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TKR I have a new knee!

newkneelady said:
how is your recovery coming along? I had knee replacement Aug. 8, 2012. I am ok but get discouraged with range of motion. I do my exercise, but afraid that I will never be the same. Not sure if I am expecting too much too soon.
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Hi Newkneelady!
CONGRATULATIONS!! You're asking the queen of high expectations. My ROM is about 100. I know that it will get better and better. I just hope that my OS doesn't scold me when I see him next Thursday. I'm doing the best that I can, and then some. I walk, do my exercises, stretch, elevate, and ice. Still waiting for my outpatient OT referral prescription. I guess I'll get that on Thursday with my clearance to work. My knee and I are getting along just fine lately. Keep me posted on your recovery.
 
Remember you just had some very major surgrey and it will take some time before all is well. Right now make sure you out of pain and not swelling. also lots of rests and elevation is important. Relax, remember to take deep breath and enjoy the slow process. Take care.:puppysmooze:tashia:bicycle1:
 
Nyland, this is your first UTI, wow, you are lucky on that front. I was cursed with them from my early 20's. Hope the new meds help. Did they at least give you the stuff that turns your pee orange and makes it so it doesn't hurt? It use to be prescription, but I think it is over the counter now. You could be pain free in three hours once you take that.
 
Nyland, we both get to go see our OS on Thursday.

I'm interested to know why you have not gotten outpatient PT. It was never an option for me to have at home PT (though I never asked). For my OS the next business day after you are discharged you go to outpatient PT somewhere, this is regardless of wether you do time in an inpatient rehab facility like I did.

Guess it's just how certain OS' work, just like how some use stitches, staples, or glue only. So interesting to see how different practices do things.
 
Thank you for your words of wisdom, Tashia.
Hi Debbie,
Is that called ASO..or something like that? I did see it in the pharmacy, good to know. THANKS!!!
Hi Michael,
I was discharged with at home PT. I have a funny feeling that my OS assumes I am now at outpatient. I did email his assistant and ask about one close to my house, and he told her that he'd rather I go to the one he recommends. I called the recommended place, and they told me to bring his prescription at the consult appointment. I guess I'll get that and everything else that I need on Thursday. I have a list of questions, too. Like when can I take ibuprofen (for my OTHER) knee, and when can I go in the pool. I'm going to try to get all of my papers and answers on Thursday. One cool thing, is an exercise that the head PT showed me when she was discharging me. It really helps me bend my knee nicely. I have been doing that often.
Let's compare notes on Thursday evening!
 
Nyland, I just checked online and it is called AZO. I was surprised that the sulfa drug didn't work for you. That works well for me. In fact when we cross the border into Mexico I would always pick up a bottle of that just in case. Because it seemed like I always got the UTI's on weekends and no way did I want to go to the emergency room for that.
 
It might have to be Friday. Going to Nashville for the appointment (about 2 hours away), have an appointment with my Rheumatologist also, and am trying to arrange some meetings with some people on this radio show while I am in town so may not make it back home until late.
 
Do hope you are feeling better today Nyland.
I don't have a UTI, but ever since the operation I am up three or four times a night to go to the loo. It is not like me at all, and I can only suppose it is something to do with the bodies response to the surgery. I didn't have a catheter so it's not that. All very odd, but hopefully it will settle down.
 
Your ROM will continue to improve. Sometimes, too, they stay at a level for awhile, and then, all of a sudden, the ROM increases. I'm sure it will happen for you Nyland. I was so worried for awhile, weeks, that I would never have a decent ROM and now I am heading for 130. I will be happy with that.
 
Hi Michael!
We'll compare notes whenever you get back. You sure do have a busy few days. Good luck at bothof your appointments!
Hi Jess!
Oh boy do I hear you! I was up every 30 minutes last night. You know how hard it is to get comfortable in bed, and just when I'd get in a comfy position....I'd have get up. :heehee:
Hi Elisea!
WOW, congratulations! ROM at 130 is wonderful!!!!
 
