TKR low energy months past TKR
- Thread starter hegel
- Start date
I think that you've hit the perfect combo. Now I think the 8 ounce water bottles that I got are too small. Still, four of them and some ice works pretty well. My guess is that you have to use less ice than me--which is good! I can't keep up with the ice demand!
NanaBeach
Insider
A friend had lent me her non-motorized CryoCuff (which she loved and used for two knee replacements in the past 18 months). My husband brought it to the hospital on day 3, so I used it there for about 24 hours before I was discharged.
I understand and agree with the comments about how great it feels when by the super cold water flows into the cuff all around your knee! I was glad to have this as an option, especially since the hospital had terrible, disposable cylindrical ice packs that were hard to use. Once I got home. I continued using the CryoCuff with my husband's assistance.
However once he went back to work a few days later and I was on my own during the day, the CryoCuff was virtually useless. I quickly switched to a combination of wrap around ice packs with velcro straps (Polar Ice from www.brownmed.com) and oversized soft fabric covered gel ice packs (FlexiKold from Natra Cure, which I got on Amazon.Com but are also sold elsewhere). Both of these options can be used in different ways, including flat underneath my knee to chill the back of the joint. Best of all, I can retrieve them from the freezer and return them there without needing help. I use a pillowcase over the FlexiKold gel packs, and a microfiber kitchen towel between my leg and the Polar Ice pack. Both of these help protect my skin during longer periods of icing.
I understand and agree with the comments about how great it feels when by the super cold water flows into the cuff all around your knee! I was glad to have this as an option, especially since the hospital had terrible, disposable cylindrical ice packs that were hard to use. Once I got home. I continued using the CryoCuff with my husband's assistance.
However once he went back to work a few days later and I was on my own during the day, the CryoCuff was virtually useless. I quickly switched to a combination of wrap around ice packs with velcro straps (Polar Ice from www.brownmed.com) and oversized soft fabric covered gel ice packs (FlexiKold from Natra Cure, which I got on Amazon.Com but are also sold elsewhere). Both of these options can be used in different ways, including flat underneath my knee to chill the back of the joint. Best of all, I can retrieve them from the freezer and return them there without needing help. I use a pillowcase over the FlexiKold gel packs, and a microfiber kitchen towel between my leg and the Polar Ice pack. Both of these help protect my skin during longer periods of icing.
Hi guys: I'm finally getting around to posting a recovery thread. My right TKR happened on 10/22/18, so today is one week out. I was home the same night as surgery and happy about that. In most regards I'm doing well, but have the expected bruising and swelling (medium according to Bonesmart's pictorial chart) and some real pain. I'm mostly trying working on getting swelling down, so lots of icing and sitting/sleeping with my leg elevated. A PT has been by twice and thinks that all is fine. My ROM is really good for so early on. I'm getting rem sleep so glad about that.
At this stage I'm just hoping that the pain starts to creep down a notch or more. It's not continuous but it's fairly tiring in itself. However: I just took a little walk outside my house, which is on a small hill. Coming down, I noticed that the bone on bone pain that I had felt for months on that stretch was gone. Gone! this is very exciting. Mostly though I'm still just walking around inside of my small apartment and doing a few PT exercises scattered over the day.
I have a lot of bruising on the back of my leg and wonder if that's associated with elevating my leg on the Lounge Doctor?
Thanks for all of the good info I've found here. I keep stumbling on good tips while reading threads--for example, getting out of bed and walking around if the pain becomes too much at night. I'm always surprised by how well this works in the morning.
At this stage I'm just hoping that the pain starts to creep down a notch or more. It's not continuous but it's fairly tiring in itself. However: I just took a little walk outside my house, which is on a small hill. Coming down, I noticed that the bone on bone pain that I had felt for months on that stretch was gone. Gone! this is very exciting. Mostly though I'm still just walking around inside of my small apartment and doing a few PT exercises scattered over the day.
I have a lot of bruising on the back of my leg and wonder if that's associated with elevating my leg on the Lounge Doctor?
Thanks for all of the good info I've found here. I keep stumbling on good tips while reading threads--for example, getting out of bed and walking around if the pain becomes too much at night. I'm always surprised by how well this works in the morning.
Hi @hegel
You'll notice that I have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread.
We did ask you, when we posted the recovery reading, to have only one recovery thread (see Post #4, the paragraph in red font.)
