TKR low energy months past TKR

[Softtail]

I’d throw out the ibuprofen and stick with Tylenol which is the pain reliever. That knee is very new, and you are going to go in and out of pain. That’s why the steady use of pain meds is important to keep the bad times less painful than they would be.

 

[hegel]

Good point Softtail; I was hoping to start cutting back on something. I suppose I could try cutting down on the 600 mg ibuprofen and take 400 for example. But I may be getting ahead of myself too. I'll see. This all may make more sense in week.

 

[Softtail]

Jeff unless your doctor pushed the ibuprofen on you for anti inflammatory I would definitely dump it and if it’s pain your concerned up your Tylenol to 1000 mg every 6 hours. Along with oxy that is your pain cocktail. Elevate for swelling and ice as an additional pain reducer along with swelling reducer.

 

[Softtail]

Just a note 4000 per day Tylenol is your upper limit. When you get to 3 weeks out I would guess you will be able to cut back a bit probably a bit of oxy and the Tylenol, but for now you should be focused on staying ahead of pain as much as possible. Just don’t be concerned if it still jumps up and down . Perfectly normal, and as time goes on those jumps get spread out farther.

 

[Josephine]

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not, strictly speaking, an anti-inflammatory medication but taken at the proper dosages (1,000mg 4 times a day at 6hrly intervals) it's the best non-opioid pain killer.

I would never recommend the use of ibuprofen because though it is an anti-inflammatory, it's not really very effective post surgery, specially for cases such as TKR. However, my main concern is with the side effects of it which are concerning and can be severe
Medications: acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol) and NSAIDs, differences and dangers
NSAIDs Diclofenac. ibuprofen increase risk of heart problems: new study

 

[hegel]

Hi all: I was reading another thread and the "tens" machine came up. I'd never heard of that. The muscles in my thigh are still tight; calve too. When I lightly massage the quads with my leg elevated I can provoke a sort of spasm which feels like electrical energy. I don't know if this is helping to discharge tension. In any case, have others used the 'tens' machine and found it helpful with tight, tensing muscles? Or another had held massage unit?

p.s. when I get out of bed and take a first step I can feel my leg muscles clenching, like a jaw might, although I'm able to make that stop now.

 

[Softtail]

Hegel I was introduced to the Tens machine at PT. It feels like a tingling sensation when used and supposedly relaxes the nerves that transmitt pain signal. I enjoyed it and bought a home unit, but am not convinced other than a mental benefit , ie (believing it helps) that it was really that useful . Others , like my brother who uses it for his back love it because of the sensation the small electric current causes. If you have Outgoing PT ask if they have one and give it a try. Or if you have 30 dollars to blow, you can buy one on amazon. Just be sure you learn how to use it correctly, cause they can give you quite a jolt if turned too high

 

[hegel]

cause they can give you quite a jolt if turned too high

!!!!

Hmmm...I guess I won't be taking it into the bath...well the placebo effect only works for so long with me. I don't want one for the tingly sensation but only if it would help relax my leg muscles. I see my OS tomorrow and I'll ask him. Thanks for your perspective.

I have a hand held vibrating massage unit around somewhere but I can't find it! That might work better.

 

[Softtail]

Again, not sure if you are going to use outgoing PT on your rehab, but if you do , and they have one, it would be your chance to give it a try. Nothing to loose, and I still use it at end of my PT sessions, along with ice, thinking it can’t hurt and just might be calming the nerves down a bit after the workout.

 

[hegel]

I 'might' start outpatient PT in a week, but the pt that came to my house three times thinks that I can forgo that, given that I have a gym membership. The gym is very close and doesn't cost me $30.00 a pop like PT, which would be across town. I'll ask my OS today. Maybe I'll only go once, or maybe I need it for some guidance. My ROM is good right out of the gate and I know the strengthening exercises.

The tens machine is cheap enough to give it a try I suppose.

