TKR My knee replacement journey

[chilikids]

I’ve found this site so helpful as I navigate my recovery. I had a right total knee replacement on 12/22. I am just shy of 4 weeks into recovery. Prior to my surgery I was fairly active and never had a need for a cane,etc. I did many months of leg exercise to try to go into the surgery with decent strength. I had significant quad pain post op and was very limited with leg movement as It seemed like my quad muscles were not doing much for the first two weeks That has improved now. At almost 4 weeks out now I am still dependent on using a walker. I have tried the cane a few times. My stride is not that great using the cane and I have swelling after using the cane. I am still icing frequently. I definitely know not to compare to others recovery but I am worried with still being so dependent on the walker!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

And your personal copy of the general guidelines...

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 these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Care In Hospital​

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 a 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 history before providing advice.

 

[Bosoxjc3]

Hello, my surgery was 12/21, RTK I used a walker for the 1st couple of weeks, I still use it 1st thing in the morning and at night if I get up. My quad was having problems firing also, it is much better now. With the pain and stiffness it is extremely difficult to get in stride with a cane. I use a cane for going out it helps with stability. This is definitely a marathon not a sprint, take your time, it will come

 

[chilikids]

Thanks Bosoxjc3 I definitely knew going into this that it’s upwards of a full year to really reap the surgery rewards. I honestly am just getting a bit tired of the walker but know I still need it. I guess I didn’t expect to need it at almost 4 weeks out....sigh.

 

[Celle]

There's no time by which you should give up the walker, and no prizes for giving it up early, so keep using it as long as you feel you need it. I know it's bulky and it can be a bit of a pain in the house, but it's better to use it than to risk having a fall.

We have had some people on here who kept 0n using the walker for months, until they could walk normally, without a limp, and that's OK.
The walker is just a tool, to help you walk better.

 

[chilikids]

Thank you Celle. The reassurance is very helpful I was feeling a bit defeated with still needing the walker and worrying that still needing it could be an indicator of a less successful outcome. I know deep down it’s way too early on in things but thinking about this knee all day long sometimes is a bit trying on my optimism.....lol.

 

[sistersinhim]

I used the walker for at least 6 weeks when I was outside the house. Using one is no indication of the success of your surgery it's just using an assistance device to keep you safe. People can bump into you and then you will possibly end up on the floor. Falling is a very bad thing, especially after this surgery. Doing things to prevent that should be foremost in your mind.

 

[Citylady52]

Hi chili, same date as you so “surgery buddies”.....except I had a partial. Feel very wobbly at times esp when I first wake up. I alternate between cane and walker. At times I feel like I’m walking ok but then all of a sudden have a strong jolt of pain from knee, down the fibula and into the Achilles area. Haven’t been outside the house in 4 weeks except a couple of weeks ago when my PT escorted me for a two block walk outside. I have an injured tendon in lower leg that is interfering in recovery and producing pain. Demoralizing.
Just curious if anyone knows, at what point should one attempt a “ step up” exercise ?. Also, I’d like to try and get a Covid vaccine but no way I could wait in one of these long lines.

 

[sistersinhim]

Just curious if anyone knows, at what point should one attempt a “ step-up” exercise?

What I did when trying something new after my tkr was to do one small extra thing, then back to my normal daily activities. My pain and swelling that night and the next day would be an indication of whether or not my knee was ready for that new activity. If so, then I do it again for a week or so before I added anything else new. Always letting my knee's reaction be my guide helped me to have a much less painful recovery. Did I get impatient? You bet! But, I knew my knee and I knew the best way to let her heal.

 

[chilikids]

Thank you sistersinhim. Your assistance helps more than you know! I had my first out of the house physical therapy appointment today. My home PT that was with me thru last week was very gentle and along the same plans as what I have read here on BoneSmart. I was pleased to see that same approach today at PT. The PT I will be seeing was very reassuring on the need for the walker and feels I may transition soon to the cane But I know it’ll only happen when it’s best for my knee.
Citylady52- I have an appointment Thursday for my covid vaccine. I checked in with my surgeons PA to be sure it’s ok at this point post op to get it and they ok’d getting the vaccine( I am a nurse and prefer to have the vaccine completed before I return to work)There won’t be a line where I’m getting it but unsure how it’ll be navigating in and out of the building. Happy to see your surgery was the same day as mine.....were healing “together”