PKR Having LTKR and praying for a successful outcome…”

[sistersinhim]

OS wants me to do PT 3 times a week for 4 weeks after surgery,

We have found that having PT this early in recovery causes more harm than good. Your knee will need to heal. It won't be out of shape, it will be greatly traumatized from a very serious surgery. All your knee will need are gentle movements that you get from taking care of your daily needs for the first month or so. The more you heal, the less swelling you should have. Too much activity will cause inflammation which leads to pain and swelling. That will cause a worse ROM than if you didn't have that swelling.

I was blessed to have a surgeon that never pushed PT. He gave me a prescription for it, which I threw away and never went. When I went for my 3 return checkups, all he was interested in was to see what my knee would do and never measured. He never even asked about PT! Of course, he knew I was a single lady that had to take care of myself and obviously trusted that I would not be just laying around all the time.

After 12 knee surgeries, I know that I do not need formal PT, and neither do many others if they do their own daily activities and not just sit around all the time. My knee recovered just fine all on its own with only my daily activities. I didn't have the terrible swelling or agonizing pain that so many have after taking formal PT. I knew the Bonesmart way worked before Bonesmart was even thought of. My surgeries started in the early 80s and I never went to PT even back then. I just didn't see the need for it. Bonesmart was formed around 2004. By then I had already had 6 knee surgeries and rehabbed the Bonesmart way!

 

[Jockette]

Best wishes for a much smoother recovery this next time!

 

[Doupie]

How do I change the title of my thread to “Having LTKR and praying for a successful outcome…”
Also do I just tell my OS that I’m not doing formal PT 3 times a week for 4 weeks, I know he’s going to argue with me?

 

[Jockette]

We’ll change your title for you.

I was always stressed about PT/home exercises and my OS, as he was a big fan, and I was not doing the exercises at home. I’d do 1 or 2 reps so I could say, yes, I did (fill in the blank)

You could tell him up front that you’re not going, or just let it go, don’t schedule any appointments, and see if it comes up. I will have this same dilemma if/when I have to redo my partial. Ultimately it’s our knee, and our decision whether or not we go to formal PT, but I do understand the stress of disagreeing with the OS and not complying with his wishes.
Saying no to therapy - am I allowed to?

 

[kneeper]

I had a good PT experience with my second knee but the PT agreed with me that 2 times per week was plenty since I "knew the drill" from my first knee.

 

[Jaycey]

do I just tell my OS that I’m not doing formal PT 3 times a week for 4 weeks, I know he’s going to argue with me?

No argument needed. It's your knee and you are in charge.

Surgeons often set unrealistic goals based on nothing. Many have never seen the "other side" of the procedure. One of my surgeon colleagues told me that until he nursed his father through TKR recovery he had no idea how complex it was. Now he coaches his patients much differently.

Just say no and go at your own pace. Works every time!

 

[sistersinhim]

Also do I just tell my OS that I’m not doing formal PT 3 times a week for 4 weeks, I know he’s going to argue with me?

As others have said, you are the one in control of what happens to your knee. Just don't tell him you're not going and don't schedule any PT appointments. What is your OS going to do, fire you? He can't, but you can fire him because you are the employer and he is the employee!

The healing of your knee is your number one job and only you know how it feels. If the activity you do causes more swelling and pain, then it's setting your recovery back, not helping it.

 

[Doupie]

Well, I'm getting ready to go to the hospital in the morning at 6:40 and I think I am ready. My husband and I had a big fight and now he's left me, so I'll be recovering with the help of family and friends. I'm kind of sad but this has been coming for a long time. I'm sure I will be able to take care of myself during this recovery because a lot of people don't have a partner living with them as well. Any advice or suggestions from those members who have done this by themselves will be greatly appreciated...

I have struggled with this knee for so long and now that the day is almost here, I can't wait. Not sure if I will be staying overnight or coming home tomorrow. My OS decided to do this at the hospital just in case I need to stay. I'm very healthy and very independent so I think I will be coming home tomorrow. I have to be honest with you guys, I'm a little apprehensive because the last surgery and recovery was so bad.

