OP
OP
bill 3/20
junior member
United StatesLooks like it's back to the doctor for anti-nausea meds. I read that they have a new approved emoji for vomiting. Sorry it's not available. 
PKR My Second PKR
- Thread starter bill 3/20
- Start date
OP
OP
bill 3/20
junior member
I am really happy with my progress, but am having a problem with pain. Three weeks post op. Flexion 134' extension 1. I can walk without a cane and can go up and down stairs with both legs - more pain going down.
I reduced pain Meds to 5mg Percocet every 4 hours, up until 4 days ago, I was taking 10mg.
I tend to get pain at level 6 or 7 over almost my entire body, back, neck,hips, feet, arms, (I can manage knee with ice and elevation) especially if I go for a longer walk ( 1 mile) or push myself in anyway, or if I go to the gym for upper body and 15 min no resistance cycling. My pt has cleared me to go to the gym upper body only and 15 min cycling no resistance - but I get pain,
PT says exercise,post op causes some general inflammation, just a post op thing. I don't know if it's reduced pain Meds, if I am doing too much, or if I should just suck it up.
I reduced pain Meds to 5mg Percocet every 4 hours, up until 4 days ago, I was taking 10mg.
I tend to get pain at level 6 or 7 over almost my entire body, back, neck,hips, feet, arms, (I can manage knee with ice and elevation) especially if I go for a longer walk ( 1 mile) or push myself in anyway, or if I go to the gym for upper body and 15 min no resistance cycling. My pt has cleared me to go to the gym upper body only and 15 min cycling no resistance - but I get pain,
PT says exercise,post op causes some general inflammation, just a post op thing. I don't know if it's reduced pain Meds, if I am doing too much, or if I should just suck it up.
I think it was much too soon to reduce your pain medication. And any PT that hurts or causes inflammation is a Bad Thing, so don't do it.
Don't get talked into trying to "Push through the pain." That's a sure way of building up more pain for yourself.
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Your ROM, both flexion and extension, is fantastic for so early in recovery. You don't need to do more exercises. Instead, cut your activity right back, so that your poor knee can heal itself from the trauma it has been through. Even a partial knee replacement causes major trauma. Your knee isn't lazy - it's wounded.
Don't get talked into trying to "Push through the pain." That's a sure way of building up more pain for yourself.
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Your ROM, both flexion and extension, is fantastic for so early in recovery. You don't need to do more exercises. Instead, cut your activity right back, so that your poor knee can heal itself from the trauma it has been through. Even a partial knee replacement causes major trauma. Your knee isn't lazy - it's wounded.
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Bill, you not yet 4 weeks out so please STOP all this stuff. It's far too early for you. And did you forget the Energy drain which will affect your entire body. Put more simply, you are doing far too much and exceeding your body's reserves of energy. I think what's happening is that you are getting lactic acidosis because of this. Rest more and then rest, rest and rest again! You've had major surgery and you're asking your body to do things it simply cannot do at this stage.
Your body is saying--"Stop!" There is no need to do all this at 4 weeks. Shorten up your walks and back off the gym for a while and I bet your pain will improve. This is a major surgery. You're doing great but give your body a chance to heal. You can increase activity bit by bit as you heal more.
OP
OP
bill 3/20
junior member
I took it totally easy today, and feel a bit better. I guess I should have figured out that I was doing too much. I have spent years as a marathon runner, and am used to pushing myself. I guess I got ahead of myself. I will try backing off. I thought that because my knee pain was manageable I could keep going ane didn't figure that the surgery would impact my entire body. I guess I was wrong. I will try to increase at a much slower rate.
Dragonfly7
member
@bill, My PT told me to not walk for exercise! That was a surprise. Walk yes, but only as needed for daily living.
This week I walked a lot on Tuesday & am still paying for it. This is the first time I've had swelling in my ankle.
She'd like me to concentrate on building up my quads with leg lifts, etc but not walking.
I'm at 3 wks post op and like you, I'm ready to be healed now!
It's hard to slow down as I'm pretty active usually.
Hang in there.
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
This week I walked a lot on Tuesday & am still paying for it. This is the first time I've had swelling in my ankle.
She'd like me to concentrate on building up my quads with leg lifts, etc but not walking.
I'm at 3 wks post op and like you, I'm ready to be healed now!
It's hard to slow down as I'm pretty active usually.
Hang in there.
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
Walking is the best exercise of all for your knees, but don't do it to excess. Like any other exercise, back off if you get pain or swelling, either at the time, or later.
It's ridiculous for a PT to tell you not to walk.
It's ridiculous for a PT to tell you not to walk.