To my US friends, I hope you all had a beautiful Labor Day weekend!
I was so pleased to be able to enjoy my family all weekend, even with the aggravating UTI and heavier antibiotic dose.
I did a bit too much today, but it was so worth it. It was my son's birthday, so I really wanted to have everyone here and have a celebration birthday dinner. I haven't done much of that since my surgery, and it was fun to make a birthday dinner. I made homemade macaroni and cheese...one plain, one with lobster. After everyone left and everything was cleaned up, I iced and elevated in the recliner. (Oh, thank goodness for that recliner! Bless your hearts for suggesting it!!!) I ended up falling asleep.
I go to my OS on Thursday. I'm hoping that he clears me to go back to work. I'm thinking a few hours 2 or 3 days a week for a few weeks. My boss is the BEST! She is so supportive and understanding. One thing that I've learned is that I do better if I take my pain pills twice a day. I tried to just take tylenol, but the percoset maske the day and night better and easier. I HOPE that my OS will give me another prescription for the next month. I know that the days that I do work, I'll need it when I get home. He seems to be a bit conservative about pain medication, so fingers crossed. I'm also hoping that he says that I can go in the pool. :egypdance:That would be such a treat! Oh, and I need to get that prescription for outpatient physical therapy. I really enjoyed the at home physical therapy.
Thank goodness for the TED stocking! It helps cover my embarrassing HAIRY leg! :heehee:
 
Gosh! Nyland you are doing well. I haven't done much in the way of cooking yet, but I was able to help my daughter with some stirring and preparation of supper at her house last night. We also went for a walk, and I got all the way round a lake at the back of her house, which I was really pleased with, rocking and rolling a bit at the end, but I made it, then went back to hers and iced like mad!
I have shaved my legs now, which I could do because I can get in and out of the bath with ease now, which really surprises me.
Seeing the physio next week. I hope I am doing everything right.
 
By the way, does anyone know what all this passing excess water is all about? I asked the physio if it could be fluid being pumped out from the healing wound, but she didn't think so.
 
Nyland, you mentioned an exercise that your ot gave you when you left hospital that really helped with bend of knee what was it? Also, do you feel that the teds helped with swelling. I didn't have to wear them with my first knee (6/27/12) and thinking of trying them when I get right knee done on Oct. 1
 
Jess,
Good for you! My long walk yesterday was the grocery store. Doesn't it feel good to feel like we are joining life again?
CFlower,
The TED has truly helped my swelling. I can see the difference when it hasn't been on at night and when I take it off after being on all day. The exercise that helps gently stretch is on the stairs. Go to the top step and put your operated leg on the top. Hold on to the railing on BOTH sides. Put your unoperated leg 2 steps down. Gently rocked and bend. Do a little bit at a time and it feels really good! It is easy. You'll find that after a few minutes you are rocking easier.
 
Excelllent tip regarding the stairs, Nyland :thumb: But I live in a bungalow :heehee: We have a rocking chair (which I have been trying to persuade Ray to get rid of for years) I might try that. There was a woman on You Tube who recommonded a garden swing.

Kathy
xx
 
My therapist told me today that when I am sitting in a regular chair and not when I have my leg up on pillows, that I have to sit with it at a 90 degree angle, no more putting it out in front of me. For short periods anyway. Think I will eat my meals in my recliner...:rofsign:
 
Hi Debbie!
I find that when I sit on the edge of my bed, I can bend even more! I wonder if I can get my OS to make a home visit to see me bend while I sit on my bed? :rotfl:
 
Nyland, on the UTI issue. I was getting them every time they put a danged catheter in for the first 3 knee surgeries. Then, my sister told me to start taking cranberry pills that you buy over the counter. I take one every night now, and even though they put in a catheter after the last surgery, no UTI! Yay! :happydance:
 
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