TKR June 16th Surgery<

[Celle]

Does the type of knee you get make a difference in your recovery?

Not really. They're all pretty similar.

 

[Celle]

Saw PT today and she pushed me but not past my pain point. Just the little we did today made my knee burn. Feels like it is on fire. And it tightens up. I go back again tomorrow and am a bit worried at how much it will hurt. Although i wont go too far. I know i have to push a little. I just feel like I am so behind. I had planned to be back at work this week, but that didn't happen.

Hi Karen, @KnoxKnox
You posted the above on bland9's thread and I wanted to talk to you about it without disrupting her thread.
You don't have to "push a little". In fact, your TKR is so new that it it wouldn't matter if you did no formal exercises at all. Your knee needs to heal before you do lots of exercises and trying to do too much, too soon, is a sure-fire way of slowing down its progress.
It's not exercising that gets you your ROM - it's time. Time to recover, time for swelling and pain to settle, and time to heal. Your ROM is there right from the start, just waiting for all that to happen, so it can show itself.

As for going back to work, it's a mistake to do that too soon. Not only would your knee not like it, but you will probably find that you get exhausted very quickly. That post-op energy drain can linger for quite a while.
We usually recommend taking about 12 weeks off work, and then a Phased return to work , if you can arrange it.

 

[Josephine]

I fully concur with all that Celle has said.

 

[KnoxKnox]

My PT is good so far. She takes me to the edge and let's me decide if taking a bit more is too much. The concern is I was only about 60 to 70 degrees. They felt I should be more like 90. I will say that I move better after therapy. Things seem to loosen up. But am finding everyone is of the mind that you have to move it or suffer dire consequences. Which from what I read here, isn't the case. So I am working on a happy medium.

I do plan to work at the office next week. Likely just a few hours a day then work from home. I had planned to do so this week but was too tired. Unfortunately any time I take off at this point is without pay. I can't afford to lose too many paychecks. But I am trying to pace myself.

I keep reading posts here and try to not be too discouraged. I just feel I should be progressing faster. Patience, I know.

Karen
TKR 6/16/17

 

[IowaNana]

Karen - Celle and Josephine have great advice. I was one to want to push too much too soon and I had to really learn how to slow down and listen to my knees. I'm still not perfect at it, but I'm getting better.

I'm sorry about the no pay for your work if you are off work. Is short term disability an option to help supplement? Is there an HR leader / team you can talk to?


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[KnoxKnox]

Yes, I too need to pay attention to what my knee is telling. So far the only ill effects from 2 days of PT is a little tenderness and tightness. Will see how it is tomorrow. That will be the best gauge I think.

As for disability, I can't afford to leave work. I am entitled to 280 hours of medical leave, without losing my job, but that would be without pay.

Will try next week and see how it goes. Maybe a little nap at my desk. Fortunately in am able to get my leg up and use my ice machine.

Karen

 

[kmak81230]

I'm glad you can have your ice machine with you. With the activity associated with work you won't need to do much else during the day - just ice and elevate when you get home.

 

[Josephine]

But am finding everyone is of the mind that you have to move it or suffer dire consequences. Which from what I read here, isn't the case. So I am working on a happy medium.

Well do be careful because there isn't much wiggle room in this. There really isn't.

I do plan to work at the office next week. Likely just a few hours a day then work from home.

At 4 weeks that's awfully risky. If you do that, then please stop all exercising and PT. You cannot/should not do both. Do read the prelogue of this Phased return to work

I just feel I should be progressing faster.

That's the problem with you American ladies! All rush and push and wanting things yesterday! Did you ever hear the story of the tortoise and the hare? Which one got there first?!!!

 

[KnoxKnox]

Lol! Yes, we want it yesterday! I am moving a little better, bit doing too much moving or exercising. Just little bit here and there. I may be out of work most of this week. All without pay! I need a doctor's note before I can go back, so that will take a couple days to get done.

So back to icing and resting!

Karen
TKR 6/16/2017

 

[nensi]

@KnoxKnox
Wow, four weeks and going to work! I thought I was being optimistic (I am) and aiming for going back at 8 weeks.
Are you planning to go for half days or three days a week? I am still working on my plan. But I was able to have my employer buy a great recliner for me before the operation so I will be able to ice and elevate at work. In someone else thread I read the astute observation that it wasn't just going to work but everything around going to work - showering, hair, makeup, etc etc in addition to your normal ADLs that all added up to a knee meltdown.
So even though I am a long way out - good to get I out from you and others!
You are quite young for a tkr



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[KnoxKnox]

It will be 4 weeks tomorrow. Because of a misunderst, haven't been able to go back to work other than what I did at 2 weeks while at home. I pick up my doctors note tomorrow to allow me back. I plan to start in on Monday partially at home and partially at the office.

I am 51 so yes, fairly young. Lots of injuries to the knee when younger, arthritis and excess weight.

Still only bending to 80 degrees. Working on exercises but not pushing too hard. Spending most of my time icing and elevating.

Having some issues with pain, mostly burning sensation. Feels like I have a severe sunburn on my knee. And some stabbing pain that is less than a second in duration. But enough to take my breath away.

Good luck on your recovery.

Karen
TKR 6/16/17

 

[kneeper]

You may want to call your doctor about the burning pain. Some people get that and there are different medications that can help. @Josephine

 

[kmak81230]

Keep resting, icing, and elevating Knox Knox - if you do too much the swelling will lot allow you to bend which will slow down your progress. Hang in there.

 

[KnoxKnox]

So here I am at 10 weeks out today. I have been discharged from PT. My ROM is just about 100° and still have a little swelling and some pain after exertion. I have gone back to the pool and also am rowing and walking.

I can walk up stairs mostly normally, but don't do stairs too much. Going down is more difficult and I only try when I feel my knee feels loose and I have a good place to hang on.

I am able to do my normal ADLs without too much adjusting. And I am finally sleeping in my bed. I still ice every evening and after a lot of activity.

I feel I am doing well and am mostly happy with my progress. I know I have a ways to go and am trying to maintain my patience.
I see the surgeon again in a couple of weeks. Hope he is happy with my progress.

There was some mention of manual manipulation but I have managed to avoid that and will not allow it.

So I will keep moving, stretching, and icing.

Thanks all for the words of wisdom and support

Karen
RTKR
6/16/2017

 

[sistersinhim]

Karen, it sounds like you've got your recovery totally under control! You know what to do and you're doing it smartly! Fantastic that the MUA is out of your future! Keep up the good work!

 

[KarriB]

Being released feels good doesn't it?! I was released from PT at 109 and my ROM continued to improve for a year with just daily living and biking.

 

[KnoxKnox]

I am now at just over 3 months out. ROM is over 100 consistently and I can finally ride the recumbent bike at the gym.

I find after going to the gym or swimming, I am sore the next day. So I end up resting every other day. I still ice regularly especially after activity. I am walking about a mile a day and that doesn't seem to bother me.

Still having pain, hard to describe. Almost like a deep muscle pull. A stabbing pain when I move. Not always present but enough to be bothersome. But walk without a limp most of the time and get to go stronger.

Learning to rest as needed, ice, and keep moving. Moving and stretching seem to be the most important piece

Thanks for this group! Your comments have been extremely valuable.

Karen
RTKR
6/16/2017