LTKR Aug 31 2009 and doing great

[betsy13]

To introduce myself--I've always had what I called achy knees. You know from playing tackle football with the boys growing up to falling on concrete in the barn to just plain falling down.

But it wasn't until Sept 13th, 2001 when I fell on both knees that the problems really started. I thought I'd hurt the right knee more because it was the scraped up one. It wasn't until the fall of 2002 that I started really having problems with the left knee. In Feb 2003 I had a lateral release--would do it again!--done and the doctor cleaned out behind the patella telling me I had Chondromalacia Patella. He said I had some arthritis but not enough to worry about.

In 2006 I had problems with the knee and my primary care doctor was going to send me back to the same OS. I told her no way! I had an OS that specialized in knees picked out--he had done a friend's TKR and she loved it.

After getting new x-rays and meeting the OS he told me my left knee was almost bone on bone on the medial side. I chose to take the conservative route. After a couple of years of cortisone shots and exercising to build up the knee/leg muscles I finally realized it was time.

I had my LTKR on Aug 31st, 2009.

I'm was very fortunate I had very little day to day pain up until the last 2 weeks from the knee. Sure I had to take a Vicodin when I exercised or I didn't walk out of the gym! and on a really bad day 1 to sleep. But by the weekend before my surgery I could hardly walk it hurt so bad.

I had the surgery on Monday morning, started PT on Tuesday and was home by Wednesday night. Then I started outpatient PT--my biggest complaint to my therapist was the staples were hindering my progress.
Before I left the hospital I could bend my knee 90 degrees and at the end of 2 months I'm consistently between 116-120 degrees depending on who measures it.

Weeks 3 and 4 were the worst ones. I had shin splints and pains in the muscles at the top of my scar. But by the time week 5 rolled around I had ditched my cane and almost all pain pills.

At the start of week 5 I went back to work 4 hours a day and at week 7 I started back full time. I'm lucky I have a sit down job, I still have some aches and pain in the muscles. A big dead spot on the lateral side of the knee and a scar that I'm using Aquaphor on.

After I went back to work I found this site. I only wish I had found it before my surgery!

My question to you all is: How long can I expect to have muscle pains? I've been told it can be up to a year. My PT guy has told me repeatedly that I'm ahead of the game and don't over do it. But it's hard not to when I'm almost pain free for the first time in years. My OS, who I don't have to see for 2 years, told me at my 6 week check up I was at where most people are at 12 weeks.
betsy

 

[calling_all_angels]

Besty,
Everone is different that is for sure, But I was told it could be up to a year before that Awwww moment came. But I still swell up when I do too much. But for the first time since March 6th I can honestly say I am going to be Ok!!! It is 100per cent better even with a little muscle pain.

 

[Max Wallace]

I am at one year post op and the only time I have pain is when I exercise and then it is only ordinary muscle aches. I agree with you at first it was hard to limit myself and not overdo things because it feels so good to not have that constant agonizing pain. it gets better everyday I regret the 15 years of pain and inactivity I lived with because the DR. said I was too young. I should have done it years ago.

 

[betsy13]

Thanks Max, that's what I've been told to about the muscle pain that is. I didn't have a lot of swelling after surgery and hardly any when I exercise.
I'm 50 and the doctors told me it was up to me when I had the TKR done. I put it off as long as possible.
My friend had hers at age 39 and is very glad she found an OS that would do it that young.

 

[Josephine]

I had my LTKR on Aug 31st, 2009.

I'm very fortunate I had very little day to day pain up until the last 2 weeks from the knee. Sure I had to take a Vicodin when I exercised or I didn't walk out of the gym! and on a really bad day 1 to sleep. But by the weekend before my surgery I could hardly walk it hurt so bad.

The pain you had before surgery has little or nothing to do with post surgery. It doesn't mean you should be required to put up with "aches and pains".

But by the time week 5 rolled around I had ditched my cane and almost all pain pills.

At the start of week 5 I went back to work 4 hours a day and at week 7 I started back full time. I'm lucky I have a sit down job, I still have some aches and pain in the muscles.

My question to you all is: How long can I expect to have muscle pains? I've been told it can be up to a year. My PT guy has told me repeatedly that I'm ahead of the game and don't over do it.

You went back to work far too early even though you did manage a phased return.

I see you have a sit down job but do you get up to have a walk around every hour or so? If not, this would account for your aches and pains. Your doc and PT are correct - you are so far ahead it's amazing! However, you might be so far ahead but your body still needs time to heal and recover. That cannot be hurried but it can be hindered. Aches and pains are still pain, still the body's way of protesting! You need to medicate them. Even some over the counter stuff would do, like a Tylenol and ibuprofen mix, but don't ignore it else you'll end up affecting your overall progress.

A big dead spot on the lateral side of the knee.

This can last for up to a year. I've posted an explanation here Numb area after KTR: how long will it last? and am charting the progress of my numb spot just for interest's sake!

 

[Texas]

Hi Betsy and welcome im 5 days out (2nd one) same thing with the staples they are so tight are yours the same?????
Sorry your having pain yes i heard up to a yr...glad you joined us............post anytime.......take the meds and make sure you ice that is important.............hope you feel better......)

 

[brs0660]

Welcome Betsy. I am six months out and still have some discomfort. Muscles when I over do...or do not do enough. Knee still swells and is uncomfortable...elevating it, icing it, and tylenol usually take care of my problems

I think the key is balance. I went back at six weeks..looking back that was too soon by about two weeks. Too much exercise can cause some internal swelling.

Keep up the good work...buy be kind to yourself! Do not push yourself too hard.

 

[Judles]

Welcome Betsy~ And keep up the routine! You know the drill! :thmb:

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Betsy....welcome to BoneSmart. At 1 1/2 years out, I still have some pain if I'm extra active. I think some of it depends on your overall physical state....I'm not the picture of physical fitness....

Generally, though, I think most of your pain will be gone by the time you hit 6 months. It doesn't sound like you are swelling much and that can be the cause of pain.

I'm thrilled for your progress! And so glad that you decided to grab the rest of your life back!!! Way to go....

 

[betsy13]

Hello all and thank you for the replies.
I'm going to try to answer everyone!
Josephine--I do get up and walk every hour. My coworkers tell me they can set a clock by my walking. I'm just know realizing that yes, I do have to slow down and let my body heal. It's very hard for me to do so because like I wrote for the first time in years my left knee is pain free!

Texas--HI! Yep my staples were very tight. I couldn't move the knee much with them in so I was very happy to get them out.

brs0660--I've been very lucky that my knee doesn't swell up. A co worker who had both knees replaced told me hers were the size of basketballs for 6 months after her surgery.

For me the hardest part is knowing when to quit. I finally can exercise and lose the weight I gained over the last few years. I guess my new motto is: Slow down!

betsy