TKR KathyH New Knee

[Titianlady]

Do most surgeons use a tourniquet and how would I know if one .


Yes, they do use it.. It is used to control bleeding during the surgery. You will know because the tournequit can cause the thigh to be quite sore after the surgery.

 

[Dulcimer Diva]

This is going to be a bummer, but the very thing that helps us recover from a TKR--elevating toes above nose--can also cause or aggravate acid reflux (GERD). And you don't have to notice heartburn or sour taste to have GERD. The most common symptoms are hoarseness, a phlegmy/postnasal-drippy feeling and even some wheezing. Lying down can cause stomach acid to flow back into your esophagus and windpipe if your esophageal sphincter muscle is weak. (Especially if, like many of us here, yours truly included, you are overweight--more so the older you get). If you have any doubts, see an ENT, because it'll show up on your larynx before it does in your esophagus. There are medications and diet changes you can make--especially avoiding acid or pepsin-stimulating foods (at least w/in several hrs. of lying down) that'll allow you to heal your pipes and your knee. Check Dr. Oz' website. Meanwhile, if you are going to elevate your knee above the level of your heart, you're going to have to elevate it at a much steeper angle if you are also going to make sure your head and esophagus are elevated sufficiently to minimize or prevent reflux.

Another reason for a weakened voice is underuse, which prevents the vocal cords from touching along their entire length while vibrating--and if we are spending as much time at home resting as we need to we're probably not talking or singing as much as we did before our surgeries. Sing along with the TV or radio. Go online for some free YouTube vocal exercises. Use your lower register (chest voice) as much as possible, which bulks up and firms the vocal folds--don't strain, but strengthen the vocal folds. If you need to raise your voice to be heard, raise the volume and not the pitch. In other words, shout if you must (from the abdomen) but don't scream (from the throat).

 

[bottomshollow]

Dulcimer Diva. Excellent information for those who need it. Appreciate the post.

 

[KathyH]

Titianlady, I have slept quite well these past couple of nights. Though I seem to get my best sleep early morning. Just before he leaves for work, Ray brings me in a glass of fresh water to take my pills and it's after that that I sleep really well. Mind you, I don't think this sleep pattern is very good, it's not going to help me when returning to work.

My friend text me today to ask how I am. She asked if I am getting really bored yet. I replied no, I'm too tired to be bored It's true.

 

[KathyH]

Dulcimer

 

[Jacky48]

Wow, who knew!

 

[Jacky48]

Gman you're a bad boy! Not in your wildest dreams!

 

[KathyH]

 

[KathyH]

My husband swears he read somewhere that while elevating your operated leg, you should not elevate your unoperated leg.

I can't see the reasoning behind this. So did he dream it?

 

[Jacky48]

Kathy, isn't it beautiful when our guys pamper us, like your Ray bringing you fresh water before he leaves. Enjoy it and don't worry about that schedule not being good for you going back to, that time will come far to soon and you'll adjust when it come. For now pamper baby, pamper you need it and you deserve it!
I'm glad to here your sleep has returned!

Stay well my friend!

 

[KathyH]

Lol Jacky. He sure is pampering me, beyond all my expectations. I thought he would be fed up of it all after a couple of weeks and still keep expecting him to, but he just carries on, while I lay here thinking of England

Your Norm sounds exactly the same - we are lucky (though I wouldn't admit it - he wouldn't get his head through the door )

 

[Jacky48]

So true Kathy, I often wondered and I even said it out load in our younger years, will he ever be there for me if I really needed him when we're older, and I guess I got my answer too! And yes indeed we are lucky!

Ah yes and about letting them know too much really puffs up their feathers and their heads and the door ways can't use any more expanding. But, well placed compliments are very beneficial!

 

[maryo52]

I don't think it matters as long as you have your operative leg above your heart.

In fact, elevating them both might be better on the back.

 

[Dhare63]

You are both very lucky ladies! And let's not forget, they are lucky guys as well!

Be well,

Dawn

 

[Jebsw]

Hmm. At my physio, both after the first knee and again now, when they ice they put both my knees up on a block. It's elevating them, easier on the back, and quite comfy,

 

[Jamie]

I don't know what your hubby might have seen, but I know of absolutely no reason why you cannot elevate both legs at the same time. In fact, I think most people would say this is the most comfortable position!

 

[Dulcimer Diva]

I have no idea whether it's true, but come to think of it I never had numbness on the lateral side of my left (unoperated leg) thigh until I came home and elevated only the right leg. Then again, it could have been more a function of my cats snuggling along the outside of my unelevated left leg, pinning it in place under my blanket for hours at a stretch. Over three months later and my left thigh's still numb.

 

[Josephine]

This is going to be a bummer, but the very thing that helps us recover from a TKR--elevating toes above nose--can also cause or aggravate acid reflux (GERD). Lying down can cause stomach acid to flow back into your esophagus and windpipe if your esophageal sphincter muscle is weak.

While the information offered is totally spot on, the notion that 'toes above nose' needs to be achieved by lying down is not one I would support. Quite the contrary. I have never done that and wouldn't advise it as it not only contributes to GERD but also makes the patient feel like that have to opt out of normal living. On that point, there have been various versions of this "toes above heart" and "toes above hip" all of which are perfectly acceptable as well. Personally I always applied the "toes above hip" as being perfectly acceptable and every bit as effective. But with enough pillows or cushions, one can very effectively achieve "toes above nose" while sitting up even more than in these images ......

 

[Josephine]

What nonsense! Why would bed manufacturers made beds that elevate both legs at once if that were the case? Why would first aid training advise elevating both legs at once?

 

[laf1958]

Hi, Kathy. I was surprised to see you mention the change in your eyesight. I *know* mine has changed since my surgery! I have a pair of glasses with lights built into the nosepieces that I bought for reading in bed right before my surgery. (I have insomnia, so the less light in my bedroom before I try to fall asleep, the better.)

Anyway, I tried using them a few nights ago to read in bed--and I can't make out a word on the page!! I thought I was just going crazy ... I wonder how a knee replacement could affect our eyesight? Anybody know? (I stopped taking everything but Tylenol weeks ago, because the oxys were making me too depressed. So I didn't think it could be the pain meds.)

Hmmmm ...