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TKR Frustratingly slow recovery, but getting there...

Besides ice, for many years I have used a magnesium topical spray on any muscle prone to spasm, either before bed or to relieve spasm as it starts. The per bottle price can be steep, but as it's just a mineral it doesn't expire, and my bottle purchased about ten years ago is still in use!
 
smithyknee said:
Still not sleeping and thigh muscle spasms are still bothering me,
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Another Magnesium related suggestion to consider for sleep and muscle relaxation.

Magnesium supports the following:
Bone health
Healthy blood sugar
Cardiovascular health
Muscle relaxation and nerves
Promotes healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)

An article on Magnesium -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/

Another option to try if interested is drinking 4-6 oz of Q-Tonic before bed which is a water that contains quinine.
Read the label as some of the waters do not contain quinine, but quinine flavoring instead.
 
I do still ice, but may be not enough. I will look at doing it a bit more again, particularly on my thigh
Thanks ! Made good use of my sleepless night by reading up on magnesium and then ordering some!
 
Not sure if it was mentioned specifically in your thread yet but also remember that when your TKR was performed they most likely would have applied a tourniquet to your thigh. It's hard to not be focused on your knee specifically when all the blood flow that is required for healing is coming through your thigh. I especially had significant pain and spasms in my thigh post surgery for at least 10 weeks. Doing too much PT was very irritating. Slow, steady and active life motions help alot.

19months post TKR and sleep can still be elusive....lol
 
Hello and a happy Monday to you. :wave:
It's a special day....Happy Two Month Anniversary!
Wishing you relaxing, peaceful evenings with lots of restorative rest. :sleep:
@smithyknee
 
Weekly Update!
It's 9 weeks now since my op, we are actually having a week's break in a country cottage - very wet and windy but a lovely change of scenery.
I have seen gentle progress this week.
Negatives - still can't sit comfortable for very long, so the car journey here was not easy. Still have spasms in my thigh, particularly if I have been a bit more active, still uncomfortable at night and my knee still swells up if I up activity a little too much.
But positives - I am managing blocks of sleep, maybe 3 hours with a couple of much shorter ones, but sooooo much better. My knee is more uncomfortable than painful during the day. It is feeling like my knee now ! I am managing slightly longer walks and doing more about the house. I think my bend has reached about 88 degrees! I am smiling and singing again ....
I have a check up with a physio on Saturday and then I am booked in for a knee class. I am not sure what this entails, will find out more on Saturday. Not sure whether I should go, I dont want to undo my gentle progress....
I have been taking magnesium supplements, that could be helping or not, I will never know, but I will continue to take them
Hope you are all doing well. We will get there!
 
It sounds like your recovery is coming along well and normally. Pain and swelling, (tightness), are to be expected at only two months out. Listening to your knee is a good thing!
 
Enjoy your holiday!
 
Sounds like great improvements. I too had pain in my thigh with spasms. My doctor and PT both said it could be bruising down deep due to the tourniquet. It took a while, but it finally went away. My PT suggested gentle massage on the thigh area that was painful and it helped. Good luck and hope you enjoy the cottage.
 
Thanks
MichiganGal said:
Sounds like great improvements. I too had pain in my thigh with spasms. My doctor and PT both said it could be bruising down deep due to the tourniquet. It took a while, but it finally went away. My PT suggested gentle massage on the thigh area that was painful and it helped. Good luck and hope you enjoy the cottage.
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Thanks! I find myself naturally massaging my thigh without thinking and it does seem to help. Can't wait for it to go away!
 
smithyknee said:
I am smiling and singing again ....
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Yay! :yay:
Good luck with your physio appointment on Saturday.
Enjoy your remaining time at the cottage and safe travels home!
 
10 weeks today since my op! Just filling you in with my progress in case it helps any one at a similar stage who is also progressing slowly. Unfortunaltely I have just had Covid and had a couple of days in bed as I felt 'proper poorly' which may have slowed progress a little. Generally progress is still slow, bit it is happening. I am managing a short walk in the local park with my dog - she is 16 and plods , so we match each others' speed! But so nice to be doing that again. Knee bend is still not great, still not 90 degrees but slowly improving. I am carrying on with heel slides and knee stretching and going up small steps. The thigh spasms are much less painful, just a gentle tingle most of he time with the occasional shooting pain. I feel as if life is becoming more normal and I think I do somethings now without even thinking about them. Am cooking dinner, doing a bit of tidying and cleaning, even managed a bit of VERY light gardening. Still can't sit for too long without having to elevate, not driving yet, still not sleeping well and the ballet will just have to wait !! Any one close to my time to compare with ?
Glad you arr all out there
 
Ugh time of the year for colds for sure. Getting sick is never part of the plan.... Hopefully you will feel better soon.

Must feel good to get back to a bit of normalcy. Sleeping well would make everything much more manageable for sure and it does get better. Getting out for dog walks are so relaxing. I have an older beagle and he does much the same pace as yours.:snork:

You seem to have made some substantial steps in the right direction. Nice Work:)
 
Axx72 said:
Ugh time of the year for colds for sure. Getting sick is never part of the plan.... Hopefully you will feel better soon.

Must feel good to get back to a bit of normalcy. Sleeping well would make everything much more manageable for sure and it does get better. Getting out for dog walks are so relaxing. I have an older beagle and he does much the same pace as yours.:snork:

You seem to have made some substantial steps in the right direction. Nice Work:)
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Thank you, it all feels very reassuring..... :loll:
 
Hello! I'm a month ahead of you and yes... i think your progress is coming right along nicely. Hang in there! Small measures of progress each week add up quickly
 
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mendogal said:
Hello! I'm a month ahead of you and yes... i think your progress is coming right along nicely. Hang in there! Small measures of progress each week add up quicklynn
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Thanks! Hope you are doing well.....
 
smithyknee said:
10 weeks today since my op!
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I'm 10 weeks tomorrow. We sound similar. My bend is between 85 and 93 depending on the day. My sleep is a fond memory and I have been an insomniac for years. I backed off on any painful exercises and am concentrating on walking and some gentle stretches. I don't take many pain meds, but could probably use them. Advil maybe once or twice/week. Icing, elevating, and tens unit. Hoping to take a ride to do some leaf peeping tomorrow. Husband will drive and it will take me 2 days to recover. We're 20% into that year of healing. Let's hope we're awesome in a year
 
Katt said:
smithyknee said:
10 weeks today since my op!
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I'm 10 weeks tomorrow. We sound similar. My bend is between 85 and 93 depending on the day. My sleep is a fond memory and I have been an insomniac for years. I backed off on any painful exercises and am concentrating on walking and some gentle stretches. I don't take many pain meds, but could probably use them. Advil maybe once or twice/week. Icing, elevating, and tens unit. Hoping to take a ride to do some leaf peeping tomorrow. Husband will drive and it will take me 2 days to recover. We're 20% into that year of healing. Let's hope we're awesome in a year
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Hi Katt, lovely to hear from someone at a similar stage in the same timeframe. I am sure we will be hiking in a year! We have to celebrate the little improvements! I have just restarted taking codeine just before I go to bed and it has resulted in some short spells of deep sleep which makes a huge difference to the next day. Keep on smiling !
 
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