OP
OP
bill 3/20
junior member
Not really a knee issue, but post surgery, I have lost most sense of taste and smell. I can taste sugar, salt, vinegar, and some other things, but my taste is pretty much gone. Pre-surgery, I enjoyed cooking, but right now, with not much sense of smell or taste, I can't really cook. Much food tastes like mildly bitter wax. Nuts, chicken, and meat all taste the same. I know this can be a side effect of surgery. Does anyone have experience with this? When will my taste and smell come back?
I don't think we can give you a definite "how long" before your taste buds recover, Bill.
It isn't unusual for appetite to be affected post-op and your taste buds are probably affected by this, too.
You may find that, as you gradually need less and less pain relief, your taste buds will recover. I know that the narcotics made my mouth feel terribly dry, so they do have some effect on your mouth. That's not a good reason to cut back the narcotics while your knee needs them, though.
It isn't unusual for appetite to be affected post-op and your taste buds are probably affected by this, too.
You may find that, as you gradually need less and less pain relief, your taste buds will recover. I know that the narcotics made my mouth feel terribly dry, so they do have some effect on your mouth. That's not a good reason to cut back the narcotics while your knee needs them, though.
As long as I was on Oxycodone I had no taste buds at all. I pretty much existed on protein drinks. I was thirsty all the time and the protein drinks also helped to keep the nausea down. Get as much protein in you as you can. Protein will healing. Rest, ice, elevate, medicate and sleep, and your recovery will be much better and less painful!
OP
OP
bill 3/20
junior member
Here's an update for my one month anniversary:
My knee is functioning pretty well - 137 flexion, 0 extension. I still have some pain as expected and have a bit of a limp, but I can walk without a cane. I only use the cane when going longer distances or when I will be around lots of people.
I am keeping my PT easy and am now usually only taking hydro condone at night. I am still icing and still at low activity. I can walk for about a mile, prepare simple meals, and do my PT which is primarily flexion and extension stretches. That's it.
I am used to being very active and this inactivity is mentally hard. I have watched all the Netflix I can stand.
I have tried mild increases in activity, but it always knocks me down for a day with general body aches, not the knee so much as everything. It's a bit discouraging and I am getting stir crazy, but I am waiting for the day when things start to turn. I have tickets for a show tomorrow, and probably won't go just because I fatigue so easily - disappointed!
I keep adding small increases in activity only to dial them back because I don't react well.
Maybe next week.
My knee is functioning pretty well - 137 flexion, 0 extension. I still have some pain as expected and have a bit of a limp, but I can walk without a cane. I only use the cane when going longer distances or when I will be around lots of people.
I am keeping my PT easy and am now usually only taking hydro condone at night. I am still icing and still at low activity. I can walk for about a mile, prepare simple meals, and do my PT which is primarily flexion and extension stretches. That's it.
I am used to being very active and this inactivity is mentally hard. I have watched all the Netflix I can stand.
I have tried mild increases in activity, but it always knocks me down for a day with general body aches, not the knee so much as everything. It's a bit discouraging and I am getting stir crazy, but I am waiting for the day when things start to turn. I have tickets for a show tomorrow, and probably won't go just because I fatigue so easily - disappointed!
I keep adding small increases in activity only to dial them back because I don't react well.
Maybe next week.
Dragonfly7
member
Bill, sounds like you're doing pretty darn well! I'm with you on the frustration of wanting to get better 'right now'. I went to a concert last night, sat in great seats and put my leg up on another chair.
I didn't last the entire concert but most of it.
Hope it works out for you,
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
I didn't last the entire concert but most of it.
Hope it works out for you,
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
Bill, for just one month you are doing wonderfully! I think the inactivity leads to other body aches. The more you are able to do, the better everything will feel. You icing and low activity are the reason your knee is doing so well! I hope others will learn from your experience. You are an inspiration to those coming up behind you!
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Oh I feel for you but this did make me chuckle! I'm currently housebound with a bad attack of IT band pain! I used to love Judge Judy but lately I'd rather nap!
However, you're 5 weeks out so only another - erm - 5 weeks to go. Sorry about that!
OP
OP
bill 3/20
junior member
My knee swelling has improved to mild most of the time. Yesterday, I tried walking outside without a cane, not a long distance, but the longest without a cane, maybe 1/2 mile total. I also slightly increased my exercise. I know the rule, if it causes swelling don't do it. I didn't so my exercises or walk much today, and still have the increased swelling. My question, do I need to lay off completely until the swelling is back to previous level or do I resume the lighter exercise that hadn't caused problems?
Lay off everything until the swelling has gone down again.
It's only just over a month since you had this major surgery and walking that far without a cane really wasn't wise.
If you want to try walking without a cane, just do it for short distances and take the cane with you, so that you can use it when your knee gets tired.
It's only just over a month since you had this major surgery and walking that far without a cane really wasn't wise.
If you want to try walking without a cane, just do it for short distances and take the cane with you, so that you can use it when your knee gets tired.
