TKR My RTKR Done: I Kneed You Now
- Thread starter njadh51
- Start date
So far, so good!
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.
(Administrative Note: For those reading this post, please be aware that these links are a premium service and only available to Insiders Club Members. To learn about membership, click here ).
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 your new knee.
3. Do what you want to do BUT
If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you.
If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. Good Nutrition is essential for successful recovery:
Dietary Tips for Recovery
Nutrition Basics
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
BoneSmart view on exercise
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
**and please also read the Recovery myths below.
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this:
Activity progression for TKRs
7. If you want to use something to assist with incision healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.
8. Still need recovery aids? The BoneSmart Recovery Shop offers BoneSmarties best-loved recovery products at great prices.
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?
**Recovery myths:
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.
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.
(Administrative Note: For those reading this post, please be aware that these links are a premium service and only available to Insiders Club Members. To learn about membership, click here ).
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 your new knee.
3. Do what you want to do BUT
If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you.
If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. Good Nutrition is essential for successful recovery:
Dietary Tips for Recovery
Nutrition Basics
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
BoneSmart view on exercise
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
**and please also read the Recovery myths below.
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this:
Activity progression for TKRs
7. If you want to use something to assist with incision healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.
8. Still need recovery aids? The BoneSmart Recovery Shop offers BoneSmarties best-loved recovery products at great prices.
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?
**Recovery myths:
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.
Welcome to the Healing Side, @njadh51! Glad to read that you are icing and elevating. Be sure to stay on schedule with your pain meds -- it will help ease the transition when the nerve block wears off.
Be sure to read the articles that Jockette shared above. Following this guidance made a huge difference for me in my second recovery. (I hadn't discovered BoneSmart in time for my first!)
Be sure to read the articles that Jockette shared above. Following this guidance made a huge difference for me in my second recovery. (I hadn't discovered BoneSmart in time for my first!)
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Jermert
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Welcome to the healing side, rest and ice are your best friends right now. Stay on top of your pain meds, don’t wait to take them because you’re not hurting yet. Best of luck I’ve had both of mine replaced this year. Remember it’s a marathon not a sprint, recovery will take time. Don’t push, let your body be your guide. The moderators here are great and very knowledgeable. You might ask about the article on quiet recovery. Best wishes.
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Glad it’s done, now onwards you go and we’re here to both support and to cheer in your recovery journey. 
Thanks Everyone!
The uber boss has figured out the pan meds and taking good care of me. Elevation and ice packs during the day with hourly trips to bathroom getting my walking in. I'm using the cold therapy machine overnight on low intensity setting making sure I have skin protection. Very fortunate to have a caring spouse. I very much feel sympathy and respect for those brave souls who have to do it alone or with minimal care.
I realize I'm still in the honeymoon phase before the nerve block wears off in a few hours (getting brief previews already). But also realize wherever it is on the pain scale...its healing pain for a few days that everyone on here has gone through or will go through. Guess I'll qualify for my badge on honor once on the downside of it! Being a bit of a pain wimp these days..
I'll be leaning on you all over the next few!
The uber boss has figured out the pan meds and taking good care of me. Elevation and ice packs during the day with hourly trips to bathroom getting my walking in. I'm using the cold therapy machine overnight on low intensity setting making sure I have skin protection. Very fortunate to have a caring spouse. I very much feel sympathy and respect for those brave souls who have to do it alone or with minimal care.
I realize I'm still in the honeymoon phase before the nerve block wears off in a few hours (getting brief previews already). But also realize wherever it is on the pain scale...its healing pain for a few days that everyone on here has gone through or will go through. Guess I'll qualify for my badge on honor once on the downside of it! Being a bit of a pain wimp these days..
I'll be leaning on you all over the next few!
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You're not a pain wimp. They cut into your flesh, sawed your bone and used instruments to tap, nice way of saying, hammered, the components into place. 
You're a champ with a healthy attitude and with the loving care of your wife, you'll heal and thrive. Brighter days are on the way! 
Lean on us when wifey needs a minute to herself.
We'll be here.
Happy Tuesday!
@njadh51
You're a champ with a healthy attitude and with the loving care of your wife, you'll heal and thrive. Brighter days are on the way! Lean on us when wifey needs a minute to herself.
We'll be here.Happy Tuesday!
@njadh51
Remember, less activities = better healing early on in this recovery! Someone is here 24/7 if you need somone to talk to.
I have treated sleep apnea too so I had the spinal and sedation...no getting put to sleep.Got to hear most of the operation. At one point I asked the team if they were building a backyard deck over there which drew a few chuckles. But I will apologize to the surgeon in my post-op consult with him early December...blame it on the sedative!
You’re doing well. Please keep us posted.
I had the block and sedation too, both times, although I asked for them to please ensure I couldn’t hear the carpentry.
I had the block and sedation too, both times, although I asked for them to please ensure I couldn’t hear the carpentry.
