Four Months Post TKR

[Sue]

I hope I can offer some encouragement to you folks who have had your surgeries more recently than I did. My right TKR was on October 18th, so I am exactly four months post surgery today. I feel like I have lots of reason to celebrate, and I hope you all do when you're at four months, too!

Actually, the good stuff started happening at about three months. But at four it's even better.

I have fenced a 45 x 25 foot vegetable patch in my back yard. Did I tell you that *I* fenced it?! Not "I had somebody else come over here and fence it."

I am digging in the dirt and have already planted my first row of peas that will climb up my new fence.

I am working at all my various little jobs--my part-time editing job which requires hefting the bags of books that I write reviews about; my volunteer work at my daughter's school library that also involves moving books around; and my eBay and Amazon selling--you guessed it, more hauling books! I can do it all.

After my recovery, I'm actually enjoying some of the stuff I used to dislike, such as housecleaning. In addition to the usual cooking, I've got a renewed interest in baking and I'm baking my own bread again for the first time in several years. In fact, I'm going to an artisan bread baking class one night this week.

I'm back out teaching my kid to drive (we worked on this last summer, but then took a major break while I had surgery) and now we're starting to look at cars for her. I have the energy to deal with a teenager who...um, let's see, how should I say it...isn't particularly motivated.

I can ride my exercise bike for as long as I wish without problems, and I can walk the distances that are required for shopping or attending events. I am going to the Seattle Flower & Garden Show later this week, and I'm excited!

Is it all roses? No, there are still a few thorns, but they are very minor compared to what early recovery from surgery is like. I still occasionally wake up when I turn over in bed at night due to stiffness or a little pain. I still swell up sometimes and I still have to elevate and ice some evenings.

Anyhow, if you are wondering if it is all worth it, as I know I did many times over the past few months, let me tell you--yes, it is!

Sue

 

[nopurse]

I am so proud of you! I am 3 months out and not so lucky. I will be soon though!!! I will get back to 100%. You are so encouraging! THANKS!

 

[Skeet]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm at just past two months. I am excited to get to 4 months now. My husband and one of my sons and I go jack rabbit hunting every year for Mother's Day and it's in the high desert of Oregon which can be difficult to walk through. I am hoping I'll be able to go again this year. Frankly, the thing I'm most worried about is being able to squat in the bushes to relieve myself without falling over! Not something we practice at PT much

I love hearing about others' successes. It is inspiring and exciting! I'm so pleased and happy for you!

Skeet

 

[Doug]

Skeet, now you got me wide awake laughing. You sound like one of my female relatives. She carries toilet paper in her bra for emergencies. Lack of facilities doesn't slow her down for a second.
You can bet when I work out in the morning, I'm going to half to try the "woods squat" position just for fun.

 

[Skeet]

Paints an interesting picture, Doug. Not only do I have to squat without falling over, I have to keep my pants, socks, and shoes dry... sometimes it is hard to be a woman!! I remember squatting over a hole in the floor in Singapore in 3 inch heels, panty hose and a dress... hope I don't have to do that again!!

 

[ciaobella]

that's a great coincindence.

I am just at 4 months post op (in 2 days) and I have to agree the difference between 3 and 4 months for me is quite incredible.

At the 3 month mark I still had almost non stop lateral popping and clicking in the knee.

I also had soreness on the lateral side that got worse as the day went on and I could still feel the effusion in the lateral part just below the joint. I was worried that maybe my implant was too big and hanging over that side and rubbing on the soft tissues.

But now approaching 4 months the popping and clicking is virtually gone and there is only minimal soreness on a regular basis - unless I sit with my knee flexed for a long time (like I am right now) - then it's sore when I go to extend it/get up. But that is only brief.

I was able to ride my road bike 10 miles this weekend with a friend. It was 65 degrees here in Northern CA. We rode one of the local trails with a few minor hills. My knee felt great right afterwards but my calves and quads were a bit sore!

The funny thing is it seemed like the improvement happened almost overnight. I still have some stiffness at night but now it's mostly my husband's snoring that keeps me awake.

This past month I started getting more serious about doing my home exercises and riding my stationary bike. My quad is still very weak. I also am taking Aleve every night as a precaution and using ice after I exercise. I think this has made a real difference. I am having way more good days.

I think everyone out there will eventually experience this "transition month" where things suddenly go from bad to good. It may be month 4 or 6 or even 12 but it will definitely come at some point. So don't get discouraged.

 

[Sue]

Frankly, the thing I'm most worried about is being able to squat in the bushes to relieve myself without falling over! Not something we practice at PT much

Skeet

Skeet, this made me laugh. Although I'm having a lot of success at 4 months, I'm not positive I could squat to relieve myself outdoors. I still have a bit of a surprise when I am at a public toilet--if it's a few inches lower than what I'm used to at home, I kind of fall onto it, butt-first. Whump! No grace at all!

I guess you have some time to practice the right moves before you go hunting, huh?

Sue

 

[Sue]

Just thought I'd update this topic and let you guys know what a great time I had yesterday at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle. The Convention Center is huge, and I walked all over every bit of it, looking at the beautiful display gardens and seeing all of the product booths. I did not miss one thing! I had no pain during any of the show. My right (surgery) leg did get kind of tired about half way through, so I sat down for a little while, but I think that is probably completely normal for anyone going to the show.

