MUA Hello, its been a while!
- Thread starter carabeara
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Carabeara.....hon.....you are really pushing that new knee. Did you read the articles from our BoneSmart Library that were posted for you earlier in the thread? If so, you would see that your body is in healing mode for a good 10-12 weeks after surgery. And that's if there are no issues that come up during recovery. You have two....the colitis and heading back to work a bit early.
You need to put yourself first here. This knee will be with you for a long time and you want to do recovery right. To do otherwise and push yourself too much can set your body up for a frustrating cycle of pain and swelling.
Here is my suggestion....if you absolutely MUST go to your job, then make that the only thing you do other than the gentle bends and stretches that MaryO recommended. All that activity getting ready for work (showering, dressing, making lunch, etc.) plus driving there and back, walking in and out of the office, sitting in training or meetings and being "on" for that length of time....that is ALL therapy!!! Don't let anyone kid you and tell you that you need even more exercise for that knee.
So, on a day that you work, that should be ALL you do. No errands. No cooking. No cleaning. No laundry. No going out. Come home and immediately get that knee up and covered in ice. Walk to the bathroom, bedroom or kitchen as needed, but that's it. Other folks can help or better yet just delay things that don't absolutely positively have to be done. If not doing it results in someone dead or injured or if it causes the house to fall in....okay....do it then.
But, otherwise.....YOU are your project!!!
As for meds, you need to get on some type of pain medication that you take on a regular schedule. I agree that you shouldn't be driving with the Lortab. But it may be possible with the Tramadol. You can supplement the Tramadol with Tylenol (dosage is 1000mg every 4-6 hours; no more than 4000mg in a 24 hour period.....be sure to count the acetaminophen in any other over-the-counter meds you take like allergy or cold meds). Bottom line is you need to get that pain under control! Consistent medication and lots of ice and elevation are the answer.
If possible, take ice packs to work with you and elevate your leg while you are sitting. You cannot over-ice as long as you keep something in between the ice source and your bare skin.
If your therapist will not understand that you are working your knee when you are going to the office, then you may need to stop therapy for a while (or for good). It's not really mandatory, you know. You could ask your therapist for printouts of the exercises they think you should be doing and tell them you want to do them on your own. That should be perfectly acceptable. Then if you really wanted to, you could check in with the therapist every week or two so they could report to the surgeon. Some doctors do like to have these progress reports. Don't listen to any of that talk about "windows." It is NOT true and we have many, many BoneSmarties to prove it! That includes me, as I gained ROM with both my knees for more than 6 months after surgery.
The ideal would be for you to take the full 10-12 weeks before going back to work. But, if you really cannot do that, please consider what I have suggested. It will not be a walk in the park because you are pushing yourself. But I understand that some people have financial requirements that dictate their early return to work.
You need to put yourself first here. This knee will be with you for a long time and you want to do recovery right. To do otherwise and push yourself too much can set your body up for a frustrating cycle of pain and swelling.
Here is my suggestion....if you absolutely MUST go to your job, then make that the only thing you do other than the gentle bends and stretches that MaryO recommended. All that activity getting ready for work (showering, dressing, making lunch, etc.) plus driving there and back, walking in and out of the office, sitting in training or meetings and being "on" for that length of time....that is ALL therapy!!! Don't let anyone kid you and tell you that you need even more exercise for that knee.
So, on a day that you work, that should be ALL you do. No errands. No cooking. No cleaning. No laundry. No going out. Come home and immediately get that knee up and covered in ice. Walk to the bathroom, bedroom or kitchen as needed, but that's it. Other folks can help or better yet just delay things that don't absolutely positively have to be done. If not doing it results in someone dead or injured or if it causes the house to fall in....okay....do it then.
But, otherwise.....YOU are your project!!!As for meds, you need to get on some type of pain medication that you take on a regular schedule. I agree that you shouldn't be driving with the Lortab. But it may be possible with the Tramadol. You can supplement the Tramadol with Tylenol (dosage is 1000mg every 4-6 hours; no more than 4000mg in a 24 hour period.....be sure to count the acetaminophen in any other over-the-counter meds you take like allergy or cold meds). Bottom line is you need to get that pain under control! Consistent medication and lots of ice and elevation are the answer.
