TKR Kevin's knee journey - ups and downs

[kevinR]

5 1/2 week update. After multiple exercises and practice I can now go up and down steps alternating legs.

 

[raylo]

Be a little careful in the down direction. I found my ability to do that kind of came and went for awhile. Much better when warmed up, of course. But some days good, some days not so good.

 

[sistersinhim]

After multiple exercises and practice I can now go up and down steps alternating legs.

Wonderful! You are coming along quite well!

 

[mendogal]

Stairs really is a key milestone for flexion and for muscle control. Bravo!

 

[kevinR]

Starting yoga again today. In September my wife and I were doing 45 minutes of intermediate level vinyasa. Now I am doing beginner yoga, but the stretching is great!

 

[mendogal]

Oh it DOES feel great to return to a favorite activity, even if at a more basic level!!!!
These small milestones add up nicely.

 

[kevinR]

Bonesmart please change title too

6 week update progress and pain.

 

[kevinR]

Yesterday was 6 weeks post op. Because my PT is closed until NY years and we have lots of things planned, I had my last PT. My ROM is 0 to 120. I can go up and down 8 steps using my operated leg. I am doing a variety of leg lifts using 2 pounds on the left leg and 5 on my right (getting it in shape for surgery in February.) I don't use any support around the house, and use sticks for short outside distances. On the downside, I can only go around 4 blocks outside with sticks. If the rain ever stops I will see if crutches work better so that I can get more exercise.

Pain is still a major issue. Pain level is OK using advil and tylenol but late in the day pain increases. I still have to take 2 Tramadol at bedtime, and wake up at 3 am and need to ice. What is really annoying is that I was at a part and met someone who has had to knee replacements and had no pain! He even asked if I had checked in with my doc to see if something was wrong. At least I am seeing progress, but never thought it would hurt this much for this long.

I was talking to my PT about the various things I have begged or bought for my knee and thought I would share the list. Most items I borrowed or got free. After having issues with a borrowed cold water circulator, I bought my own. I have lots of friends with them, but did not want to run around finding another one.

exercise bike - gets my knee going in the morning.
Shower chair needed for the first week.
Toilet riser - never used.
Crocs - best shoes for slipping on.
adjustable hiking sticks. I have 2 pair.
Crutches
walker - needed for first 3 days.
quart canning jar - nighttime need during first 3 days.
Cold water circulator. The most important thing to have.
6 bottles of water that fit the circulator. Kept frozen for use as needed.
2 ice bags. Used at night and on long car rides.
Step for exercise. I practiced going up and down stairs with this. Took 2 weeks to be able to use stairs.
Adjustable leg weights. To regain muscle tone. Started at 1/2 pound.
Pillows for propping leg during the day.
Sleep pillow for keeping legs separated
Grabber for picking things up. Only used for the first week.
TENS unit. I put the electrodes right above my knee. Works really well when at night or when I cannot ice.
Stool for cooking so I can sit.

 

[mendogal]

I am a fit person who really loves weight training and looks forward to returning to it. And my recommendation to you is to stop using any weights on your new knee.

The pain you're experiencing is most likely due to increased inflammation and swelling caused by marked overuse. Muscles that are *not* overworked take 6-8 weeks to heal; overwork sets the process back. Structures with less blood flow like tendons and ligaments take substantially longer. All of them have been traumatized by surgery.

Seriously... during your break from PT ditch the L knee weights. Do your walking and light stretching and exercising (and yes, keep that R knee as strong as possible as its "prehab"!) and see if it lessens your pain.

 

[MSuki]

I’m surprised you don’t use the grabber - I find mine infinitely useful when I have the ice pad around my knee and feet up, I can retrieve my drink or meds or tv remote from my tv tray which is just past my feet, and when I have the ice on in bed I can operate my bedroom light switch with it! Otherwise I would have to unwrap and rewrap the pad from around my knee and get up.

 

[EalingGran]

am a fit person who really loves weight training and looks forward to returning to it. And my recommendation to you is to stop using any weights on your new knee.

Absolutely agree with @mendogal
I have had a good longer term recovery-(145+flexion), walking better and faster than pre-op pain free. But I didn't use any weights until about 6 months post op.
Weights early on will aggravate a healing joint. I used pilates to gently mobilise and gradually strengthen my legs. My glutes and quads are now stronger than they have been since my youth- simply by using a 20 minute pilates legs routine most days and walking 10,000+ steps/day. I now, at one year post op use light weights (1/2 or 1kg) or a medium resistance band.

 

[raylo]

The only instance where I have incorporated a little weight is in the baby squats, like you do at PT starting early on. After a couple of months I have done them once a week holding a 20 pound dumbbell. I figured that these knees are designed to work with a large range of body weights and while at 200 pounds I am not a small person I am also not near the top of that range. So what I do is like body weight for a slightly heavier person.

But in no way would I start doing real weight training anytime soon. As mentioned maybe start some easy weight work at 6 months? I am not there yet so we'll see.

 

[mendogal]

I’m surprised you don’t use the grabber - I find mine infinitely useful when I have the ice pad around my knee and feet up, I can retrieve my drink or meds or tv remote from my tv tray which is just past my feet, and when I have the ice on in bed I can operate my bedroom light switch with it! Otherwise I would have to unwrap and rewrap the pad from around my knee and get up.

