PKR Left PKR 9 July 2020 (Australia)

[barrj46]

I've attached a picture of the dressing that I was provided by the hospital on discharge.

All seems on track at the moment. Last night I awoke only once and the knee didn't seem to be as hot or swollen, so I didn't get up to ice it. It is winter here in Australia at the moment and quite cold last night, so the warm bed was difficult to give up.

 

[TKAA]

Thank you! I assume this looked the same as the one they applied post-surgery?

Glad you are making progress. Same here. Biggest challenge for me of late (5 weeks post-op) has been weaning off the opioids. But I'm getting there.

All the best from Texas.

 

[barrj46]

Thank you! I assume this looked the same as the one they applied post-surgery?

Glad you are making progress. Same here. Biggest challenge for me of late (5 weeks post-op) has been weaning off the opioids. But I'm getting there.

All the best from Texas.

Yes it is the same dressing as was applied in the Hospital on my discharge. Post surgery I was wrapped in a compression dressing over the surgical dressings. On discharge, the dressings were removed and the water proof dressing applied. I subsequently changed the water proof dressing as it became a bit tatty on the edges, but have now completely removed the dressings and find no skin issues at all.

 

[barrj46]

Update - 11 days post surgery.

I've now ceased the Oxy medication - I've not been getting a lot of pain and the meds knock me out so much that I'm a bit out of it. Last night I slept soundly till 1:30 am, trip to the toilet and then back to bed and asleep again within minutes. Woke at 9:24 am astounded at the time that I had slept. Haven't done that since I was a child.

Without the dressing on the knee, my clothing tends to catch on the incision where it is raised up. Otherwise the knee feels quite dead. The surgeon indicated that he cuts close to a number of nerves and a dead feeling is a result, but is expected to clear up within 12 months. The knee is still swollen compared to my right knee, but isn't as hot to touch between icing sessions.

That's about all for now.

 

[Sara61]

@barrj46 Wow! A full night sleep, it does wonders and feel great too. My surgeon, suggested rubbing different types of material over the scar to desensitize it, this helped enormously. Fast forward to 9 months, I only have a small section of my knee that is still numb, on my last and final consultation, they basically said that it would be likely that it would stay numb, other than shaving my knee (which is really weird and care needed ) it doesn't affect my day to day living at all.
Wishing you a continued "good healing"

 

[sistersinhim]

I've had so many surgeries on my knees that I have quite a few numb spots. At times I still feel mild lightning bolts where the nerves are trying to reroute. The numb areas cause no problems at all.

 

[Jockette]

but have now completely removed the dressings and find no skin issues at all.

Did your surgeon tell you to remove your dressings?

Desensitizing the scar is a good idea, and many members do that, but I would wait for further healing to take place on the incision before I did that.

 

[barrj46]

Well today I am 2 weeks post op & seemingly progressing as expected. I still have issues with swelling & some pain & stiffness.

On Monday this week I ceased the modified release Oxy meds, but by Tuesday lunchtime I couldn't stand the aches & pain & started taking Oxy again.

I can very easily get approx 70 degrees of flexion & with some discomfort can obtain 90 degrees once or twice per day. Whilst I would have liked to be easily achieving 90 degrees after 2 weeks, I'm hoping this isn't an issue at a relatively early stage in my recovery?

Sleeping has been slowly improving & the knee doesn't appear as swollen now as it was a week or so ago.

My aim is to be back on the golf course in another 10 weeks time (12 weeks post op).

I see my surgeon next Tuesday for review. Fingers crossed he is happy with my progress.

 

[Jaycey]

Whilst I would have liked to be easily achieving 90 degrees after 2 weeks, I'm hoping this isn't an issue at a relatively early stage in my recovery?

There is no window of opportunity for ROM. Just keep moving you knee very gently. Ice and elevation will help bring that swelling down allowing you to increase the bend. Still very early days!

 

[sistersinhim]

Most OSs don't expect 90* until 6 weeks. Swelling, pain, and stiffness will be your companion for many more weeks. As you do more, these after-effects will continue on, but as your knee heals they will become less.

You are really doing well for just 2 weeks out!

 

[marieltha]

Welcome and Happy New PKR!
Glad there are more here now.
Very pleased with mine.

 

[barrj46]

Update - 7 weeks post op today.

Visited surgeon earlier this week for 6 week check up, he thinks I'm a little behind with my flexion & extension, but is not concerned. See you in 6 weeks time.

Saw the physio today & measurements were 113 & 5 degrees. She massaged my calf which was very tight & this helped a lot.

I'm undertaking a peddle machine protocol recently developed in Australia & this seems preferable & easier to more traditional PT.

My biggest issue however is a small area on the inside of my knee which is hyper sensetive to anything touching it. Due to nerve damage according to surgeon & physio. I'm undertaking desensitization treatment & massage, but little change it the extreme sensitivity as yet. Does anyone else have suggestions for this?

 

[Wolvesfan]

@barrj46 ... Good report! The area around my incision was really sensitive for the first few months, but now at almost six months out, I barely notice it. I think the best solution is just more time to heal, although I did try the Saran Wrap idea that’s been used by other Bonesmarties. It helped!

 

[sistersinhim]

Saw the physio today & measurements were 113 & 5 degrees.

That is fantastic for just 6 weeks.

Visited surgeon earlier this week for 6 week check up, he thinks I'm a little behind with my flexion & extension, but is not concerned.

Your surgeon is being unreasonable. Most OSs expect only 90 degrees at 6 weeks. Your surgeon should be thrilled.

 

[Pumpkin]

Extension can be one of the last things to increase that final 5 or so degrees, we recommend a heel to toe gait, and the following activity.
Extension: how to estimate it and ways to improve it .

At 5 degrees you are very close, I would anticipate at your one year anniversary your extension will be fine.

 

[barrj46]

Another update on my progress (apologies for being tardy)

I'm now into week 18.

At week 12 I had another check up with my surgeon and as a result of stiffness and swelling, he provided a cortisone injection to my knee and asked me to come back in 4 weeks.

Well the cortisone injection made a huge difference to me (normally cortisone doesn't help me) or otherwise perhaps it was just fortuitous, but at 16 weeks my flexion was around 130 degrees and extension was 2 or 3 degrees.

My surgeon was very happy at the 16 week check up as am I. A lot of the pain and swelling has subsided and I was cleared to return to the golf course.

I've now played three 9 holes games of golf, the first two in a motorised cart and the last one walking and golfing. I was a little sore after the walking game, so I'll revert to a cart for a few months yet I think. This Saturday I'm intending a full 18 holes in a cart and hopefully all is well.

My only issue now is stiffness, which my surgeon advises tends to subside by the 9th month.

 

[sistersinhim]

It sounds like you are doing well!