TKR Fall on TKR almost 7 yrs out

[RAD]

Thanks! Good to hear from you guys! Yes, I went back to work on June 10. Fortunately, I have a desk job and can ice a few times a day! PT is a few minutes from my office so I’ve been going in early and leaving around 4pm for PT 3 times a week. I am really tired, but I’m doing pretty well. Hope you are having a good week!

 

[LaxMom]

Just caught up with your thread, @RAD - wow, you are doing great! I am so glad I did read it. I am struggling with the oxycodone and had low blood pressure coming into this. And I have done Tramadol before and never want to use it again. You are inspiring me to see if I can wean off this stuff. What a great success you are having! Very happy for you.

 

[Benay]

Yay @RAD, it's great!

 

[Woodpusher]

Greetings from the other side.

It’s been 2 weeks since my surgery and things seem to be going pretty well. Hated being on pain meds and was able to get off them day 5 post op. Just using Tylenol for pain every 6 hours. Also on Warfarin since I’ve had a PE in the past.

Had at home PT, my therapist was great. Walking inside and outside with a cane (finished with walker about Day 10). Drove for the first time today which went fine. Icing with Game Ready (30 mins on, 30 off) for at least 8 hours a day. Sleep is on and off but improving, taking 1 Benadryl before bed helps. Starting outpatient PT on Monday, hopefully good progress will continue. ROM 0 for extension and 95 for flex, not too bad.

@RAD, yours was a left knee, driving after 2 weeks?

I was a right knee with suggested back to driving timeframe of 4 weeks. I came back in 3. Seems like it was more about being off opioids rather than being afraid the knee wouldn't react or something while driving.

Ken

 

[RAD]

Thanks @LaxMom goid luck weaning off. I’ve never regretted getting off opioids ASAP even when I was uncomfortable. They made me feel awful.
Hi @Benay thanks and I hope you’re doing well.
@Woodpusher it was my left knee, I agree with you that being off the opioids was the most important thing in going back to driving.

 

[Celle]

You're back at work very early, so do remember to give your knee plenty of rest, ice and elevation when you're not working.
Don't overdo the PT - just getting to work and back, as well as what you do at work, seems like plenty of exercise for such a new knee.

 

[RAD]

Hi Celle,

So far so good with being back at work and PT. My PT is great, doing a lot of massage and stretching, he doesn't beat me up (I wouldn't let him if he tried!) and is very responsive to my input. So far I've been pretty well, my only real issue was on Friday night last week my ankle was swollen due to how much I'd been doing. So over the weekend I rested, elevated and iced a lot and the swelling went down. And I rest, elevate and ice as soon as I get home. I am usually able to ice at work on and off, I keep an ice pack in the freezer and I have a wrap it fits into and I put it on and go about my business! As tired as I am at the end of the day, it is good to be back to being in my work routine.

I wrap up taking Coumadin this week (yay! I miss wine!) and have my first post op appointment with my OS next Thursday. Looking forward to seeing what he thinks....

I have a trip to Europe planned in September, so I'm hoping I'm feeling as well as can be expected by then.

 

[Benay]

So good to read your happy, positive posts

 

[RAD]

Thanks @Benay

I feel lucky to have great support personally. I also have been so fortunate with medical care, from my OS to both my st home and OP PTs.

It’s been wonderful to have this forum!

 

[lopat]

@RAD, glad to hear you’re doing so well. I’m off the opioids as well. Never felt like they affected me one way or the other but was afraid I’d have pain if I quit, so I went a little slower.

Europe? How exciting! I’m jealous.

 

[RAD]

Hi @lopat, it's great that you are off the opioids! Hope you are feeling good!

My sister lives in London so we go to visit her every year and attach a side trip. We'll go to her first and then she's coming to meet us in Paris at the end of our trip, and we're taking a day trip together (with my husband) to Champagne. Going to Provence in between! Gives me something to look forward to during this summer of healing.

Tomorrow is my last day on Coumadin, so hopefully a glass of wine is in my not too distant future.

 

[lopat]

Good for you. Sounds like great fun.

I have to admit, I snuck a glass of wine while weaning off the Percocet. Some food just HAS to be accompanied by wine......most foods.

 

[RAD]

I totally agree!! Looking forward to having lunch with wine after my 6 week post op appointment next week!

 

[RAD]

Gorgeous day here in NYC! Felt so great to go out for a walk in the park and go up and down the stairs of my 3rd floor walk up apartment foot over foot without issue! Was out for about 99 minutes (short break for an iced chai included), so now I’m icing and elevating. I’ve been back at work for 2 weeks, but I’m never on my feet for that kind of extended period. I didn’t think I’d feel this much better less than 6 weeks in. I had very realistic expectations given what my OS and PT told me and what I’ve learned here. Here’s to good days for all!

 

[Benay]

Jealous of the foot over foot. Good for you!

 

[dogwalker2]

@RAD you are doing so well, truly inspiring. I am on day 18 postop and if I recover half asvquickly as you I shall be delighted! Fab.

 

[RAD]

Thanks @Benay. Given that I have to do stairs to go in and out, it’s been key for me to make foot over foot happen. Hanging on tight to the bannister, but it’s happening!
Thanks @dogwalker2, I hope you have a great recovery. It was hard to comeback inside today to elevate and ice, but I’m trying to quit while I’m ahead and not overdo.

 

[RAD]

BTW when I was getting my tea by the park, saw a guy walking a pig. Not just a potbellied pig, but a regular sized pig on a leash. Looked happy and was incredibly well behaved. A guy who was by us said he lived in the neighborhood and the pig is housebroken. I love NY!

 

[luvcats]

I have a trip to Europe planned in September, so I'm hoping I'm feeling as well as can be expected by then.

A trip to Europe sounds like an amazing way to celebrate the new knee. My spouse and I have been discussing all the places we want to see once my knees are upgraded and I can move freely again. I have a sister in Aberdeen and I'd love to go visit before she moves away. Paris is also super high on our list. I spent several years living in France as a child, but my beloved has never been there. Such a lovely trip to look forward to.

 

[RAD]

Thanks @luvcats. The trip is something fun to look forward to! Also trying to appreciate improvements each week, step by step. Good luck with your surgery, this forum is a great source of support.