TKR From Difficult Moment to Some Positive Moments

[Onestepatatime]

A lot accomplished today. I went to the ortho surgeon and he was very pleased with my knee. We spoke through me returning to work, and said I should change physical therapist facilities. And gave me a solid pain management program to follow. He recommended a new facility and I will go for four sessions to get new exercises. Then I will join a gym.

I got my employer to agree to let me return full time. My schedule will be:
Go into the office Thursday. Then following weeks will be Mon, Wed, and Fri, and T and Thurs to work from home, for the next two weeks. This will be good so I can ice and elevate on the off days for now.

I called a few moms of my son's friends and got transportation covered in his Dad's absence. My ex needs to go to a specialist in NYC, so do not know when surgery is. I cannot believe he can't drive for over a month.

Yes, the best advice is one day at a time, because right now I am so exhausted and I have not even been back to the office yet.

I have a few close friends in my neighborhood that are terrific. My mom is far away, and my brother is close but he has he is so self absorbed in his own life. My ex husband was my hugest support system and now he is out of pocket. What I really need is to meet a nice man and have a significant other. This single business stinks in times like this!!!!!

 

[Onestepatatime]

Hi everyone, Went back to the office today, it was totally surreal. I felt like a guest visitor there. Physically it was not fun, I tried to ice at my desk with my leg propped on a garbage pale upside down, not the ideal scenario. And everyone there seemed utterly miserable. It was just weird. I am home now icing on the couch, exhausted. Which I expected....I feel all consumed with my knee feeling better. I am not sure I am ready to be fully functioning, but will have to make the best of it. Ok, all for now, hope everyone is doing ok.....

 

[Onestepatatime]

Return to work question on managing

Hi, am posting a new thread but if the admins want to combine to my initial thread that is fine. So, Thursday I went into the office for the first time since March 6th. My job is primarily a "desk" job but entails meetings in other areas of the complex, etc.

I have read many posts here of folks returning to work and how they are doing. My question is, at 3 months post op I am experiencing a lot of pain by end of day across the front of the knee, and then a burning sensation down my calf. Kinda feels like I fell hard on something, like off a bike. My employer told me to find a stool that will fit under my desk, so found a lab stool that is the right height.
Though it seems if I keep my leg elevated but hyper extended that makes the pain and knee inflame. Maybe I should keep it on a bend? And just take vicodin during the day too, on work days, and ice packs as schedule permits?

I feel like I am thrown back into reality and thought I would be feeling a lot better than I do at this point. I know healing takes a long time, but I feel like my quality of life is worse then before the surgery....

Look forward to some input....
Thanks,
Karen

 

[maryo52]

Re: Return to work question on managing

I don't suppose you can work half days for a while.

A stool under the desk doesn't sound comfortable.

Did I miss something re: icing? I'd be tempted to take a 20-25 minute break every 2 hours to fully elevate and ice. Are you taking any NSAIDs?

 

[Onestepatatime]

Re: Return to work question on managing

No. I am working Mon Wed and Fri, so I can have t and Thurs to work from home, ice, recover, etc. I know, I am not sure a stool under my desk will work. But leaving my leg down in a sitting position gets painful too. There is a sick room in the building, I think I will have to anti social and go ice during lunch hour and as needed, and just make the best of this perhaps......

My mom had both knees done and said she was back to work fine after 10 weeks, and she works in a doctor's office. She did not think me being in so much pain by 5:00 is normal. Surgeon said it just takes time....

 

[maryo52]

Re: Return to work question on managing

I don't know whether this has any scientific basis, but my personal observation is that older people do better with this surgery. Plus everyone's different.

I'm now wondering about compression stockings. I bought a pair off the shelf (can use both alternately on same leg). You put it on while still in bed in the morning. Worth a try, and certainly others will chime in on this as well as other ideas.

 

[RunA42K]

Re: Return to work question on managing

I agree with your surgeon. It just takes time and everyone is different. Even with your Mom at 10 weeks, you just can't compare. It took me 16 to 20 weeks before I didn't have nagging pain at the end of the day. As you feel better you do more as you do more you use your knee more and it protests. Even today at 14 months post op if I am sitting in one position for too long and first move my leg it hurts for a short moment. You are still very early, I would just find the perfect height stool/chair to elevate you leg at work when ever you can.I also found that wrapping the knee in a ACE bandage kept the swelling down when I could not be at home icing and elevating, you might try that or a knee compression sleeve which is what I wear now when my knee swells, and yes even now at 14 months it still swells when I do too much.:doggieshmooze:

 

[PhoenixS]

Re: Return to work question on managing

I agree, and I feel your pain.
When we return to work the first few weeks can be challenging. You are normal in that you feel like you are behind the curve. I also felt that way when I went back.

If you could get up and move every hour or so, just to "get the blood flowing" in your leg, walk off the stiffness, that might help.
Definately ice at lunchtime and during breaks.

I also had throbbing and swelling in my knee at the end of the day. I also agree on the benefits of compression stockings.
I also brought a massage oil and gave my knee a little rub down. Don't know if it helped, but it felt nice.

