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TKR My good knee is now my bad knee.

Don't put anything on your scabs until they are completely healed unless it's the Active Scar Shield. That can be used on an unhealed wound. Anything else could allow bacteria to enter your incision.
 
You can buy the hydrogel through the link on the upper right part of this page. There's a code for Bonesmart which saves 25%. I bought some the other day for my upcoming surgery.
 
I am 5 weeks post-op now. No longer using the walker but I still need a walking stick a lot of the time. Most of the discomfort I have now is due to lower back pain and sciatica. I have a long-term disc problem which makes it impossible to sleep lying on my back, but I can't comfortably sleep on either side yet, so I'm still sleeping in my recliner and I think this is also not good for my back. I can't take more than a few steps before the sciatica kicks in and I have to sit down again. The back of my knee is also very tight and that doesn't help.

I am seeing the surgeon at the end of this week for my first post-op check up. I just hope he can give me some advice and encouragement. When I first injured my back 30 years ago I was told I would end up in a wheelchair on a permanent basis. I have spent my whole life fighting against that, but have had to use one occasionally over the past couple of years. Now I'm scared that my back is going to prevent my knee recovering properly and I will end up in that wheelchair more often than not.
 
@TassieDiva :friends:Try using a big soft fluffy pillow between your legs, I always put my operated leg on top of the pillow, with a ice pack wrapped around all sides of it, I also bent it slightly. I also had other pillows either side of my body, fortunately my husband kindly moved to another bedroom as by the time I was comfortable there was no room in the bed for him :heehee: Fast forward 1 year, this has made no difference to my gait, my knee is perfectly straight and I have achieved a good outcome, so maybe give your back a wee rest from lying in the recliner x.
I hope your surgeon has answers for you next week xx
 
I also have low back issues, so I can’t lay on my back, but I learned that I could if my legs were elevated. I had a great foam wedge that the hospital sent home with me to elevate my legs. I adjusted to that and was very comfortable.
 
TassieDiva said:
Now I'm scared that my back is going to prevent my knee recovering properly and I will end up in that wheelchair more often than not.
Click to expand...
Please try not to worry about this, at 5 weeks post op we all had all kinds of issues that were par for the course and over time as we healed those issues sorted themselves out. I know it all seems very daunting right now, but you are going to improve. :console2:
 
@Sara61

I tried the pillow fix last week and couldn't last more than a few minutes before I needed to roll over, so ended back in the recliner. I'm going to give it another try tonight. I will let you know how I go!
 
@Jockette

I think I really need one of those wedges. I'll have to see if I can find one when I'm in the city later in the week.
 
Here are some options for elevating:
bonesmart.org

Elevation: Doing It the Right Way

Updated June 11, 2024 by Jockette Proper elevation is one of the best ways to help with pain and swelling following either hip, knee, or ankle surgery. Many people elevate improperly, which can dramatically lower the effectiveness. In the weeks following your surgery, make sure you elevate...
bonesmart.org bonesmart.org
 
I forgot to mention that I am also still recovering from fracturing both shoulders last year. One needed a reverse replacement and the other was left to heal on its own. So I still have to sleep in the recliner because of that, but because my lower back won't get with the program, plus the knee zingers during the night, I'm not getting much sleep at all. I wish I could afford one of those super adjustable, vibrating, massaging, singing and dancing beds :)
 
I've just been having a bit of a meltdown, including tears. One of my cats decided that the bedroom floor was preferable to the litter box and I couldn't bend over properly to clean it up. I called out for my partner but he was in his workshop with loud music playing and couldn't hear me. The ground outside is really rough - we live on a farm - and I can't yet walk outside very easily. I had to bash on the side of the house with my walking stick for a long time before I got his attention. Then, walking back through the kitchen, I noticed a puddle of milk on the floor near the refrigerator. Someone put the open milk carton where they shouldn't have and it got knocked over when the door closed. And it wasn't me. That's what started the tears...and yes, I was crying over spilt milk :heehee: I can now see the funny side of it but really it was the straw that broke the camel's back.
 
I can relate to that feeling!! I hope you start having more good days- and less pain.
 
Our pets can be so rewarding but also such a pain in the rear! It's good that you can laugh about it now!
 
Today I had my 6-week post-op appointment. My surgeon wasn't available because he was operating on someone in an emergency situation. His colleague, a lovely young doctor, pleasantly surprised me with her hands-off approach. She didn't touch my knee without first asking permission, and that was only to feel the swelling behind my knee, which she said was a tendon that was swollen ...something to do with quad muscles. She didn't mention physiotherapy or ROM, just pointed out that it's early days in a year-long recovery. She talked about elevating and icing, and told me I'm doing well. Honestly, it was like she was quoting from BoneSmart :giggle: I was so relieved by her attitude!
 
I am now almost eight weeks post-op. My new knee is doing well. I haven't needed pain meds since the end of the second week and haven't used ice for the past few days. My main problem is not being able to sleep anywhere but in my recliner, which is mainly due to shoulder pain (fractured both shoulders two years ago). I have been trying different pillow combinations in bed and hopefully one day I will get it just right, like Goldilocks :heehee:

My other knee is getting a lot worse now, so I need to think about getting that replaced too....just have to sort out some other health issues first.

I want to thank all the Bonesmart advisers for the great job you do. Even if I don't post anymore messages, I will still be following other people's progress. Wishing everyone speedy recoveries :) :-) (:
 
I slept in my recliner for quite a while after my shoulder surgery and then my tkr. My bed was just too uncomfortable.
 
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