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TKR GrandyGirl's Recovery Story 1/14/12

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Josephine said:
That's exactly what I did, Jo. No-one taught me it, I just figured it out for myself! But I didn't do too many - maybe half a dozen a couple of times a day ... if I felt like it (which I rarely did!). Fact is that ROM is there all the time, you just need to give it a chance to reveal itself out of the swelling.
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Josephine,

You are Quite right! Already I am noticing an improvement in my ability to move my knee after doing the stretches just 2 days. So I am confident that I will get where I need to be and I am very happy about that. I mean, what's the point of havig the surgery, if there's limited ROM afterwards.

And like you, no one taught me this during the PT at the hospital. So now that I am beginning to understand what is required to stretch those tendons, I am creating my own moves. I am ver encouraged and can't thank each of you enough for your input.

Dori
aka GrandyGirl
 
I think I am doing great at 8 weeks, too. I am just getting to the place where I can say, "I am so happy that I had this surgery." I'm not 100% there yet, but for the first time, I am feeling like this is going to be OK. I no longer need to ice and elevate all the time. I don't have the kind of discomfort that has to be managed with narcotics, just a couple of naproxene twice a day. Early in the morning I can grab an ice pack out of the freezer to take back to bed with me rather than walking in my sleep to reload the icing unit...what a blessing that is. I am enjoying my walking more and more. And I am totally amazed at how responsive my knee is to the stretches. I havent tried the recumbent again but I would be surprised if Im able to make that first revolution very soon:thumb:

Dori
aka GrandyGirl
 
I havent tried the recumbent again but I would be surprised if Im able to make that first revolution very soon
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I know nothing about recumbents; is it possible to move the pedals and seat further apart? This would make that first rev easier.
 
Hi Dori
Great report :thumb: I feel exactly the same as you, I'm so happy I have had the surgery and can see it's going to be great having my new knee. It already feels part of me.

Roy, I am sure you can push the saddle back to make the rom easier to deal with. When I used a gym you could definately change this on that type of bike. I have an upright bike and so it's slightly different but my physio has advised me on the correct settings.
 
Hi Jo,

I have been following your recovery and you seem to have had such a pleasant experience and making steady progress. I am finally beginning to feel like I am going to make to the other side of this journey. It's been interesting:)

Dori
 
Yes...recumbent bicycles do have adjustments for the seat. The only think is that, because of the design, you cannot take the seat quite as close to the pedals as you can go on an upright bicycle. So you do have a slightly better opportunity to work toward better flexion with an upright.

But in the long run, either works VERY well as a tool for recovery.
 
I dunno ..I use the recumbent because of my silly ol' back needing more support and my flexion is fantastic !:th_heehee:
 
My chiropractor goes pale when people tell him they use a recumbent bike. He reckons there's nothing worse for a back.

Just sayin' .....
 
Dori, you may remember the recumbent bike was my nemesis for a long time. When I finally got to 100' flex, I put the heel of my TKR foot in front of the pedal strap. Then I could rock back and forth with less tension on my knee. Same as going around. It has helped me, but if it hurts the next day, wait to do it again. Right Roy??????
 
G'morning,

I haven't tried the recumbent again yet. I've been concentrating on increasing my flexion my stretching the tendons, ligaments, and muscles gently in a number of other (creative) ways. I can already tell that my body is responding because i am able to do things more easily that were difficult to do before. For example:

Using the foot of my operated leg to help slip my shoe off the other foot. I couldn't do that before.

Getting in and out of my car with greater ease. I can bend my knee so much quicker and easier now to position myself into the driver's seat and behind the wheel.

Putting my slacks on. Before beginning to stretch, I had to bend waaay over to get that operated leg into the leg of my pants. Now my knee does a lot of the bending rather than my back.

So I have no idea what the numbers are now and I don't really care. I am more interested in the improvement I am seeing, which is measurable.

The other night a friend suggested that I set my heating pad on low and wrap it in a towel and put it on my knee. I did and within minutes was amazed at how flexible the joint was. It felt soooo good. So I mentioned it to my son the next day and he sent me a link with info about heat/cold therapy following a knee replacement. When I opened it, I was delighted to see that it was from BoneSmart!! So I would like to share it with you. I rarely hear mention of heat as a therapy adjunct but I intent to incorporate it into my repertoire as it helps loosen my knee up prior to physical therapy. The first night was so good, naturally, I over did it and the next day it was a little sore. So I am finding the right balance.
Here is the link...Enjoy!:friends:

https://bonesmart.org/forum/moist-heat-knee-replacement-t2335.html

Dori
aka GrandyGirl
 
megbabyrn said:
Dori, you may remember the recumbent bike was my nemesis for a long time. When I finally got to 100' flex, I put the heel of my TKR foot in front of the pedal strap. Then I could rock back and forth with less tension on my knee. Same as going around. It has helped me, but if it hurts the next day, wait to do it again. Right Roy??????
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:thumb: zackly so. Marginal gains, to quote David Brailsford (UK cycling team director)
 
G'morning Everybody,

I hope you all are having a great beginning to your week. Spring time is definitely in the air now. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, everything is so green and fresh. It makes me want to get outside and enjoy this beautiful day. That's just what I did this morning and it felt so good to be able to be part of this day. I'm happy to be healing! My new knee is still teaching me things and I'm still learning, but I am grateful for a new beginning and I look forward to the time when I am able to take my long walks in my park again. I know that's coming soon.

