TKR I had my RTKR

[gami]

Hi Lisa

Hope your week is ending well and you have some nice things planned for the weekend.

hugs Gami

 

[cowchick]

Thanks so much for the responses. Gami, your encouragement has meant so much to me. While I am still having pain the swelling is much better. I had my PT re-evaluation and they said I am doing well with the PT. I can now bend to 112 degrees and I can almost completely straighten it out to -2 degrees. I went to the doc on Thursday and he said I was doing great on getting around. He ok 'd me to go back to swimming and I went the next day. The pool was great and it felt so good. I think things may get better now. This has been the toughest thing mentally I have ever been through. At least I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Gods Blessings On You,
Lisa

 

[cowchick]

Hi all,
I had my RTKR on 2/18/2014. My ext is 0 and my flex is 130 now. I only take Aleve for pain in the mornings. So that part is great. What I am wondering about is energy levels. I feel completely drained about mid day and I can't seem to recover. Has anyone else had this?
Thanks,
Lisa

 

[Celle]

Hi Lisa,
I'm glad you found us!

That energy drain is very common. It's because most of your body's energy is going to mend your knee.
This article from the library may help to explain it:
Energy drain for TKRs

 

[zlady]

Hello @cowchick, rest assured you are not alone. I am about 10 days after you with my TKR and still feel a drain of energy in the afternoon & have to nap for a bit. Reading all the information provided here at Bonesmart has really helped me with me recovery. Take the time you need to get yourself healed! Take care.

 

[Phil75070]

For several weeks I was exhausted just from the standing at the sink to brush my teeth or shave. It took another few weeks before I had the strength to stand for my complete shower. Energy drain is to be expected.

 

[cowchick]

Thanks so much for the replies.
Lisa

 

[maryo52]

Energy drain, and then some! It never seems to end, and then one day you realize you haven't thought about your energy level in a while. Hang in there.

 

[Josephine]

Since you're still only 15 weeks out, this is a problem. However, it can be made worse if you over do it.

I'm going to ask you some questions and it would be very helpful if you would answer each one individually in as much detail as you can then I'll come back as see where you are ....

1. what are your pain levels right now? (remember the 1-10 scale: 1 = no pain and 10 = the worst you can imagine. And don't compare this with the bone-on-bone pain you had before surgery!

)

2. what pain medications have you been prescribed, how much are you taking (in mg please) and how often?

3. how often are you icing your knee and for how long?

4. are you elevating your leg, how often and for how long?

5. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc., and

6. what kind of PT/exercises are you doing? How much and how often? (and detailed details would be appreciated, please! Reps, sets and session and all that)

 

[Josephine]

@cowchick I merged your threads as per this request One thread for your recovery please?
Please don't keep starting new threads about your recovery. Thank you so much.

 

[cowchick]

1. what are your pain levels right now? (remember the 1-10 scale: 1 = no pain and 10 = the worst you can
imagine. And don't compare this with the bone-on-bone pain you had before surgery!

)
Pain is around 2 - 3

2. what pain medications have you been prescribed, how much are you taking (in mg please) and how often?
I take Aleve in the morning & before bed

3. how often are you icing your knee and for how long?
I have not been icing. I thought I was only to do ice when I had swelling now.

4. are you elevating your leg, how often and for how long?
I have not bee elevating.

5. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc., and
I have returnrd pretty much to my regular work. All of the above plus yard work & kayaking 1-2 times a week. I swim 4-5 times a week for 1 hour.

6. what kind of PT/exercises are you doing? How much and how often? (and detailed details would be appreciated, please! Reps, sets and session and all that)
I am out of PT. I swim 4-5 times a week for my PT.

I thought after being released from PT I was supposed to just go back to regular life. I am trying but I do get tired. Is my body still healing from the surgery at this point?

 

[konati]

Not an expert but I believe that diet has a lot to do with energy levels normally and more so after surgery of any type. Eat clean. Juice if you have a juicer. Plenty of fluids very important. I follow my advice and my energy level is normal and has been after a month post op. Biked 45 miles today breakfast after the ride 60% carbs 40% protein. Replenished fluids an I am good to go. Give it a go and hope you start to feel better


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[maryo52]

At least I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Just proof that TKR recovery is a roller coaster. I remember that I would have low lows and then I'd have a good day or two or three, which felt like a miracle! Then it was back into the trench for a while.

The healing process is intangible and immeasurable, yet drains us silly. I am sure you are doing everything possible to regain your footing. Your persistence will pay off.

 

[cowchick]

Thanks so much for the replies. I do eat clean and drink at least 100 oz. of water a day. I don't do juice just whole fruits. Maybe I will try increasing my protein a ltlle more.
Thanks,
Lisa

 

[trailspud]

@cowchick
If you are kayaking and swimming multiple days per week plus work and house/yard work...you are doing great. You'll be even better soon.

 

[Josephine]

Thank you for your replies

I thought after being released from PT I was supposed to just go back to regular life. I am trying but I do get tired. Is my body still healing from the surgery at this point?

Well, by my reckoning you're at 16 weeks now which, while you're out of the initial recovery phase, you are still in recovery and likely to be so until around 6 months. If you check out these articles you will see what I mean
Energy drain for TKRs
Chart representation of TKR recovery

Pain is around 2 - 3 I take Aleve in the morning & before bed

Does that pain score include things like soreness, burning, stabbing, throbbing, aching, swelling and stiffness?
Low grade pain such as you have can be responsible for a degree of fatigue. Best you get it properly medicated. I suggest you try taking Tylenol 1,000mg 3-4 times a day instead.
And read this NSAIDs, acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol) differences and dangers

I have not been elevating or icing. I thought I was only to do ice when I had swelling now.

But if you have any of the things I've listed previously, then some icing and elevating could be beneficial. Try it and see if it helps at all.

I have returned pretty much to my regular work. All of the above plus yard work & kayaking 1-2 times a week. I swim 4-5 times a week for 1 hour.

Well, that could account for your fatigue also. And your pain.