 

[SusieShoes]

Many people never go to formal PT. They manage to rehab their knees at their gym, or by doing their own exercises at home. The way I look at it, why pay for something you don't 1) need, or 2) want? If you think you can do a good job getting your knee back up to speed on your own, give it a try. You can always decide down the road to go to that PT place across town.

 

[Jockette]

A lot of our recovery is just plain common sense. The rest is time:

Keep in mind, it’s not exercising that gets our range of motion back, it’s Time:

Time to recover.
Time for pain and swelling to settle.
Time to heal.

Our range of motion is right there all
along just waiting for that to happen so it can show itself.

In the general run of things, it doesn't need to be fought for, worked hard for or worried about. It will happen. Exercise as in strength training is counter-productive and in the early weeks does more harm than good. Normal activity is the key to success.

 

[hegel]

Saw my OS this afternoon. I got a good report card, so I'm happy.

Two days ago I had a good day with very little pain all that night long (two oxycodone before bed.) Best night so far by far. The next morning I got by with one oxycodone instead of the usual morning two. I thought this was the new reality. I went grocery shopping and walked around slowly for maybe twenty minutes. I live alone so my daily activities have me up and about all day and night for brief stretches. That night I felt good and stood with equal weight on both feet for a good amount of time.

That's all--not much; too much!! Had a painful night and today as well. And my OS said it himself--twenty minutes shopping is too much this soon.

Honestly I thought I was being too cautious. Back to being a wimp! And getting used to the notion of being on a pain med regimen for some more weeks.

 

[Softtail]

I think we all experiment with our pain meds, not wanting to be on them any longer than normal. I know I did after 2 weeks out. All you can do is try and reduce gradually and if pain pops up again, take some more. I am thinking it was during the 3 rd week where I cut back on everything but Tylenol which I reduced but kept taking a little longer. I think between week 3 n4 you might find cutting back is easier, but everyone is different. If you still need them , don’t worry . We all react to pain differently, and if it takes a little longer to get comfortable ,so be it.

 

[sistersinhim]

Back to being a wimp!

No way are you a wimp! You are healing from a very serious, traumatic surgery. I didn't go out for almost 4 weeks and paid for that later! It just takes us time.

 

[hegel]

Hello--so I'm able to feel how my new knee has NO bone on bone pain and it's a fantastic feeling. I'm going for longer periods more or less pain free and I'm feeling glad that I did this.

Question: regarding electrolytes. I take magnesium supplements and drink low salt V8 because it's packed with potassium (and so are nuts and kale and beans and potatoes.) I read on another thread that some people were deficient in salt post surgery. I eat 'some' salt but not much-no salted snack foods except nuts. My blood salts are typically normal--and I have good blood pressure. Should I consider increasing my salt intake and if so how much? Or is this not really an issue?

 

[Jamie]

Low blood salt levels are not usually a problem for people after surgery. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Next time if you see something like that on the internet or in another thread, post a link so we can see exactly what is said. A lot depends on an individual's situation.

 

[hegel]

Thanks Jamie! I can't remember which thread I read this in, but it was just a passing mention by two people in a conversation and wasn't being 'peddled' as something advisable or necessary. I just overthink sometimes.

 

[Jockette]

I just overthink sometimes

I think early in recovery we all overthink things. I mean, there’s not much else to do!

And that’s awesome that you can tell that bone on bone pain is gone!

 

[hegel]

Hi folks--things are proceeding at a typical slow pace, but trending towards less pain. Saw a pt yesterday and it went alright--this was my first time at the hands of a pt (my in-home pt was hands off) and I didn't really know what might be too much manipulation. I just went by instinct and when asked to move or being manipulated (not much) kept things below the pain threshhold--but into the slight discomfort area. I thought that I might pay a price later on but the post pt pain never materialized so I guess my instincts were right. I was tired though. I'm going to try the knee class next week to see how it goes but my PT 'somewhat' signed off on my just going to the gym--she thinks I can use some supervision at least once from the class. Reasonable.

I had a vivid dream last night that I forgot myself on the stairs and simply, painlessly, went up foot over foot! And was excited and delighted to find I could. This will happen in actuality sometime soon!