TKR Hi! New Here - My RTKR Recovery Thread

[VegasGirl]

Thanks for the reassurance! There is a huge learning curve here for sure. But I guess the up side is that I will know all this for my next knee!

 

[VegasGirl]

Hi! Today is 8 weeks post op and I just returned from a week-long trip to Vegas! I'll be honest, I was very worried about going, however, the new knee did great and in fact, it held up better than the one that is still waiting to be fixed! The flight went fine. I just made sure to sit in the aisle so that I could stretch my knee easily and get up when needed. I did quite a bit of walking, but I just made sure to rest often and put my leg up. I had supplies to ice the knee. But now that I'm home, I actually feel that the extra walking did it some good and I am less stiff and sore (or it's just the added week of time? who knows). I brought a cane with me just in case, but never had to use it.

I am now more sure than ever that the other knee is next and the tentative schedule is November 1! I will know for sure on October 24, which is my next follow up appointment.

 

[benne68]

Wow, @VegasGirl, sounds like you are doing well! I could not have traveled anywhere for a week at two months post-op. Good for you.

Here's hoping that your recovery continues to go smoothly.

 

[VegasGirl]

Well, I think today I joined the Overdid it Club today. Blah. After a week of walking around Vegas and not overdoing it - much - I came home and rested the knee (both knees actually) for a few days. they deserved it! Today I felt pretty good, so I did 15 minutes on my elliptical, and that loosened things up nicely. So I decided some chores would be good for today. I got the vacuum out and somehow got myself into a corner and twisted the knee that it did not like. So I'm back to stiffness, no swelling though. But I have learned something that my knee cannot do, yet!

 

[sistersinhim]

This is definitely a trial-and-error recovery and a learning experience. If you listen and 'obey' your knee, you should have an easier recovery.

 

[VegasGirl]

Hi everyone. I am not checking in often, mainly because there is just not much new to report. That will probably change soon as I am still looking at November 1 to have my left knee done. I will know that for sure on October 24.

But I do have a question now, I was wondering if anyone noticed differences in their new knee or just the muscles around the knee with a change in the weather. I am in central Indiana and we had a very sharp temperature drop this week. And since that started I have noticed much more tightness and stiffness in the muscles around the knee. Strangely, my scar has even been more sensitive (which seems weird). I know my joints react to the weather, but I assume a metal/plastic knee would not have that sensitivity. But even my muscles are reacting this time.

Just wondered if anyone else has noticed anything like this. Thanks!

 

[Jockette]

Oh yes, this is very common. I was really surprised at how cold the metal inside the knee could get. I even feel it in the freezer section of the grocery store.

 

[VegasGirl]

Oh wow @Jockette! I guess now I don't feel so silly for asking. But I'm definitely feeling a difference. I wonder what it will be like when it drops to 0 degrees here. Yikes!

 

[Jockette]

Thankfully, I live in Delaware, we rarely see 0 degrees here! But I lived in northeast Ohio for several years, and the coldest I saw there was -13! (that was before my surgery) I don’t miss that cold!

 

[VegasGirl]

Happy Saturday everyone! Today was a day where I really noticed how awesome it is to be pain free in my knee (well, one knee at least!) It's a beautiful day here in Indiana and I took the dog out for a little walk, took some beautiful tree pictures, and even picked up some sticks that had fallen during the last storm. Walking through the yard, to get to the place where we dump sticks, it's a fairly big downhill drop. For the last few years, walking downhill has been horrible with both knees. Just that particular angle on my knees caused huge pain. Today I noticed that my surgical knee was able to walk down the hill and absolutely no pain!!! Yes, there is still muscle tightness, but NO PAIN! I'm so ready to get the other knee done now and look forward to no pain in both knees!

So I guess my message here is that the surgery, and pain, and recovery are WORTH IT!

 

[Flashlight]

Hi, wonderful news! My driveway is 100 ft down, so you give me hope. I haven't tried to walk down and up yet. It looks like here in PA we are going to have some Indian summer weather this week. I hope too to get out and enjoy it.

 

[VegasGirl]

Yes! I'm trying to enjoy these next few days of 70 degrees. I think after that it's rain, and then the cold will come back. I am NOT ready for winter!

 

[benne68]

For the last few years, walking downhill has been horrible with both knees. Just that particular angle on my knees caused huge pain. Today I noticed that my surgical knee was able to walk down the hill and absolutely no pain!!! Yes, there is still muscle tightness, but NO PAIN!

Great milestone! And, I can relate. We have a very steep driveway and, prior to my TKR, I had to use a cane to get to and from the mailbox. I literally did a little jig the day -- three months post-op -- I was able to walk down the driveway like a normal person.

Congrats!

 

[VegasGirl]

I saw the surgeon today and he's very pleased with my progress. We have confirmed that the left knee will be done on November 1. So now I'm doing the CT for the robotic portion and labs etc.

I'm not thrilled to go through it again but excited to have it done!

 

[Layla]

Hello VegasGirl Not too long to wait now.
I understand your lack of enthusiasm to begin the process all over again. As you know, having both surgeries behind you will be to your advantage and allow you to get back to all you you love engaging in and missing in life. That is exciting! I'll bet you have an awesome 2023.

Congrats on the great progress you've made. Receiving a reassuring nod from your OS can make your day.
@VegasGirl

 

[VegasGirl]

I had my preop CT done yesterday for the robotic portion of the surgeon. Apparently, it showed that I also have DJD (arthritis) in my hips and even my ankles. Sigh..... I've been feeling some tightness/pain which I thought was muscular in my lower back on the side of my new knee. I assumed it was my muscles learning how to walk correctly. I sure hope that it's not actually my hip. I really don't want to have to get new hips as well as knees.

When I go back to PT for the next knee I will ask about exercises to strengthen the hips. But if anyone here has any that they think are particularly helpful, I would love to know!
Thanks!

 

[VegasGirl]

Tomorrow is the day. I'm heading to the hospital bright and early and my LTKR is scheduled for 9:30. I'll be staying the night again. I'm not excited to go through it again, but I'm very happy to have them both done!

I have noticed though, that being off of my dose of Celebrex all week, I am hurting quite a bit more in the not-yet-done knee and other places besides my knees. Not a good sign, but I guess it shows that the Celebrex does help.

I will check back in here tomorrow when I am coherent and hopefully in not much pain. Last time went pretty well, so I'm optimistic!

 

[Jockette]

Best wishes!

 

[VegasGirl]

I am in my room and even just had lunch. Surgery went very well. I had a little more pain when I first woke up than last time. But they gave me some pain meds and I have a nerve block, so feeling pretty yright now.

I had horrible nausea for almost 2 weeks last time, so they gave me a nausea patch this time. So far so good and I was able to eat my lunch!

PT has already been here. I walked around the room, did some leg bends, and used the restroom. Tomorrow we will do stairs and then I go home.

I wish now I had reported all this for the first one so I could compare better. But I remember most of it.

I'll report in as I can!

 

[benne68]

@VegasGirl Welcome to your 2nd recovery. I'm sure leftie's recovery will benefit from your experience with righty. Just remember: no two knees are the same -- not even the two knees in the same person!
Wishing you a easy recovery.