TKR recovery and exercising.
The information I received both form my initial TKR and my revision both have been an 8 page information leaflet with the standard post op exercises. This has both times been backed up with an outpatient physio / physio assistant coming to my house to make sure I am doing exercises correctly and checking my ROM. At my 6 week check with my initial TKR (only currently just under 2 weeks post op with revision) I asked about what exercises etc. I can do I was told "do anything you feel you can do cycling and swimming are good!" And that was it!
My initial TKR I wasn't advises about ice or elevating at all just told to do the exercises 3 times a day and to go for a walk but given no advice as to how much to do. My revision I was provided with ice packs to use in hospital and then to take home to be used at home but again no definite information about how long and how often to ice my knee.
However the advice from individuals both moderators and those members who have been through TKR and the library articles on BoneSmart have been far more useful and informative than any of the information I received from post op information received in hospital. The information in hospital appeared to be much more about achieving certain criteria for discharge rather than information useful once at home.
The BoneSmart information and mantra has enabled me not to do too much to take things easy, without BoneSmart I would be pushing myself (possibly to destruction!) to recover quickly. Most information available gives targets such as return to work at 4 to 6 weeks unless very manual job then will take a little longer, this it appears is an unrealistic goal for most and caused me much anxiety for my initial TKR. However BoneSmart's activity progression information give a realistic (rather than idealistic) idea as to what to expect. This time I have seen reality and am not rushing my recovery and as such my stress levels are much reduced.
The everyday activities are also not discusses - other than being told to get some meals sorted for the initial post op period and that you may need some help when you get home this was all the information I was given. However when at home no advice was given as to how much is possible of day to day activities and again the advice and information and BoneSmart mantra has given me and my family a reality as to what to expect of me in things things such as housework, ironing, shopping, cooking, etc.
I can honestly say that without BoneSmart I would have tried to rush my recovery causing increased pain and swelling as well as being at massive risk of depression / anxiety believing my recovery was too long / going wrong despite following the advice I had been given.
In addition as my original TKR failed without BS I would have been in total despair. I wouldn't have had hope that things could be better and would have possibly accepted a reduced ROM and moderate / severe pain for the rest of my life, however with advice, support and information from BS moderators, members and library articles I have been empowered to go on with hope and information as to what is possible even when things don't go to plan.
My thread is
http://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/this-road-is-so-bloomin-long.18799
Shortie x