TKR Mireille's RTKR 4 months

[Mireille]

Therapy went well, thank God. It's my hamstring that's irritated right where it ends on the side/back of the knee. He avoided that area and said to rest, ice and elevate. Doing lots of that today. No exercises for the day and taking it easy on the ADL's. Happy knee day to everyone!

 

[Cratchit]

My knees are too fat to see a face in them! How is your thigh today?

Mine too, Karri!

@Mireille I`m surprised those spurs don`t hurt. Can you feel them when you walk? Glad therapy went well. These hamsters, they`re a pain alright!

 

[KarriB]

I know it sounds like a broken record; ice, elevate, rest, but it really is the best. Im glad he stayed away from it.

 

[KarriB]

My left knee has hurt longer, but the right went out like a set of brakes on a car. I could barely walk at all on it when surgery took place.

 

[Mireille]

@Cratchit I can't really feel them. I do have a lot of clicking and creaking going on in there but not really bothersome. Darn hammies!

@KarriB I'm glad too, I had the "don't mess with me face", lol

I've had arthritis since I was 12yrs. old. My grandpa had huge bone spurs on all his joints, I guess I inherited from him. I was also obese for many years after having my children. Always had pain in my joints but I dealt with it. I was close to 300 lbs. 5 years ago and got a lap band. I'm now at around 165. Six years ago, I walled 60 miles in 3 days to raise money for Breast Cancer. That did me in. By the time I was done, my right knee was ginormous and I could barely walk. Enter OS, shots, arthroscopic, etc. Fast forward, was tired of being in pain and suffering, during vacation last year, decided it was enough. Then right hip arthroscopy 6 weeks before RTKR. Left knee has to be done but I'm seriously thinking of hanging on to it for a while longer. Arthritis is not fun!

Did you have both knees done already? I give a lot of credit to people who have bilateral. I have a high pain threshold and this has kicked my butt.

 

[RMasano]

@Mireille Congrats on your weight loss!!! You seem to be doing great with your recovery. Arthritis is not fun!!! Runs in my moms family and am lucky enough to get those genes.

 

[Mireille]

@RMasano Thanks so much! I always joke that instead of inheriting millions, I just inherited arthritis. Aren't we lucky?

 

[KarriB]

Nope, just the right, but the left is not long for this world.

 

[agarrett]

I'm having issues with Metlife short term disability who seems to think I should go back to work 4 weeks post op. I still take narcotics on a regular basis for the pain, I can't sit or stand for any extended amounts. I can't even do "normal" things yet. Has anybody had any experience with this type of problem? FMLA will kick in but I won't get paid. My doctor is requesting an extension. I think it's ridiculous even if I have a sedentary job. I can't even drive yet and FL doesn't have an extensive public transportation system. Ugh...like I don't have enough things to worry about with this knee.

I had 6 weeks initially approved but trying for another two week extension at this point. Won't know if approved for another two weeks, hard to wait it out.

 

[L.I.T]

Oi, what is it with these insurance companies and pushing for too quick a recovery? It's funny, because they go to such great lengths to make sure we 'feel' like they care (bcbs even went so far as to have a nurse call to check up on me every week).... But then forget the critical points - like going back to work too early might lead to knee stiffness for which you might need more time off. I'm on a tear tonight... Lemme at 'em, @Mireille!

Glad you had a good PT day! Happy knee = Happy mireille! Now if we can all recover and have our bonesmartie party! Can I wear multiple green lights? I' lol be the token "will work for hugs" gal!

 

[Mireille]

@KarriB We're on the same boat.

 

[Mireille]

@agarrett It's unfortunate that we have to worry about these things. At least they initially approved you for 6 wks. Mine only for 4, they ended up giving me another 4 weeks but my employer just allowed me to work from home. I'm very lucky they worked with me and my job is financial so and I don't have to keep a schedule. I hope things work out for you. First comes your recovery. Don't want to jeopardize your baby knee. Good luck!

