TKR I think I'm doing OK!

[pakline]

I have a question regarding the ability to raise my right leg when lying or sitting down. My knee is healing well and whilst I do have some lymphedema (which will be addressed shortly - is not red or infected) but I still can't raise my leg into the air from a lying position and can only minimally lift it whilst sitting. I have no difficulty lifting it to walk (well duck waddle really!) and my PT says it will come good eventually. I am using the stick/cane indoors and the walker outdoors - still a bit wobbly on uneven surfaces and I think some of that is lack of confidence that the knee will hold. Any ideas friends? Thankyou. Kerry

 

[maggie may]

Hi, Kerry. It takes a lot of quad strength to lift your leg from a lying position. I think your strength will come along in time but maybe some of the experts can advise on specific exercises you could do.
Time and natural strengthening !!!
Hope you are feeling well otherwise?!

 

[leejaa]

My hospital provided a strap and I know others have used belts, dog leashes, towels --you put on bottom of foot and hold both sides tight and start by tightening your quad muscle and lifting the leg with the support from the strap. You do a set of 10 2-3 times per day. At first it feels like the strap is doing most of the work but it gets the muscles reminded of what their job is and slowly you notice that the leg does more and the strap less. It really worked for me both times.

 

[kymamaw]

Hello all, have been lurking about these pages for a couple of weeks now.

I had a right TKR on 24/9/2013 so am almost 7 weeks post op. I went into the op with a very positive attitude and still have that same resolve (had a couple of teary episodes along the way). My physio is very pleased with my progress. I'm still using my wheelie-walker out & about but mostly the walking stick indoors.

I have my own business which is a sedentary job so if knee/leg gets a bit tetchy I can go have a "Nanna nap". Had so many falls because of the bad knee in the past that I'm having difficulty getting my confidence back as regards to walking with the stick when there isn't anything near me to grab if I feel wobbly. My physio assures me that the confidence will come the more I practise. I also have quite a bit lymphodema as a result of the falls and we are going to address that very shortly. I couldn't do that straight after the op because the treatment (bandaging) caused the knee to pain - even break through - pain, so I elected to treat one matter at a time.

I'm also a bit overweight but my wonderful orthpod said the knee would take my weight & we would deal with the weight issue once we got the knee functioning well (how could I walk or exercise with a knee that kept collapsing?). Every medical person I've been involved with regarding this TKR has been super wonderful. Very compassionate, reassuring & most of all, encouraging. I know I'm lucky to have such support. I just thought I would touch base with you all to check if I'm about on par with recovery. Thankyou.

What was your thoughts on the pain you had after surgery? On a scale of 1-10? Bearable, unbearable??

 

[pakline]

The pain immediately after surgery & for the following 24 hrs was managed by the nerve block & the pic line so on scale of 1-10, it was 0. After that I could only take Panadol because my system has reacted badly to heavy duty pain meds that I have had in the past following other surgeries - pain level sometimes 7-8. The PT at the rehab centre decided I needed to have the leg bandaged (special double layer bandages) and I nearly went frantic for 4 days. Finally they took the bandages off because I elected to treat one thing at a time - at that point I wasn't sure which was causing the pain - the knee or the bandages. I am due to see my vascular surgeon in 2 weeks and I'm sure he is going to want the bandages back on to reduce the size of my leg & my PT assures me that that will also help my walking. Once reduced I can then wear a compression garment - which I will probably have to wear for the rest of my life. I now take Ibuprofen if I need any meds. Because of the lymphedema there is a small amount of discomfort but it's bearable. Hope this helps you "kymamaw". Regards, Kerry

 

[pakline]

Thanks for your reply Lee J.........I do have a leg lifter strap & I use it to get into bed etc. but didn't think to use it to create an exercise (talk about a dumb twit - I am!). I have been sitting on my office chair using my right leg as a steering mechanism sort of, which has helped strengthen the quad a little, but I will certainly try the strap and see how that goes. Thanks again. Regards, Kerry

 

[Jozilla]

Thank you leeja. I love the strap idea. It seems like it will be very helpful with the exercises.


