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TKR May I have some cheese with that whine?

I'd count that as a success toward getting back to normal, and recognizing what your body was telling you! Good choice in giving up the concert to get home and ice. In my book, its two steps forward, with the possibility of a step back today, depending on how you feel. If we dont push the boundaries, how will we know where they are? :)
 
I had much the same attitude that you have to my knee--with one big difference---I took the first two and a half weeks very easy---lying in bed with my knee propped up with three pillows about 80% of the time. I had very little swelling at your stage. So----I think you will have to deal with the swelling now.

In reading other's posts it seems clear to me that if you allow the swelling to continue and continue to overdo---going out to a book store, then a concert,etc. your swelling can become chronic and be a problem for a long time. I also have had many knee surgeries and this one is really major!!!

At your stage, my OS told me to lie in bed with my knee propped up one hour for every two hours up. You still have angry tissues from your surgery and you need to let them heal. I was concerned about your in home pt who caused you to have pain---which is why I don't recommend in home pts. Most of them are not as well trained as the one who work in an outpatient facility. I have NEVER had any pain at my pt clinic. I have a rom of 148 and 150---so there is no need to have painful pt. Of course your leg is painful---it is very swollen---and you see determined to ignore the swelling and to just continue with your life.

Instead, treat yourself more kindly---you need more rest--why force yourself to do things that involve effort right now? A few weeks of rest and elevation will make a huge difference to your recovery--especially since you need to go back to work so soon. At least your new PT seems to be a good one---massage and stretching is what you need now as your tissues heal from the surgery and you recover your stamina.

I am very strong and healthy---I am a ski instructor---but I could not push my way past this recovery. I had to give in and learn to knit while I rested and allowed the knee to heal. After I surrendered and rested---my knee healed quickly. When I went to pt, I rode the bike for 5 mins and thought great---so I went to the gym and rode it for 20 mins!! Big mistake--my knee swelled up and I was in terrible pain. My pt pointed out that I would have to move more slowly. Ride the bike for five min. next, ride the bike for 7 mins, etc and work up to it. At six weeks I resumed my weekly 20 mile rides---but there was plenty of rest and gentle stretching before that. By the way, I was completely exhausted after the ride!!!
 
Thanks Skigirl for the information. Now that I am up and about today it really isn't too bad. I think going to see my friend at the beer garden around the corner from my house was not a good idea but I have not seen him in 7 months since he retired from my work and I promised to be there even if I just went to hug his neck. This is not something that I plan to do on a regular basis. I had forgotten that I told him that I would see him and went to the book store instead. On my way home I remembered then went to see him.

I do need to slow down. :) Thank you for your advise. :angel:
 
I just posted a photo of my Frankenstein knee in the section Photos Badge of Honor. :flwrysmile:
 
I saw that! Your knee swelling looks close to mine, but its hard to tell in a pic. I liked skigirl's 1:2 ratio on ice/elevation to upright, and, accordingly, am working prone with my knee iced and elevated right now. But, I am still excited about getting out and about, and feeling the worst is over. I am also judging by my PT's circumference measurements. I was initially 9 cm greater in girth on my surgical knee compared to my left knee, and have lost 1 cm of girth each week, so am now 7 cm greater. My PT said I should be able to get to about 1 cm greater by the end of PT, which is goal. I really trust my professionals.
 
Okay 50yrold,

This may place it into perspective...it was worse than this in the past weeks after surgery. It really looks the best it ever has on this side of surgery.
[Bonesmart.org] May I have some cheese with that whine?
:tada:
 
That's pretty close to the comparison I have with mine, left to right, but you have that cool s-shaped scar! Mine's a straight line over my knee cap. Are they measuring the circumferences to compare?
 
It sounds like you have made some great positive strides---a nicer---much better PT---and progress! Tht is great! IT is really something how much better we do when we "connect" with the right PT---I am also glad to read of your little journeys into "normalcy"---the trip to Barnes and Noble, etc.

