I may have turned the corner

[slader]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my first thread " 7 days out and hurting".This sight and the responces I got helped me so much. I think I turned the corner for the best about 10 days out. The swelling went down and I started trusting moving my knee more. Today is the 13th day out and I got my stiches out. The doctor said everything was doing fine except the fact I wasn't straightinig out my knee enough. I said it hurt to much so he gave me a little stronger med and basically said man up.lol. Long story short, I am going to be ok, but the first 9 days were hell. Thanks again for all the support you guys.

 

[Judles]

Such great news, Slader! And the more corners you turn,
The easier it will be for you! Keep up the
Great work!!!

 

[Gretchendz]

Glad to hear your are doing better. No lie, for most of us the the first 2-3 weeks are awful. But it DOES get better for most of us!

And when you get a year out (I'm almost there) you will be AMAZED

 

[Jamie]

HOORAY SLADER!!! I'm so glad you are feeling better and trusting your knee more. It does really hurt the first few weeks in most cases. But, as you see, once the healing begins things actually DO get better (unlike your old knee which just got WORSE with time). You are on the path to your new life. It will still take a while, but it's great to hear you sounding more sure of yourself ... that you really ARE going to make it. YOU ARE!!!

Plus....we'll still love you both on your "man" days and on those "wimpy" days too. It's certainly fine to come here and vent....we ALL did it! But don't forget to let us celebrate your milestones too....even the tiny ones count here for those of us who know what it means to go through this surgery.

 

[aussie]

Great news Slader, best wishes.

Chris

 

[Hope810]

Hi Slader - Hurray for you. Thanks for sharing. I'm at 5 weeks post-op and believe me this recovery is not a straight line up. There are days where I seem to be going backwards but as I push though each week, I'm amazed at my progress. Best wishes.

Hope

 

[Max Wallace]

Something to try.

Sit in one chair and place the heel of your foot on another chair, place a 10# bag of ice on your new knee the ice helps reduce the swelling and the weight forces the knee down to help with extension. Make sure when you are relaxing and sleeping that you are keeping the leg as straight as possible and not allowing it to stay bent for long periods. If it stays bent for long periods it will negate all the hard work you have done to get it straight.

Max

Glad you have turned the corner and are seeing improvement.

 

[Simon]

Another good exercise for extension is do (and catch a nap at the same time) is to lay on your stomach with your knee just over the edge. If that is comfortable starting add weights at the ankle -- you can use an ankle weight or some people have used bags of rice. Hold the position till you just can't stand it anymore.

Simon

 

[backbay38]

Slader you may want to ask your surgeon about wearing an immobilizer at night. Mine makes all his patients were one for the first 6 weeks. It keeps your leg almost straight - just a slight bend which adjusts to your leg so yours might bend a bit more -- and his theory is if you scrunch up your knee at night -- it will stay bent in the morning and you'll have to do all the same work all over each day to straighten it. Somewhat the samething Max said. It was a drag putting it on each night but it seems to help with the swelling too. Of course you have to work a bit on your bend in the AM but it comes right back and isn't painful. AT the end of the 6 weeks you're seemingly OK without it. I know I was fine and have not had any real morning stiffness since I dumped the immobilizer.... I'm 10 weeks out today. All the suggestions for straighten sound good also. I had full extension from the beginning (since I had it before the operation) but I found it uncomfortable to rest with my leg full out and still can't do it for long. But I do stiffen it every day for quad sets and leg raises (now with weights). Just do everything you can think of all the time and one day I think you wake up and it's there.... When you have full extension you can walk properly and then the world will be yours again!!! Believe me it is a really great feeling to walk out your door and know you can go anywhere without fear..... (except of course of falling which I haven't overcome yet).

 

[slader]

backbay38, Thanks for the suggestion of using the immobilizer at night. I am guilty of bending the knee when I try to sleep because it feels soooo good. But I also realize I have to get this knee straight. I think this may be my last most painful thing to go through before I can feel a real since of progress. I am so thankfull to all you guys replying. It has helped me so much. I covet your prayers as well, as I pray for you.