I am still noticing that when I have a particularly active day, like I did yesterday, my sleep is somewhat interrupted by pain. But it is nothing...and I mean nothing!...like what I experienced in the first couple of months after surgery. I got up about 4 a.m. and took a couple of Extra Strength Tylenol and went back to sleep. When the alarm went off at 6:30 a.m., I was feeling much better.

So...hang in there, friends!

Sue

 

[Pattipoo]

Awesome....can't wait!!!
Thanks for posting that!!

 

[Doug]

The light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[kath]

Sue and Ciao,
Thank you so so much! I am going in for my second tkr in 2.5 weeks and I am 7 weeks on my first one. I have been wondering if I can handle the second one and getting nervous about how this one will be, but I just want it all over with so badly. I was really hoping that by mid May I would feel pretty good, I work for a college and I am in charge of all catering. Commencement is huge, the biggest event of the year and I want so badly to be able to do my job without walking like a weeble wobble and to even be semi pain free will be something I haven't experienced in years. Although I do feel pretty good considering I still do wake up at night sometimes due to pain and discomfort, have to walk around, take meds, ice up,even move to the sofa to go back to sleep, but much much better than it was even 2 weeks ago.
Thank you for encouragement, even more than I expected.

 

[beachcomber]

Skeet, this made me laugh. Although I'm having a lot of success at 4 months, I'm not positive I could squat to relieve myself outdoors. I still have a bit of a surprise when I am at a public toilet--if it's a few inches lower than what I'm used to at home, I kind of fall onto it, butt-first. Whump! No grace at all!

I guess you have some time to practice the right moves before you go hunting, huh?

Sue

Sue, I laughed at Skeet-- then laughed even louder at your description of using the public toilet. That is so me.... but after I "whump" then I look around and with my aversion to public toilets an hating to *touch* anything there--- can't figure out how to get back up again! I haven't mastered the
"reverse whump" yet!

Thanks for the laugh!
Carolyn

 

[Josephine]

Don't you all have disabled toilets in the US? With my big butt, I have to use them else I can't maneouvre at all (plus I easily get claustrophobic in those teensy little cubicles). They have rails and are often a lot higher than normal loos.

 

[Pattipoo]

Regular potties should be banned. My husband is a builder and when we built this house 5 years ago, he put handicapped potties in our house....they're about 6 inches taller than a regular potty. We're all very tall and we love them. (my very short friend feels like she needs a step stool)....and when we found out I was having surgery, he put handicap railing at just the perfect place for me to pull up off the potty.

ohhhhhhhh....he's so good to his wifeypoo

 

[beachcomber]

Re: Four Months Post TKR--the "loo"

Yes, Josephine we have handicapped toilets--- none in the staff bathrooms where I work--- or some of the smaller places. And as I am feeling better and getting around more I've been finding myself in situations that can be tough to deal with.

Last Saturday I was honored at a banquet with an audience of about 850. They called my name to come up on the stage--- but when I got there I realized there were 3 steps and no railing. It was an awkward moment until I caught the attention of someone on the stage who gave me a "hand up". Getting down was worse because no one was looking my way-- they were looking at the next person being called up on the other side. I finally got some help but felt kind of embarrassed. I can do steps with a hand rail--- but with my back recovery we haven't worked on them at PT yet....

It's the little things....

 

[blondie42550]

I am 14 weeks post op today, and just as Sue said, about a week ago, I started feeling like I can do so much more. Last Wednesday, I went to Target to practice walking. We have had such bad weather here this past month and with all the ice, I have not been able to get out of the house much. Funny, before my surgery, when the pain from just standing on my knees was terrible, I still did all the shopping, laundry, cooking etc. even though it was a struggle for me. My husband had no clue what was involved with grocery shopping, loading, unloading and putting away until HE had to do it and has been doing it with me since November. NOW, since I have my new knees, and do not have the pain anymore, everyone is more supportive and protective of me than they ever were before when I really needed it! But I'm not going to let them know I can fend for myself, they owe me from all the neglect I got before! LOL Today I went to Walmart and shopped by myself and did not ride a scooter! Yea! My hubby did help me get the groceries out of the car and into the house. I worked in the yard Saturday and Sunday. Having surgery in November, I wasn't able to rake leaves, plus we had several limbs fall out of trees in some of our wind storms. This weekend was beautiful, so guess what I did! I raked leaves and cut up tree limbs, and I walked all around our yard without a cane. Saturday was the first day in 3 months that I was able to "clean up the dog doo" and it didn't hurt! It may not sound like much to everyone , but it is monumental to me! I am starting back to work on Saturday aiming at 5 hours, I have the flexibility to cut it short if needed. My ROM is not all that great, but Doc said last Thursday that "they aren't that bad". I went without PT for a week and a half and he wrote another prescription for 3 more weeks, 3 times a day. At PT today I had lost some of my ROM from the last time I was there. Does anyone know? Will we have to do stretching exercises forever? Or will there come a time when it is not needed? So ya'll who are behind us, take comfort in knowing that there is magic after that 3 month mark to look forward to.
I love this place! It has been a God send for all the questions and concerns I have had in the past few months, and Josephine is a gem!

 

[Josephine]

When you reach that magic 12 months mark - you should have all these requirements fade away into a distant memory!

 

[Pattipoo]

yippeeee...that's just the time my son will be getting married on a cruise to Cozumel!! I'll have to start shopping for new party clothes! (He'll think I'm celebrating his wedding, I'll REALLY be celebrating NO MO PAIN")

 

[Josephine]

I don't know - any excuse for some!!