TKR Katt’s Recovery Journey

[Layla]

Take it s-l-o-w and easy and you'll get there. Good to hear your PT didn't argue with you, but respected your thoughts on therapy. Thanks for the update...a great week to you!
@Katt

 

[Katt]

Take it s-l-o-w and easy and you'll get there. Good to hear your PT didn't argue with you, but respected your thoughts on therapy. Thanks for the update...a great week to you!
@Katt

So I know there are many examples on here of slow and steady working. Does it ever not work? My bend was a bit worse this week and I have doubt creeping in. My fibula pain is with my bending, but not with walking. Has anyone experienced pain on the side when trying to bend? I assume it is part of my healing journey because the pain isn't constant. Riding the bike is painful so I am not doing that for now. I am walking and staying active. Plus elevating and icing and using my tens unit.

 

[Jockette]

I am walking and staying active. Plus elevating and icing and using my tens unit.

You are still quite early in the recovery process, which takes an average of a full year. Walking, staying active, but both not to excess, icing and using your tens unit are all you need to be doing. Add in a lot of patience as you continue healing, and you’ll be fine.

 

[Layla]

So I know there are many examples on here of slow and steady working. Does it ever not work?

There are exceptions with everything. I understand it can be difficult and doubt can creep in, but please try to be patient and give it more time. Since it is not even three months since major surgery, you have a lot of time remaining to enjoy progress. You're wise to stop the bike for now, since it hurts. Go slow and only engage in activity that doesn't cause you pain afterward. As you heal and your strength and stamina increase, you will be able to do more. Have faith, brighter days are in your future, Katt!

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary, Katt.
How is recovery going for you these days? I hope all is well and you're enjoying steady progress.
Hope to hear from you.
@Katt

 

[Katt]

Thanks for asking about my recovery. I am seeing some positives. I started sleeping in bed around 10 weeks. A $10 body pillow made a big difference. My sleep has mostly improved and I'm thankful for that.

I can do stairs normally, but it is not easy. My bend hasn't greatly improved and swelling is still an issue. I also have IT band issues. All normal. I ice and elevate, plus use my massage gun and tens unit. My compression sleeve is also a big help.

My knee is still the boss. I tried to help my husband with firewood and had a lot of swelling and pain so I am resigned to not helping as I would prefer. I am able to mostly keep up around the house and even washed windows so I think I'm doing pretty well. I do wish I was one of the ones dancing at 3 weeks( why do people think it is helpful to tell those stories), but I'm only 25% through my journey.

 

[sistersinhim]

I do wish I was one of the ones dancing at 3 weeks( why do people think it is helpful to tell those stories), but I'm only 25% through my journey

How many of those stories are actually true? I bet you it's not many! You are doing well for where you are in your recovery! I know what you mean about firewood. I have an outdoor wood-burning stove that requires a whole lot of work. No wonder you had to back off of helping your hubby. That was a very smart move! Next year will be a different story.

 

[mendogal]

I totally get it. Here it's been the season of radically pruning and hacking back xeric perennials, which MDH doesn't have a grasp of, and I've been doing it 15-20 minutes a day because 1/2 hour set me back a day and a half!

 

[Layla]

You're welcome, Katt! We appreciate hearing about your progress.
Great news to read that your sleep has improved. At only three months post op it will keep getting better.
It takes real patience some days, but is all worth it in the end. Best wishes as you continue to move through recovery. @Katt

 

[Katt]

My physical therapist said today I may be at 100 ROM or less. He stopped measuring me weeks ago. He said we aren't looking at numbers, but are looking at functionality. I went up and down the stairs for him. And have no limp. He is very happy with where I am and so am I. Thanks to this forum I've adjusted my expectations and am much happier with my current situation. Thank you for all the encouragement you have given me.

 

[sistersinhim]

He said we aren't looking at numbers, but are looking at functionality.

Now, I like this guy. He knows how to rehab a joint replacement.

Thanks to this forum I've adjusted my expectations and am much happier with my current situation. Thank you for all the encouragement you have given me.

Thank you so much for the kind words. We aim to please!

 

[Jockette]

After a rough first year my ROM improved quite a lot in my second year, I hope you will experience the same.
Window of Opportunity

 

[benne68]

He said we aren't looking at numbers, but are looking at functionality.

Great to read this! Function is what counts!

You might be interested in the following information, which helped me put "the numbers" in perspective when I was recovering.

These degrees of flexion are required for the following activities:
- 65° to walk,
- 70° to lift an object from the floor,
- 85° for stair climbing,
- 95° for comfortable sitting and standing
- 105° for tying shoelaces

So, even at 100 degrees, you do have enough bend to function now -- and it will improve with time.

 

[Katt]

Great to read this! Function is what counts!

You might be interested in the following information, which helped me put "the numbers" in perspective when I was recovering.

These degrees of flexion are required for the following activities:
- 65° to walk,
- 70° to lift an object from the floor,
- 85° for stair climbing,
- 95° for comfortable sitting and standing
- 105° for tying shoelaces

So, even at 100 degrees, you do have enough bend to function now -- and it will improve with time.

Thanks for rhe function numbers. I'm at least 95 because I sit and stand comfortably. I can't wait for my swelling to subside and to pack away my compression sleeve.

 

[benne68]

You will get there, @Katt. Keep icing and elevating to help reduce inflammation.

I know that it feels like a long time since your surgery. But remember that this is a year-long recovery -- so you are only 1/4 of the way through and your bend will continue to improve with time.
Slow and steady!

 

[Katt]

I graduated from PT today. My ROM was 98 and he could have pushed it to 100. Extension was -1. So my ROM increased 10° in the last month after we backed off some of the exercises( It had decreased due to swelling at that point) and my extension went from-4 to -1 after we backed off the painful stuff.

We took a 4 hr car ride for my Aunt's 80th birthday this weekend. I wouldn't have tried that a month ago. I feel like I'm seeing daylight even though I know I have a long way to go.

I'm so glad I backed off and listened to the advice on this forum. Can't imagine where I would be if we had kept pushing. Probably more swollen and miserable.

 

[benne68]

What a great update, @Katt. I'm impressed with your 4-hour car ride -- now sure I could have done that at 3 months post-op!

It sounds like the changes you've made has your swelling going down. Don't worry about the bend -- it will come with time.

You are on your way!

 

[sistersinhim]

Wow, a car ride for that long at your stage of healing without bad results is wonderful! Good going, new knee!

 

[Katt]

I have been doing fairly well with my knee. Still wearing a compression sleeve, etc, but not a lot of complaints. I'm past the 4 month mark and 3 days ago the top of my foot( same side as my knee replacement) has become very painful if I walk at all. I'm icing and trying to take it easy. I did not injure it. The pain just appeared. I question if it is related to knee replacement, but also question why it hurts 4+ months later. Has anyone had a similar experience ?

 

[mendogal]

Some of us were having a conversation on another member's thread earlier today about foot pain post op and how a knee surgery can change how we bear weight across each heel-toe step - though it seems for many of us it's the underside posing issues I don't see why the top of the foot couldn't just as well be affected.
Come to think of it, the other dayI set out for a walk and the top of the foot under my 10 month old TKA hurt considerably with each step the first block or two. It didn't get worse so I sighed, reminded myself I am prone to migrating pain, kept walking, and it went away.

Your pain sounds more insistent - good idea to ice OR if it isn't swollen see if it prefers heat. If it continues to prevent good weightbearing, definitely worth having it examined!