If possible, take ice packs to work with you and elevate your leg while you are sitting. You cannot over-ice as long as you keep something in between the ice source and your bare skin.
If your therapist will not understand that you are working your knee when you are going to the office, then you may need to stop therapy for a while (or for good). It's not really mandatory, you know. You could ask your therapist for printouts of the exercises they think you should be doing and tell them you want to do them on your own. That should be perfectly acceptable. Then if you really wanted to, you could check in with the therapist every week or two so they could report to the surgeon. Some doctors do like to have these progress reports. Don't listen to any of that talk about "windows." It is NOT true and we have many, many BoneSmarties to prove it! That includes me, as I gained ROM with both my knees for more than 6 months after surgery.
The ideal would be for you to take the full 10-12 weeks before going back to work. But, if you really cannot do that, please consider what I have suggested. It will not be a walk in the park because you are pushing yourself. But I understand that some people have financial requirements that dictate their early return to work.
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carabeara
junior member
Well, I called a couple of PT facilities this afternoon...wanted to get the opinion of some other professionals and see if outpatient, at this point, wouldn't behoove me as they have more equipment to deal with the discomfort i.e., TENS unit, ultrasound wand, etc.
Surprisingly, the one I spoke to seemed to think pain was the norm. Is it this area?
My pt today forced me to 100, causing me to shout out but she was pleased. This was after I had worked this morning, came home and iced, elevated and napped, pain pill 20 mins before, therapeutic "icy" rub applied. Thought I was ready, and did really well with everything except that darn flexion...I felt it getting close to my limit then she sprung that last shove on me!
Surprisingly, the one I spoke to seemed to think pain was the norm. Is it this area?
My pt today forced me to 100, causing me to shout out but she was pleased. This was after I had worked this morning, came home and iced, elevated and napped, pain pill 20 mins before, therapeutic "icy" rub applied. Thought I was ready, and did really well with everything except that darn flexion...I felt it getting close to my limit then she sprung that last shove on me!
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carabeara
junior member
So, on a day that you work, that should be ALL you do. No errands. No cooking. No cleaning. No laundry. No going out. Come home and immediately get that knee up and covered in ice. Walk to the bathroom, bedroom or kitchen as needed, but that's it. Other folks can help or better yet just delay things that don't absolutely positively have to be done. If not doing it results in someone dead or injured or if it causes the house to fall in....okay....do it then. But, otherwise.....YOU are your project!!!
This is what I did today, well, until the PT arrived..about 2 1/2 hours after I got home. IDK why she doesnt come on my off days. Have to rectify that.
As for meds, you need to get on some type of pain medication that you take on a regular schedule. I agree that you shouldn't be driving with the Lortab. But it may be possible with the Tramadol. You can supplement the Tramadol with Tylenol (dosage is 1000mg every 4-6 hours; no more than 4000mg in a 24 hour period.....be sure to count the acetaminophen in any other over-the-counter meds you take like allergy or cold meds). Bottom line is you need to get that pain under control! Consistent medication and lots of ice and elevation are the answer.
How long, as a rule, are pain meds needed? Sometimes I think I can go the day without, but then reality kicks in! I think I signed a form when I first went into meet with my doc about no meds past 6 weeks.
I think I may need to take them for a bit longer....
Don't listen to any of that talk about "windows." It is NOT true and we have many, many BoneSmarties to prove it! That includes me, as I gained ROM with both my knees for more than 6 months after surgery.
Its like a conspiracy here...everyone is saying the same thing! PT's, docs, etc.
The ideal would be for you to take the full 10-12 weeks before going back to work. But, if you really cannot do that, please consider what I have suggested. It will not be a walk in the park because you are pushing yourself. But I understand that some people have financial requirements that dictate their early return to work.
There are a couple of reasons for me going back so soon...I don't want to be forgotten, and therefore, passed over, for referrals, plus I really enjoy the break from thinking about my health all the time, I get to be engaged and make people laugh and let people know I'm not going anywhere
Plus, i REALLY need to get some money coming in...oy.
But, otherwise.....YOU are your project!!!This is what I did today, well, until the PT arrived..about 2 1/2 hours after I got home. IDK why she doesnt come on my off days. Have to rectify that.
