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kneeworn made it to the other side

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Slept in this morning. Went back to hydrocodone for pain. I really feel the allergy was to the percocet or Oxicontin as I have been able to take lortab before. Taking benadryl with it. So far so good and I've had 3 doses. My spirits are better too. The Nucynta made me weepy and I was so down in the dumps. It only held my pain for 2 hours on 1 and if I took 2 I would see things that were not real. Today I believe is my day off from PT. I intend to do some gentle stretching of my Quads and some quad sets. But mostly I'm going to let it rest and elevate it. Did balance work in PT yesterday and that has caused some sharp pains on the sides of the kneecap but that is better with change in med. It mostly just needs RICE, nutrition, and gentle stretching.

Donna
LTKR 12/6/2010
 
Donna....I would question whether you even ought to be on the crosstrainer machine this early in recovery. That most certainly could be the source of your pain. Please don't think that you can "work through" pain that comes when recoverying from surgery. You will be better off to rest, ice and take pain meds and give your body a chance to heal. There is plenty of time to work on muscles after healing and swelling are under control.
 
Thanks Jamie. I am taking it easy today. I was just thinking I might go work on the puzzle they have out for us in the community room.

Donna
LTKR 12/6/2010
 
Great idea, Donna!!! Sounds like fun.
 
Didn't make it to the puzzle. I laid down and took a long nap. I feel better! I only slept in 2 hour stints last night.

Donna
12/6/2010
 
lol! That's even better medicine than a puzzle!
 
Goodness girl, cut yourself some slack. Your knee is two days older than mine and you are doing way more than me. Of course mine is a revision, but you seem to be way overdoing it. It has been my experience that I need several days of down time to recover from an overdo day. It doesn't sound like they are giving you much down time. One of the benefits of going home is PT is usually only 3 times a week and you can adjust to how you feel each day.

When you do too much, you swell, which causes pain and both affect your ROM. Don't kill yourself, cause you can't fight the swelling, only treat it. Been there, done that. Don't want to go back.

Hope they find the right pain meds and enough rest and icing and elevating to get your swelling under control. This time around my OS didn't order the stockings. I had only the pumps on my feet and he left the wound open after the inial removal of the full leg surgical wrap at 2 days. My wound is healing well and except for the fluid on the knee, no excess swelling. I do use my CPM faithfully which helps keep the fluid down and relieves pain as well. I take the 5 mg Endocets per mouth every 4 hours and always at least 1 hour prior to PT. Pain management is a key to successful PT too.

Will be praying for you.
 
Thanks all. It was wonderful having a day off yesterday. I gave my poor knee a much needed rest with only gentle stretching to maintain my flexion. Ray and I finally made it to the puzzle and worked a few pieces. I did sit there a bit to long but tried to prop it up to help with swelling.

Thank-you motherofmany for the prayers and words of advice. I'm looking forward to going home and setting my own pace. I will be sending prayers your way too.

Donna
LTKR 12/6/2010
 
Had a great day in therapy today. Felt stronger and swelling was down. ROM was 95 too! Progressing to walking with a cane but will still use walker with gait training. My restful weekend with gentle stretching paid off. As far as I know I am still scheduled to go home Wednesday.

Donna
LTKR 12/06/2010
 
Wow, that all sounds like great news! You're doing great! There is so much helpful advice and support to be found on this board. Thanks for sharing your progress with us.
 
Donna, Donna

Remember, you have got to rest more in the first two weeks. don't worry about your exercises and rom. Healing first. Yes, it is hard to be active and then have to sit for a time. Try knitting or watching the complete works of Jan Austen--or all those Hallmark movies that are so maudlin.

You will rest 80% of the time the first two weeks and 60% of the time the next two weeks. You will feel a change at one month when you will want to start your exercises more seriously. But, there has to be a time of rest and healing first.

It sounds like you are doing great!! You will be running around in no time. Kelly
 
I try to take a couple of naps each day sometimes I can't nap at all other times I'm out like a light. There is nothing like being at home it is so much more comfortable and you'll be surprised how quickly you will start to feel like yourself again. Personally, I've cabin fever and can't wait to get out for a few minutes at a time. I'm hoping to be driving by the end of this week which will be 2 weeks. My TKR was on my left leg.

Hang in there sounds like you are doing better each day.

Aileen
 
I will be going home tomorrow morning. I finished my last PT this morning and will have my last OT this afternoon. I was very fortunate and was assigned to a therapists that paces your therapy according to your swelling and needs. She does not believe you must have pain to make progress. Each day she would adjust the plan according to my knees response. I worked with her 5 days last week. Off the weekend then 2 this week. She taught me the excersizes I will need to do and how to progress in each as my strength improves. She had me get a therapy yoga style ball and another smaller ball to help with the excersizes. She showed me how to make a strap to assist my leg as needed.

Naps are a real part of my day. I find myself taking at least two each day and I don't mind getting in bed early either. If I drift off to sleep early ok. My body needs it. I call for ice packs at night when I need them and am taking my pain meds every 4 hours.

I am looking forward to going home tomorrow morning. It will be good to not have to wait on the nurse to bring my pain meds. Sometimes they are a little late and when that happens my Quads get crampy.

They will arrange my outpatient PT for me before I leave. I will miss the hospital adjustable bed but I've got lots of pillows. Ray got me two large ice packs like they have here today for home and is chilling them. Looking forward to setting my own schedule and to seeing my sweet cats.

My family is coming to my house for Christmas brunch. Ray and my brother will be the chefs. This way I can relax at home.

Donna
LTKR 12/06/2010
 
I'm thrilled to hear you are on your way home, Donna! And your plan for Christmas sounds perfect. Keep up that restful schedule at home for a while and I think you'll do just fine. Your body will appreciate a chance to heal before you begin resuming normal activities again.
 
It sounds like you are doing great! Enjoy being at home for Christmas!
 
So glad to be home. I've put away most of the stuff I took to the rehab center and had a healthy snack. Then I checked my home email and went through most of the mail. Next I settled down for a good nap with my cat. I've been up a lot today so I'm settling for some stretches and some quad excersizes today. Tomorrow I will work on the basic excersizes they sent me home with. Monday I will begin outpatient PT 3 days a week. Until then I will continue with the home plan.

Donna
LTKR 12/06/2010
 
Isn't it great when you get to eat some of your own food? I remember my first snack like yesterday.
Glad that thus far you are doing so well. :thmb:
.
 
Donna...sounds like you are doing well. Please do not forget to ice and eleveate AND take your meds on schedule. As we speak, my cat is trying to walk on my keyboard!!!

Do have an awesome Christmas
:xmtr:
 
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