TKR Hi! New Here - My RTKR Recovery Thread

[sistersinhim]

You really should ask your doctor about this since he/she knows your history. Some people find that Benedryl helps or Tylenol PM. You have to be sure to count all the acetaminophen in everything you are taking so you won't OD on it. You should not go over 4000mg in 24 hours. But, check with your doctor first. He might have better suggestions. Mine prescribed a short-term sleeping aid when I was off all opioids, which helped me to get over the hump.

 

[VegasGirl]

Could I ask what medication you take for your insomnia. I suffer terribly with it and would love to know what actually works. I really need to get a good night‘s sleep!

I take something that is prescribed. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say what I take. If it is ok with the mods I will say what I was prescribed @Layla? But it's probably best if you talk to your doctor.

 

[sistersinhim]

But it's probably best if you talk to your doctor.

VegasGirl. you are correct.

 

[VegasGirl]

Hello and Happy Holidays!
Yesterday was 6 weeks for Lefty! I had my final PT session yesterday. Yay! She said I was ahead of the curve and she "graduated" me, as long as my OS agreed. My ROM measured at 0 - 133. I am super happy with that.

I saw my OS today. He agreed with PT and said just to not slack off at home. Like I could with all I have to do! LOL We had a nice chat and I asked some questions that I had been meaning to, like about kneecaps, etc. He said I could make an appointment for a 3-month check IF I felt I needed it (or of course call him anytime if I have a concern. ) If not, then I won't need to go back until 1 year after my first knee so next August or September.

Both knees feel good. Still the usual stiffness, which I know will last a while. And I'm still not quite done with the nighttime aches with Lefty. But it's getting better, so that's progress. PT had me test on stairs, mainly going up and down one over the other. And I was able to do that, with just a little tightness in Lefty. My main issue with doing that is just that I'm so used to NOT being able to do it, so I do the one foot at a time thing. I think that's a matter of confidence and just getting over what I've been having to do for so long.

One day at a time!

 

[benne68]

Sounds like your recovery is going incredibly well. Just be careful not to overdo and put yourself on the ODIC bench!

I'm so used to NOT being able to do it, so I do the one foot at a time thing. I think that's a matter of confidence and just getting over what I've been having to do for so long.

Yes, it's so hard to break the habit of doing that double-stepping thing. For months after my TKR, I was convinced I was going to fall if I tried to descend stairs normally. You are still very early in your recovery. Be patient; it will come with time.

 

[VegasGirl]

I'm sure I'll end up in ODIC at some point! But I'll try my best!

And thanks!

 

[VegasGirl]

I am very proud of my baby knee today! I've had this casino trip planned for quite a while. Just a day trip but it's 1.5 hours each way and I new id get stiff. Thankfully, the baby is my left knee and I can move it around as needed while driving.

Once there I walked a bit to get unstiff. Skipped the stairs and took the elevator. Too soon for all those stairs. I can sit and get up and move around as needed, but the worst part was standing in line for 30 minutes for a gift giveaway. As we all know, standing seems to be the worst. There was another lady in line with me who also has knee issues and we took turns holding our spots so we could walk or sit! Loved that.

Then the drive home. And yes, my knees were a bit stiff, but no swelling to be seen! And I'm just thrilled to no longer have that bone in bone pain when walking!

The further along I get the more I know I made the right decision. I hope this gives hope to some newbies or people thinking about surgery!

 

[benne68]

The further along I get the more I know I made the right decision. I hope this gives hope to some newbies or people thinking about surgery!

Thanks so much for sharing this!

 

[VegasGirl]

Happy New Year everyone!
And happy birthday to my Lefty! It's 2 months today. Almost 5 months now for Righty. Things are coming along well. Still some tightness in both, which is to be expected. But I'm seeing a difference between the 5-month and 2-month, so I know things are improving. Yay!

The one thing that worries me a bit is that I still have some low back pain and thigh pain on the right. At first, I had assumed it was just my body readjusting to walking correctly. But it's still going on. Is that normal to last this long? I'm a bit worried that it's my hip starting to act up. I know I have some arthritis there as well, it's just never been at the point where it really bothers me. I've started to do some light exercises to help strengthen that area, and I hope that helps. I am definitely not ready to start worrying about getting my hip worked on. UGH

Here's to a health 2023 for all of us!

