Bilateral TKR Knees2's Recovery Thread

[Knees2]

Hi Everyone,
Looking at the 6 week mark on 7/10/18. Started out patient physical therapy on 7/6. The therapist was very careful not to cause me any pain. Stiffness is my biggest problem right now. I am trying to cut down on my oxy from 5 to 3 a day. I am worried the surgeon is going to cut back the oxy when i see him this thurs. My left knee is almost healed, my right is giving me some trouble. The scar on the right is 2 inches longer, so I am thinking it needed more work. Looking forward to continuing to recover each day!
Hope this note finds everyone doing well!

 

[sistersinhim]

Isn't it amazing that even two knees on the same body are different! That's why we say to never compare your recovery with anyone else!

 

[kneeper]

If the 3 oxys work for you, stick with that for at least few days before trying to reduce more. That's the method lots of us used--just experiment with spreading the doses. You can also take acetaminophen (tylenol) so long as you watch your total acetaminophen from all meds (be sure to see if there's any in your oxy) (3,000-4,000 mg per day max; and no more than 1,000 mg at a time).

One thing about stiffness, though. I found that pain meds helped the stiffness. I'd think "the pain isn't too bad, but it's so stiff." Then I'd take my next pain med dose and lo and behold the stiff feeling would improve. As Josephine says, stiffness is a form of pain.

 

[Knees2]

Ah, ok thank you. I wasn't thinking of stiffness as pain. I see the surgeon on thursday, hopefully he will give me a refill. Three to four a day seem to keep the pain at bay. I started taking acetaminophen when I wake up at night. Using Tylenol during the day . Thank you so much for your reply!
Last night I slept with a "copper" sleeve on my right knee. It seemed to help. Is this okay?

 

[Knees2]

Almost 8 weeks out. Bilateral knee replacement . My left knee is pretty good, my right knee is giving me some trouble. I quit out patient pt because he hurt me so bad. Such a shame they don't understand. Weaning off pain killers , down to 3-5mg a day. Walking one mile most days and doing stretches. Still resting and icing. Wondering if I am on track . My ROM is about 95 degrees. Legs straight at 0 degrees. Thanks for any input!

 

[Spex10]

Sounds like you are indeed on track. 95° and 0° is pretty good. Keep on doing what you're doing and you'll be back to normal, well a new pain free normal, in no time!!

 

[bottomshollow]

and its response from another member's thread back into your thread. When you are discussing your concerns with your recovery and asking questions about them, the posts should be in your thread. When you are visiting another member's thread, the discussion should be about their questions and concerns. You can share your experience of something they are experiencing, but it should be in response to what is going on in their recovery.

 

[Sweettader]

Sounds like you are doing very well since your surgery. The stiffness will get better in time. I had my surgery 4/3 and I have just begun to notice in the last 2 weeks the stiffness is less. I ride an exercise bike at least 3 or 4 times each week and that has helped me as well. (I didn't start riding the bike regularly until after I finished my PT) I ride approx. 6 miles on a stationary bike. Keep smiling, ever day it gets a little better.

 

[Knees2]

Yes looking forward to the stiffness decreasing! Thank you for the supportive responses.

 

[sistersinhim]

Stiffness hangs on for a while and usually is the last thing to go, but each week you'll notice it a little bit less as time goes on. Then, all of a sudden, it's gone!

 

[Knees2]

Love the words "and then it will be gone"!

 

[Rhodyrhody]

"8 weeks out...walking a mile most days"...love those words!

How long was it before you did your first mile?

 

[Knees2]

About 6 weeks.