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Motorcycle Meemaw, glad to meet you and I'm glad you found this site, It's awesome. I have learned a lot here and highly recommend it! Where are you from? I'm hoping i will still be able to ride a motorcyle later. My husband and I have 1800 Goldwing. I'm sure I will be able right now it's not apppealing! But I won't give it up we love to ride and have ridden many years! Had Pt today it went well, I feel better too! I ice a lot, take tylenol and my percocet to let me sleep at night. My knee feels tight the therapist says it's because it's so swollen. OK I'll buy that. I do what everyone tells me, let my knee be the judge! Nice to meet you!:blush:
 
Redbird, glad your PT went well and you are feeling a little better. I am from Southwest Missouri. I too love to ride. My husband taught me to ride my own bike last fall, and I love it!

Once again, glad things are going well for you! :happydance:
 
One week ago today I had my total knee replacement. I think I'm doing ok , just some blood pressure issues,diabetes now under control again. Today sitting BP 115/58, that bottom number goes way down when I stand, making it very hard to take a shower. Had to sit down at least three to four times this morning. I cut my bp medication in half , maybe tomorrow it will be better! I see improvement everyday! I can say right now I'm glad I had it done! Am I ready for my right one, not right now even tho it's telling me , I'm here! :) I am happy I have somewhere to right down my thoughts and people here cheer me up, I hope I can recirpocate! Love to all !:yahoo:
 
Today I'm experiencing a little more pain. one week post -op. My knee feels stiff when I walk , is it because of the swelling, the staples? The staples come out on Oct 17 th. I can get my knee to a 92 degree angle. The only thing I'm taking for pain is tylenol during the day and ice. I'm using my percocet at night, so I get a good nights sleep. Am I doing things wrong? Just wondering? I'm listening to my knee and don't over do when I do my heel pushes and things. How soon should I be able to lift my leg straight up my therapist states probably not until Friday or so. Is this right? Thanks for the support!
 
You are doing just great, and OF COURSE your knee is stiff, it really was beaten up on the day!! It takes a while to recover.

At this stage:

- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it.
- If you won't die if it's not done, don't do it.
- Don't stand if you can sit; don't sit if you can lie down, don't stay awake when you can go to sleep
 
I was a few days ahead of you and I still cannot lift my leg up like that. However, there are other things I'm able to do that surprise my PT. Even though you've heard it before it's hard not to question - your knee is healing and is not on anyone's schedule. My knee is still very stiff a lot of the time and is a big reason I've had problems sleeping. Your ROM seems to be better than mine, but my PT is happy with where I'm at. So don't be so concerned if you think you're behind where you think everyone else was/is at this time.
 
But also don't hesitate to ask either. Had I not questioned my meds here, I would not know that I was not being sufficiently medicated.
 
Redbird,
My home PT had me try something when I was at your stage, she said it was msuscle memory loss why I couldn't lift my leg right. Try doing about 5 leg lifts with the unoperated leg first then try with the tkr leg, it tends to imatate the other leg. A few times of this and all was well, sure won't hurt and can maybe help.
 
Redbird said:
Today I'm experiencing a little more pain. one week post -op. My knee feels stiff when I walk. Is it because of the swelling, the staples?
Click to expand...
No, it's because of the PAIN! Stiffness and swelling are part and parcel of post-op pain and need to be medicated. It's a regular thing, that people tend to thing of 'pain' as being only the pre-op bone-on-bone pain but it's not.
Redbird said:
The only thing I'm taking for pain is tylenol during the day and ice. I'm using my percocet at night, so I get a good nights sleep. Am I doing things wrong?
Click to expand...
Yes you are - seriously wrong

You need to spend some time reading these articles which will explain to you why you should not be trying to manage with ½ a dose of Tylenol. It's not enough and even though you think you are managing well enough without it, you will soon find that it is not enough

The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Elevating your leg to control swelling and pain

How Long Does Healing Take ......
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Energy drain for TKRs
Using ice
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Progression of activity for TKRs