 

[sistersinhim]

Since you still have tightness, that could be affecting how you are walking which would affect your back. Are you still icing and elevating? Since you have tightness, that's a sign that you still have swelling. Even if you don't see any outside your knee the inside probably still has fluid inside of it. That little bit of fluid inside that really small area would cause the tight/stiff feeling. Try increasing the icing and elevating. It should help.

 

[VegasGirl]

Thanks for the reply! I elevate pretty much whenever I'm sitting, but I've only been icing after I've had a long day, etc. I'll do that more often again and see if it helps!

 

[sistersinhim]

Thanks for the reply! I elevate pretty much whenever I'm sitting, but I've only been icing after I've had a long day, etc. I'll do that more often again and see if it helps!

Are you elevating your knee above your heart? Just having your feet up on an ottoman won't help that much. But I bet extra icing and high enough elevating should help you. Good luck.

 

[VegasGirl]

Hi everyone. I haven't posted much lately, but things have been going along well. Lefty was at 3 months yesterday and righty is just short of 6 months. I can definitely feel one is further along than the other, but the knees are feeling great with just some muscle tightness, especially on busier days.

I did another Vegas trip last week and it felt great! I was finally able to walk the strip without pain. It's been years since I've done that. I even braved some of the stairs rather than always taking the elevator! I did overdo it a bit the first day and felt it that night with some achiness, but by the next morning that was almost gone.

Of course, now that my knees are better and I'm walking and moving more again, I'm starting to feel all the pains in the rest of my body. LOL The joys of getting older!

 

[hawk2go]

Ahhhh, what a great report. I love to read the "I'm getting my life back" posts. As for getting old, it's not for the faint of heart but definitely better than the alternative, hahaha.

 

[Layla]

Hi Vegas Girl,
Happy Four Month Anniversary, Lefty. It is almost seven months for, Righty too.
Sounds like you're doing really well with your two new knees.
Oh what a Summer you'll have, Enjoy!
@VegasGirl

 

[VegasGirl]

Hello all! I came on to post a question and saw the lovely well wishes from you @Layla Thank you so much!
I've been so fortunate to have had a great recovery and have been able to travel again without pain - as long as I don't overdo it! LOL

I did have one question about a weird sensation more than pain. The muscle tightness is very much improved as is the numbness. The one place I still have some numb sensation is right around the kneecaps. And that's where the weird sensation is. It almost feels like the knee is pushing into the kneecap and it doesn't hurt really, it just feels strange and a bit tight. I notice it mostly when I'm going up stairs. And at this point, lefty almost seems to be doing a little better even though she is 3 months younger. I know that no replacement is the same, so that's probably normal. And the sensation is probably a normal thing as well, it's just something new to me.

Has anyone had this in their recovery?

I hope everyone is doing well! And I am so ready for spring so that I can go test my knees out some more!

 

[Layla]

You're welcome, VegasGirl!
As far as the odd sensation you described in your knees, it sounds like inflammation since you used the word "tightness". Since your new knees are only four and seven months old, I think you may experience this for awhile as recovery can take a full year for most and even longer for others. Try icing and elevating when you're relaxing in the evenings and see if you notice a difference. It may just take more time. I hope you're having a nice weekend so far. Enjoy!
@VegasGirl

 

[VegasGirl]

Thank you @Layla ! I thought it might just be inflammation, but it just started to have a different feeling, so I figured it doesn't hurt to ask!

I appreciate the help from everyone on this forum! And I have been recommending it to friends who are considering replacement surgery!

 

[Layla]

Thank you so much. We truly appreciate that!
@VegasGirl

 

[sistersinhim]

I appreciate the help from everyone on this forum! And I have been recommending it to friends who are considering replacement surgery!

It's hard for a lot of people to trust anything online and that's a shame because this site is the best thing anyone can find regarding joint replacements!