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TKR New Left Knee . . . Check!!

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Thanks for asking after me. I've had good intentions about getting on here to post an update--but it just never happened. We are getting ready to move and just now putting our house up for sale, so I have been BUSY!

I am 5 months and 5 days out from my TKR and 2 weeks and 4 days out from my MUA today. I am still very happy that I did the MUA. It was a huge turning point for me. I have still been doing PT 2 days a week, but must confess that I am getting pretty tired of going to PT after 5 months. I so long to get back to working out for fitness and not rehab!

Until this past Thursday my flexion was consistently measuring about 120. But on Thursday morning I accidentally gave myself a manipulation without any anesthesia! I was trying to install one of my grandkids carseats in my SUV. So I was up in the backseat doorway trying to get that dang thing in there. The seat was not cooperating, so without thinking I stepped backwards out of the car with my nonsurgical leg--which left my TKR leg up there in the doorway. It was a VERY BIG STEP down and my knee bent way beyond the normal stopping point. HURT BIG TIME--enough to make me scream. Just so happened I had an appointment with my OS about 2 hours later. I told him what happened and that I was hurting a bit--but lo and behold he measured my flexion at about 125 to 130! The next day I had PT and he measured me at 125 as well--so we all agree that I really did give myself a manipulation! (My PT said I should do it again! :DOH:)

I was hoping to convince my OS that I've had enough PT, but he wants me to continue once a week or even every other week for about another 6 weeks--just so I get stretched by the PT every so often and so that the PT can send him reports as to how I'm doing. So my PT and I decided we would go with every other week, unless I feel like I'm getting tight and stiff and then will call to come in earlier.

I am doing much better with the discomfort during the night. That has eased up a lot. (Now what wakes me up are hot flashes! :hysterical:)On February 24th I emptied my Polar Care 500 ice machine for the final time and packed it away. It was actually kind of nostalgic because that baby has not been without ice for 5 months straight! I don't know how I would have gotten through this recovery without that ice machine! I am still icing occasionally during the day--but just using gel packs now. I'm not icing at all at night now.

Tightness and stiffness have definitely eased up, but I am still having intermittent aches and pains--sometimes enough to cause me to take a couple of hydrocodone every now and then.

At 5 months out I would say that I am about 40% or so back to normal--so still a long way to go, but I am feeling optimistic about my recovery finally. The MUA made the difference for me. Very happy with that decision! :snork: My advice to anyone not happy with their ROM and considering an MUA is to go for it. It was not at all a setback and really helped me turn a corner in my recovery!
Niki
 
What great news Niki! :yahoo: Sounds like you are finally getting the results that you want. I am very happy for you! :friends:

You have come a long way in the last few weeks. Just remember that you may find a little bump in the recovery, but the worst is way behind you now.:yes 4:
 
Niki,

So glad to hear you are doing so well. Really sounds like that MUA was the key to moving on, you can really read it in your posts.
 
Oh, Niki....I think a lot of us have accidently done that manipulation thing! Glad to hear the "procedure" was such a success!!!:th_heehee:
 
I think that I need an accidental manipulation! I seriously think I've had a definite set back these past 3 weeks with no end in sight. I would be seeing my OS for a one year check March 28, if I am able to go...how long can someone wait to have a MUA? Seriously, I think I m only bending NW 110 degrees, I've lost a lot!
 
Bonnie...we had one member who had an MUA after a couple of years (nursepair). But....MUAs are usually done to break through scar tissue. In your case, I would think any loss of ROM may be improved by beginning more stretches, bends and general activity. You're back at PT now....give that a chance to work.
 
I am sure you are right Jamie, I will go twice a week to PT then see the OS at the end of the month and let him decide where I am.
 
NIce report Niki, good to hear your progress, not great to hear about the manipulation without anesthesia but it seems to have helped you a bit! I know what you mean about going to PT for so long, it does get old after a while. Good luck on your move but don't forget to update us once in a while!

