Did I overdo it? 5 months post-op

[Roo73]

Long time since I posted because I feel like such a wuss because I only had a PKR (8/12/08) and I know my recovery is much different than a TKR. However, I really overdid it last week-end, evidently without knowing I was doing so. Probably should have rested on Sunday, but kept going to finish the project I was doing. Monday was tolerable but today is miserable - pain and swelling. I still take vicodin once a day in the mornings and have really done well on that regimen and an occasional one later in the day if I'm experiencing some pain. I just think I should be past all this at 5 months post-op, but today I ended up putting on my compression stocking just so I could come to work. I'm limping and it hurts enough to cause nausea. I know recovery is up to 18 months, but since I've had so few problems, I was taken by surprise by this. Ice? Elevation? Pain meds? Give in and rest for a day? Keep exercising? I know I can't actually HURT the replacement itself, but does anyone have input on this?

 

[Josephine]

Sounds like you have an 'itis' in a tendon somewhere? What was the project you were working on? Paperwork or laying a patio!

You certainly have overdone it and you need to
~ stop doing whatever it was that caused this (temporary) setback!
~ up the pain meds for a short period
~ ice and elevate as usual
~ have a period of sick leave to rest
~ see your doctor to make sure it's nothing more serious (I'm sure it's not but one has to be sure!)
~ maybe see your PT or a chiropractor to get some good massage and acu-pressure

 

[Jamie]

I did the same thing and suffered just like you are. Somehow I thought I was fine because I was getting around just great. Did a "mega" workout at the gym and it was a couple of weeks before I was really back to normal again. Jo is absolutely right in all she says...the important thing is not to panic and remember to be moderate in what you do! I took a round of anti-inflammants (I use Aleve) and I think that helped too.

 

[Roo73]

Well, in answer to Jo's question, I was moving stuff from one apartment to another next door - laying on the patio is not an option here as it's about 10 degrees and supposed to get colder. :-D I was not carrying anything very heavy or going up and down stairs, just a lot of trips back & forth. I sat on the floor and assembled storage shelves, etc. I was okay Sunday and continued (that might have been my mistake) so that I could finish moving the stuff. I have felt so good that I just didn't realize I would pay for it, especially THREE days later! And, Jamie, I have been taking two Aleve each morning along with the other and I just don't feel that it does anything at all. I remember I slowly dropped the vicodin a couple of months after surgery and my OS felt it was too soon. So I guess moderation is the key in my activities. I've just never been very good at moderation.

 

[beachcomber]

Hi there---
I've been thinking about you and wondering how you and your new knee have been doing. I guess now I know!

Sorry to hear you have had some problems. Take it a little easier next time and give yourself a break.

I know (really) how you feel about the PKR thing and comparing yourself to the TKR folks because I have felt the same way, but you had exactly the same surgery on 1/2 of your knee that they had done on both sides of their knees. Your medial/lateral knee hurts just as much as theirs--- just on one side. It was still sawed, hammered, drilled, and stitched. I think we probably got our ROM back sooner because of the one-sided thing--- but it was no cake walk.
It was nice to hear from you. Take it easy and be kind to yourself.

Beach

 

[Josephine]

Naughty, naughty!

Self assembly is much on a par with laying a patio!

 

[missyc]

Hi. I'm also 5 months and I overdo it all the time, through exercising or just walking too much. My PT says that it's to be expected and compares it to peaks and valleys -- each time you increase activity (peak), you will experience some kind of setback (valley) but then once you're through it, the next peak will be higher as will the next valley. I find that after a couple days rest, I'm okay and ready to overdo once again. Hopefully this makes sense (I'm also still struggling with the energy level issue)...

 

[Jamie]

It makes sense to me, Missy. I did that all the time. And even at 10 1/2 months, I still have energy issues now and then. But I think you're right that the improvement consistently is there even with some setbacks. I'm glad to hear you are doing well!!!

 

[Roo73]

I am SO glad you brought up the energy issue - I thought maybe I was just being lazy. I just seem to shut down sometimes and nothing but sleep will do. It's been a week since I overdid and I'm still in some pain but the swelling has gotten better. I started taking my Aleve regularly again as Jamie suggested. And I've been a little more meticulous about getting it UP when I get home from work. Still have some painful movement but I am hoping it will go away. I had an insurance company change on 1/1/09 and my OS is not in my network, so I'll be going to someone I don't know. My original OS did not think I needed PT and at the time, I didn't either. I've done so well exercising on my own. I had been riding my bike 30 minutes a day but I stopped last week when I was so sore. I guess I can start again but maybe not as long every day. I was out today to an auction for the first time in almost a year. I had to quit going because I couldn't stand that long. Today I had access to a chair so I could do both. So I guess I need to take smaller steps in recovery. I've lost some weight and that always feels better too.

 

[Jamie]

Way to go, Roo!!! It sounds like you are doing great. I hope the change in doctors does not present a problem for you, but it shouldn't as long as you can find a good replacement. Sometimes insurance is the pits, isn't it!!!

 

[Josephine]

Better to do 3 ten minute sessions rather than 1 of thirty minutes. You get time to recharge your batteries then.

 

[missyc]

On the energy question -- according to one of my PT's, the process of scar-healing alone requires a lot of energy (and takes at least a year). She said as long as your scar is still very red it's still healing and using up bodily resources. Of course, add that to the soft tissue healing still going on and you've got your energy crisis.
It sounds like it makes sense to me, but I'd love to hear what Jo thinks about that scar/energy hypothesis?

 

[Josephine]

Well, I think I must have said that at least a couple of dozen times in various threads if not more! Particularly where people are complaining of feeling overly tired.

Healing consumes calories>energy - in spades! That's why someone who's been ill or has had surgery needs a good diet and plenty of rest. That's also why even small activities can make you feel anything from unexpectedly tired to seriously exhausted. So the PT is right on the ball!