Just got back from the Dr...Good News

[Doug]

Hey y'all,
I just got back from the Dr.'s office. As most of you know I'm at 7.5 weeks post TKR.
He was extremely happy with my progress and laughed when I asked about a "manipulation". I am at 0 on extension and 130 degree bend.
I had a list of questions that we have discussed on this site.
First of all. The drugs. He once again laughed at me and said he would be surprised if I wasn't taking them. He plans on giving me whatever makes me comfortable for one year post op. He gives me oxycodone which is percocet minus the Tylenol. That way you have a pain pill and can take other anti inflamitants.
Second, Swelling. We are going to swell. It will lessen in time but may be thicker looking just because of some internal scarring.
Third,Sleep problem, take you pain pills or get your Dr. to give you Ambien CR. Don't mix.
Fourth, everybody heals at a different pace. Do your best in your rehabilitation but recognize that you just had the end of the biggest bone in your body cut off and it takes time.
Fifth,Dentist Appointments. He still wants me to wait six months before getting any dental procedures.
Six, no other limitations after three months. I can kneel on this monkey if I want to. No super heavy lifting--yet. He does want me to get back into Karate an tell him how it does---He said if I break it he'll fix it again....We'll see about that one.
Finally,
I told him about this forum and its invaluable support. He really like the concept and is going to check in and read some of our posts.
Now my fingers are exhausted and need a nap..

 

[Pattipoo]

GREAT report!
I especially loved hearing about the kneeling!!! We kneel around an open Altar to take communion at our church....I was NOT ready to go stand with the little "older" ladies, yet!!
Yippeee

 

[Newwoman]

What a great Dr. visit, I am so jealous of you and your 130 degree bend. I'm at 9 weeks Weds. and I'm just now after a manipulation getting to 82 degrees bend.
I sure wish you continued success and hope I can do as well as you in the future.
Cathy

 

[Doug]

As I was going over my list with the Dr., he paused and said that he felt that not enough Dr.'s really prepare patients for the recovery process. He said it really has to be a partnership, that he can do the surgery but patients have to be prepared to really get uncomfortable in the therapy sessions. He is really big on using the bike for increasing the bend. Do good warm up's at a higher seat setting and every few minutes lower it.
I was so afraid he would want to talk about doing a manipulation but I really had no idea how far I was bending my leg.
By the way, I told him about using the hot tub/bath to work on bending and he thought it was a great idea. But do ice it down afterwards.

 

[jb94102]

Hey Doug GREAT report so happy for ya sounds like your on the right track !!!!!!! GOD bless ya bro ....... take care JIM :O)

 

[Nursepair]

130 degrees?!!!!!! Are you kidding? And zero?!!! WOW. Congrats!!!!

Saw my OS today too. He sent me for an X-ray. He said the Prosthesis is exactly where it should be. He did talk about doing a manipulation, but because I have a lot of swelling still, he wants to see me in 4 weeks first before he decides. He will do it either under a general or a spinal. Apparently it's as my PT thought, I am a "reactor", my knee doesn't like the foreign body being there and having had all the cutting etc., so is trying to get rid of it, but of course it can't reject it, so I just hope it will give up the fight soon!! I reallt don't fancy it, sounds too painful to me!! There I go again, bawling!!

He doesn't like the idea of sleepers as these can be far too habit forming, but said I could try the herbal ones so I bought some today, Sleep MD, I am going to pop one tonight when I go to bed.

So I will give the stationary bike I borrowed from a friend a try tonight and keep working at the PT and hope for the best.

I also gave this website to the doc's secretary today, also explained to him how it has helped me to stay sane, I cried as I told him, will I ever dry up? She is going to post it on the waiting room wall and tell other knee and hip replacement patients about it. Sue


Anyway

 

[Doug]

Sue, warm that knee up real well. 5-10 mins. Use a stop watch and every 2 mins(or choose a time) lower the seat one notch. If it doesn't have a notch, lower it one and a half inches. (I have no idea how many centimeters that is). If it is hard to go forwards, see if the bike will let you spin backwards at the new seat setting. It isn't going to be comfortable and I wouldn't do it at night myself but let's you and I get that sucker to bending!!!! I'll check in later. doug

 

[Nursepair]

Thanks for the advice Doug. So far my PT has only told me to push my TKR leg with the good one to try to get a bend, can't do a full round bend yet.

