TKR Marie’s TKR Journey

InkedMarie

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I’m starting this a week before my TKR. My day is a week from tomorrow, Monday August 27, 2018.
I am currently 7 weeks tomorrow post op from my second THR.

I am as prepared as I can be. I didn’t need to do a pre-op hospital visit, just a phone interview with a nurse, which I did on Friday. I found out my report-to-hospital time is 6am, for a 7:30am surgery. I have my ice machine, extra ice packs, have a walker, crutch & cane. We had grab bars installed in the shower before the THR & I bought a transfer bench to use after the knee. I think I’ll feel safer for awhile. Our spare bathroom is teeny: 3x5. My husband removed the sink, installed grab bars on the walls so I can use this bathroom easier with my walker and it’s right outside the bathroom.

I will update next week after my surgery!
 
Best wishes! I look forward to seeing you on the “ other side”. You got this!
 
It sounds like you're all set and ready to start the journey with your new knee next week! Planning ahead that you have takes a lot of the stress away!
 
Here are the recovery guidelines, the articles are short and will not take long to read.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
don't overwork.
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs

Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly

Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds


We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.
 
@sistersinhim yep I think I’ve planned for mest including enjoying some wine up til Saturday evening (was told no alcohol the night before)!
 
You’ve got moxy. I thought stopping the wine 30 days out was cutting it close!:heehee:
 
@InkedMarie wishing you the best of luck! I myself had my 1st tkr (right knee) on July 2, 2018. Thoughts and prayers for you :praying:
 
I saw my surgeon yesterday for my six week THR postop (in week 7) and pre-o for Monday’s TKR. My main question was drugs. I can’t take Percocet or Vicodin; they make me vomit. I think I’m coming home with Dilaudid which didn’t make me sick in the hospital. I also asked for a script for an anti nausea med. I want to have it filled, just in case. Don’t want to have to call. I hope the Dilaudid works to control my pain!
 
Good for you! We had all the essentials in place prior to my surgery and it was a great help.
Good luck and we will see you in recovery!
 
This may be TMI for some.....I’m sure nervousness shows it’s head in different ways. Mine shows in an frequent bathroom trips in the form of loose bowels. I told you, TMI!! What the heck, I don’t need this today with my TKR tomorrow
 
@InkedMarie

Best wishes for tomorrow.
After your surgery, do remember to look back at the post-op reading that Pumpkln posted for you in Post #4.

One of the problems if you start your recovery thread too early is that the good post-op advice gets buried in the pre-op well-wishes.
 
It’s almost 12:30 pm my time. Surgery was at 7:30. I’m in my room, have been for an hour. Took one Dilaudid for my pain, working ok so far. Went with a general; same anesthiologist as my hip and same cocktail.

Just checking in to say I made it
 
You actually fancy eating?! Great start. So far so good anyway!
 
You might want to think about some veg and high fibre stuff...
You'll find out why!
 

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