I didn't use it at all. I set things up within reach on tabletops, etc. And I was doing my prescribed hourly walk so could always retrieve anything else I wanted!

 

[kevinR]

I am doing a 2 pound ankle weight and am quite happy doing it. To each his own. I would not dream of squats using a 20 pound weight like someone above.

 

[mendogal]

I am doing a 2 pound ankle weight and am quite happy doing it. To each his own. I would not dream of squats using a 20 pound weight like someone above.

Agreed. And I only suggested you drop the 2#er because of your reported pain. Without pain identified as an issue, I'd not have done so.

 

[cabland]

Yesterday was 6 weeks post op. Because my PT is closed until NY years and we have lots of things planned, I had my last PT. My ROM is 0 to 120. I can go up and down 8 steps using my operated leg. I am doing a variety of leg lifts using 2 pounds on the left leg and 5 on my right (getting it in shape for surgery in February.) I don't use any support around the house, and use sticks for short outside distances. On the downside, I can only go around 4 blocks outside with sticks. If the rain ever stops I will see if crutches work better so that I can get more exercise.

Pain is still a major issue. Pain level is OK using advil and tylenol but late in the day pain increases. I still have to take 2 Tramadol at bedtime, and wake up at 3 am and need to ice. What is really annoying is that I was at a part and met someone who has had to knee replacements and had no pain! He even asked if I had checked in with my doc to see if something was wrong. At least I am seeing progress, but never thought it would hurt this much for this long.

I was talking to my PT about the various things I have begged or bought for my knee and thought I would share the list. Most items I borrowed or got free. After having issues with a borrowed cold water circulator, I bought my own. I have lots of friends with them, but did not want to run around finding another one.

exercise bike - gets my knee going in the morning.
Shower chair needed for the first week.
Toilet riser - never used.
Crocs - best shoes for slipping on.
adjustable hiking sticks. I have 2 pair.
Crutches
walker - needed for first 3 days.
quart canning jar - nighttime need during first 3 days.
Cold water circulator. The most important thing to have.
6 bottles of water that fit the circulator. Kept frozen for use as needed.
2 ice bags. Used at night and on long car rides.
Step for exercise. I practiced going up and down stairs with this. Took 2 weeks to be able to use stairs.
Adjustable leg weights. To regain muscle tone. Started at 1/2 pound.
Pillows for propping leg during the day.
Sleep pillow for keeping legs separated
Grabber for picking things up. Only used for the first week.
TENS unit. I put the electrodes right above my knee. Works really well when at night or when I cannot ice.
Stool for cooking so I can sit.

I'm at 6 weeks on Christmas Day and I too am frustrated with continued pain...except I am even worse as I am taking Oxycodone around the clock. I would LOVE to step down to just Tylenol and Tramadol! Admittedly, I had an infection which set me back (you can find my thread on here), but I get it...along with the fun of encountering all the people who have done better! I will be starting outpatient PT on the 28th and between now and then I've decided I will only do mild stretches and walk...no strengthening or stretches where I push it...just trying to get it to calm down!

 

[DEL2024Dec-40]

I am 3 weeks postop TKR and my pain is in the exact same location that I had preoperatively. it’s all weight bearing, standing and walking. At my 3 week my OS said not to take oxy snd slowly begin tapering the tramadol. I will decrease from 2 tablets to one tablet three times daily.

How does your postop pain differ than your preop pain?

 

[kevinR]

I am doing a 2 pound ankle weight and am quite happy doing it. To each his own. I would not dream of squats using a 20 pound weight like someone above.

Agreed. And I only suggested you drop the 2#er because of your reported pain. Without pain identified as an issue, I'd not have done so.

That makes sense. Sadly, pain has been ongoing and has not changed now that I added the weights. All the various lying leg lifts were too easy.

 

[kevinR]

I am 3 weeks postop TKR and my pain is in the exact same location that I had preoperatively. it’s all weight bearing, standing and walking. At my 3 week my OS said not to take oxy snd slowly begin tapering the tramadol. I will decrease from 2 tablets to one tablet three times daily.

How does your postop pain differ than your preop pain?

Honestly, up until the last week or so, I would say that post op pain was worse than pre-op. My pre-op pain sometimes was terrible, but after rest and ice it would feel OK. Post op never stopped unless I iced. I am now taking Tramadol 2x at bedtime, which mostly helps me fall asleep. If I took enough Oxy to get to the pain level to 3/4 I was too stoned to do anything, so I mostly iced and used tens. I think pain levels are all over the map. Your doc is trying to make sure you don't get addicted, but from what I read, that is not that big a risk.

 

[kevinR]

I'm at 6 weeks on Christmas Day and I too am frustrated with continued pain...except I am even worse as I am taking Oxycodone around the clock. I would LOVE to step down to just Tylenol and Tramadol! Admittedly, I had an infection which set me back (you can find my thread on here), but I get it...along with the fun of encountering all the people who have done better! I will be starting outpatient PT on the 28th and between now and then I've decided I will only do mild stretches and walk...no strengthening or stretches where I push it...just trying to get it to calm down!

I spent a lot of time sitting on the couch using the cold circulator. If you are not doing that you should. I also have used a TENS machine. They are only $20 on Amazon. I used on electrode and put the two patches right above my knee. That worked really well for me.