We can always change your thread title if you ask, as I have changed it now.
For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one recovery thread:
Don't worry that we won't see your question because, between us, the staff read all new posts every day.
If you need an urgent response to a question, just tag a member of staff.
How to tag another member; how to answer when someone tags you
If you are having a problem locating your thread, here is a link with how to do it: How can I find my threads and posts?
If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.
Here are the instructions on finding your thread, How can I find my threads and posts? . Many members bookmark their thread, so they can find it when they log on.
You'll notice that I have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread.
We did ask you, when we posted the recovery reading, to have only one recovery thread (see Post #4, the paragraph in red font.)
We can always change your thread title if you ask, as I have changed it now.
For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one recovery thread:
- That way, we have all your information in one place. This makes it easier to go back and review your history before providing advice.
- If you keep starting new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
- Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.
Don't worry that we won't see your question because, between us, the staff read all new posts every day.
If you need an urgent response to a question, just tag a member of staff.
How to tag another member; how to answer when someone tags you
If you are having a problem locating your thread, here is a link with how to do it: How can I find my threads and posts?
If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.
Here are the instructions on finding your thread, How can I find my threads and posts? . Many members bookmark their thread, so they can find it when they log on.
No, the bruising is all from small blood vessels that were damaged during your surgery. Gravity has acted on your leg, taking the bruising to the back of it. As you get more mobile, you'l probably notice tha much of teh bruising moves down to your lower leg and ankle.
This article explains:
Bruising after surgery
So..this is day 8 post surgery for me. How much walking is typical/appropriate? I live alone in a small apartment so I'm up getting everything for myself--but I don't have far to go for anything. (I have tons of helpers nearby). I'm getting cabin fever and started doing small walks outdoors, just tiptoeing in so to speak--little five minute walks to see how I respond after. So far so good! But am I taking it too easy (is that possible on Bonesmart)? My swelling continues to go down which is my personal #1 priority. My plan is to just keep increasing walking times outside on good days but stay below any pain threshold, to the extent that I can predict that.
I use a cane only indoors and my hiking poles outside. Balance is fine. Oh and I'm doing light PT scattered through the day. But I'm only on my feet for about five minutes at a time, even less, but many many times a day.
I use a cane only indoors and my hiking poles outside. Balance is fine. Oh and I'm doing light PT scattered through the day. But I'm only on my feet for about five minutes at a time, even less, but many many times a day.
I went by the activity schedule to know how much walking to do. I'll leave it for you.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/activity-progression-for-tkrs.14334/
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/activity-progression-for-tkrs.14334/
Softtail
senior
Hegel, about the swelling and discoloration on back of leg. If you saw what they do to your leg to get the implant in you would know how the leg could look so bruised. I wish I had taken a picture of my bruising early on, which was so bad my wife wanted me to go back to the doctor. Bonesmarties told me not to worry it was normal and sure enough I am 8 weeks out and it’s long gone. Expect the same thing will follow with yours.
Clairebear
junior member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2018
- Messages
- 46
- Age
- 59
- Gender
- Female
- Country
United Kingdom
Nighttime pain is normally an indication that you have done too much during the day. Cut back tomorrow and give your knee the time it needs to heal. It's not out of shape, it's damaged and traumatized from the surgery.
Just a question: is there a time beyond which one can be assured that infection will not set into the knee replacement? I have no reason to suspect it has with me, but sitting around all day I come up with things to worry about.
Oh and as long as I'm here: I have pretty tight thigh muscles and can't take muscle relaxants because I'm using oxycodone for pain. I'm just now trying the "microwaved hot towel" described here somewhere on my thigh. It feels good but I'm still experimenting. Any other ideas? Also: do I want to avoid heat on my knee itself?
Oh and as long as I'm here: I have pretty tight thigh muscles and can't take muscle relaxants because I'm using oxycodone for pain. I'm just now trying the "microwaved hot towel" described here somewhere on my thigh. It feels good but I'm still experimenting. Any other ideas? Also: do I want to avoid heat on my knee itself?
Last edited:
Softtail
senior
Hegel, you sound like a replay of me early on lol. I was deathly afraid of infection, and because I had one of the new style bandages on ( like a rubber latex one that stayed on untouched for 2 weeks) I couldn’t see the incision , so every time I felt something change around the wound area, I would worry. I don’t know what hospital you had your knee done at, but you can check to see their infection rate. I felt a lot better about my odds, when I asked and found out Rochester General was one of lowest in country at .02 percent. .Of 1200 replacement surgeries they had 7 infections, and only one of those was a knee.