As for meds, you need to get on some type of pain medication that you take on a regular schedule. I agree that you shouldn't be driving with the Lortab. But it may be possible with the Tramadol. You can supplement the Tramadol with Tylenol (dosage is 1000mg every 4-6 hours; no more than 4000mg in a 24 hour period.....be sure to count the acetaminophen in any other over-the-counter meds you take like allergy or cold meds). Bottom line is you need to get that pain under control! Consistent medication and lots of ice and elevation are the answer.
How long, as a rule, are pain meds needed? Sometimes I think I can go the day without, but then reality kicks in! I think I signed a form when I first went into meet with my doc about no meds past 6 weeks.
I think I may need to take them for a bit longer....
Don't listen to any of that talk about "windows." It is NOT true and we have many, many BoneSmarties to prove it! That includes me, as I gained ROM with both my knees for more than 6 months after surgery.
Its like a conspiracy here...everyone is saying the same thing! PT's, docs, etc.
The ideal would be for you to take the full 10-12 weeks before going back to work. But, if you really cannot do that, please consider what I have suggested. It will not be a walk in the park because you are pushing yourself. But I understand that some people have financial requirements that dictate their early return to work.
There are a couple of reasons for me going back so soon...I don't want to be forgotten, and therefore, passed over, for referrals, plus I really enjoy the break from thinking about my health all the time, I get to be engaged and make people laugh and let people know I'm not going anywhere
Plus, i REALLY need to get some money coming in...oy.
Hi @carabeara
Sweetheart, why do you keep on letting people do this to you?
You worked, then went to PT, then let the physio force your knee, causing pain yet again. That was an assault.
This article was in the reading list that Josephine gave you. I think you should read it again.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/myth-busting-no-pain-no-gain.14317/
If you must go to work this early in your recovery, you should do nothing more at all on that day, except rest, ice, elevate. Just getting up, getting dressed, getting to work and back, apart from what you do at work, is more than enough exercise for your knee.
Ditch that physiotherapist. She has the wrong ideas and she is not listening to you. It is not compulsory to go to a PT facility. Instead, perhaps you could try this:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/home-physio-pt-and-activity-progress-suggestions.8954/
You can't make your knee recover faster by working hard at it. See this:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/tkr-work-“smarter”-and-not-“harder”.11205/
We're all here to help you, please listen.
Sweetheart, why do you keep on letting people do this to you?
You worked, then went to PT, then let the physio force your knee, causing pain yet again. That was an assault.
This article was in the reading list that Josephine gave you. I think you should read it again.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/myth-busting-no-pain-no-gain.14317/
If you must go to work this early in your recovery, you should do nothing more at all on that day, except rest, ice, elevate. Just getting up, getting dressed, getting to work and back, apart from what you do at work, is more than enough exercise for your knee.
Ditch that physiotherapist. She has the wrong ideas and she is not listening to you. It is not compulsory to go to a PT facility. Instead, perhaps you could try this:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/home-physio-pt-and-activity-progress-suggestions.8954/
You can't make your knee recover faster by working hard at it. See this:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/tkr-work-“smarter”-and-not-“harder”.11205/
We're all here to help you, please listen.
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newkneesNH
member
Great advice. Just reread the articles you posted and it helped me. Being smart is way better. You learn this as you heal. These articles are so helpful and keep me on track with my progress. thank you
It may be that you need some type of pain medication beyond 6 weeks. If you still have pain, you need it. You can talk to your surgeon about prescribing more Tramadol. It can be very effective, especially when combined with the Tylenol as I suggested earlier. Or, you could use just the Tylenol....IF that works. Some folks (me included) still needed prescription pain meds for several months after surgery. As you gradually heal and the swelling lessens, you will just naturally start tapering off the pain meds. HOWEVER....swelling (and pain) is guaranteed to continue if you allow people to force your knee into a bend. Please don't let them do that!!!
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What's missing is you telling her that was not OK. @RestAssured once lashed back reflexively at a PT that hurt her.
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carabeara
junior member
Yesterday was rough...I spent more time then expected at the office, after having forgotten my cane, got home and felt like a band was tightening around my knee, so I iced and laid down. Forgot the PT appt! She came and despite my tale of painful swelling, we did some excercises. She didnt push me as hard though but I did get the stern warning that the doc would be "mad" at the lack of flexion when I see him on Tues. I said that he isnt like that...he is very calm, LOL. But it will be interesting to see what he does have to say...
