TKR indecision

[Layla]

Hi oldcanuck,
I see you've stopped by the forum recently and I want to wish you a Happy One Month Anniversary!
Please consider starting a recovery thread, even though you're one month post op. We'd really like to hear from you and learn how the healing process is going for you.
Hope to see you on the Knee Recovery forum!
@oldcanuck

 

[oldcanuck]

I postponed my original TKR last February because of back issues. I'm now re-scheduled for May 17th. I'm trying to prepare for post-surgery and wonder if it is better to ice the knee before or after doing physio exercises.
Thanks

 

[benne68]

@oldcanuck Icing helps reduce pain and swelling. That's why, during the early weeks of recovery, you will want/need to ice frequently and for long periods throughout the day: Ice to control pain and swelling

Hope you have an ice machine or lots of ice packs ready, as well as something to use for elevation. As a reminder, here's of list the recovery aids that you will need:
Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home

Best of luck on Friday. Please come back and start a recovery thread when you feel up to it and we will share our recovery guidelines with you. Just go to the Knee Recovery Forum, and click on the orange button at the top right of the page that says Post Thread to get started.

Knee Surgery Recovery Area

For post-operative knee patients, on the "other side"

bonesmart.org

Let us know if you need help!

 

[mendogal]

For any "prehab", ice after.

Post op, you can be icing almost all the time, HOWEVER muscles need to be a bit warmed up to exercise or stretch safely, so stop the icing ahead of time and take a short walk.

We definitely recommend ice and elevation right after exercise!

 

[oldcanuck]

Thanks for all the friendly replies.

I'm having my left knee surgery on May 17th. I'm very worried, not about the actual procedure but am scared I won't be able to do the exercises afterwards. Have heard some scary stories.

 

[Jockette]

@oldcanuck
I‘ve moved your post above out of the Monthly team thread as we reserve that thread for surgery date information, and so members can see who else has surgery the same month. We prefer all other comments and discussion to take place in a pre op or recovery thread, such as this one. Enjoy interacting with others who are on the same journey, here in this thread.

I'm very worried, not about the actual procedure but am scared I won't be able to do the exercises afterwards.

Post op exercises can be helpful, but in reality, all you will really need is gentle movement, which means gentle knee bends and short walks) especially in the early days and weeks. The key is, listen to your body. Any exercise that causes increased pain indicates that you are not yet healed enough to do it. You may have to take a firm stand (no pun intended ) with your PT, as some tell us to do more than we’re ready for.

Take note of the following exercises from our Recovery Guidelines:

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy

You will have noticed there is a significant opinion here about the potential hazards of PT. You may feel that your therapists are experts and know what you should be doing. However, over the last several years I've been here, I have observed that the more intensive the regimen of exercising...

bonesmart.org

 

[mendogal]

@oldcanuck Please don't worry about "the exercises"
My ortho team was united in telling me that in the initial weeks "Less is Better."
I spent most of my time icing and elevating. I got up and took a very short walk with my walker every hour.
While in my recliner I periodically did ankle movements to help prevent blood clots, and also a gentle knee-friendly exercise called "quad sets" - not for strengthening, but to help re-activate my quads plus it helps circulation and range of motion. I never counted out repetitions, just did a bunch of them several times a day.
Once I could sit up in a regular chair, I added very gentle "heel slides," again not counting repetitions, just doing a few within my current comfort range.
Exercises absolutely shouldn't hurt. Gentle stretches and movement within your comfort range initially, then as you heal more, just relaxing into mild discomfort.
Pain is your knee's only way to say Stop! and to heal and prevent more swelling we need to respect that.

 

[Jockette]

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines to look at before your surgery. (We’ll post them again when you create your Recovery Thread.) Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

​

If you want to use something to help heal the incision, ​

BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

​

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

​

​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

​

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity Progression for TKRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

​

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[Layla]

Best Wishes tomorrow! Will be watching for you on the healing side.
Hope to see you there soon!
@oldcanuck

 

[meecies]

I'm very worried, not about the actual procedure but am scared I won't be able to do the exercises afterwards. Have heard some scary stories.

I hear you! it's hard when you've heard stories...
I've heard stories from a couple of friends who swear they had NO pain and only needed tylenol the day after the operation!
Just the idea that you could have little pain is very encouraging, even though I have trouble believing them completely.

I've got several friends who were in their mid 80s when they had their knee surgery. They all did well!
In fact, they seemed to have far fewer complaints than most of my younger friends. Go figure.


don't listen to anyone who tells you that you must do this and that exercise or you won't heal properly-
They are totally clueless

listen to your own body!

you are going to be fine!


will be thinking of you tomorrow!
wishing you all the best