Thanks for caring as always, Sue

 

[Glenda]

Hey y'all,
I just got back from the Dr.'s office. As most of you know I'm at 7.5 weeks post TKR.
He was extremely happy with my progress and laughed when I asked about a "manipulation". I am at 0 on extension and 130 degree bend.
I had a list of questions that we have discussed on this site.
First of all. The drugs. He once again laughed at me and said he would be surprised if I wasn't taking them. He plans on giving me whatever makes me comfortable for one year post op. He gives me oxycodone which is percocet minus the Tylenol. That way you have a pain pill and can take other anti inflamitants.
Second, Swelling. We are going to swell. It will lessen in time but may be thicker looking just because of some internal scarring.
Third,Sleep problem, take you pain pills or get your Dr. to give you Ambien CR. Don't mix.
Fourth, everybody heals at a different pace. Do your best in your rehabilitation but recognize that you just had the end of the biggest bone in your body cut off and it takes time.
Fifth,Dentist Appointments. He still wants me to wait six months before getting any dental procedures.
Six, no other limitations after three months. I can kneel on this monkey if I want to. No super heavy lifting--yet. He does want me to get back into Karate an tell him how it does---He said if I break it he'll fix it again....We'll see about that one.
Finally,
I told him about this forum and its invaluable support. He really like the concept and is going to check in and read some of our posts.
Now my fingers are exhausted and need a nap..

Well done Doug x

 

[beachcomber]

Sue,
Another way to get started with the bike is to just "rock" it back and forth. Don't try to go all the way around, just rock it one direction till you run into resistance, then rock it the other direction. Back and forth, back and forth, gently.
The idea is that you loosen it up and eventually will surprise-- well maybe that is too strong of a word. It doesn't really sneak up on you--- yourself by going all way way around.

Worked for me!

You'll be okay. Hang in there! Warm it up, exercise, and ice it down.

Take care.

 

[gatiger]

Doug you make me sick man. Congrats on the great news man, that really sounds good!

 

[Doug]

I do have to admit, I was really apprehensive before the Dr. came in. As much as I've been hurting these past few days, I've cut back on the workouts significantly. About the only thing I've really done is the hot soak and bend.
Take some tums Gat...thanks for all of your encouragement, prayers, and words of wisdom.

 

[gatiger]

WISDOM????????????? You've got me confused with somebody else.

 

[Josephine]

Now that is one helluva report, Doug! Way to go! And thanks for the plug. Just hope your doc approves of all my words of wisdom!!

 

[rskingston]

Yes Biking is excellent. I had a TKR 18mths ago and i have no kneecap so very hard to get strngth back. Did you know how much you use your kneecap for leverage and bending of your knee. Well without a kneecap the leg has very little leverage so it is much harder to get strenth back. I got on the stationary bike with the seat high so that it was easier to turn the footpedal and then lowered it has it got stronger. It is great motivation to clock up the km/miles as you get better. It is still getting stronger even now, so give it TIME.

 

[Nursepair]

Thanks Carolyn. I will try that. Hope your day went well!!

Sue

 

[Skeet]

Hallelujah! PTL! Way to go, Doug! Keep those good news posts coming. I'm so proud of you. Now you look back at all the pain and tears and know it has been worth it. You're doing great. Did your doctor say you needed to continue PT exercises for like 12 months PO? Mine did. Just curious. I am not allowed to kneel unless on something well padded as he is concerned my knee cap will crack. Aside from that I don't have any real limitations/restrictions either. God bless you, brother!

 

[Doug]

He didn't place any restriction on the kneeling at all. He said many wouldn't kneel because of the irritation of the scar. He does want to me to keep up the workouts which is normal for me anyway. He doesn't want any full squats or leg presses with too much weight. Only do high repeititons with mabey 100 lbs.

 

[Sue]

He didn't place any restriction on the kneeling at all.

I think you'll know when you're ready to kneel. I am just starting to be able to kneel. I can't yet put my full weight on my surgical knee in a kneeling position, but I can put some weight on it, and I can handle more all the time. It is great to finally be able to get into some different positions so I can do more around the house, in the yard, etc.

Sue

 

[NuNeez519]

Congrats Doug. Sounds like you are doing great. I had my first post op visit today as well. I had my staples (all 44 of them) removed today, the Dr said things looked good and that he was extremely happy with how aligned he had gotten my leg. He feels with LOTS of PT I should regain a pretty good ROM, we are shooting for 120 (I will be happy with that aswell), leg is still swollen and extremely tight, I found out that he removed both the ACL and PCL. I did forget to ask if he left in the Patella (although I think it is out). I will see him again in 3 weeks for xrays.

Keep up the good work, it is an inspiration for us "Newbies" !

NuNeez