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TKR Kevin's knee journey - ups and downs

I laughed at your post, but in all seriousness....

I'm matching up your three months + your activity level + your "really painful" and getting = chronically overdoing it.

Hoping you match your activity, icing, and elevation with what your knee truly needs from you.
 
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Did 8 days in Mexico doing nothing but lying on the beach. Did not do anything. Knee still hurt. I am doing what I can not do overdo things.
 
Hi Kevin.
I had my right tkr done on November 7th. Like you, I feel like I was not prepared for the constant pain.
kevinR said:
I got my knee done believing the quote below. Both based on people I talked to and what I read.

Knee pain and function greatly improve during the first few weeks after knee replacement surgery. Significant improvements continue during weeks 4 through 6. By week 6, the majority of patients are off pain medications and have resumed their day-to-day routines.
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Here is where I am now.
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I was reading similar quotes when I was googling what to expect. My surgeon just said the pain is worse the first 48 hours. (Only 48 hours?) I now realize how general that, and other quotes, are! Yes, I was able to do my day to day routines by 6 weeks, but with a constant toothache feeling in my knee. I thought that by 3 months I would not be in pain and back to normal. NOT! I am also 63 ( I turn 64 in March) and also healthy and athletic. So this experience has really humbled me. I find it hard to be positive, but do try. I absolutely HATE the right band feeling around my knee. It feels like a vice! Some days it’s not too bad, but today was awful. I think I overdid it at PT and then doing my exercises at home. I am doing a lot of stretching, because I also have IT band pain from my hip to my knee. So, after stretching, on most days, I feel pretty good. Sleep is still not great, which sucks! I have not really tried to kneel on my new knee yet. I hope to try to do that soon.

Reading about your journey helps me put into perspective that I am not alone and I am not crazy!
 
Reading about your journey helps me put into perspective that I am not alone and I am not crazy!

I am really surprised at how much my knee still hurts, but it is what it is.
 
Went back to PT today. I stopped going a month ago based on scheduling issues and bc I was originally getting knee 2 done. A good PT is worth their weight in knee replacements. I still have muscle firing and strengthening of a few muscles to do before I am up and running. Took her about 5 minutes to figure it all out.
 
It's three months today since your TKR and while you're not where you want to be, this is a full year healing process for many, so don't lose hope, I believe brighter days are on the way. Hang in there and good luck with the PT.
@kevinR
 
Hi@kevinR--I follow your progress with interest; I had my surgery 4 days after you and would say that our progress since then has been similar, except that my ROM in my TKR leg isn't even close yet to my other leg--that is fantastic and you must be so pleased. You've described the mental and emotional challenges so well--the person who had "no pain" with their TKR, the literature which implies that all will be back to normal at 6 weeks, etc. If all that didn't exist then we might feel just fine about what we're going through right now! That's why I'm so grateful for this website--reassuring and realistic. It is hard, though, not to worry when I still have pain, and I don't want to have that second TKR until I can be more enthusiastic. I will watch for your excellent future updates!
 
AnnYo said:
Hi@kevinR--I follow your progress with interest; I had my surgery 4 days after you and would say that our progress since then has been similar, except that my ROM in my TKR leg isn't even close yet to my other leg--that is fantastic and you must be so pleased. You've described the mental and emotional challenges so well--the person who had "no pain" with their TKR, the literature which implies that all will be back to normal at 6 weeks, etc. If all that didn't exist then we might feel just fine about what we're going through right now! That's why I'm so grateful for this website--reassuring and realistic. It is hard, though, not to worry when I still have pain, and I don't want to have that second TKR until I can be more enthusiastic. I will watch for your excellent future updates!
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Thank you so much for this reply. My PT was very reassuring. Basically I went from the front of the pack recovery group (full ROM etc within the first few weeks) to average recovery of super slow changes, backsliding etc.
 
Slowly but surely seeing progress. Walked 1/2 mile through the woods yesterday without issues. Have done this several times now.

I have made the following changes:

Doing about an hour of pt a day including biking 2x/day, leg lifts, and a lot of leg strengthening exercises with bands.

Cut down on meds from 2 x tylenol and advil to 3-4 times a day to Aleve 2x a day. I am using tens a lot if I have pain rather than meds.

Stopped opioids at night. Instead I am icing for 1/2 hour before bed and then using a tens machine. Whenever I wake up, I turn it back on. I have not had the major night pain for a week doing this.

