TKR Mouser's recovery

[sistersinhim]

If any exercise causes more swelling/pain your knee isn't ready for that exercise yet. Take control of your recovery and not let PT encourage you to do anything that will set you back, which it has done now. Stay away from those movements until your swelling goes down.

 

[Flashlight]

I received new exercises this week and I have found one that is causing me the same issues. It's the one where you put weight on your operated knee for a few seconds by standing on that leg. I might ease into that one. Congrats on doing so well!

 

[Jockette]

Feeling more swollen and stiff is your knee telling you that you are doing too much for your stage of recovery. Either decline to do these exercises or stop going now.

Regaining our ROM does not require forceful bending or painful exercises.
Regaining our ROM is more about Time than repetitions of a list of exercises.

Time to recover.
Time for pain and swelling to settle.
Time to heal.

Our range of motion is right there all along just waiting for that to happen so it can show itself.

In the general run of things, it doesn't need to be fought for, worked hard for or worried about. It will happen. Normal activity is the key to success.

 

[Mouser]

Thanks to all of you. I thought that us the case. I think the exercises in question are standing to sitting and stepping up one a 6 inch step. Also added 1 pound weight to my leg lifts. All 3 sets of 10. Will let you know what happens at PT.

 

[Jockette]

It’s too early for any weights. You are not in training, you are healing from major surgery that caused a lot of internal trauma. I don’t understand why some PTs don’t get that.

 

[benne68]

added 1 pound weight to my leg lifts.

At 2 months, your knee simply hasn't healed enough to handle weights. If you look at the chart below, you can see that your bones, ligaments and tendons are not yet healed from the surgery and you could cause yourself a serious setback

As @Jockette said, you are not in training! Please, please don't add any weight for at least another month, if not longer.

 

[Mouser]

My ROM hasn't changed with the increased swelling. Getting to 119 with ease. Didn't use the weight and took it easy on the other exercises. Going to rest for the weekend and take some ibuprofen. Thanks everyone and happy healing.

 

[Mouser]

Approaching 10 weeks in a couple of days. Will be finishing up PT the end of the week. Recovered well from overdoing it at week 8. Rom is at 0..120. I am feeling much stronger and my stamina has been improving each week. Swelling has decreased so much the past 2 weeks. Not much pain to speak of now. Almost ready to get rid of the cane but still need it for when I am taking a walk or up for a bit. Riding 10 minutes on my exercise bike and trying to either walk or go to a store each day but not both. Looking forward to next summer when I can kayak and cycle once again. This journey is a long one but it will be worth it in the end.

It is very weird that the blues are hitting me more now when things are much better. It usually last a day so that isn't to bad. I acknowledge it then try to keep myself busy.

Hope you all are doing well. Remember the small improvements are a big deal in the first weeks after surgery. Try to focus on those to carry you through. Thank you bonesmart for a wonderful site. Happy healing to all.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Wednesday,
It's great to read how well you're doing. Thanks for your encouraging words for other members as well as your kind words in regard to BoneSmart. I'm betting the blues will visit less and less the more active and engaged in life you become. The good thing is that you realize the gloom is normally fleeting and those occurrences only temporary. A great rest of the week you!
@Mouser

 

[Summeryy]

Glad to hear things are moving along! It is a long process, and a slow one. I am at day 8, so a bit behind you. It is reassuring to see the similarities etc. Hope you are still progressing...any updates on how you are doing?

 

[Mouser]

Hi everyone hope you are all healing well. Just over 3 month mark now. Just curious if anyone else had a repair to MCL due to valgus along with TKR? My MCL was tightened and the tears stitched. I gave up my cane a couple of weeks ago. Since then I have pain on medial side. Just wondering if it jas to do with MCL.

For my update things are going well. Riding my exercise bike for 15 minutes now with a smooth rotation. My rom appears better as I can go up/down stairs with a small amount of discomfort. I can be up on my leg for 2-3 hours. After that ice and rest is needed. Not sure when I will be able to work again since I can only be on my feet 2-3 hours. I see the doc at the end of the month so will report back then..

Hang in there everyone! You got this! Happy healing to all.

 

[Susie-Q]

It sounds like things are right on schedule, @Mouser! If you gradually increase the amount of time on your feet you will eventually be able to do what you did previously. Always take time to rest and ice if your knee needs it. It's good that you are able to do stairs fairly well now.

I do not have any experience with a repair to the MCL but it's possible your pain is due to that and it will heal in time.

Happy healing!

 

[Layla]

Happy Four Month Anniversary!
Good luck with your appointment at the end of the month and Happy Holidays!
@Mouser