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[leejaa]

kymamaw, my pain was very bearable. Post op and in the hospital they did a great job and my level stayed around 2 most of the time, occasionally close to 4-5 right before nurses came by with the next dose. Same at home - rarely above 4 even with in home PT but I followed the bone smart mantra and did not overdo with everyday activities or PT. My OS had no issues with the meds I needed and slowly weaned myself off of.

We are all different but it is important to have enough pain meds available for whatever you are undergoing.

 

[pakline]

8.5 weeks out - I am very teary today...........the lymphedema I had prior to my knee surgery has returned. I did have it bandaged/wrapped for 4 days when I first came back home into rehab & the pain was massive so I decided to treat one thing at a time. Get the knee comfortable, then deal with the edema. Well that time has come.........my entire leg is very swollen - some could be post surgery swelling but most of it will be the lymphedema. I know I will need to be bandaged again to get the swelling down to where I can have a specially made stocking to wear to keep the swelling down. I was just beginning to feel human again and now this..............common sense tells me I must follow this through and common sense tells me that once I can wear the stocking my leg will improve further (my physio says the leg will be so much lighter that my gait will improve greatly & I will be able to lift the leg much easier than I can now, but for some reason I just want to cry. Yes, I know this is normal - the mantra does say that - but I am supposed to be the strong one in this family; I'm the one who has been so positive about this surgery, I'm the one everyone else leans on for support. Right now I don't feel very strong. (& DH is not any support or understanding - but that doesn't matter, I'm used to it) On a brighter note: Along with my trusty wheelie walker I did the washing, pegged it out, brought it back in & just folded & packed it away. I have also done a couple of hours (intermittently) on the computer using MYOB for a client. I can use my stick/cane indoors - sometimes I can walk from room to room (albeit very carefully) without anything - other times I waddle like a drunk duck! So why do I want to cry? Not looking for sympathy, just for someone to tell me I have not lost the plot, and that this too, will pass.

 

[janae]

pakline, I had my TRKR on September 23, 2013. So we are only a day apart! I had my left one done in May 2013, and that has helped me know what to expect with this one. So far, I have not had many teary spells with this one. Just now starting to get a little down, I know I am just ready to be well. With the first one I got to go back on my arthritis anti-inflammatory meds and it made a world of difference. During my pre-ops for this surgery they discovered afib and put me on a blood thinner, so I cannot have the arthritis meds. I think I am starting to get a little discouraged because I do still have some pain, mainly in the thigh just above the knee and also when standing from a sitting position.

I'm not glad you are waddling like a duck when you walk, but I am glad you shared that you are because I do too! I can tell you that another 2-3 months should make a wonderful difference. I am SO happy with the knee I had done in May. I trust it will be the same for both of us with our new right knees. I am sorry you are having trouble with the edema. Does it help when you elevate it? I know it feels good to be doing some daily activities (such as laundry), because it helps to feel a return to some normal life before surgery. Just please don't overdo it, if it worsens your swelling.

Take good care of yourself!

 

[leejaa]

pakline, you are doing marvelously well with activities considering what you are handling- lymphedema and an unsupportive husband. This recovery is not a spring but takes a while and the knee rules. For you to have the lymphedema also makes it that much harder.

You do not have to be the strong one all the time, you are allowed to feel down and frustrated and tired.

Have you tried lymphatic massage in the past. I do not know much about lymphedema but I know people have spoken of it and it helped them to go to a specialist for this massage.

Keep posting and sharing with us, we do understand the frustrations of recovery plus it helps others on the road not to feel alone either. I hope today is a good day for you. Lee

 

[maggie may]

Kerry, I want you to think about giving yourself a tiny vacation from being the strong one in the family. Yes you are allowed and you deserve it. Be kind and compassionate to yourself and allow yourself to consider telling your family members that you need a break to take care of you. I recently had to do that and I am much in the same role as you so I know it isn't easy. But you truly need to take care of yourself.
And your tears are normal and not a show of weakness of your part! You are human and sensitive and in a painful, stressful, and difficult world right now!!!
Sending you positive energy!!
MM


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[pakline]

I have never met such a wonderful group of caring people as those on this forum! Lee, We have never met & yet you seem to know exactly how I feel & know just what to say to help me feel better. Thankyou so very much. My physio is the only person who seems to do lymphatic anything here so I'm going to suggest to her tomorrow that we do the wrapping again & when the size of the leg has reduced, do some measurements & order a garment to keep the swelling down all the time. I am scheduled to see the vascular surgeon (he comes from a town 2 hrs away to our local medical centre once a month) on Wednesday week, so hopefully by then I will be walking better & he can take the treatment from there. I feel that I now can cope with any discomfort the wrapping may bring - I couldn't previously. Yes, I cried nearly all of yesterday. Thankyou MM, you are an angel and a kindred spirit!

