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TKR FlaGranny 2nd Knee 9/26/16

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Living alone I had to get moving again fairly early on too. I do understand about your new knee feeling better than the old one. I'm actually fairly envious of you being able to get your other knee done already. My old one now is the one keeping me awake at night. I hope you can have it done on your scheduled date and then you won't have to worry about arthritic knees any more.
 
I had the same problem walking with my new knee I would forget to bend it as I walked and keep it straight when I was standing.
 
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Thanks for the answer, Flagranny. Helpful to know that I'll have to keep correct usage in mind and practice it deliberately and consciously.
 
@newlybionic My old knee was keeping me awake last night too.

@greatlakes You get so used to walking stiff-legged when your knees are bad to avoid the pain. I'm sure we'll all start walking like teenagers again once we're all healed up. :yes!:
 
Day #21 - Three weeks today. I discovered that gabapentin was causing me to be nauseated, so I stopped it. Hopefully there will be no increased pain. Taking only 1-3 oxycodone per day now. I'm sitting here freezing. Maybe because I just got done icing and then I made myself a big dish of ice cream, with a banana cut up on it, and some chocolate syrup. I forgot the whipped cream! I had to put on a sweater.

I'm feeling quite a bit better over the past week. I'm able to lie on my side for a short period of time. I'm a side sleeper most of the time and it's hard to get comfy lying on my back so much. The new recliner is a dream - soft, cushy, comfy, and operates easily.

I'm not exactly looking forward to my right knee but anxious to get it over with.

P.S. I've also noticed that my left (operated) leg is a bit straighter than the right. When this is over I may be 1/2 inch taller!
 
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It took me a couple of months before I could sleep on my side. Even now, I still have to have a pillow between my knees. So for you to do it at less than a month out is wonderful! Enjoy it!
 
Well, you see, I cannot actually lie on my side long enough to fall asleep, only about 5 minutes then it starts to hurt. Tonight I'll try it with a pillow and see if that helps. I do have a knee cushion. I think maybe with the separation from the pillow between my legs it might help. Before I was up and around as much, my butt was getting sore from being on my back so much. Just so much hassle with the ice machine and pillow too. Oh well, I want to sleep on my side!
 
@FlaGranny hooray!! so glad to hear you are feeling and doing better in the past week. That big bowl of ice cream sounds yummy. I am a stomach sleeper so it has been tough sleeping on my back these past 3 weeks.
 
One addition to my thread for day 21 - checked the swelling in my knee and I'd guess it was between moderate and slight, but closer to slight.
 
@FlaGranny that's great on the swelling, I'm glad you are doing so well.

@thecoll that was my problem also, I'm a side sleeper and had a very hard time sleeping on my back!!
 
Oh Flagranny, re sore butt, fussing with pillows, ice machine, I so share the feeling.the sore butt probably is good, as it gets me up for a short walk more often. But I forgive the ice machine as soon as that cold rush hits me!
 
@FlaGranny I'm so happy you're doing well. I'm 4 weeks out today from bilateral knee replacements and I know what you mean about a comfy recliner! My husband bought me a lift recliner and depending on the stiffness in my knees, especially the left one I try to use it just like a regular recliner height wise to get up and down now. In week 2 and 3 I did let it lift me up. Sounds like your swelling isn't very bad, that's good!. My left leg swells really bad and it gets so stiff around the knee it feels like it wants to start a cramp it doesn't. So I ice and elevate. I got 2 gel packs from the physical therapy facility. You can freeze them or microwave them. Only $15 each . I just put them in a pillow case and they feel like heaven... I bought the ice therapy machine from my OS but these are easier to use and feel so much better not having to deal with that hose and running my husband around keeping ice in the cooler part...Soon you'll have both knees done and you'll be so happy it's over with and be on your way to a pain free life with your new knee......
 
Was talking with my neighbor today. He has been referred to my OS by his physician and also another orthopedic surgeon and his veterinarian (who had his knees replaced by my OS). He is so bowlegged that he'll probably be at least 2 inches taller afterwards. Explained how painful the first week was, but he was impressed with my mobility at 3 weeks. I told him there was no reason to put it off. I don't know how he walks at all.

Tried my exercycle again today, still can't make a full rotation. It will come. I think I'm at about 110 degrees. I noticed I was much more comfortable today while walking around (all the time telling myself - bend your knees). Completely off the oxycodone now. Just an occasional Tylenol. I take that mostly for my other joints as my knee doesn't need any pain meds. The glue is coming off bit by bit. The incision looks very nice and I don't think it will be obvious at all when it fully heals. All redness is gone. There is still some warmth, but much less than a week ago.
 
You are doing amazing, it does take a while to be able to do the full rotation on the bike!!!
 
Keep working on the bike. I rocked back and forth for about 2 weeks before getting a full rotation. I'm happy to say, nearly three years later I did 8 3/4 miles today. I was shooting for 10 but had to stop because my left knee was hurting.
 
@KarriB that's awesome...good for you...I did 2.6 miles on Saturday, and the knee didn't bother me, it took me like 20 minutes but I was happy with that!!
 
2.6 is pretty good with a new knee, @uva55 . I'm trying to burn calories so I'm pedaling fast!
 
@KarriB there were hardly any calories burned, no resistance, maybe enough to eat a piece of broccoli :rotfl: it was just to work on the knee.
 
I do keep trying the bike. I am getting further around than at first attempt. Oh, by the way, I have lost 7 pounds as of this morning, but I think my appetite is coming back since I'm off the oxycodone and the gabapentin. That gabapentin was making me nauseated. Food still not tasting quite right to me, getting full faster, but I actually ate a between meal snack today.
 
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