TKR Gingerbread's RTKR Recovery Marathon

Good news! My daughter is bringing over my bike holder so I will be able to use our bike at home. I'm very happy because it's the one thing I feel comfortable (relatively) with in terms of PT exercises.
She and I are going to a CBD store as well. My practitioner recommended 1500-3000 in capsule or topical. Anyone have any suggestions on the best use (capsule, topical, tincture, gummies) for severe post replacement pain? I know some of you have suggested gummies. I will be using it in conjunction with Tylenol and Motrin as my MD won't give me anything else to help when the severe pain hits, as it does, usually at night. I still have Tramadol but that does nothing for me.
 
Good for you about the bicycle holder. I'm glad you were able to work out some CBD products with your doctor that might help you with pain. Be sure and ice as well....it helps!
 
Good for you about the bicycle holder. I'm glad you were able to work out some CBD products with your doctor that might help you with pain. Be sure and ice as well....it helps!
Thanks @Jamie ! I had to contact my holistic NP for the pain alternatives. Unfortunately my surgeon is basically saying he has "no idea" why I could be having such awful pain intermittently, still, this late post procedure. He has ruled everything out so I understand but seems to me he's just dropping the ball and expecting me to suck it up. I'm glad I had the relationship established with the other practitioner already.
It's so hard now as even if you have no hx of pain med seeking behavior, doctors are leaving you to your own devices when you do have real pain.
I'm grateful for this forum where I can obtain reliable, relatable, tried and true advice.
 
So I'm definitely a member of the overdid it club today.
Went to the CBD Store with my daughter, bought 1000 mg topical freeze cream with boswellia and 2500 mg cream with lidocaine. Tried the 1000 mg earlier and just put on the 2500 mg now, as I was up and down stairs all day doing laundry and chores, did all my PT exercises, then tonight I couldn't resist taking my dog for a walk (he looked so depressed, our walks have been few and far between since surgery and husband only walks him a few times a week. My schedule with him-my dog-was twice daily).
It seems to be helping somewhat. I pray it continues to help because I know the "bone crusher s" are coming tonight and this is what I bought this to combat. Let's see if it works...
 
I am curious, you mentioned that you have lymphedema in your right leg? Even though it's improved since surgery, do you think that could be causing some of your lingering pain issues?
Even mild lymphedema could affect your healing time frame and comfort level, do you have a specialist that you've seen in the past?
It may not be the case but it might be worth looking into.. would be nice if you could get some MLD sessions in and just see how it goes.
BTW- your day seems terribly strenuous for someone with a recent TKR. :console2:
 
Cricket hip and I agree: your day sounds way too “normal” yet, for as far out as you are! But, t’is your body…

As for CBD, I had previously tried gummies and capsules and both upset my digestion, so I’ve used a tincture as well as a salve that contains comfrey, and other organic herbs. That combo works great for me… I’ve been able to use the two CBD preparations solely for pain after about month 2.5… was off Tramadol by week 3.5, and off Tylenol by 2 1/2 months out.

I apply the salve before I tackle anything my knee might complain about: walking my new puppy, going forward a walk with anyone, driving a lot in a day, etc. I usually just take the tincture now before bed.

I experimented with them prior to surgery too, and never needed any NSAIDs pre-surgery.
 
I am curious, you mentioned that you have lymphedema in your right leg? Even though it's improved since surgery, do you think that could be causing some of your lingering pain issues?
Even mild lymphedema could affect your healing time frame and comfort level, do you have a specialist that you've seen in the past?
It may not be the case but it might be worth looking into.. would be nice if you could get some MLD sessions in and just see how it goes.
BTW- your day seems terribly strenuous for someone with a recent TKR. :console2:
Hi @CricketHip !
The only entities that have remotely helped with my lymphedema have been my holistic NP, and right after my cancer dx in 2012, the first holistic MD I went to, Dr. Cutler (who was renowned in treating autism naturally and having spectacular results! He has passed away, but he was a phenomenal man and I was blessed to be able to find him. He started my journey into holistic healing. Actually discovered my hair was full of aluminum-most likely from all the processed garbage I had consumed most of my adult life until that point. Yes, he did all sorts of non traditional tests and I became MUCH healthier as a result of finding him ).
At this time I don't appear to have much lymph edema; in fact, it is barely at a "+ 1" at its worst. I really think this surgery somehow repaired or rerouted some lymph vessels! As I wrote in an earlier post, the lymphedema came on suddenly after a fall on a cinder track, and the dermabrasion done by a surgeon to remove the cinders embedded in my knee. Last summer I had venous insufficiency studies (dopplers) done on both legs and both have varices. I believe the big problem I have is being tethered to a desk 8 hours a day. I am not back working yet but when I did try to go back a few days in August it was too much.
Manual lymphatic drainage would probably be beneficial. I will look into it if it flares up once I begin work again on the 22nd.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply :) an yes, I did a lot yesterday. Taking it easy today!!!
 
