TKR My knee is straight

[knocknee40]

I had my knee replacement the 25th. I’ve never felt so happy in my life. Even with the pain, it’s better than it was! Now on to the challenges of getting my hamstrings and calves to cooperate. I cried with joy

 

[Jockette]

Awesome!

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

​

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

​

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for TKRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

​

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[patriciad]

Congratulations on your successful Knee Surgery. Those are quite the before and after photos! Amazing difference and you look great using your walker. Your post is very inspiring and I wish you smooth progress in your Recovery.

 

[GiantFinnegan]

I'm so excited for you, your new knee looks great! I was also knock-kneed, not as severely as your before picture, but yes, the hamstrings and calves took a while to stretch after my surgery. I did have a prescription for muscle relaxers and those really helped in the first couple of weeks when I had spasms and cramping in my hamstrings, calves, and quads. (Edited to add - stay hydrated! I could tell when I wasn't drinking enough water because the cramping and spasms were definitely worse! Also getting up because I had to pee all of the time seemed to help make sure I didn't stiffen up too much)

Yay for new straight knees!

 

[GZGirl22]

electrolyte solutions like Powerade or Gatorade may help if your muscles start cramping. Gentle static stretches will help too. Good luck with your recovery

 

[Rain Dancer]

What an amazing difference! Best wishes for a smooth recovery.

 

[knocknee40]

I'm so excited for you, your new knee looks great! I was also knock-kneed, not as severely as your before picture, but yes, the hamstrings and calves took a while to stretch after my surgery. I did have a prescription for muscle relaxers and those really helped in the first couple of weeks when I had spasms and cramping in my hamstrings, calves, and quads. (Edited to add - stay hydrated! I could tell when I wasn't drinking enough water because the cramping and spasms were definitely worse! Also getting up because I had to pee all of the time seemed to help make sure I didn't stiffen up too much)

Yay for new straight knees!

Wonderful it feels amazing doesn’t it? I’m trying my best to hydrate hydrate hydrate !!
and walking has been my favorite thing going to the bathroom is now a treat ahah

 

[Daveboy1810]

Very happy for you! Amazing job your surgeon did. Best~

 

[Susie-Q]

Wow!!! Your knee is so wonderfully straight! So happy for you! Best Wishes for a continued great recovery.

 

[jessicarogers36]

I'm knocked knee too and just had a right tkr. It's hard to get used to one knee straight and the other still going inward. Do you have a lot of hip pain on your newly straighten knee? My hip on my right is almost as painful as my knee.

 

[sistersinhim]

Your leg looks amazing! Hats off to your surgeon.

 

[jessicarogers36]

Thank you so much!!

 

[kneeper]

My leg wasn't as far off as yours, but I too kept admiring how straight my leg was after the tkr. Congrats!
And you're right, those walks to the bathroom are a good early "exercise."

 

[knocknee40]

Your leg looks amazing! Hats off to your surgeon.

Yes he’s my hero

 

[knocknee40]

Congratulations on your successful Knee Surgery. Those are quite the before and after photos! Amazing difference and you look great using your walker. Your post is very inspiring and I wish you smooth progress in your Recovery.

Thank you so much!! I’m taking it day by day

 

[Sisterpat]

Great success, knocknee! I know how happy you must be! Now comes the challenge of recovery, but you can do it. Lots of support and good advice here on BoneSmart! Soldier on!