Revision TKR Jan’s new knees- 1 for the left-2 for the right<

[Fire wolf]

I made the bed, took shower, washed and dried hair. By the time I was dressed and had makeup done I was exhausted.

Yes, one of the things that I didn't take into consideration when returning to work was how much longer things take, and how much energy it takes. I am grateful that I don't do the makeup thing and that my haircut is very low maintenance. I can easily get up, wash up, get dressed, eat breakfast, make lunch and be out the door in 30 min, but even those few things take longer now, though getting much better. I forgot that because I was walking slower, I would naturally need more time. And remember that much of your body's energy is being directed at healing still. I stopped PT before returning to work just because I knew that would be way too much. I hope that you can achieve a healthy balance.

 

[becticu]

I'm glad you are going to try and cut back a little this week. I know we don't or shouldn't compare but I read what all you are doing at five weeks and I get so frustrated with myself. I will be 12 weeks for knee number two tomorrow. I go back to work full time in a week but I'm not near normal at all. Things make me very tired. I think the staged knees maybe made it worse. I didn't feel this exhausted at week 12 with the first knee. Be kind to yourself as much as possible with your work!

 

[Happydale]

I feel you, Jan. I was thinking that my lack of energy was just from being out of the habit of being active, so I was trying to do more. Surprisingly, my PT told me yesterday that the reason I'm pooped is that I'm doing too much! I didn't expect that coming from her, the one who says why don't you try 15 reps instead of 5. She told me to take a nap every day, which I haven't been doing for several weeks. I hope you can find the time to work in some rest or a nap even with work. You need it!

 

[Thesoutherncook]

Taking it easy is so hard for many of us. You'll find your groove with work and slowly ease back into it. As your body knows, it does not pay to hurry this recovery. Convincing your head is another matter! Oh, how headstrong we can be!! Rest whenever you can. You do NOT want to rewind to week 3!

 

[jboles]

It was 6 weeks yesterday. I had really thought I would be back at work and well on my way to being recovered at this point. I tried going to work for half days on Monday, Wednesday and Friday the past 2 weeks and I have PT on Tuesday and Thursday. After being totally exhausted, I mean not being physically able to hold my eyes open exhausted, I decided to not work this week. I would like to say it's helped, but I really don't feel much better. I had a different therapist last Thursday, she used ankle weights and had me do lots of different things, I refused a lot of them, but I've been really sore and stiff since the weekend. I cancelled my appointment with this same therapist today and I won't accept another appointment with her. My leg almost feels like it did after the home PT fiasco. I've had to take pain medicine during the day today and I had been able to only take Tylenol during the day. Thanks for letting me vent, it's been a very discouraging day

 

[SusieShoes]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear you have sore knees after those ankle weights. I tried them once on my PT's urging and my knees also got sore. I refused them the next session, and suggest you do the same. It's so tempting to think, "Well, maybe that will work," even when we know in our hearts we're probably making a mistake. Your knees will feel better again soon if they're not subjected to aggressive exercise. (Hard to believe, but those innocent-looking ankle weights qualify as aggressive.)

Sounds like you're still subject to Ye-Olde-Energy-Drain. I was past two months, close to three months, before I could resume work. Everyone's different, of course, but from what you describe, you need to hold off going back to work a bit longer. Or cut out the PT entirely. Your schedule is pretty full with something every day. That will come back in time, but you need to get there first. I was still taking long naps at 6 weeks!

 

[Pheebs52]

Well, this just stinks! However, you've made some good decisions! Looking at your former schedule of working half days 3x a week and then PT on the remaining 2 days, no wonder you are exhausted! At 6 weeks, most are still napping frequently and only maybe going out of the house 2x a week for some PT. Just the whole action of getting ready to leave the house can be exhausting in addition to the commute to wherever you are going.

Ankle weights at just 6 weeks=PAIN; ugh! You've had several negative PT experiences, so perhaps you should back off the entire process and just do gentle exercises as recommended here. If you rest and give your knee the break it needs, maybe, in about 2-3 weeks, you'll be up to working 2-3 half days a week.

I know how frustrated and discouraged you must feel; aargggh!