I am on medical leave ( degenerated disk), but before that I found that those little elastic knee sleeves you buy in the pharmacy were helpful in limiting the swelling and they felt good too. I still wear them when I go out.

If you have a job that would permit narcotic use, then you can go that route, but I'd be keenly aware that driving on these drugs could be dangerous, and would be equivalent to a OUI if you were stopped.

Try not to use them unless you can get a ride to work.
I agree that a stool doesn't sound comfortable at all. Are there no other options to railing your leg?
If keeping it straight hurts more, then can you find a stool that would permit a pillow to support your knee?
Oh, and stop comparing your recovery to your mother's.
Older people seem to have a much easier time of it than younger folks. My OS thinks it is because our nerves are more sensitive so we feel the pain more. I'd also be frustrated at all the grannies prancing about in PT while I struggled to do a leg raise.
Just know that returning to work can be difficult and you have alot of company.
Make sure you "baby" your knee on your off days.
Best,
Sandy

 

[kneeper]

Re: Return to work question on managing

Finding a good way to elevate would be helpful. I tried putting my leg up on a desk chair, but like you it was hard to put it up and not feel like it was hyperextending, which was uncomfortable. if your sick room has a couch or something to stretch out, I'd say give it a try. Even if you're sitting up but the leg is at least not down, and then ice--that could help.

You said you had to walk to other areas of the complex. But also think about just getting up from the desk and walking around for a minute every hour.

 

[Jamie]

Karen, I hope you are getting some much-needed rest this weekend. How are you doing, hon??

 

[Josephine]

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[Josephine]

There are still a number of things you could do to try and manage the situation
1. Take something otc like Tylenol (Tylenol/ibuprofen cocktail) That should be more than enough at this stage but you need to take it regularly, not just now and again
2. get some instance ice bags such as sports PTs use on the field. I have some and they are really good. These are long lasting ones and the more you buy the cheaper they are but they are once only use.


3. don't think that icing every other day is going to help - it doesn't
4. read this about the "Movie Sign" Why Do I Have That "Tight Band" Feeling Across The Front Of My Knee?

 

[Onestepatatime]

Thanks! I just needed to know I was not alone in feeling like this. My family needs to butt out. I just found on line a memory foam foot stool that will fit under my desk, and ordered it to my office. I think that will work well in addition to the sick room breaks. I need to ignore any comments people make. I am going to scream if I hear one more time...."I thought you would be better by now, what is wrong with you?" Or...."Well you need to really push through the pain and work harder"....all from people who have never been through this.

Josephine - Do you take the tylenol and ibufrofen together or alternate? I will try that, and I did order the ice packs you suggested....got them last week love them.

 

[hapiheylo]

I thought you were in my head when I read your post. Such similar feelings. I had a setback so I am a little behind in my recovery, but sharing others experiences here really helps. Good luck to one, things only get better!!!

 

[Jamie]

You take the Tylenol and ibuprofen together as much as possible for the best effect. Read the thread Jo linked you to and you'll find a proposed schedule for taking them.

 

[bottomshollow]

Karen, maybe you could develop a handout with quotes from authoritative sources that briefly explain how long recovery from TKR takes---and just hand one to each person who says that with a smile, of course, and say to them, "Thanks for caring."

Is that ugly? If I was still working and getting that from fellow workers and clients, I would do it in a heartbeat.
You hang in there---it's only going to get BETTER & BETTER!

Take care, keep us posted, we care.

 

[Onestepatatime]

I am so tempted to do that. It is important for me to be around positive energy as much as possible during this time. But unfortunately I really need this paycheck and had to get off disability pay. The people there are so negative, my boss being one of them. I am usually very outgoing, and feel that I need to just kind of stay in my office to myself and ice/elevate. I don't know how this will all play out, I am not getting compassion from the workplace. I might go in with my cane tomorrow and say I had an incident over the week end and now need it. They will get the point!!!!!!!!!!

I also picked up nude color compression stockings and a knee bandage I think that will help. I am also on Anntaylor'w web site and that might help too, lol.

You guys ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Onestepatatime]

Oh, I forgot to mention, Sat. night was classic. My whole family came to visit, my mom was in from Fla, and my brother came over with his two kids. We decided to go out to dinner. The first place we got to right near my house had a 45 minute wait. I called another place and they were able to seat us right away. My leg was already starting to hurt, so I knew I had an hour before I was miserable. My brother snapped and said...."what is your rush, just stand at the bar and get a drink...I am not leaving I already parked my car..." I was so taken aback I said...my leg is bleeping killing me" he stormed out of the restaurant. We all went to the empty restaurant a minute away, and had a very awkward dinner together.

Just had to share that too. I cherish the few good friends and family that understand and have been patient and there for me....the rest are ....well....no comment.

 

[Jamie]

I think the cane is a great idea. It's also useful in case one of your coworkers makes a snide remark...you can just whap 'em up side of the head "accidentally.":hysterical:

 

[referee54]

I am sorry to read of thi issues with your brother. It is sad to note that many people expect a miracle recovery---the do not truly understand how difficult, challenging, and lengthy a recovery can be!