TKR My Mako TKR

[hammertown]

Please tell me the name of the laxative.

(My first recommendation holds: use the stool softener PLUS get senna for daily use, either as tablets or as the herbal tea Smooth Move; this is a good combination)

I used Dulcolax 5mg tablets. I started out taking 2 tablets, waiting overnight with no results. I took 3 more the next night and after 6 hours, the bowels woke up. I am now back to the stool softeners, but it feels like I need to take Dulcolax again. I can try Senokot, but I only have Dulcolax right now. From the responses, it sounds like I need a daily cocktail of stool softeners and a laxative.

I got a full night's sleep last night, but only able to sleep on my back, not on side. Still icing and doing the exercises my PT directed me to do at home. My leg had no bruising until 7 days post-surgery. The bruising is on the upper thigh and might be from the tourniquet during the surgery.

 

[mendogal]

Dulcolax is harsher than senna.
You might try using the dulcolax every other evening until you are in a position to switch to senna.

Congratulations on a good sleep! (It took me weeks, literally)
Many of us have trouble getting comfortable to sleep - if lying on your back works, go for it. At some point you'll feel comfortable trying lying on your non surgical side, with one or two pillows supporting your surgical side (some people like one pillow; I initially preferred two so my leg was closer to parallel to the bed).

Yes upper thigh bruising and/or soreness from the tourniquet is common.

How's your transfers and walking going?

 

[hammertown]

3 weeks post-surgery update

It has been 21 days since my right knee TKR. Senokot solved my sleeping bowel constipation issues. I take 5 Senokot tablets every day which seems to work well. It may be a mute issue now as I stopped taking prescription pain medication two days ago. I am only taking Tylenol 3 times a day.

I can sleep on my side now and I am getting more restful sleep. Getting a full night’s sleep seems to be the most enjoyable thing I have done in 3 weeks.

I go to physical therapy 2 days a week now. My flexion is only 90 degrees and I am concerned about it, but the physical therapist says I am where I should be at 3 weeks. I am somewhat discouraged about not having higher flexion. The swelling has gone done and I continue to ice and elevate my knee.

I got my stitches out a couple of days ago. I can ride my recumbent exercise bicycle now, but I must be fully stretched out before it feels comfortable. I transitioned from the walker to a cane without any issues. There is a heat wave coming this weekend which I can handle unless the power goes out.

 

[mendogal]

Congratulations!
Sleeping well and 90 degrees at 3 weeks is fabulous! (Many surgeons hope for us to achieve 90 degrees at six weeks).

Please don't push hard for earlier results - our traumatized soft tissues heal on their own timeline, and the paradox is that overworking a new knee increases swelling, temporarily decreasing range of motion.

Finding that sweet spot, where we can both heal well and improve our function, is a continual balancing act between activity and rest, ice, elevation for many long months.

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
You're doing great. Enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend!
@hammertown

 

[hammertown]

6-week post-surgery update

I continue to make progress on TKR and I go to physical therapy 2 times a week. In addition to the home stretching exercises every day, I elevate and ice my knee every day. Last week, I was stuck at 109 degrees of flexion.

I went to see my surgeon and he felt my quad muscle was too tight and it was preventing me from getting higher flexion. He instructed me to sit in a chair at home, do a heel slide getting my foot as far back as possible. Then holding my foot in place, slide forward in the chair and massage my quad for 30 seconds. I was told to do these heel slides (10) times.

I used a massage gun on my quad to loosen it up during the heel slides. I went to PT today and my flexion was 120 so the heel slide with a quad massage seems to have improved my flexion. I finally feel like I turned the corner on my TKR. I no longer need a cane and I only take Tylenol when needed.

I appreciate all the advice and encouragement I got on this forum.

 

[benne68]

Isn't it amazing what a difference simply loosening up a tight muscle can make? Glad to read that you are doing so well, @hammertown!

 

[mendogal]

Oh what a good update!!! I'm glad your surgeon had an immediate assessment and suggestion!

 

[Layla]

I finally feel like I turned the corner on my TKR. I no longer need a cane and I only take Tylenol when needed.

I appreciate all the advice and encouragement I got on this forum.

Great news and progress!
Thanks for your kind words in regard to the forum. We appreciate you and that you’re sharing your journey with us.
I hope you have a wonderful week.

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary, hammertown!
I hope you're doing well and I wish you a wonderful month of August!
@hammertown

 

[hammertown]

11-week post-surgery update

I went to my last physical therapy treatment yesterday. I have been going twice a week and started one week after my TKR. My extension is zero degrees and my flexion is 128. I still have tightness in my knee when I get up in the morning, but it goes away after I stretch out both knees and my quads.

The physical therapist feels I can finish my recovery at home by doing the exercises she instructed me to do. Overall, I am very pleased with the outcome of Mako TKR. I walk 4 miles every other day and ride my stationary recumbent exercise bicycle 10 miles on the days I do not walk. I still ice my knee at the end of the day and the ice machine probably expediated my recovery more than anything else I did.

The PT I worked with told me the majority of her patients who had robotic knee and hip replacements seem to recover faster. Mako TKR was better for me, but every person is different.

I will post another update in a couple of months. I appreciate all the advice and encouragement I got on this forum.

 

[EalingGran]

Great update!

 

[mendogal]

Your functional recovery is great - distances walking and biking! - and yes, keep using the ice machine as you increase your activity.

 

[Cycle-Path]

Good job!

I've been thinking the same regarding robot assisted procedures. I have two friends that have had them since I had my traditional surgery. They both had less pain and swelling. It apears that they are recovering in whole at about the same pace as me wrt ROM and therapy exercises, but they are slower with fitness as they do not have the same goals as I. They have no interest in walking, running, or biking. Just return to adl.

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary!
It's encouraging to read you're doing so well. We appreciate you sharing your recovery with us.
Enjoy the rest of the Summer and stay in touch.
@hammertown