TKR February 15 Left robotic TKR

[LeftKnee123]

Looking for others who have had the robotic TKR. My recovery is now at about 4 and 1/2 weeks. Making progress but still a way to go I hope as my walking is slow and stairs very hard.

 

[Axx72]

Not a robotic TKR but stairs was definitely one of the latter skills to come, especially going down with the surgical leg unassisted. Depending on pre-op fitness muscular strength recovery can take a while.

Found consistency, movement, stretching, ice, elevation and rest to be super helpful in the early stages where u are. Gentle movement every 45 min helped without irritating too much.

Welcome to the club

 

[LD of Michigan]

My 2019 right TKR was Robotic. Went fine! Same surgeon didn't opt for ROBO left TKR. He did not feel the robotic option presented any added benefits in my case. He also stated that the robotic option took longer.

Healing was a bit harder for recent non-robotic as left knee was more eroded bone-on-bone. Coming along great now going into my 11th week. Some pain recently more from a bad cold that had me aching everywhere!

I LIKE that for left TKR I don't have the two extra robotic 'mount' implant scars occurring with the robotic option.

My overall incision was shorter (about half an inch) for last TKR compared to the first. But many TKR incisions are shorter than there were years ago. I recall it was common for wounds to be eight, nine inches+ long.

 

[Axx72]

So nice to be working at recovery and dealing with a cold at the same time…. when it rains it pours some times:/ I dealt with bein sick last December. The cold went through the whole family. Yuck…

My incision was about 8” or so but disappearing quite nicely… I’m a bit over a year post op though.

TKRs don’t like to be static… gotta or they get uncomfortable and irritated. Consistent exercises, ice, elevation and rest is the best

 

[sistersinhim]

@LeftKnee123, welcome to Bonesmart! You can use the search feature up on the blue bar to look for those who have had robotic surgery.

Each person is different as is their recovery. Most find that the Bonesmart approach works best for them, but others find that a more aggressive therapy helps them more. It's your recovery and your choice on how you recover. As you read more on other members' recovery threads, you’ll get a better perspective of what to expect. The following are our basic guidelines and should help get you started.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

KNEE RECOVERY GUIDELINES

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary

2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
don't overwork.

3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
the BoneSmart view on exercise
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for TKRs

6. Access these pages on the website
Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications
Wound Care In Hospital

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here

Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

Try out our great new opportunity to improve your gait. It's OneStep. It's free and you will find it to be a huge help to you. Click here: OneStep

 

[Axx72]

How big are the mount hole scars?

 

[sistersinhim]

Please tell us the exact date of your surgery. We will add it to your signature for you.

 

[LeftKnee123]

Thank you for all the replies! My exact surgery date was 2-15-23.

The scar from my robotic is about 6 inches long. The mount scar about an inch.Had it at Rush in Chicago. There is only one additional wound on the shin. Still too early to tell if I did the right thing. I have had more pain now than before surgery but I could only walk very short distances before surgery. I am 66 years old and had always been pretty active: Hiking, Biking, Swimming, Aerobics. It was all very scaled down by the time of surgery and was gaining weight, loosing cardio, cholesterol climbing etc. Trying to keep on keepin on!

 

[Axx72]

ODIC in PT seems to be the norm right off the bat…

Crazy trauma in there… u wouldn’t over exert a person with multiple fractures….why a TKR.

ODIC=overdoitclub

Get used to the bonesmart way

 

[LD of Michigan]

How big are the mount hole scars?

My mount holes are a little over an eighth of an inch (one more oval that the other). Above the actual incision line.

I had two of those water proof bandages. One longer than the other. I scar dark dark sadly (need to post some photos).

Sometimes if wearing a shorter skirt or frock - the event fancy - or I'm feeling very vain (smile) I put make-up on my knee scars! But mostly I don't care. I'm not a professional model.

 

[LeftKnee123]

Wow, the idea of “just relax” is new to me. I was thinking I have not been doing enough. The stiffness, especially in the mornings is unexpected and scary. Hope that eases with time.? As of now at 4 1/2 weeks , I need drugs and a couple hours of movement to ease that stiffness. Taking a shower and just getting dressed is exhausting!

 

[Spoiltrot10]

1/10/23 surgery date.

 

[sistersinhim]

@Spoiltrot10, how about starting your own Recovery Thread? This is LeftKnee123's thread and we don't want to railroad hers

 

[beachy]

It all sounds normal as far as recovery. As you've probably found out by now, this recovery is more painful and takes longer than docs prepare you for. Its ok that you're still on pain meds at 4 1/2 weeks. Same with being exhausted after showering. Just being exhausted period LOL
It gradually gets better.

If you haven't by now, read all the info sistersinhim sent you. It will help you understand what you're feeling and why. Interact with others on the forum. Ask questions.
Ice, elevate, take your meds.
Hang in there, it will get better!

 

[LD of Michigan]

... The stiffness, especially in the mornings is unexpected and scary. Hope that eases with time... Taking a shower and just getting dressed is exhausting!

Yes, it will get better LK123! I do find I still need more time. I have to have clothes laid out the night before especially dressing in the dark (outside) where dark blues and blacks can get mixed LOL! At about your time frame I was taking my pain meds before I got out of bed. This helped with the pain and stiffness.

Now back to work still moving slower after I shower I go back and lay down and start my makeup stuffs, first with facial lotion and a bit of under-eye foundation - eyelid primer, stuff I can do holding a hand mirror while watching TV. Then I sit up in a chair and apply rest of my make up/ brush hair etc. I cannot stand and put on make up, this and that now. Too much energy to stand like that.

My work start time is 8:00 AM (I was never a morning person) and I can't rush out the door as I once did. So I get up slowly, but earlier so not as pressed. I can eat an AM snack at work thankfully a few minutes before people arrive so I do yogurt and health bars.

Drink green tea from a small thermos as I can thru noon.

It is an adjustment!

 

[LD of Michigan]

Its ok that you're still on pain meds at 4 1/2 weeks. Same with being exhausted after showering. Just being exhausted period LOL ... Hang in there, it will get better!

That's right meds are ok! Some of us beat ourselves for needing them.

I think IT IS the hot water of showering that exhausts (or relaxes) me!

So sometimes I shower at night with a brief wash-up in the am to help me up to go.

 

[LeftKnee123]

Please tell us the exact date of your surgery. We will add it to your signature for you.

Surgery was 2/15/23. Thanks!

 

[LeftKnee123]

1/10/23 surgery date.

How is your recovery going??

 

[LeftKnee123]

Anyone notice how the PT always think they know better than you. If you make the slightest protest they get a little fussy. I am currently scheduled for 3x a week but thinking about cutting it back to 2. After todays session , I think I strained my back. You want to be “nice” to them but if you don’t do exactly what they say, they DONT like it. Just my rant for the day. Peace!

 

[beachy]

You can be nice to them and firm. Its your knee, your back, your recovery. If they don't like it there are many PT centers that you can change to.
Pt should always respect you and your recovery.
I've done very little PT for 2 tkrs. Did the exercises at home when my knee wasn't swollen, walked and ADLs. Perfect rom.
That's my rant for the day
You're wise to cut back to 2x/week.
Hope your back is ok!