Knee Replacement - Where Am I in Recovery?
So What Is It Going to Take? The Five “P’s” of Knee Recovery
Work “Smarter” and not “Harder”
About recovering a knee - from one who knows!
Some suggestions for home physio (PT) and activity progress
Myth busting: The "window of opportunity"

MUA (manipulation under anaesthetic) and adhesions
It's never too late to get more ROM!
It's Worth the Wait for ROM
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
 
Redbird, when you stand up, do so slowly and with good support (also from not too low a chair or bed). That lightheadedness and drop in BP when you stand is called "orthostatic hypotension," caused by momentarily inadequate blood flow to the brain (Gravity--it's not just a theory, it's the law), and it is a major cause of falls in convalescents and seniors. Make sure you are getting enough water. Wouldn't hurt next time you see your OS or family doc to have a blood chemistry done to make sure your electrolytes (minerals in your bloodstream) are sufficient, in order to prevent dizziness and promote regular heart rhythm. And if you don't already have one, get a shower seat (or better yet, bath-transfer bench if you can afford it and your shower is located in a tub rather than a stall). Also a handheld shower head with diverter (easy to install). Being able to sit makes showering so much more pleasant. I sure missed my shower seat when I was on that river cruise in our cabin's teeny little stall shower.
 
Ok on a half of my blood pressure med and in the morning it's 105/55 , this is weird for me, My blood pressure has always been on the high side. I don't mind it be lower now, just not when I'm standing , my energy go to way down, I can't walk far because of it. So sit in the chair and move only when I have too:cry:This isn't going to help my rehab!:beg:I'm going to stay positive, I'm going to stay positive, OK I will!
 
I was hypotensive for nearly 2 weeks post-op--could have been the sodium-restricted diet in hospital and rehab, my lousy appetite, or the anticoagulant protocol. My OS said I didn't have blood loss--didn't even need a single pint while on the table. So I'm chalking it up to thinner blood and perhaps hyponatremia. It was totally normal at home once I got every-other-day nurse visits and started going to restaurants and eating my own cooking, and has stayed that way. I have always gotten a bit dizzy and hypotensive, though, if I've been on my feet a lot without having eaten or hydrated enough.
 
Ok, I won't worry about my BP while trying to get well. I love my Physical Therapist, she is so nice and I love the massages she gives to my knee. I have her for the rest of this week and next week and than I start going to them. Is this where I should be afraid? I'm going to stay positive, Positive is my word!
 
My place to ramble, I'm so happy that I have a place to ramble. I'm still doing okay, ice and elevate. But now I'm not sleeping very well, Not because of pain, I just can't get comfortable. Any one have any sugestions? I'll listen because everyone here is so helpful! Everyone have a nice day! :yes!:
 
I'm in my 7th week post op and found this forum not long after and have found the information invaluable! One thing I found out is insomnia is part of the process. In the almost 7 weeks since my surgery, I've had 4 nights where I slept more than I was awake. Most of the time I toss for 2 - 5 hours before I sleep. I don't know when my normal sleep pattern will return but I'm sure it will. If you haven't tried it yet, try using a soft pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side or under your leg if on your back. It helped with my comfort level. I think things are improving now. Good luck!
 
Do you have a CPM machine you're using? I've found that I can sleep when my leg is in it. It goes really slow allowing me to sleep, but with enough movement to keep it from getting stiff.
Rose, I happened to read your message yesterday before my PT. When he asked me to try and lift my foot/leg and it didn't work, I told him what you said. We tried it and sure enough, it worked! He was happy to have a new tool to use with his patients, and I'm glad to see I can lift it!
 
No, cpm machine. My sister had one when she hers done, she in Bushnel Florida and I'm in Fort Myers, Florida. I wish I could say pain was keeping me awake but I really can't. I just don't fall asleep! Tonight I'm going to try Tylenol PM. Wish me luck! Have a nice one!
 
I have the same problem. It is not pain keeping me awake but I just can't fall asleep. I keep wondering if it is a left over from the meds and anaesthesia.
 
Tracey,
As they say, We learn sonething new every day, glad I could be of help. Feels good to be able to tell a PT something new to.
 
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