TKR Feeling my new knee<

[PolarBear60]

I can't speak to your pain, but the larger circumference is quite normal.

 

[Josephine]

That's why I was given Emtec, plus tylenol with codeine.

Honey, do you mean you are taking 'Tylenol with codeine' in addition to the Emtec?

Perhaps you would tell me how much of all these you are taking and at what times of the day then I can possibly advise you about your medication regimen.

I don't know how to explain myself about this pain.

I know, it can be tough to describe it ... I do understand.

I said I measured my knee and it was 2 inches bigger than the other one, I meant the circumference of my knee which is still the same

Ah, then I did misunderstand. But as Jean said, that's perfectly normal for 10 weeks. That can last for some months. I'm now 7 months out and my knee is still bigger than the other one.

I still feel my prosthesis, if it's possible

Unlikely. Mostly likely what you are feeling is the wound healing inside your leg. That can often feel quite hard. Some places on my knees feel quite hard but I know it's the wrong place for the implant!

 

[Tina48]

Thank you for reassuring me about feeling my prosthese. I find that this pain comes at the end of the day and stays until I go to bed or when I take my meds.

Right now, I have cut down on Emtec 30 to one in the morning, if pain, one in the afternon and another before bed and yes I take tylenol (300mg) with 8mg of codeine. I was told by me pharmacist to be carefull about the amount of Tylenol I take per day (max. of 4,000mg/day) so I was careful with that. I still iced at least 8 times a day and elevate whenever I am sitting and that's a lot during a day.

Today, I had pt apt. and it seems that I am at a plateau for two weeks and if it stays like that, they stop the pt. So naturally, I feel bad about it. In fact, I feel like crying like a baby. My ROM is 98/110 and when I extend my leg, my knee does not go down very much, I do not remember the number, it possible it is in the minus 2 or 3.

Thank you all
Christina

 

[Tina48]

Should I exersice twice a day or once is ok?

 

[PolarBear60]

Consider breaking your single exercise routine into two or more parts spread throughout the day.

 

[Tina48]

Thanks, I will.

 

[KarriB]

Does it hurt? Listen to your knee. But truly doing more exercises doesn't mean you'll be back to normal sooner.

 

[Tina48]

Yes, some do hurt, some do not. So I will take your advice and split my exercise like polarbear60 suggest.
Thank you

 

[Josephine]

I have cut down on Emtec 30 to one in the morning, if pain, one in the afternon and another before bed and yes I take tylenol (300mg) with 8mg of codeine

But you're not listenign to me - Emtec IS paracetamol and codeine so you're taking it twice which is not good.

Today, I had pt apt. and it seems that I am at a plateau for two weeks and if it stays like that, they stop the pt. So naturally, I feel bad about it. In fact, I feel like crying like a baby. My ROM is 98/110

That's most likely the very best thing they can do for you. Let the knee rest and recuperate and your ROM will increase. I guarantee it. You don't need exercise - at all. Just some walks, using stairs as needed and all the other normal activities. No exercises, just stretches like Heel slides and how to do them

 

[Tina48]

Thank you Josephine for your help.
Christina

 

[Tina48]

Nobody promised me a rose garden but this TKR takes the cake. This weekend I exercese at home and had not that much pain. Today, i go go back to pt and my keen started to hurt badly at the end of the day, so I had to take more pain killer. So much for that.

 

[Celle]

Today, i go go back to pt and my keen started to hurt badly at the end of the day, so I had to take more pain killer. So much for that.

So the PT was too much for your knee. Ask to cut it back a bit.
There's really no need to rush to get ROM, because it can continue to improve for a year or more.

 

[KarriB]

@Tina48 i wasn't allowed to bend my knee for a month (just to be sure I wouldn't my OS put me in an imbolizer with steel bars). A month later I was bending my knee with just easy heel slides, also per my OS's recommendations and 4 months later riding 4 miles on my exercise bike. ROM will come when your knee is ready. If I can get it after a month of a straight knee, you can get,it with easy stretches and slides. Don't let anyone hurt you or push your knee.

 

[Tina48]

Celle and KarriB, thank you for your advice which I will follow with great pleasure.

@Josephine, I knew that Emtec has paracetamol in it but I was told that as long as I do not take more than 4,000mg per day, it would be ok and I always considered the mg in Emtec when taking Tylenol. I was given the Tylenol plus 8% codeine so that I should cut back on the amount of Codeine per day or if the pain is not so bad just take this Tylenol.

Thank you very much
Christina

 

[kneeper]

I swear my gains came when I was being "lazy."

 

[Tina48]

Very good to hear or should I say to read

 

[Josephine]

@Tina48 Ah that's okay then. I was just worried about you.

 

[Tina48]

Thank you for caring

 

[Tina48]

At last, my first night without saran wrap. Since the end of June, I had a burning sensation on the left side of my knee and it was driving me crazy. So I found what to do on BS, I was septic at first but it does work.


I see my OS this week and hope he can do or give me something for my swelling because I have a hard time exercising and walking. Just going grocery shopping with husband I come back and go back icing and elevating first thing and some time I have to still take a pain killer.

 

[Tina48]

Saw my OS today, he gave me two options, the first one is a MUA and would stay in hospital for almost 4days which I dread and the second possibility is an infection because my knee is still very swollen and always warm or hot even if I ice and elevate at least 6-8 times a day.

First question, will the MUA hurt as much as the TKR and
Second: is the infection is it like starting all over again since they go in to take out the prostheses and later on (how long) they will put a new prostheses.

I am going nuts over this. I feel like crawling into a corner and crying my heart out. Very desperate!!!

Christina