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TKR Mickimouse’s Recovery Thread - Need Support

You're welcome, Mickimouse. :)
I am sorry you're still dealing with pain, but thankfully it's a bit better. I hope it was a comfort to receive reassurance from your surgeon even though it doesn't resolve the pain. Pain really isn't unusual at this point and with walking and physical therapy, even though you're being cautious, it's a fine line between pushing just enough and overdoing it. Think of that swelling and soreness as your knees way of communicating. If the pain or swelling increase after activity, that's your cue to pull back next time. If it feels worse the day after that's often a sign you pushed it too far. Keep elevating and icing a couple times a day and especially after walking or exercise. You're at a stage were you're still actively healing. It can be frustrating, but it's only temporary. Brighter days are on the way! :SUNsmile: :happydance:
@Mickimouse
 
Thanks Layla, I really did make my knee angry….. it sure is a fine line….. I was trying to be too social too soon….
 
Trying to balance activities is a full time job! My knee doesn’t look really badly swollen, but the knee sure is tight and burning…. I am icing and elevating…. Almost 3 months out, when will this internal swelling and extreme tightness stop….cant seem to get this under control….
 
The knee compartment is very compact and it doesn’t take much swelling (fluid) to cause that stiffness. You can help by icing and making sure you’re not overdoing things each day. If there is pain, get on a schedule for pain medication such as taking Extra Strength Tylenol 1000mg every 6 hours throughout the day and night. Stiffness without a lot of pain can last for many months in some people. It may be especially noticeable when you get up in the morning or stand after sitting for a while. Gentle bends and stretches can help ease things.

And it’s important if you do overdo things, that you allow your body several days to a week to recover from that. Keep in mind that this type of soft tissue discomfort is part of why we tell people that full recovery can take a year or more. You just have to try and have some patience with your body as it heals on its time schedule. You cannot hurry things, but you sure can slow them down if you push too hard.
 
Yes, have been taking the Tylenol and Advil…. So every 4 hours I take something…. I have been taking low dose of the oxy 2 to 3 times a day, so the medication is on track…. Just doesn’t seem like I do much to have the swelling pain, which tends to be more around the kneecap area…
 
You just need to give yourself more time for recovery. Your surgery was not even 3 months ago. You’ve had some bouts with pain and overdoing things. It’s not a linear recovery and you’re going to have periods where you don’t make as much progress. Try not to think so much about how you’re doing and just go with the flow. Read back through your thread again if you haven’t and you’ll see that you are making progress.
 
I was just thinking about this…. Would wearing a compression sock (especially at night) help reduce swelling and promote healing at this stage of the game? Anyone know or tried this?
 
Good Morning Mickimouse,
You're still early into the healing process in the entire scheme of things. Swelling can last a full year and increase and decrease during that time, often in relation to activity, or lack thereof. Ideally you should ask your OS before beginning something like daily compression because he has your medical history. Your surgeon knows whether you have any circulation issues, or blood clot risk and he's witnessed the progress of your healing in post op visits. Have you inquired about this, or has it been suggested in a post op visit? If not, give them a call and let them advise. Either way, you should continue to ice and elevate.
Happy Saturday! I hope you have a nice weekend.
@Mickimouse
 
Thanks Layla! I just did reach out to my surgeon via messaging, so I probably won’t hear back till early next week… it was just a thought… I am taking it easy on the workouts especially because I have my sons birthday celebration tonight and a wedding shower tomorrow so much activity…. Have a good weekend and thank you for your support! You know how it is with this recovery, can’t get better soon enough!
 
Mickimouse said:
Happy Easter! A lot of pain with the knee cap and Achilles…I am so sad because I usually have Easter , going to my son but a lot of pain, I don’t know what happened…. I am going to have to take meds…. I am somewhat concerned . Went to church and dinner yesterday, maybe all the standing at church?
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The first time I went back to church after the op I came out saying "Wow! I didn't realise how many times you have to get up and sit down during a service until now." Plus standing can be exhausting.
 
Mickimouse said:
Thanks Layla! I just did reach out to my surgeon via messaging, so I probably won’t hear back till early next week… it was just a thought… I am taking it easy on the workouts especially because I have my sons birthday celebration tonight and a wedding shower tomorrow so much activity…. Have a good weekend and thank you for your support! You know how it is with this recovery, can’t get better soon enough!
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You and I had our operations around the same time - mine was February 12th. A birthday party and a wedding shower IS a lot of activity, and that activity counts as much as formal exercise sessions. If it helps, I am doing very little PT now - some stretching to improve extension, and idly pedalling away on my $35 F'book Marketplace exercise bike as I watch tv - because I have learnt on Bonesmart that all the other stuff I do as I live counts too. And I'd rather do stuff I want to do than do boring repetitive exercises. Some days my knee swells a little more, some days a little less; I find I can now work out why. I still try and ice and elevate at least once a day - since the beginning I have found ice to be the best pain reliever, and my knee kind of told me when it was time to ice less. In fact, I now think of my knee as my rather annoying activity manager with whom I have to consult before and after doing anything, but whom I have learnt to listen to.
 
Thanks all! Yesterday I was talking to a friend who had a knee replacement a few years ago, she was asking me how I was doing and I said I am backing off on some of the exercises and of course I got the wag of the finger talk…..I truly believe the BoneSmart way is best….walk (how long i can without a flare up), my incumbent bike, stretches for extension/flexion and life….i just looked at my workout sheet and realized WOW I’ve been doing 21 exercises throughout the day. Everyone, thanks for your support!
 
On the days you have an errand or activity, you should skip the formal exercises. You’ll get plenty getting ready for and attending any outing. The swelling is a result of doing too much too soon, so just keep that in mind when you see it. It’s your body signaling to you that it’s not ready for that level of activity yet.
 
Mickimouse said:
WOW I’ve been doing 21 exercises throughout the day.
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No wonder you are swollen and painful! That is way too much for a knee that is only 3 months old. That's only 1/4 of the way through a normal yearlong recovery.
 
This is GREAT news!! That’s the way to handle your recovery and achieve the balance that keeps you out of pain. Good job!!
 
I am getting impatient with my knee being so stiff…. I will be a total of 3 months next week and knee is still stiff and bothersome…. Does that seem unusual for 3 months? On a positive note, I drove by myself yesterday! I know that may sound silly but I was a bit concerned to drive without hubby with me but did it! I’ve also have been doing more around the house, but still drains me….
 
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