a set-back where knee went from great weight bearing and high percentage flexion/ extension to suddenly extremely painful locking-up if it simply shifted side-to-side in bed! This was initially shocking as I could do other, harder movements so well. So I decided let up on the home PT between PT's onsite at center. My baby knee was saying 'ENOUGH' -- let me rest 'WILL YOU!?' So I did.

Against my PT's suggestion to do more at home between center sessions - I stopped! Giving myself instead full days to recover. The locking-up is far less - pain nearly gone. Apparently I was doing to much, too fast.

Taking less and less Oxy now. Maybe just twice a day. Tylenol as needed. Appetite improving.

I hope to start driving short distances end of this week once I'm off Oxy all together. Drove in four weeks with RTKR. That was painful at points as that was the action leg. Will see how left leg TKR driving goes. Thanks for all the info and support provided here!

 

[beachy]

Great news about sleep, cooking, and meds!
I'm a week behind you and seeing progress, too.
Haven't started PT yet, but have an appt on thurs. I'll go if the swelling is down.

 

[LD of Michigan]

Yes, my surgical team really rushed PT starting within 72 hours of me being home with home visit PT sessions. OK, I guess as I wanted and was able for movement early but it could've been considered pushy - too early!

Knowing that some doctors order PT much later made/ makes me feel less obligated to do it everyday in between PT sessions on site. I rest more and feel better.

 

[LD of Michigan]

Woo-hoo! Four weeks post TKR

I'm off Oxy -- almost 36 hours. Tylenol, Celebrex and aspirin with occasional muscle relaxer now.

Icing a bit more to manage pain as PT goals increased a bit more last two sessions, but no major or new pain.

 

[beachy]

LD, would you say your pain is more discomfort with tightness than actual pain now? My tkr was 1 week after yours. I have more tight discomfort than pain now.
That's for @LD of Michigan

 

[benne68]

Happy 1-Month An-knee-versary, @LD of Michigan! Hope this note finds you doing well.

 

[LD of Michigan]

LD, would you say your pain is more discomfort with tightness than actual pain now? My tkr was 1 week after yours. I have more tight discomfort than pain now.
That's for @LD of Michigan

Hello! Our dates are similar between each TKR too. Yes, I still have a numb pain that increases with some movement, or too much walking, standing sometimes - still have that. Extension going slow with the tightness.

The sharp pains are less except for the 'zinger' sudden pains that used to happen with my RTKR.

I resumed driving - daytime. Drivers-side door pressing against my knee. Hopefully that goes over time as I cannot purchase a larger car now.

 

[LD of Michigan]

Happy 1-Month An-knee-versary...

Awe, thank you. Coming along. Incision area is a bit tender at the slightest touch increasingly. I recall that with the RTKR. Then it all turned a corner to full healing at about three months.

This LTKR scar will be lighter and without the extra incisions marks from the ROBO devise used for the RTKR.

 

[beachy]

Driving. That's awesome! I was driving short distances with lefty at 4 weeks. I'm sure it will take longer with righty.
Looking forward to the 4 week mark!

 

[LD of Michigan]

Argh...Had a bit of a PT challenge today. First time on spin-style upright bike
I requested to try it: the first 'full' peddle rotation was excruciating.... so we adjusted height and tried a couple more revolutions - less painful.

Then slowly peddling backwards and forward to the max compression without a full revolution a few times - then finally five full revolutions accomplished. Whew!

RTKR in 2019 was easier for this stage. At five weeks I was ready to push-thru as before to resume my moderate out door or gym cycling. The recumbent bike wasn't doing it.
In bed with ice - feeling good to have gone thru this recovery door !!

 

[beachy]

My tkr was a week after yours. I'm 4 weeks today. Just had my second PT today. Still no bike. I asked when and she said maybe next week. Looking forward to it, but I'll wait until they think I'm ready. There's something satisfying about rocking then making that full revolution!
I found this tkr to be about the same as first. I've been a lot more laid back about everything this time.
Hang in there...we've got this!!

 

[LD of Michigan]

The time is going by - we'll emerge from this winter one day! Woo-hoo for spring

Including my home early very minimal in-home PT I've now had about nine sessions. Twice a week. I make it a rule to DO nothing that day in between.

YES, rocking it back and forth peddle-wise at first. That's what I was tryin' to say!

Especially this TKR, PT is helping me gain motion and loosen knee to resume basics such sitting on the toilet without having that TKR'd leg extended and be able to do live cycling. My feet are finally lining up a bit more even before me when I sit.

I really like my PT as he applies a bit of moderate tissue message and beginning and end of each session. Not trying to be prefect but I want decent flexion. Extension may always be limited. Feels like the TKR spacer is inch thick this time!!

I've even added a couple more weeks which will total 12 (twice a week).

We can do it!!

 

[LD of Michigan]

Driving. That's awesome! I was driving short distances with lefty at 4 weeks...

Yes, driving is cool, but as I'm still a bit tired I have to pace myself - know when to stop.

Scrapped my cars lower bumper a bit in a fast-food drive thru... ... !!

Only taking Tylenol as needed, but still misjudged the yellow pole as I pulled up to pay-window. Thankfully it's a area I was already having repainted but still... argh!
I've the need to go further from home later in the week and will just be driven...

 

[EalingGran]

Sorry to hear about the scrape- so annoying but at least it was nothing too serious. Just have to go easy on ourselves.

 

[beachy]

You might have misjudged the yellow poles pre tkr. We all have those "moments"
I call mine....senior blonde moments
That's a double whammy for me LOL
Sounds like you're having a good recovery. Try to avoid the ODIC.

 

[EalingGran]

@beachy Senior blonde moments- love it!
Would use that myself except I was/am a redhead (mainly highlights over grey...).
Just got a speeding fine on my first trip out! London is going mainly 20mph in a lot of built up areas for safety/ eco reasons. I was only doing 24 mph but got caught on a camera. I do kind of support it but it is very hard to drive so slowly... I will have to pay for a speed awareness class to avoid points on my licence. It never rains but it pours.

 

[InkedMarie]

@beachy I have senior silver moments!

Marie

 

[LD of Michigan]

Yeah! I went on home and got into the bed... ala my hamster cage! Figured I'd done enough.

Will see what my doc says about my driving this Tuesday. I am only taking Tylenol twice a day but still want a return to work statement before I drive again.