 

[pakline]

"What a difference a day makes" - there's a song title somewhere there!! Truly- last Saturday all I could do was cry. Had a nice quiet day yesterday; & today...........well..........My darling daughter took me to get groceries (I needed to get out & about & see people!) and I waited in the car while she did about 4 business messages for me. Then we went to get food. She pushed the trolley whilst I had my trusty friend, the wheelie walker, under control. We had lunch down town (my treat) & came home. I felt like a human being again! Then had a rest, then time for PT - was nice & gentle today. My knee is tired rather than sore. No pain. 9 weeks out tomorrow! Also did a small load of washing. I feel good today.........so I will enjoy it & let tomorrow take care of it's self! Thankyou for all your encouraging words & shoulders to cry on!! It is a long haul, but I feel as if I made just a little bit of progress today! Thankyou MM for your support - also Lee. Kerry

 

[maggie may]

Brilliant!!! I actually had a terrible day yesterday but awoke today feeling better. Each day at a time, Kerry !!
Positive energy!!! MM

 

[leejaa]

Kerry, sounds like a wonderful day. I am glad you had some fun and enjoyment, provides balance to the recovery. Take care. Lee

 

[pakline]

Hello dear friends; Saturday - tears all day. Sunday - quiet & gentle day. Monday - I feel like I've turned a corner. Grocery shopping, a couple of business messages, lunch out - all with the help of my darling daughter. I came home feeling elated that, at last, I was beginning to feel human again. Had rehab gym physio Monday, home PT yesterday; did some laundry yesterday & worked on computer for about 4 hrs (on & off). And today - I've been (again with the assistance of my daughter) to a dance concert which 2 of my granddaughters were performing in. 3 hrs for the concert - knee was stiff when I was leaving the building but soon loosened up & I could walk reasonably well with my best friend - the wheelie walker! I'm back at the computer doing some more work & will have a rest shortly. Knee gets stiff when I sit, but a little heel sliding before I stand up helps a lot! Still using the walker outdoors & stick sometimes indoors - sometimes nothing at all indoors. Don't get me wrong......I'm not going gangbusters - I'm doing everything slowly & gently & very carefully, but, at last, I'm happy again. I appreciate more than you can know the encouragement & support this forum & those on it have given to me. It is a long road, a long hard road at times, but it does get better, little by little, then suddenly you notice it doesn't hurt as much anymore, things are a bit easier, you have a bit more endurance, and best of all - you can walk!

 

[maggie may]

Kerry, I am so happy for your progress!! And sense of accomplishment!! It is quite a feat and you should feel very proud.
When you get a chance pls read my on the road to recovery thread latest.
MM

 

[leejaa]

Good news and smart moves on your part to go slow and easy. Keep us posted on your progress. Must have been great to go to the concert and see the little ones. Have a wonderful day. Lee

 

[pakline]

I know everyone heals at different speeds but I felt a bit down today when there was a lady I know well (a very nice lady I might add - known her for about 50 yrs) came into the same rehab gym PT group I'm in. She is about 5 years older than me & had a TKR 4 weeks ago. She is walking very well without any aids. I'm at 9 weeks & still on my wheelie walker outdoors & can't quite get the confidence yet to go it on the stick/cane outdoors. My PT says that if I didn't have the edema I would be walking much better (we are seeing the vascular man next week together so my PT & he can discuss what method we will use to reduce the edema). I had the mad idea that I was actually doing quite well, then, BAM, I hit the skids again. My PT is pleased with my progress, so why am I doubting myself. Is my friend the exception to the rule, or am I? Tomorrow is another day & my work is getting busy so Ibuprofin here I come! (Truly, I am being sensible, careful & not overdoing it!). Just a little sad. In the scheme of things, I really don't have anything to worry about compared to some friends on this forum. Love to you MM.