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TKR izzy's new knee-post op

Well done @izzy ! Slow and steady definitely wins this race. Like @zzevi , I did all the pt, but not the number of reps per day. Yet I made great progress and the pt was always pleased with the results. Let your knee be your guide! How is the swelling doing? I hope you are seeing reductions there too. Keep us posted!:ice:
 
And for a different perspective, I did no PT or exercises except for heel slides and ankle pumps at first. I just lived my life and used my knee when I needed it. It was little at first, but as it healed I used it more and more in my daily life. So, doing no PT also gets you there. It's what you are comfortable with.
 
Into week 4 of recovery. All in all going pretty well. Sleeping is still an issue. I feel like a chicken on a spit, turning every few minutes. This definately takes a toll on my mental attitude. I am tired, I want to do more but just have no energy at all. Any suggestions on getting a better quality of sleep? I am still icing and elevating during the day. My last PT is today, flex and ROM is great, so no problems there. But I still feel the incredible tightness in my muscles and don't feel I am walking with a normal gait yet...any suggestions for that? Riding in a car and sitting in a regular chair, (knee down) is not real comfortable. Guess I'm just ready for all this to be over! Thanks for any suggestions!
 
Wow, you'll less than a month out and are doing fantastic! Sleeping is always a problem after this surgery. It was months before I was sleeping well. The more as time goes on and your knee heals, you'll walk more normally. Remember, this is a year long recovery and you have more that 11 months to go, so be patient. You are already way ahead of average! Even now, I can't sit for long with my legs down. Even at church in the choir loft I have a foot stool I put my feet up on. Just enjoy your new knee and don't push it. It heals and rehabs at it's own speed.
 
Four weeks is super early in his recovery. Your knee isn't going to like being down for quite a while yet. I was elevating whenever I sat at 3 months and even 4. That tightness you're dWelcome no is from swelling, so keep the knee up as much as possible.

I found taking Tylenol pm before going to bed helped my body find its rhythm again. Just be sure you're not overloading when your pain meds are added to that. As far as walking, new shoes are important because your old ones have that old (probably wacky) gait pattern. My PT watched me walk to analyze my gait issues, would encourage me to walk toe heel and lift my leg instead of shuffling along as I had grown accustomed to with a bad knee. It was something I had to concentrate on a lot in the beginning.
 
I still toss and turn at night, but I am now sleeping in several hour stints, much improved in the last month. I just can't wait until I can sleep on my side and stay there without the tossing around, but I am getting there. My August knee is compliant but my September knee is not. You are doing very well whether you think so or not. :)

At this point I can sit with my legs down, comfortably, long enough to eat dinner, but if I sit too long I get stiff and sore when I try to stand up.
 
Thank you all for the encourgement! It is much appreciated. I know this is a long journey, but I get so frustrated just sitting around. Never thought about the shoes, good point! I am taking 1 tylenol PM at night followed by a pain pill a couple of hours later.....I'm running out of pain pills, and no refill...so I'm hoping the Tylenol PM will help. I tend to shuffle too, it's a hard habit to break. My knee just feels so tight...but it's helpful to know I'm not the only one experiencing this. Guess I'll have to keep sleeping in several places each night..bed, recliner, bed, recliner etc. I'm trying to walk around about 5 minutes every hour or two, and today I went to breakfast with a friend. Came home and iced for an hour. How much time should I be icing each day?
 
One more question....my back tends to hurt at times on the side opposite my knee replacement....Is this because of the way I am walking?
 
Ice as much as you need to control any swelling. On days you do more you might need to do it longer. I used ice on a knee to go to sleep. It helped me with any pain I was having.

My back starting hurting too. I had to re-learn to walk again. My leg was straightened Asa result of my surgery and through me off balance. A few trips to the chiropractor helped everything to feel better.
 
I think the back pain is because of the way we walk and all the sitting and lying around we have to do while recovering. Just keep being the "chicken on the spit" as you said :heehee: and shift around.
 
@izzy - I had my surgery the same day as you, and I can't imagine doing without the narcotic pain meds yet, especially at night. I think last time I weaned off them at about 6 weeks without any trouble, so I'm not concerned. I, too, would encourage you to ask for more - has your OS said he won't give you any more at this point? It's my understanding that none of the narcotic meds can be refilled; you have to have a new Rx every time. I'm not sleeping well because I'm trying to sleep on my back to encourage my extension to improve, but it sounds like extension is not an issue for you. I sleep for about an hour and then my knee wakes me up - I tuck a small pillow under it and then it's okay. I'm guessing you just aren't getting enough pain meds.
 
I think the itchy bum may be related to the pain medication. I had that for the first few days then it let up!


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Thanks so much for all the advice. I actually am managing without the pain pills, I've been taking a tylenol pm at night and I'm sleeping a bit better. The incision is so sensitive it does wake me up sometimes. During the day I'm taking 2 tylenol (500mg) a couple of times a day. I just wish I had more energy, still get tired pretty quickly and I can't sit in a chair very long. Ice is definitely my best friend! I was dismissed from PT on Friday, with 4 very gentle exercises 2x a day, my ROM is already 120 and extension is good too. The BoneSmart advice and input from everyone is making this journey so much better!
 
Glad to hear things are getting better for you. I went to the chiropractor to be adjusted as soon as I felt able to . It's weird as long as my knee bothered me, my back didn't seem to, as my knee got better I noticed my back bothered me. But I took that as a sign that my knee was getting better and I was finally able to feel pain and discomfort in other areas. Plus I think it is from sitting and laying and walking differently after surgery that leads to backaches and pain.
I feel pretty lucky as for sleep, I would awake often, sometimes I would have to get up and watch a show or 2 on t.v then return to bed and I usually fell back asleep. It's a real rough ride regarding sleep, it will get better. I was fortunate that I found a comfortable way to lay in bed right from the start.
 
Oh yes, the Bonesmart way is the smartest way!
 
Well, here I am 2:44 a.m. after days of sleeping pretty well, knee is aching and I'm wide awake, in my chair, icing and elevating. This no sleeping thing does finally come to an end, right? I'm 5 weeks out, swelling is better,except when I'm moving too much! The incision burns and is pretty sensitive, is this normal, it looks pretty healed....
 
izzy said:
The incision burns and is pretty sensitive, is this normal, it looks pretty healed....
Click to expand...

My incision goes through the stages. Some days I don't even notice it is there and my clothing can press/rub against it without problems; other days it itches like crazy, throbs, or is super sensitive. I haven't experienced any burning sensation. If it looks healed, the burning might just be nerves re growing.i find that hydrating the skin with lotion and gently massaging the area next to the incision or the incision itself (when fully closed) helps it feel more normal.
 
I had the burning for about a month. You can try the Saran Wrap if you are totally healed. It didn't help me, but has for many of us. It's worth a try.
 
Saran wrap? I haven't started putting cream on the site yet, thought I'd wait till I see the ortho next week, I do lotion around the edges, but it is still very dry and peeling. I'm also still having some swelling, bugs me to death! I was advised by PT not to use a pillow at night, but I'm not sure why...advice? THANKS
 
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