Last night, because of my neglect, was very painful, almost everything that I did; walk, try to turn over in bed, bathroom, etc. so today, I'm in bed, with it elevated, doing some work right here...
Last night, because of my neglect, was very painful, almost everything that I did; walk, try to turn over in bed, bathroom, etc. so today, I'm in bed, with it elevated, doing some work right here...
I'd like to know where they get that. We've had many people report these threats. How do they know how the doctor is going to feel? It really borders on abuse and BTW I am a medical professional, and a statement like that is unprofessional.
Good job adapting to the situation to take care of yourself.
The worst one I had with that kind of thing wasn't even a full PT, she was an assistant. She was all threatening /condescending right in the hospital. Though at least she didn't pull "the doctor will be mad" thing. Jeepers.
If I see her again in the hospital I'm not going to worry about being polite.
If I see her again in the hospital I'm not going to worry about being polite.
You mentioned your pain last night and icing/resting. But there was no mention of pain medications.....are you still taking something on a schedule for pain? It certainly sounds like you should be.
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carabeara
junior member
You have to wonder if they don't get some kind of reprimand, or if they doc stops referring to them? Maybe its a self preservation thing...
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carabeara
junior member
Yes...yesterday it was strictly Tramadol which wasnt helping much so today I'm taking the LT
Maybe - but that's their problem, not yours.
You have to stand up for your rights and for your knee. Don't let anyone hurt you and don't let anyone threaten or guilt you into doing too much.
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carabeara
junior member
Here's another question, sort of off topic:
How long did it take for your...shall we say....libido....to start to come back? Honestly, its the furthest thing from my mind and I really want to get it back, at least a little bit, for his sake. But I just don't even want to cuddle, indeed, many nights I have to sleep by myself just to get any kind of solid sleep. He's so stoic, but sometimes I can tell, he wishes it would hurry up already!
How long did it take for your...shall we say....libido....to start to come back? Honestly, its the furthest thing from my mind and I really want to get it back, at least a little bit, for his sake. But I just don't even want to cuddle, indeed, many nights I have to sleep by myself just to get any kind of solid sleep. He's so stoic, but sometimes I can tell, he wishes it would hurry up already!
Ages!!
I slept in a separate room for weeks, partly because I didn't want my disturbed nights to disturb my husband, and partly because I was so afraid that he would move in his s;eep adn bang against my knee.
Sex was the last thing on my mind until my knee stopped hurting.
I slept in a separate room for weeks, partly because I didn't want my disturbed nights to disturb my husband, and partly because I was so afraid that he would move in his s;eep adn bang against my knee.
Sex was the last thing on my mind until my knee stopped hurting.
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carabeara
junior member
Wide awake at 1 am. I can no longer sleep much more than an hour or 2 @ a time, the pain is terrible.
Its mostly when I use my thigh to move it, that thigh muscle at the area where it connects, and right at top of kneecap, and inner side of it scream in pain.... I dont know what it could be all I know is that Im getting depressed and even.wishing I had backed out of this surgery like I almost did. :(
Its mostly when I use my thigh to move it, that thigh muscle at the area where it connects, and right at top of kneecap, and inner side of it scream in pain.... I dont know what it could be all I know is that Im getting depressed and even.wishing I had backed out of this surgery like I almost did. :(
What pain relief are you taking? It sounds as if you're under medicating. At only a couple of weeks out, you still need to take those heavy-duty medications, regularly, by the clock. Otherwise you're chasing the pain all the time, playing catch-up.
Have a look at this article, from the library:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads...ing-pain-after-a-tkr-and-the-pain-chart.7969/
It's normal to have difficulty sleeping. Nuisance as it is, it does improve with time. It's also normal about now to wish you'd never had the operation. That, too, will pass as you recover.
Have a look at this article, from the library:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads...ing-pain-after-a-tkr-and-the-pain-chart.7969/
It's normal to have difficulty sleeping. Nuisance as it is, it does improve with time. It's also normal about now to wish you'd never had the operation. That, too, will pass as you recover.
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