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TKR Joni's TKR 9/15/14

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@Celle and @Roy Gardiner, thank you for your comments. I can easily get stuck in my own thinking...

Just home from the movie. The short block from where we parked, then walking in the theatre will count as my walking today. No idea how far or how many minutes (PT cares only about minutes - but I think in miles...). Now I'm home with THE KNEE elevated, with ice. I took a low dose Norco and I plan to take another at 9 so it is effective when I go to bed and I'm hoping to finally skip my 12 Oxi. I'm hoping if I can get off the narcotics at night, I'll be able to sleep better. -- Joni
 
Well I did not sleep better. No pain, just couldn't seem to get THE KNEE comfortable and tossed and turned much of the night. Hoping that I sleep better tonight.

I had a wonderful day. Went to breakfast with a friend. Then my sister In law from Reno was visiting, so she picked me up and we visited sour new grand niece. After that my husband met us for a nice leisurely lunch. Them home for ice, elevation and a nap. No pain, just stiffness
 
I slept pretty well last night. No pain and no pain meds! Ready for the day which includes PT this morning and early supper with a girl friend.
 
@Djbrund you brought back memories. When I was in my 20's I lived in Reno for a few years and loved the drive thru the mountains from Reno to CA, esp. at this time of year. I also loved driving down Hwy. 5. Oh, the days of freedom with few responsibilities and a body that worked great.....
 
@Jamie @Roy Gardiner @Celle @Josephine @PuppyLove
Please help with this: I've stopped taking pain meds pretty much. I took 1/2 of 5mg Vicodin with 2 Advils before PT yesterday day. I stayed and iced at PT then met husband for lunch. No pain at all. Went home and took a nap (I was pretty tired.). Then had an early supper with a girl friend. Home. No pain. Went to bed and had twitchy knee. It was like restless knee syndrome. Lol. No pain, just could not get comfortable and felt the need to move constantly. I wondered if it was narcotic withdrawals (7weeks post TKR), although I have been cutting down gradually. Got up this morning and my knee hurt a little so I took a pain pill. Probably from all the moving all night long! What the heck was that all about ?!? What should I have done ? What should I do today ? -- Joni
 
A few weeks ago I had similar pains and what felt like spasms when I moved at night. I tried massaging, icing, etc but nothing helped. My OS said this is perfectly normal as part of the healing process. When I told him it was keeping me awake and I was only sleeping a few hours at night, he suggested upping my nighttime pain meds as sleep is very important in the healing process. I'm still taking pain meds, but those weird nighttime pains have gone away.
 
It's really useful to know about these spasms/restless knees, to know that it is a perfectly normal part of healing will be very reassuring for folk like me about having surgery this month. So thanks everyone
 
I had this happen with my first knee and was able to get some relief with ice packs front and back when sleeping. I also took a pain pill before bed or if I woke up with that restless feeling. It will go away as mysteriously as it came. It is not a result of stopping the pain meds, though.
 
I didn't get restless legs, but kind of a restless/uncomfortable feeling when I got, what I think was overtired at the end of the day during my recovery.
 
After reading a lot about restless leg, I was determined to sleep last night. I massaged magnesium into the bottoms of my feet , had a light supper, them a nice warm bath. Got into bed with ice on my knee and then had my husband massage my knee and leg with oil them he put more magnesium on my feet. Slept so well last night. Thank you everyone ! -- Joni.
 
We are making the 3 hour drive to the Lake House tonight to **** it up for the winter. I'm a little worried about the drive. I don't think I can leave my leg dangling in a seated position for that long. Thinking mane the backseat, although there is not as much leg room when I need to stretch it out. Has anyone else found a good solution for this other than pain meds? @Celle, @Roy Gardiner, @kneeper, @Jamie, @SuperSnapper.
 
Ouch! Could you stop every hour and stretch out? And take some ice too. 3 hours is a long drive with your poorly leg.

Whatever enjoy your trip.
 
Djbrund said:
We are making the 3 hour drive to the Lake House tonight to mess it up for the winter. I'm a little worried about the drive. I don't think I can leave my leg dangling in a seated position for that long. Thinking mane the backseat, although there is not as much leg room when I need to stretch it out. Has anyone else found a good solution for this other than pain meds? @Celle, @Roy Gardiner, @kneeper, @Jamie, @SuperSnapper.
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Yes. With my right TKR (In 2011) I did a 4-hour car journey at only 4 weeks post-op.

I did try sitting on the back seat with my leg along the seat, but found that I had to twist my upper body too much for it to be comfortable long-term.

I ended up sitting in the front seat, with the seat pushed well back. I piled pillows in front of me and elevated my leg on those. I also used ice packs and had replacement ice packs in a small chiller.

You do need to stop about every hour, to walk around and get rid of the stiffness, so plan for your journey to take longer than usual. And keep taking your pain meds when they are due.

I hope the journey goes well for you.
 
I am glad to read that you got a good night's sleep--I remember how frustrating the lack of sleep was for me.
Djbrund said:
Well I did not sleep better. No pain, just couldn't seem to get THE KNEE comfortable and tossed and turned much of the night. Hoping that I sleep better tonight.
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That was me, too---it was not pain---it was more that I could not get comfortable. I would wander around the house looking for somewhere comfortable to sleep.
 
Your options when trying to make a trip like that are....stop every hour and stretch for 5 minutes, keep a small cooler with ice packs to ice your knee while riding, and use the back seat so you can recline and elevate your leg. Any or all of those will help. Of course, it goes without saying that taking pain meds will make the trip easier as well. Do that for sure...assuming you're not driving, of course!!!
 
Thank you @Celle , @Jamie , @SuperSnapper and @referee54 ! You guys are awesome. Only made one stop, but piled pillows in front of me in the front seat. Used a pain pill and ice and did just fine.

Waiting for the hot tub to heat up and I'll do my exercises in there. I'm a little stiff and sore today. Thanks again!

Joni
 
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