BTW, my Grands came over Saturday with my son and they spent the entire day with me. I had not seen them since leaving their home where I stayed for a few weeks after my discharge from the hospital. Last time they saw me, I was barely out of the walker and they were SHOCKED to see that their "Grande D" was able to actually walk on her own, without the "crunches" (as they refer my crutches). It was such a joy to see the surprise and joy in their little faces. Being able to spend such quality time with them made me so happy and grateful for my recovery.

Please share with me what you are happy about and grateful for as a result of having had a knee replacement. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Let's think gratitude and new beginnings during this season!:yahoo:

Dori
aka GrandyGirl
 
Hi Dori - What lovely thoughts ! Here's my addition ...

This morning I met a friend who hadn't seen me since way before my surgery. He offered me a lift to a coffee shop about 1/2 mile away. I said no thanks , let's walk -he was stunned -and more so when I 1) told himI had a TKR 12-ish weeks ago and 2) when he couldn't keep up to my pace walking ! Yay !!!!:yay::yahoo:
 
Randi,I bet you smiled all day over that one!! Dori, I am grateful not to be in constant pain. I have taken my 8 yr old to the movies 2 times since my surgery. Couldn't sit through it before easily!!
 
Hi Dori
What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday :thumb:

Today I took my dog, Roxy, for a walk on the Moor and left the crutch in the car - I knew today as I walked with her that I had made the right decision to get my knee fixed and needless to say I had a big smile on my face :biggrin: :yahoo: :biggrin:
 
ARRGHHH:hairpulling:

I just can't seem to stop tossing and turning....all night long. I can't get in a comfortable position and when I do manage to drift off to sleep, I feel like I am waking up every hour. My bed covers look like a disaster area the next morning. This is beginning to wear me out....

Am I the only one with INSOMNIA??

What's the deal? Is it the knee still aching? Withdrawal from the narcotics? Not enough physical activity to tire my muscles out???

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Dori
aka GrandyGirl
 
Dori-

I'm two weeks out on one knee, three weeks on the other. I've had great night and then I have nights like last night where all I do is toss and turn, my knees won't settle down. It's so annoying. What is worse, is the second set of staples came out yesterday and the doc at the rehab told me she would give me 50 more pills and that I should start weening myself off of them?!! Really? So yesterday afternoon and evening went fine, I got into bed and spent the entire night, without meds, tossing and turning. Thankfully, when we visit the UK we pick up Paramol and Paracetemol. I have enough drugs to get me thru until I see my GP next week and can request pain meds. I'm trying to be patient but like you, when you are tired and uncomfortable you don't want to do anything. I'm hoping to see improvements going forward. I'm thankful for my tempur pedic bed with foot/head control. I cannot imagine sleeping in a regular bed right now.:what:
 
Bev,

Prior to my surgery my doc Rx'ed Tramadol to help me sleep and I tried it a couple of times and it didn't seem to work. Maybe my pain was too bad at that time. But I am going to try it again tonight. I have been taking a couple of Tylenol PM's but lately the effect just doesn't kick in.

Also, I have been spending a LOT of tie hanging around in my bedroom all day, looking at the TV, even bringing my meals into the bedroom. So I am going to make a conscientious effort too just use the bedroom as a place to sleep. I have a big screen tv upstairs and that would be a good opportunity to do my stair workout because there is not a kitchen or a bathroom up there and I'd have to come down the stairs if I needed either.

Sometimes I have been able to get a decent nap in for 2-3 hours and that helps. But I would really appreciate a good night's sleep. I have an excellent mattress and have always loved sleeping like a baby on it...but not now. I'm ready to rip the thing apart at the seams:hate-shocked:

Dori
 
Dori-

My husband just got home from a trip and wanted to know why I didn't demand more meds. He is absolutely correct. I'm being passed from one short term doc (surgeon) to the next (rehab) and it's now time to incorporate my GP in the mix. I made a call, and talked to the GP office, they were shocked that with a bi lateral and only two weeks out that I'm being asked to ween myself off the meds. They are going to speak to the doc and have him get in touch with us. I'm taking my pain meds the way I should and am feeling much better. I cleaned my kitchen this morning and did a few loads of laundry so my PT for the day is complete. Hope you get some rest, Dori!! :thumb:
 
It's amazing how often the chain of communication of the healthcare delivery team breaks down. The patient is one who ends up suffering.

I am so glad you got that straightened out. It's much too early for you to be weaning off of pain meds. When it's time, you'll know.

Dori
 
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