TKR It don't take much!

[icep707]

So true ! Before surgery I purchased 2 body length pillows at Costco. And read the mantras on proper iceing and elevation. But surprisingly or not, depending on how you look at it, iceing was not a big deal at the hospital ,and was given a jailhouse/hospital style pillow. Flat, thin and cold. Overall a sad pillow.and was flopped under my lower leg. Overall hospital stay was excellant but their theory on ice and elevation left something to be desired. best of luck

 

[Josephine]

I merged your threads as per this request One thread for your recovery please?

 

[Graham24]

Well it's just over three weeks since my operation for TKR, all going well except I seem to have some sciatic nerve damage which has two problems, a numbness at the top of my buttocks on the operated leg side also at night my leg keeps drawing up giving much pain and keeping me awake, then it's very difficult to straighten my leg in morning. Any thought?

 

[jeano]

Hmm--did you have a spinal with nerve block? Lots and lots of things especially a tight piriformis muscle etc will give the sciatic fits, including I gather surgery on the hip or knee. I had a sciatic nerve injury as a result of a fall off a horse and it was a long time healing--but heal it did. Are you able to sleep with the leg elevated? @Josephine --she will be able to shed more light on this than I will.

 

[McMimi]

I'll be keeping my eye on this thread since having sciatic pain is something that concerns me post-op. (TKR will be done in two days--March 6th.) About two months ago, I had a horrible sciatica flare-up on the side that will be operated on. I couldn't walk. Long story short, my OS ordered a lumbar spine MRI and I have a herniated (bulging disc.) I then had an epidural steroid injection and there's been a huge improvement, but I'm still achy in the hip /buttock. The OS said that as long as I'm not having a flare-up, I'm ok for surgery. But I do worry that the surgery or PT will aggravate things. However, now that I know I have a herniated disc, I know what movements not to do (seated bends or twists are especially aggravating.) And I plan to share my MRI report with the PTs so they'll be aware and make modifications if needed. @Graham24 I hope you find some relief.

 

[Josephine]

@Graham24 I merged your threads as per this request One thread for your recovery please?
Please don't make new threads

 

[Josephine]

@Graham24 I have some questions to ask you:

1. what are your pain levels right now? (remember the 1-10 scale: 1 = no pain and 10 = the worst you can imagine. And don't compare this with the bone-on-bone pain you had before surgery!

)

2. what pain medications have you been prescribed, how much are you taking (in mg please) and how often?

3. how often are you icing your hip and for how long?

4. are you elevating your leg, how often and for how long?

5. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc., and

6. what kind of PT/exercises are you doing? How much and how often? (and detailed details would be appreciated, please! Reps, sets and session and all that)

7. which approach did the surgeon use for your surgery - you can see the options here THR approaches or incisions

 

[susanne]

Hers an idea for sciatica pain. My chiropractor suggested to alway sit with a tennis ball behind your lower back where the pain is. It elevates pressure on nerve. You just have to find the right spot to put it. I use the tennis ball when I'm driving long distances and it really helps