As for heat, Ice is most people’s approach early on, but if heat feels good and you don’t overdo it to the point where you think it’s increasing your swelling , go for it. Only way to find out. At around 4 weeks,asI recall , I got in my jacuzzi, and love it . Do it 2 to 3 times a day sometimes. Don’t get discouraged which is tough to do first 3 to4 weeks cause things move slowly during this period as most of us have experienced. At 8 weeks out I played 9 holes of golf yesterday. At 3 weeks had trouble standing to brush my teeth without it hurting.
As for heat, Ice is most people’s approach early on, but if heat feels good and you don’t overdo it to the point where you think it’s increasing your swelling , go for it. Only way to find out. At around 4 weeks,asI recall , I got in my jacuzzi, and love it . Do it 2 to 3 times a day sometimes. Don’t get discouraged which is tough to do first 3 to4 weeks cause things move slowly during this period as most of us have experienced. At 8 weeks out I played 9 holes of golf yesterday. At 3 weeks had trouble standing to brush my teeth without it hurting.
You definitely want to avoid heat on your knee or even close to it.
Your whole leg is going to be tight for a while, it was pretty beat up during the surgery. It will settle down.
One more question: do people find that acetaminophren helps with pain? I split up the time between taking that drug and Ibuprofen. When I take it after 7 hours or so, I don't really notice any decrease in pain. I do with Ibuprofen and of course Oxycondon.
If it gives no pain relief, why should I continue to take such a large dose as prescribed three times a day? (I'm tired of taking drugs!)
If it gives no pain relief, why should I continue to take such a large dose as prescribed three times a day? (I'm tired of taking drugs!)
How much Acetaminophen (Tylenol) are you taking, and at what times? You can take up to 4,000 mg in 24 hours, including any in other medications. The most effective way to take it is 1,000 mg (2 x 500 mg tablets) six-hourly.
You need to take it on a regular schedule, to keep up the levels in your blood.
How much Oxycodone are you taking, and at what times? It is a stronger pain-killer than Tylenol, of course.
Ibuprofen is an NSAID, which is primarily an anti-inflammatory, and it isn't a good pain killer. HOw much are you taking, and when?
You need to take it on a regular schedule, to keep up the levels in your blood.
How much Oxycodone are you taking, and at what times? It is a stronger pain-killer than Tylenol, of course.
Ibuprofen is an NSAID, which is primarily an anti-inflammatory, and it isn't a good pain killer. HOw much are you taking, and when?
I take two 500 mg Acetaminophrin three times a day. I space it out to about 7-8 hours between times. I also take 600 mg Ibuprofen three times a day and oxycodone as needed--which is two 5mg pills in the morning, one during the day and two before bed. I'll take more if needed.
I stagger the acetaminophen and ibuprofen a bit--take the aectaminophen about two hours earlier than the ibuprofen.
and I ice with the Donjoy ice machine frequently and all night.
so the acetaminophen is an anti inflammatory? like the ibuprofen.
I stagger the acetaminophen and ibuprofen a bit--take the aectaminophen about two hours earlier than the ibuprofen.
and I ice with the Donjoy ice machine frequently and all night.
so the acetaminophen is an anti inflammatory? like the ibuprofen.
Clairebear
junior member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2018
- Messages
- 46
- Age
- 59
- Gender
- Female
- Country
- United Kingdom
Acetaminophen is paracetamol which is a painkiller but not an anti inflammatory. It's commonly used for mild to moderate pain but you need to be taking the full dosage at the minute if your in pain as it builds up and is a good base pain killer.
So I had it backwards regarding Acet. and Ibuprofen! My knee can have a constant "headache" so perhaps Acet. has been good for addressing that.
I just had a good nap with no pain while icing/elevating for a bit over an hour, plus my overall pain has trended down over the last two days. Then, when I got up from sleeping pain free--wham! I needed the oxycodone. I guess there's no rhyme or reason.
I just had a good nap with no pain while icing/elevating for a bit over an hour, plus my overall pain has trended down over the last two days. Then, when I got up from sleeping pain free--wham! I needed the oxycodone. I guess there's no rhyme or reason.