AS for overdoing it---well, we have all been there, done that, etc---just ice and elevate, as yo are dong---and the piper will be paid.

Eventually, though, yo will not have to worry about overdoing things!
 
Thanks, Tim! :) I am happier with my new PT. She is absolutely more knowledgeable seeing that she has a doctorate in PT. I'm taking it easy today, but I sure can walk better! I needed massage on the hamstrings so that I could straighten my knee and walk. Even my husband commented on how much better I was walking and that I seemed happier. :yahoo:

Hey 50yrold, they have not measured the circumference. As for the cool S shape, my OS just went over one of the scars from 1978. I guess he thought that taking out some scar tissue would be helpful. I was expecting a 4 inch scar down the middle of my knee. He told me that he was doing an MIS on me and that he usually only has a 4 inch incision. OH RIGHT! :yikes: I have a 7 inch S shaped scar. I kind of freaked when I saw it in the hospital when they changed my dressing. My OS told me that I had really strong bones, so I am assuming that I made him work hard to saw my bone off. It really shouldn't matter about the scar. Whatever it takes to do it right is what matters to me. :yahoo: I am a little stiff still since I have some swelling but I'm so much better.:yay:

Have a wonderful evening! :flwrysmile:

Maria
 
Tim,

I was really looking forward to my knee scars to look like a football or something like it. \ | / is how it would have looked. I could draw with a marker to make it look like a football. :rotfl:
 
Second outpatient PT outing today. She had me do a little more of the same. I love the massage therapy. My hamstrings feel sooooo much better. :) They are nowhere near feeling 100 percent, but I can tell a big difference from the way I felt before I went to PT this past Monday.

Strangely enough, I sleep better at night when I put my straight leg brace on before I go to sleep. I don't sleep all the way through the night, but it is much better with the brace. I couldn't wait to not sleep in it. Now I feel better sleeping in it. What gives? :what:
 
Hi Daughter Stalker. I've been seeing you around and noticed you left me a nice note on my thread. Very appreciated and much needed. Thanks.:sad: Anyway, thought I should bop over and meet you/introduce myself.

First of all, stalk away! I have a 14 yr. old daughter and 16 yr. old son. Plenty of stalking going on in my house, and I think it is the responsible thing to do. They are a true blessing, especially since March when I had 'lefty' replaced. I have enjoyed each stage of life my kids have been in--even this one. Have you got other kids?

Do you like almonds? I love any kind, but recently splurged on a giant tub of cocoa dusted almonds and eat a few handful throughout the day. TMI coming: I can't believe how often I go to the bathroom! If your constipation hasn't cleared up, might be worth a try.

As far as activity and pain, I am the last one to give advice as I often don't do as I say. Pain, like you said, is not a stranger. I don't remember when I was last pain free but know it was before my daughter was born. You either work with it or watches from the sidelines, right? Well, old habits die hard. I over do on a regular basis. As I get farther and farther along in recovery, I tend to ice and elevate less because I have other things that I can do--so I am doing them. Maybe I should set an alarm for icing time. Just try to work in moderation as the wise Kelly posted earlier. I will try to do as I say.

Work: I could never have gone back at 6 weeks, although it was my initial goal. I don't think my OS trusted me as he faxed a 'return to work order' to school that stated the day I could return. I started back part time. Mind you, my job is very active, huge spaces, lifting, carrying, etc...but please re-evaluate when that time comes. I am so thankful I did not push it.

Love your scar. Haven't posted mine yet, maybe my techno-kids will do that for me.