Cricket hip and I agree: your day sounds way too “normal” yet, for as far out as you are! But, t’is your body…

As for CBD, I had previously tried gummies and capsules and both upset my digestion, so I’ve used a tincture as well as a salve that contains comfrey, and other organic herbs. That combo works great for me… I’ve been able to use the two CBD preparations solely for pain after about month 2.5… was off Tramadol by week 3.5, and off Tylenol by 2 1/2 months out.

I apply the salve before I tackle anything my knee might complain about: walking my new puppy, going forward a walk with anyone, driving a lot in a day, etc. I usually just take the tincture now before bed.

I experimented with them prior to surgery too, and never needed any NSAIDs pre-surgery.
@BBCG I am thrilled to say the 2500 CBD topical worked wonders last night after my very strenuous day! I did continue ice all night, and I did have to get up and apply more CBD 2500 at 4 a.m. But, I then slept right until 7:30...I always wake at 6 a.m. sharp for my Tylenol! I was thrilled and amazed :SUNsmile:
Not having to take the Oxycodone after a day like yesterday is a huge victory. I feel like I am finally making strides in the right direction. It's a beautiful day!
 
Oh hooray!! How perfect that it works so well for you! I am so very happy for you! Yippee!!

The now-deceased doctor you found years ago sounds like such a blessing! How fortunate to have been able to be helped by him!

I’m also glad your lymphedema really isn’t such a factor you now, too…plus, having found that the CBD preparations are working for you, is such a relief, I’m sure!
 
Glad you found something that works for you! Hooray! :yay:
 
PT today was quite a success. I flexed my knee with the strap myself, laying on my belly, to a little more than 90 degrees with no pain (just the usual tightness). They had me do sit to stand squats slowly and since I've been exercising my entire adult life my quads finally showed up and showed off LOL! Next was 8 minutes on the bike, I rotated like I never had surgery. Making progress!
Now you'd think I could sleep....
 
Ah! Sounds like great progress Gingerbread!

But, sleep is elusive for lots of us! I took melatonin for a few months, use a pain tincture at night, etc., but am often awake for an hour in the middle of the night anyway, too.

My solution is just to go to bed earlier to get ahead of the curve! (Which is why I can comment on folks’ pages when they’re awake in a different time zone!) But, the turning in earlier has helped a lot.

I’m 5 months list surgery now, so I figure my new normal isn’t here yet… hang in there!
 
Yay!! So glad you have some good news! Remember not to overdo it! That's what I start doing when I feel much better. I hope you start sleeping better soon. Remember to nap during an icing session, if you possibly can....
 
Anyone have their PT tell them they would have to keep going until they were functional with stairs, etc...? Mine is giving me basically a 3-6 more month timeframe!
I asked my PT on Thursday when I would be discharged. It's nearly 2 months since surgery. I did have the week reprieve due to the ER visit, however, I am a bit past 90 degrees flexion and peddling the bike without difficulty. I am able to traverse stairs the normal way (supporting my body weight going down) albeit very gingerly. There's no way I can go down without holding the bannister. Going up I am able to do normally, sometimes without the bannister, again, very very slowly. Could someone please share their milestones for discharge from PT?
Thanks in advance :)
 
Anyone have their PT tell them they would have to keep going until they were functional with stairs, etc...? Mine is giving me basically a 3-6 more month timeframe!
All PTs are different. I was discharged at 8 weeks. I could not do stairs foot over foot either up or down yet. I don’t remember the milestones, but they were simple daily activities they asked about.

That is a lot of visits and your copays will add up. Some parts of this recovery just need time, not constant PT. You are the paying customer, you decide when you stop going. Saying no to therapy - am I allowed to?

Your PTs have overworked you, and caused you a lot of pain. You are surviving it, but they are not helping you recover. “Requiring” (which they can’t do) you to come for another 3-6 months sounds extremely unnecessary to me and, personally, I wouldn’t do it.
 
I agree @Jockette!
Especially since I am resuming work this week, I don't have time for these twice weekly sessions. I have a laundry list of exercises they want me to do twice daily... That's hysterical. They take almost 45 minutes for the first round! There's no way I ever do them twice, and no way that's happening when I resume work. I didn't exercise like that before surgery when I was exercising regularly! Crazy really, talk about overkill. Hopefully a few more weeks then I'll just tell them enough. Some of the exercises are quite beneficial; the pushing to pain however was awful and unnecessary and did not get me where I am. Time and healing did that.
 
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Crazy really, talk about overkill.
I completely agree with you. IMO you don't need PT anymore. You have achieved very good results from your TKR in spite of setbacks from PT. Your normal daily activities are all you need now. Your days are already full, why add the stress of having to go to PT when you can do everything at home?
 
45 minutes, holy cow!!! I know you are further ahead than me but mine take me a total of 15 min, tops. That could change this week but I hope not. I agree with everyone else. You can't go back to work, do all these exercises AND go to PT on top of it. It's too much!
 

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