Revision TKR Left, right, left again

[JDinCT]

That's a great sign!

 

[EalingGran]

I’ve coped today with just paracetamol and naptoxen and lots of ice. I’ll see how it goes tonight and tomorrow and then decide whether I want more tramadol.

Glad you are coping well. It might be an idea though to ask for some more Tramadol at this stage- when you are early in recovery and your GP is more likely to prescribe it. You can always keep it in reserve if you have a bad patch later on.
I really didn't like any opiates as they upset my digestion- but I occasionally took one later in recovery if I had overdone things.

 

[Toothfairy]

@EalingGran thats a very good idea. If I had some tramadol I would take one now as I’m quite stiff.

 

[Toothfairy]

I felt great yesterday so I decided I would go to choir. It was absolutely wonderful. I spent the rest of the day with a very swollen tender leg icing and elevating. It was definitely worth it but I’m behaving and having a very quiet day today. Lots of rest ice and elevation. No more overdoing it today.

 

[benne68]

Glad to read that you felt well enough to go to choir, @Toothfairy! Music has such power to make us feel good, doesn't it?

Wondering if it's possible for you to sit with your leg elevated for part of your practice next time? It might help reduce the excess swelling.

 

[Toothfairy]

I am sure I can. I just didn’t want to make a fuss. I will get a chair next week. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[selketine]

Wow you're doing great! So far so good I'd say! Being able to get out and go to choir is a big outing early on.

 

[Toothfairy]

Today I got on my exercise bike for the first time since my surgery. I did a little gentle rocking back and forward.
I find it intriguing that going forwards I can’t get very far at all but going backwards I am very close to a full rotation. I do remember this from previous TKR’s. I feel that I could push for a full rotation backwards but I have decided that I don’t want to do this. I will wait till it comes naturally.

 

[benne68]

I was also amazed with how much easier that backwards rotation was during my TKR recoveries, @Toothfairy. While the mechanics of it makes sense, it was still a surprise.

You are very wise to stick with rocking back and forth for now. That full rotation will come easily -- without pushing -- when your knee is ready.

 

[Rockgirl4]

I am shocked at how well you are doing, and I am so happy for you!!! I would have thrown a git about being sent home with only Tylenol, but I'm thrilled it's all you've needed so far. You are rocking this recovery thing!!

 

[Toothfairy]

@Rockgirl4 I am very surprised myself. I was very upset when they sent me home with just paracetamol and fully intended getting some tramadol but as it’s going ok I am sticking with it. I do feel like I’m doing better than I did the first two times. It is definitely true what they say. Every recovery is different. I am not pain/ discomfort free but it’s manageable and I’m using a lot of ice.

 

[mendogal]

Your update is great!

 

[Toothfairy]

Two weeks now since my surgery. I am beginning to want to get on with life and get things done. I need to channel patience and remember that even though I feel well I am still early in a long healing process. The chores will wait. I managed to spend a little time playing my piano tonight which was wonderful. I hope it won't be too long till I can restart my lessons again.

 

[mendogal]

Oh YAY for music making!!!!
Yes, please do exercise that Patience muscle while you indulge in balms like piano and choir!
(Chores!?!? May I point out that nobody I have ever known said at the end of their life "gee, I sure wish I'd kept a cleaner house!")

 

[Toothfairy]

First physio appointment today. It went well. Overall good progress. She has given me a couple of targeted exercises to work on. I can stop using crutches indoors and start to phase them out outdoors in my own time. I’m certainly not confident to give them up completely outdoors just yet but feel confident in the house. She was happy that I am walking well. My next review will be in 4 weeks. I have been offered a 6 week lower limb rehab course but it won’t start till late November. I am pleased.

 

[Rockgirl4]

It sounds like you are doing so well. I'm happy that you can get in/out and do more of what you enjoy, even if you have to tweak it a bit, such as with a chair at choir. My husband hates missing choir practice. I'm intrigued by your lower limb rehab course though.

 

[Toothfairy]

@Rockgirl4 I am intrigued by the lower limb rehab course too. It’s a group gym session where they do a circuit of different exercises. I don’t know any more details yet.

 

[mendogal]

@Rockgirl4 I am intrigued by the lower limb rehab course too. It’s a group gym session where they do a circuit of different exercises. I don’t know any more details yet.

One thing our members have remarked on in the past: It's really easy for us to get into a competitive mindset in a group context so it's super important you continue to focus on respecting the messages your body gives you about its current limits.

 

[selketine]

@Rockgirl4 I am intrigued by the lower limb rehab course too. It’s a group gym session where they do a circuit of different exercises. I don’t know any more details yet.

oh...interesting! My health insurance offers a similar sort of group joint rehab class where they mix people with hip and knee replacements. It meets twice a week for 2 hours (!!!). I've been reluctant to do it. With my first knee I knew my other knee wouldn't tolerate much exercise (like the bike). Perhaps I'm being a weenie about it but I don't want really want to exercise for 2 hours straight as I like spreading the exercises out across the day. I'll be interested to see how it goes for you! You're the only other person I've seen mention a group class.

 

[Toothfairy]

I will be interested to try it out but I will definitely be doing it at my own level and not overdoing it. I wasn’t offered this back when I had my original TKR’s but maybe they didn’t do it then.