TKR Getting somewhere at last!

[speccybecky]

Am wondering if I might he better taking ibuprofen with paracetamol ad much of my pain at night is.musculJosephine, do you know if I can take both paracetamol and ibuprofen ad well ad dome tramadol?

 

[Josephine]

Says I'm at the worst bit and it will get better.

True - in fact very true

Says that not sleeping is the most common complaint.

True, in fact very true! Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

It will take at least a year to feel like ,'mine'.

Again very true

Keeping trying the stairs even if it hurts, not sure about that.

Well, there's hurt and hurt. If he means discomfort, then fine. But if he means tear jerkingly painful then definitely NOT!

To test progress on the stairs take a step down with bad leg, then very, very slowly attempt to step down with the good leg. You will require at least 110 degrees of flexion to do this and even then will have to acclimatise the knee to the process. Stepping down the stairs is not all about bend, it's also about moving forward in the bend as well which is totally different to what happens when you are walking. Just do it gently and in a few days, you will be able to manage it just fine.

And you will also find it helps with the progress in your ROM as well!

 

[Cynthia07]

Hi speckybecky.. Why not check in with your regular physician... Give him a visit and report. Yes, here in the US we get about 3 months of Pt , we go for about an hour and a half 3 times a week, depending on your insurance carrier. The massage , supervision and
Stretches help. Please take care and keep us posted! Love, limpy

 

[Cynthia07]

See you back in a year? That seems like a long time. I have to report back to my surgeon in 6 months...

 

[Cynthia07]

By the way, your progress seems about normal in my humble opnion

 

[referee54]

I am glad to read of that report! It does indeed take time---mine was at least 5 1/2 months before I felt pretty close to normal, and I agree that it may take upward to a year to feel like the knee belongs to you.

Things may progress unbearably slowly, but it is progress all the same---and I understand and appreciate your frustration, but slow and easy will allow you to reach your destination.

 

[speccybecky]

Thanks everyone. You know, I heard what everyone told me but clearly didn't listen. A bit of me thought as I was on the 'young' side for this procedure I'd make a fabulous recovery. How smug was I!:$. Now I know it'll take as long as it takes and I cant do much about it! I sometimes have swelling and tightness and ice for that. Some of my pain now is from muscles I think. Any suggestions ?

 

[speccybecky]

I had a bath!!

 

[Jamie]

Wow....I bet that bath was heaven. Did it help your sore muscles? Some damp heat applied might help.

 

[speccybecky]

Jamie it was great. I didn't stay in too long as I wasa bit concerned about getting out! Also I felt my knee a bit stiff in the heat, but helped my leg muscles. I then stood up and had a shower as well!

 

[Jazyb]

Hi Nancy
Well done on getting in and out of the bath - I haven't felt brave enough to have a go yet. It's the getting out that puts the wind up me Did you fine it easy to get out?

 

[speccybecky]

Jo, on the way out I sat on a towel at the end of the bath and swung my legs over one at a time. Not very pretty but I was worried about slipping if I stepped out. Josephine my flexion can manage downstairs, it s the pain that shoots through the back of my bad leg when bent and taking my weight that stops me.feels like a tendon/muscle. It's the same pain when I heel slide too far back.

 

[sandyk]

:yes 4::yes 4: hey nancy well done on the bath - it's great that first bath and i do know what you mean about getting out - so much fun and trepidation fantastic news - i have now had two its great first one was not too long like you but the second one was for a bit longer.

It's great to hear your doing so well keep up the good work xxxx:yes 4::yes 4:

 

[kneeper]

 

[referee54]

A bit of me thought as I was on the 'young' side for this procedure

I thought much the same---I am in great shape; I am 53; watch out! I will set the record on recovery time..."

Didn't work out that way; I had to learn that my knees were in charge and the recovery for a BTKR was going to be on THEIR schedule, not MINE.

Don't focus on time---focus on things like tht bath that you took---those milestones---if we worry about how long it takes, then we are focusing on the negative too much; you are making progress! You are moving forward! You are reclaiming yoru life! It is just happening at a slower rate than you---and me---and many of us would like!

 

[Josephine]

I hear you. I think you are forgetting that you are still in the early days of your recovery. "sometimes you ice" is not good enough. Go back to the start and begin all over again with rest, elevate, ice and pain meds. You have to get your pain and swelling under control.

 

[LindaP]

Hi Nancy I am in West Lothian also, you might want to ask your physio to refer you to hydrotherapy, I attended St Johns for this and found it very helpful, the pool is very warm and soothing. Good Luck

 

[Campervan]

Hi Nancy and LindaP. Just popped in to say I lived in Winchburgh from 1977 to 1981. Had my meniscus removed at Bangour(?) hospital in Dec 1978 following a ski accident at Glenshee in Feb 1978.

 

[speccybecky]

Gosh, what a small world! I live in Linlithgow, just up the road from Winchburgh . It would be Bangour, now closed ! Linda, I didn't know hydrotherapy was an option. I see physio at local health centre but not for another month.

 

[speccybecky]

does anyone else have a strange 'pressure like' pain , not even sure its pain, just an odd feeling underneath the heel on operated leg? Almost feels like i have one leg longer than the other!