Time is your greatest ally in recovery, soon the 40% will be 60% and so on!

Be well,

Dawn
 
It's been four weeks since I've been here to post! Wow! I have been reading and trying to keep up with everyone, but just haven't taken the time to post. Did want to give an update though since I just passed the 6-month mark this past Tuesday!

Things have continued to go really well since my MUA on February 14th. Still so very glad I did it! I would say that at 6 months out I am feeling about 60% recovered. I still do have some residual swelling I think. Or maybe my knee is just always going to look this big! Not really sure which it is. It does look very different than my other knee, but less like a cannonball than it used to!

I am back to the gym 5 days a week--three days I do 35 minutes on the elliptical and 10 minutes on the bike with the seat as low as it will go. Then I do about 5 minutes of stretching. The other two days, I am back to the strength training class that I used to do before surgery. It is an hour class with light weights and LOTS of repetitions. There are usually about 2 or 3 exercises in each class that I have to modify or not do at all (usually involving kneeling or something with impact), but for the most part I am able to fully participate. I'm able to do all of the squats and lunges--just maybe not quite as deep as I used to do them. It feels great to be back to a normal workout routine!

I am also now walking my dog for 2 miles just about every morning (in addition to the gym). I used to do it in about 35 minutes prior to surgery, and now it takes me about 40 minutes--so I'm almost back to my usual pace.

I had my last PT session today!! YAY--finally discharged after 6 long months. Kind of bittersweet. I really liked my PT and all of the techs. I'll miss them. Measured at 130 today! So it was a great way to finish! So in the 6 weeks since my MUA, I've gained about another 5 degrees. I feel really good about my ROM now. My extension is at 0 and if I can keep my flexion at 130 I will be thrilled.

The only drugs that I'm taking now are Celebrex (200 mg) and very occassionally 1,000 mg of Tylenol. I am still also occassionally icing--maybe a couple of times a week when I feel the need. I also still have that achy leg feeling at times (hence the Tylenol), but not very often now.

The "tight band" and stiffness have really eased up in the last month. Huge difference. I really notice it most now when I've been sitting and not moving for a while and then get up. (Although it does feel kind of tight now after PT this morning. Probably should ice today.) There are actually moments now when I completely forget about my knee. I fully expect those moments to be happening more and more frequently.

So I am by no means completely recovered, but I am well on my way. It has been long, and slow, and tough, and hard, but I feel like I am on the downhill side of recovery now finally.

To those who are just starting on this recovery journey, the only thing I can say is that patience is key, and patience is HARD. But there is just no way to speed this process up. (We've all tried! :snork:)
Niki
 
Niki
I'm thrilled to read your update! what an amazing and challenging journey you have experienced with your TKR. NICE job!
I wish you continued success!!!
 
Hi Niki
You have been missed!! What a fantastic report to read, I am so pleased you are doing so well and that you are back doing all your gym work. You have had a somewhat tricky recovery but you have done it with amazing patience and determination. Good luck with your continued recovery :thumb:
 
Hi, Niki

I'm so glad to hear that things continue to improve for you. I need to keep repeating to myself that patience is a virtue.
 
Hi Niki
Great to hear from you and your progress. You really are getting there after all the struggles. You really helped me in the early days with my first knee. So thank you! And you are definitely right about patience!
As a fellow ed have you thought about putting your story into print!
 
Niki,
Wonderful to hear how well you are doing! It's been a long road, and you have made it,:thumb:
 
Niki, I am so glad to hear all of your great news!:yay: You are well on your way to getting your life back. Your workouts and walks sound like things are finally working well.:thumb:

Hope your move goes smoothly and the knee enables you to do all you want to do.:dancy:
 
Great report, Niki!!! It's so good to hear how well you're doing.
 
HI Niki, good to hear from you!

It sounds like you are doing great, and that is really good news. The ability to get back into your life is exactly why you started this in the first place, so congrats!!

Wishing you continued good health and flexibility!!

Best,

Dawn
 
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