Bilateral TKR JustJeff 4/9/14
- Thread starter JustJeff
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United States
One of the big disagreements with my ortho was he didn't, and still doesn't, used these. The reason? One patient, one time, got freezer burn no doubt due to an equipment or user malfunction. Therefore I had one silly little cylindrical ice pack and my big red angry painful knee. Dumb!
Tomel
junior member
Hi Jeff,
I also took two of these home with me. They are soooo easy to use. I put mine on a power strip with a switch so that I can turn them off and on as needed. Also put both of mine in a picnic type cooler, this way they stay colder longer and with a towel on the bottom to catch any condensation that may drip. You may want to clean the filter often, as this can slow down the pump.
Best wishes on your recovery,
Tom
I also took two of these home with me. They are soooo easy to use. I put mine on a power strip with a switch so that I can turn them off and on as needed. Also put both of mine in a picnic type cooler, this way they stay colder longer and with a towel on the bottom to catch any condensation that may drip. You may want to clean the filter often, as this can slow down the pump.
Best wishes on your recovery,
Tom
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Ah there you are, my friend! I have some reading for you!
First are the mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
Next is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) thread.
And then the articles in order of importance .
Group A
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Progression of activity for TKRs
Group B
How Long Does Healing Take ......
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevating your leg to control swelling and pain
Using ice
Group C
Knee Replacement - Where Am I in Recovery?
So What Is It Going to Take? The Five “P’s” of Knee Recovery
Work “Smarter” and not “Harder”
About recovering a knee - from one who knows!
Some suggestions for home physio (PT) and activity progress
Myth busting: The "window of opportunity"
Group D
MUA (manipulation under anaesthetic) and adhesions
It's never too late to get more ROM!
It's Worth the Wait for ROM
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?
First are the mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
Next is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) thread.
And then the articles in order of importance .
Group A
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Progression of activity for TKRs
Group B
How Long Does Healing Take ......
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevating your leg to control swelling and pain
Using ice
Group C
Knee Replacement - Where Am I in Recovery?
So What Is It Going to Take? The Five “P’s” of Knee Recovery
Work “Smarter” and not “Harder”
About recovering a knee - from one who knows!
Some suggestions for home physio (PT) and activity progress
Myth busting: The "window of opportunity"
Group D
MUA (manipulation under anaesthetic) and adhesions
It's never too late to get more ROM!
It's Worth the Wait for ROM
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?
bottomshollow
Former BoneSmart staff member
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JustJeff
graduate
Huh! I thought this was the only one. . Except for the first one I jumped in on. But Ok. I have an excuse. . 2, actually!
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JustJeff
graduate
So, here it is 11:45 pm on day 19. This is the 2nd night I tried 2x percocet. Everything worked well. Comfortable, no pain, feet elevated, cpap on. Except for one thing. I wasn't sleepy. I usually take a 5mg melatonin pill but I figured with 2 percocets in me I didn't have to. Well I don't want to take it now else my sleep cycle might start later. So I snuck downstairs to read. I'll nap later. After all I have a lot of time now on my hands.
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JustJeff
graduate
Jozilla, I imagine you're using 16 oz bottles? I don't think my 22 oz bottles will fit in the cube. But my ice maker can't keep up with the Demand. So I may need to buy some.
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JustJeff
graduate
I just walked down a flight of steps, normally, without pushing on the bannister! One small step for me!
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JustJeff
graduate
I split time last night between bed and living room lazyboy. I worry if I read up there I'll disturb my wife and it worked well.
Downstairs I can ice all night too.
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Downstairs I can ice all night too.
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ironman60
senior
Hey Jeff, I see you got your head on straight.
It was sideways before.
Sounds like you are doing great. I just started going down stairs normally.
It was harder for me than going up the stairs. Great job!!!
It was sideways before.Sounds like you are doing great. I just started going down stairs normally.
It was harder for me than going up the stairs. Great job!!!
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JustJeff
graduate
Actually ironman, I liked it sideways. Added character. Down is definately harder than up. We're so used to not thinking going down that we spend little time in the step transition. When we are more careful the bend is more pronounced and on for longer. I'm just worried that if I try to go back to the former I'll Slip. Catch 22 but it's good for strengthening and bending.
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JustJeff
graduate
I'm 3 weeks in tomorrow, so for the first time I thought I'd expend some energy and straighten up the kitchen. 20 minutes later I'm exhausted.
At least I have a reference to how much of my body's resources the knees still need.
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At least I have a reference to how much of my body's resources the knees still need.
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Wow! I think I was able to do this at about the 4-5 month mark.
Jozilla
supremo
Yes 16 oz bottles. They work great and you will never run out of ice. Great going with the stairs! Stairs still bother me down more than up. Sleeping is an issue for many. I was so fortunate I would take two percocets and sleep!
RTKR - 9th December, 2013
RTKR - 9th December, 2013
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JustJeff
graduate
We all healat different speeds. I suppose the same genes that gave me bad knees (both my parents had BTKRs) also allowed me to heal from them faster.
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JustJeff
graduate
I felt during PT today that all the energy was sucked out of my body but I persevered. Now, I'm just dead. I hope that this is just a bump in the road. I did finish all the exercises but I felt like Hell.
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JustJeff
graduate
Thanks, Joz! Sounds like a plan.
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