 

[jboles]

@Pheebs52 I know what you mean, my PT experiences have not been good ones. I actually had to do payroll today, and I had to go to doctor office to have some blood work done, so I've been at it since 6:30 this morning. I'm still at the office, but taking a break, then I think I'll head home in a little while. This may be the only day I make it into the office this week. I'm still undecided on PT tomorrow, mu gut feeling is to cancel. By the way, your little dog is so stinking cute and the new exercise bike is the "cat's meow".

 

[Pheebs52]

I hope the payroll is done and the PT is cancelled! I used to do payrolls and taxes for many companies, so know what that's like; sigh. My suggestion? Take a *Kneecation*! I did that at around 6-8 weeks and it made a big difference to me. No exercises, no PT, nothing but ADL's, some light stretching, rest, ice and elevation, and some walking, but not too much. As a result, my swelling decreased and my mood was infinitely better for it. I really dislike your PT. He just seems like a *No Pain/No Gain* type and a no listening type as well. You really don't kneed this, ya know? PT is great IF you can find one who actually knows what he/she is doing and respects your boundaries. Otherwise, not so great.

Isn't she just the Bees-Knees? She's often mistaken for a Yorkie, but she's actually an Australian Silky Terrier. She's also a real whippersnapper at 13 years old...and keeps my very lazy, 10 year old Pug, Nemo, on his toes at all times. She a real *Boss* and basically, she runs the house, lol.

Oh, I just LOVE my new bike! I'd highly recommend the brand; Gold's Gym found at Walmart. The best part is the super comfy seat. My vintage butt just can't handle a hard seat; hah!

 

[jboles]

I'm going to try again to post a picture of my weird looking knee. With the all poly tibial component it's looks like I'm walking on air

 

[Pheebs52]

Hah, if only we were walking on air! I don't have a photo of my X-Rays so have no idea what it looks like. Yours looks interesting!

 

[Jockette]

After all the PT stories I've read on here, even though there seem to be some good ones, I don't think I will ever trust one again! I hope you recover that session well.

 

[Jockette]

And I love your earlier "death by chocolate " comment!

 

[sistersinhim]

You really don't need PT now, you need to rest when you're not working.

 

[jboles]

I went to PT today, I told her about my last appointment and how sore I was. I asked her if she could work on my gait? Not sure I like what she had to say. After a couple of laps around track with her beside, behind and in front, with and without the cane, she said that in her opinion I won't be able to get rid of the cane until I have the other knee done. Then she said, is the doctor going to replace the hip too? I was like, I seriously hope not! She said the right leg is so out of alignment that it's scissoring over in front of my left leg, tripping me almost. Now I didn't walk with a cane before surgery with 2 crooked legs, but with 1 straight leg and 1 crooked leg I need a cane, go figure. I guess this is a question for my OS next week.

 

[Thesoutherncook]

Well, doesn't that beat it all? Keep us posted on your OS opinion. I sincerely hope it's more positive than PT.

 

[jboles]

Me too, but I'm a "worry-wart " so I guess I'll just worry for the next week. I think I'll try to plan something to take my mind off of me!

 

[Thesoutherncook]

That sounds like a good plan! I've immersed myself in books ...a great get away for me! I ice, elevate and read on the Kindle App on my iPad.

 

[Pheebs52]

Geez, what a *doom and gloomer* that PT is to make such a negative pronouncement so early in your recovery. As you said, if you walked without a cane before TKR, with two crooked legs, why would you need a cane from now until Knee #2 gets done? Isn't it possible that your natural knee has just been under a lot of strain since your TKR and is walking a bit *wonkier* than usual? Your TKR leg needed a lot of straightening from what you've said, so how could your gait not be off-kilter right now? Mine needed some straightening and my gait was a bit odd until around 9 weeks post-op. Honestly, don't listen to this person.....the person that's hurt you more than once, and now has upset you with this. Your OS is really the only one to make such a diagnosis, not a PT.

As for the hip, has it been bothering you? A hip that needs replacement typically hurts a lot; I should know!

So, relax. It's a holiday weekend. Enjoy some BBQ with friends and family. Eat some ice-cream. Have some adult beverages if you're off the Rx pain meds. Better days are coming.

 

[SusieShoes]

I'm going to pile on with the others: listen to what your OS says. He's given you good advice so far on dealing with your crooked knees. If there's a good reason for you to use a cane now, he'll tell you.

Hope you've cooked up something fun for the holiday weekend!