Elevated

[ouch]

New question: How long do you have to keep you legs elevated when sitting. I make my husband keep his legs up on a pillow all the time (the only time he can't is when he is sleeping because of his spinal surgery). He is now 3 weeks tomorrow since his surgery. Still has swelling, which I think is normal for just 3 weeks in. But he was just asking me, how long do I have to keep them up, and I said, "I don't know," but I'll ask the experts on the forum.

 

[Jamie]

Yes the swelling is completely normal at 3 weeks. It can last quite a while in some people. I had swelling issues until I was 6 months out. If there is pain, there is swelling....even if the knee doesn't LOOK swollen. Things are pretty tight in there and it doesn't take much fluid to cause pain. And....the pain can be in a lot of places other than the knee itself. Soooo....as long as there is pain and swelling, he should ice and elevate at least a good bit of the day. But do give the sweet guy a break now and then. He's working hard in recovery and he deserves it!!

 

[ship4]

I elevated a good 3 months........ I had BTKR, and the elevation with ice at the end of the day was wonderful!
Best,

 

[lakelover]

I am 9 1/2 weeks out and I still ice and elevate about three times a day: after my PT exercises, after my walk and in the evening. I just keep the ice on until I have something else I have to take care of but at least 20-30 minutes.

 

[FrogFeathers]

I don't use ice anymore unless I'm in a lot of pain after PT or something (a week ago Sunday, I ended up walking far too much at the UW Hospital in Madison, so I iced up when I got home). But, I do elevate whenever I can. I'm still getting a bit of swelling. Not a lot, but I can press a dent into my shin some days.

 

[Nancyo]

Ouch!!
Did you say your husband was sitting with his knees propped up? It might do more good if he were to lay down flat with pillows under his calf's elevating the knees equal to or above the heart level. The aim is to let the extra fluid in his tissue have a chance to drain out. Swelling at this point is really pretty normal. There is a LOT of healing going on in there and if you stop and think about it, the body has a bunch of work to do to get things right again. Is there a reason that he can't lay down flat on his back with his knees propped up on pillows? You said something about spinal surgery, I hope I didn't misunderstand you. Let me know as I sure wouldn't want to steer you wrong on this issue. I just know that getting the knee above the heart line is the trick to draining the swelling. If you put ice on the knee in this position it works even better. Also really helps with the pain.
Please post often as we do really care. Give your Hubby a big hello from all of us. We know what he's going through!
Blessings to you both!
Nancyo

 

[Josephine]

I thought that too, Nancy. "Sitting" sounds kind of upright doesn't it!

Ouch - the ideal and most comfortable way to do this is like so

Though to be honest, her back looks a little too twisted for my liking!

 

[Nancyo]

Jo, THANKS for posting this example!
I couldn't find one to my liking and this one comes as close as you can get without being perfect. She does look a bit uncomfortable doesn't she? At least she's in the right position to get the job done!
Blessings to you Jo!
Nancyo

 

[Judles]

If that woman stays in that position, boy is she going to need a chiropractor to adjust her spine!

 

[ouch]

Nancyo & Jo:
Thank you for the advice. He has no trouble sleeping, he just can't keep his feet elevated on a pillow at night (sleeping) because of his spinal surgery. Maybe we will try the pillow under the calf, or does it go under the knees?
Also Jo, could not access that i42.tinypic.com site to look at the picture.
The P/T just left and said he is progressing, but not as expected. He just can't get the knee to bend. He should be at 90 (3 1/2 weeks), and he is only about a 50. Very depressing for both of us. But we're not giving up. We'll keep doing the exercises and see what Mr. Personality doctor has to say on Monday.
Thanks to all.

 

[Jamie]

Ouch, God bless you and hubby for continuing to work toward improved ROM. Sometimes it take this extra effort. If you use a pillow, it goes under the calf or ankle. Putting it under the knee can increase the risk of developing a blood clot. Do have a serious chat with the doctor about what is going on and let us know what he says.

 

[Josephine]

Ouch, that should be showing up as a picture.

Go to your User Control Panel by clicking on those words at the top of this page. There you will find a list on the left had side. Click on Edit Option and then scroll right down the bottom of the page. There you should find a box called Message Editor Interface. Check that it shows "Show Enhanced WYSIWYG Editor" If it doesn't, then click on the drop down menu and change it. Then click on Save Changes at the bottom. See if that changes things.

 

[ouch]

Jo: Got into control panel, but did not see the edit option or anything close to that. That's okay, you've been so helpful in all other ways.

 

[ouch]

Jo: Went back into control panel and found it - thank you.