I can slowly go up and down stairs with alternating legs.

We have scheduled a trip a music festival in New Orleans as another incentive.

Cheers.
 
kevinR said:
I can slowly go up and down stairs with alternating legs.
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That's a major milestone! :ok: Congratulations.

Sounds like you are managing this recovery well and will be ready for that trip to New Orleans!
 
What a great update! I'm sure that music festival will do more for your outlook than had you proceeded with the second knee!

May I ask if you're using a basic consumer TENS or a better pro type you were presribed by a doc or PT?

I had tried a basic one many years ago and didn't find it helpful so your recommendation would be appreciated.
 
kevinR said:
Doing about an hour of pt a day including biking 2x/day, leg lifts, and a lot of leg strengthening exercises with bands.
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Sounds like you are doing brilliantly- especially on stairs.
Just go easy with the bands. It is early days for strengthening work. I was doing lots of walking and pilates at your stage but I didn't introduce bands or weights until more like 5 months. You are having a great recovery just don't overdo it.
 
It seems you're doing really well. May it only get better!
I hope you have a great week and enjoy the music festival event when it occurs.
Stay in touch...we love updates. :)
@kevinR
 
mendogal said:
What a great update! I'm sure that music festival will do more for your outlook than had you proceeded with the second knee!

May I ask if you're using a basic consumer TENS or a better pro type you were presribed by a doc or PT?

I had tried a basic one many years ago and didn't find it helpful so your recommendation would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
I have an Amazon one. I place the electrodes above the knee - in my case at the top of the scar, 3 finger width apart. I am using continuous on mode. It does not stop the pain when not in use, but at night it is keeping the PAIN that keeps me up at 3 am from happening. This is what I have:

AUVON Dual Channel TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator Machine with 20 Modes, 2" and 2"x4" TENS Unit Electrode Pads​

 
Thank you for the info.
 
4 month anniversary!!!:happydance::happydance:

I know I updated 2 weeks ago, but it is the 4 month anniversary and there have been changes in that amount of time.

At 4 months I am where I thought one was supposed to be at 6 weeks. Boy was I naive, but 4 months really is a recovery milestone date.

I volunteer at our zoo and did a 2 hour walking shift - 1 hour walk, 1/2 hour rest, 1/2 hour walk.

Realized this morning that I have not used a pillow between my legs at night in quite a while.

All pain is just periodic aches.

Doing yoga every other day.

No longer doing tens before bed or at night and not having any night pain.

The not so good:
Still having a bit of medial buckling on occasion and so still use a hiking stick.
Still crunch a lot. One thing that helped is my PT used PT tape around my knee cap.

Finally, I have found using hiking sticks makes people think you are a stud instead of recovering from knee surgery. You decide whether that is a good or bad thing...

Cheers.
 
Happy 4 month (belated). an-Knee-versary, @kevinR! Sound like you are doing very well. Please do come back and post again as you continue to progress.
 
A belated Happy Four Month Anniversary, kevinR!
kevinR said:
Finally, I have found using hiking sticks makes people think you are a stud instead of recovering from knee surgery. You decide whether that is a good or bad thing...
Click to expand...
It's a funny thing!

Hooray for progress! You're doing great...keep it up!
 
Great update!

I always use a hiking stick when an aid is needed, mostly because they are better made but also because canes always made me want to hunch over. With my Leki I walk tall!
 
5 month update!!!! A few days early, but will be too busy otherwise.

Pain - still hurts periodically at about a 3. I am not on any meds for pain.
My new knee left leg is 1/2 inch longer than my right, there is definitely a bend at the knee of my right. I have to wear a lift in my shoe and reel a bit if I am barefoot. Never thought that would be an issue.
I can walk down stairs with only a little trouble. I actually forgot and walked down a small flight and my friends noticed and commented on my progress!
When I volunteer at the zoo, I can walk for 2 hours stopping and stopping. I can walk a 1 1/2 mile but get slower and slower as I progress.
Back to intermediate yoga.
My PT has progressed to jumping and wall knee bends and hamstring streches. I realized I had no spring and we are working on it. Also jumping on a mini tramp.

Heading to New Orleans and know that I will be able to make it between stages at the music festival.

I have scheduled knee #2 for November 11, but am hoping that the unloader brace will let me avoid it. We shall see.

Cheers.
 
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