Glad you joined the forum. Thanks for letting me take up your space here. Make it a great day. PJ
 
Thanks for the introduction, Ready! I appreciate the comradery. :) Thanks for the wonderful comment on my scar. I was really looking forward to having 3 scars, but with the OS taking one scar out and going back over it makes things more interesting. :scratch: The OS told me that I would have a Zimmer MIS which would give me a 4 inch scar. I was shocked to say the least of what I saw when they changed my dressing on day 3. :yikes: I am glad that I went ahead and had the TKR. I just want to move it along which just isn't going to happen any time soon. :hairpulling:

Take care! :flwrysmile:
 
daughter stalker

I think overdoing it is something we all do in our quest to regain normalcy. I sure did it!

One thing I have been doing is taking a small ice chest with me wherever I go whether it is PT or shopping or out to eat, church, etc. I put one (of the 3 I keep in my freezer) of the wonderful ice bags in a Ziploc described on this site (alcohol and water mix) in the chest and have it if/when I need it. Even if i am driving, i can throw it over my knee and, because it is a gal. size bag, it stays. I also have a couple of those ice packs in a box that you squeeze to release the cold. Those are for emergencies in the future if I don't have access to my ice chest.

It is an adjustment trying to determine just how much is okay and how much is too much! In this case, if you misjudge, your knee will make you pay the price!

I hope you are recuperating well and having a great day!

Here's to a full night's sleep and a sweet day tomorrow.
Becca
 
daughter stalker said:
Thanks, Tim! :) I am happier with my new PT. She is absolutely more knowledgeable seeing that she has a doctorate in PT. I'm taking it easy today, but I sure can walk better! I needed massage on the hamstrings so that I could straighten my knee and walk. Even my husband commented on how much better I was walking and that I seemed happier. :yahoo:

Hey 50yrold, they have not measured the circumference. As for the cool S shape, my OS just went over one of the scars from 1978. I guess he thought that taking out some scar tissue would be helpful. I was expecting a 4 inch scar down the middle of my knee. He told me that he was doing an MIS on me and that he usually only has a 4 inch incision. OH RIGHT! :yikes: I have a 7 inch S shaped scar. I kind of freaked when I saw it in the hospital when they changed my dressing. My OS told me that I had really strong bones, so I am assuming that I made him work hard to saw my bone off. It really shouldn't matter about the scar. Whatever it takes to do it right is what matters to me. :yahoo: I am a little stiff still since I have some swelling but I'm so much better.:yay:

Have a wonderful evening! :flwrysmile:

Maria
Click to expand...


Nice looking scar! The leg is looking good! :thumb:
 
Thanks Becca and Ready! I appreciate your comments. :)

Becca, one step forward and one step back seems to be my way recently. I was encouraged when I was walking out of the restaurant this evening. There was an older gentleman parked in a handicapped parking spot right in front of mine with his window down who saw me walking out and noticed that I had a TKR scar. He asked me how long ago was it that I had my TKR done. I told him 4 weeks and he stated to me that I was walking quite well for being 4 weeks this side of surgery. That really made my day. :dancy: I was limping just a little bit, but I must have made my walking look good. I may pay for going to the restaurant seeing that I also went grocery shopping today. :cry: I am icing and elevating right now. :angel:

I am going to do my big outing tomorrow. I hope I don't pay dearly for it. :yikes: I don't want to miss this GED graduation ceremony. I'll let you know how it goes when I return. I will take my ice gel pack with me.

Take care! :flwrysmile:
 
Hi all,

I survived my trip today. :happydance: I left home at 8 AM and returned at 4:45 PM. I attended two GED graduations in a facility two counties away. I did not drive. I had a good time and didn't have any problems while away. I placed my gel ice packs on my knee three times while was gone. I do have a tiny bit of swelling more than normal, but I expected this to happen. I am currently elevating and icing to make sure that I don't have problems. I used one crutch so that I didn't push it too much. Yay! :yay: I did it and didn't have any terrible repercussions. One more step closer to normalcy. :dancy: I usually don't get a chance to attend these types of ceremonies as I am usually at work and they won't release me to attend. My mentor is the "principal" at this facility so I really wanted to go.

Maria
 
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