 

[Mireille]

@L.I.T Tell me about it. I don't understand why they have the right to determine when someone is ready to return to work. Frustrating!
At least I don't have to worry about that anymore.

Although therapy went well, knee really not to happy. I'm thinking of skipping PT tomorrow. Maybe 3x is too much. You can really have too much of a good thing.

I see you were up in the middle of the night, how are you doing?

You sure can wear green lights, I'll join you. It's going to be a hug fest

 

[KarriB]

Does the insurance company speak with your doctor? I had saved 180 sick days over my career, so that's what I had going into TKR. I used 60+ days including when I went back to half days. I had to beg my Dr to write a script for half days and he insisted on 6 full weeks. Luckily my school wanted me back any way they could get me. I did stay out 12-13 weeks before going back part time.

 

[L.I.T]

Lol, 'twas the midnight special. I overdid things at the pool yesterday (note to self - not ready for flutter kicks yet), and then sitting at the desk for 4 hrs yesterday. With my additional household activities it *almost* felt like a regular day - I knew the little guy would be angry, and he was. That, and my hubby's steroids woke him up at 10pm (he went to sleep at 6pm). A little depression thrown in, too, me thinks. We just be all kinds of messed up over here!

You go to PT 3 times a week! I would keel over! It takes me the 2-3 days between my sessions to recover. Oh how I treasure those recovery days (Mine! Mine! Mine! )

Happy recovering to all!

 

[Cratchit]

Gosh, reading about how it can be your insurance companies and not your healing which determines when you return to work makes me realise how fortunate I am to work in the public sector in the UK which, for all its faults, does generally allow time for recovery. Plus I`ll return on a 4 week phased return and use accrued annual leave after that to further reduce my hours before finally retiring in July.

@Mireille and @agarrett I hope you`re both able to get as long as you need to recover before returning to work.

Counting my blessings here reading what you girls are going through. Green lights blazing over here - especially for you, @L.I.T. (lit up Liz!)!

 

[Mireille]

@L.I.T I can't wait to try the pool. My OS should clear me for that next week.

I hear you with the overdoing, I just took down my Christmas decorations from the back porch, couldn't stand it any longer. Front porch is still decorated, ugh....Now "IT" is not happy so I'm getting some R.I.C.E time in. Maybe a nap if I'm lucky.

The depression creeps in out of nowhere. One day I'm fine, the next I'm crying for no apparent reason. Feels like I've been going through this for years. Time goes by so..... slow.

Yeah, 3 days seems too much right now. I'm canceling tomorrow. Need rest.

Hope you have a good day!

 

[Mireille]

@Cratchit I'm working for home now which is great. No pressure, I do what I can.

Glad you're green lights are blazing! Hugs!

 

[Celle]

The depression creeps in out of nowhere. One day I'm fine, the next I'm crying for no apparent reason. Feels like I've been going through this for years. Time goes by so..... slow.

Yeah, 3 days seems too much right now. I'm canceling tomorrow. Need rest.

The depression is a normal part of recovery and your emotions will be unstable for a while yet.
Remember this article? Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Cry if you want to. Tears are healing.

3 days a week for PT is too much . Twice a week is OK, as long as you don't get too energetic and do too mucch. Once a week is even better. That's because it's not exercising that gets you your ROM, it's time. Time to recover, time for swelling and pain to settle and time to heal. Your ROM is there right from the start, just waiting for all that to happen, so it can show itself.

 

[Mireille]

@Celle I agree. It honestly feels good after I'm done with PT but I'm just exhausted. Not necessarily sore. I'd rather do ADL's more often instead of being so tired from PT. . I'm not overly concerned with ROM. I reread that mantra when negative thoughts of ROM begin to creep into my mind.

I try to remind myself that the emotional ups and downs are normal. After a good cry, I feel better. Thank goodness for this forum and my personal support network. It works wonders and I'm immensely grateful to all!