Girlfriends have offered to stay with me, but I really would like to be by myself, is this smart? I know that I can call any of my girlfriends and they will be here as quickly as possible. This is a very emotional time and I find myself crying and worrying about everything. I'm trying to stay positive and not stress because I know it's not good for me, but it's really hard.

The members of this forum are awesome, and I thank God that I found you back in 2013. Thanks for all your advice, words of encouragement and for helping so many through this process......

 

[Jaycey]

All the best tomorrow @Doupie ! So sorry your relationship broke up. But I can confirm, plenty of our members recovered just fine on their own. If you have friends you can call in an emergency you should be fine. Just put things you will need in a convenient place. And always carry your cell phone.

See you on the other side soon!

 

[Jockette]

I, too, am sorry about your husband.

I would suggest having a friend spend the first night or two with you at home, so you can have help right there if you need it.

Best wishes that this surgery will fix everything for you!

 

[Doupie]

Thanks guys I have it covered…..

 

[Doupie]

Getting ready to leave for the hospital. Surgery is scheduled for 9:10 am and I’m hoping to wake up and feel no pain… With the RPKR when I woke up the pain was excruciating because they didn’t place the lidocaine block in, idiot OS!
Dr. Oluisio assured me they will have my pain under control…

I have to drink a high protein drink before 6:00 am they told me it’s similar to an athlete carb loading before working out. Has anyone else done this, just wondering? They also asked me to sleep on clean sheets after my disinfecting shower…lol A lot has changed since 2018…

My sister thinks I should spend the night in the hospital but I really want to come home so I can control my healing….‍
See you guys on the other side…

 

[WFD]

I also was required to drink the special pre-op drink. It is supposed to aid in recovery but I didn’t notice any difference. It is nice to have something in your stomach while you wait for the op, instead of an empty stomach after fasting all night.

 

[Jockette]

My surgery was in 2017. I didn’t have the high protein drink but I did have to sleep on clean sheets and clean PJs. My disinfecting shower had to be taken at 3 pm the day before.

 

[sistersinhim]

Any advice or suggestions from those members who have done this by themselves will be greatly appreciated.

After my tkr, I was alone almost all the time. I had a rolling walker that had a seat with a little basket underneath it. I could carry lots of things in it. I sat my cooler for the circulating ice water machine on top of it to roll to the sink and fridge. I had stocked up on protein drinks and lots of frozen dinners. I had no appetite and was thankful those protein drinks were there!

For my first shower after a couple of weeks, I had a girlfriend come over and sit with me just in case I needed help getting in and out of the shower. I had purchased a shower chair that had two legs in the shower and two out. I found this very easy to sit on and slide into the shower. I just had to make sure the shower curtain was inside the tub, I learned this the hard way! I had also purchased a bedside potty chair, which I didn't have to use, but used the side rails to aid me in getting off and on the bedroom's potty in the master bath.

I kept my phone, TV remote, drinks, and snacks all in the basket of the walker for the first couple of weeks. After that, I was secure to put everything but my phone on an end table.

You will be fine. Doing this alone is no problem. I was on my own timetable and could eat and sleep whenever and wherever I wanted to. Don't overdo and you will enjoy your alone time!

 

[Doupie]

I’m in the hospital experiencing the most excruciating pain, it’s worse than the last time. No ice machine no elevation and even worse I woke up in recovery in a CPM and had to make them get me out of it. I think that’s why I’m hurting sooo bad…
The poor nurses are trying to reach the OS but I’ve been like this for hours. Any suggestions….

 

[Doupie]

 

[Jockette]

Oh Doupie, I’m so sorry! Keep after them to adjust the pain medication. Good for you for stopping the CPM machine.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

I'm so sorry you're in pain-they have many ways these days to control pain, and there's no excuse not to keep your pain under control. I'd make sure they know, and in no uncertain terms, that this is not acceptable! They have meds, pain balls, nerve blocks and so on, so need to get you comfortable NOW!

 

[WFD]

If they can't get hold of the OS, surely there is a doctor on duty that can do something. Letting you lie there in pain because your OS is not reachable is not acceptable.