TKR New member 3 weeks post op

[Gill15]

Did a 25 min walk today but did it in flat shoes and at the end had pain in my left calf like a pulled muscle. Knee feels ok. It was quite a sharp pain but don’t think it’s any thing sinister ( DVT or Achilles) . Other calf muscle on the right leg is also feeling tight now 8 hours later.
I took some ibuprofen and iced it but not sure if heat will be better although don’t think I can get in the bath ( well I could get in but probably not out again) .
Other than that it’s going pretty well 8 weeks last Saturday and went shopping ( for pleasure not food) and lunch out . Still hurts a bit but not taking painkillers as a rule unless I over do it like today.

 

[mendogal]

You can try a little moist heat and gentle calf stretches, standing on an incline with heels lower than toes.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you're feeling better since you last posted.
Enjoy there weekend and stay in touch!
@Gill15

 

[Gill15]

9 weeks yesterday on my journey.
Calves still a bit tight after walking but walking in supportive trainers helps.
Apart from 3 sessions at 2,4 and 6 weeks I don’t do PT at all. Just living and working and sitting with legs on ottoman . I still do heal slides and the one that I clench the muscle to drop the knee down occasionally through the day when I remember.
I do swim 3 times a week. I started at 6 weeks with 15 mins of gentle exercise in the pool and now do 30 mins of lengths, crawl and backstroke and a funny cycling motion with my legs and arms in lieu of breaststroke. It’s about 1 km .
I think if you are a swimmer anyway it’s easier to get back into it but would caution non regular people that it’s easy to over do it in the pool - I’ve been very careful.
I do between 6-10 k steps a day.
As my surgeon wanted to do a MUA at 12 weeks if I didn’t have the same ROM in the Op knee as the other one I’ve ordered a goniometer from Amazon to see if I can estimate my ROM . It’s definitely more than 100 which I had at 6 weeks. I can go up stairs normally. Like most going down normally is a way off yet.
Not going for the MUA anyway as have lost faith in that surgeon - I don’t think he’s very good at the recovery bit. I can book another session with the PT at11 weeks if I need to. They were very sensible and knowledgeable.
Just taking some pain killers occasionally don’t need them all the time .
Still have disrupted sleep but surviving on 6-7 hours in 3 or 4 sessions per night . I have to get up at 6.15 for work anyway!
Think that’s my 9 week summary - I have a fairly chilled outlook- reading some people’s PT regime makes me exhausted ! It must be a full time job for some but I guess I’m just happy to get back to normal things without pain- I don’t want to be able to run a marathon!
Hope everyone is enjoying the summer - here in the UK we’ve had our week of sunshine so I guess that’s it. At least England are still in the footie ( there’s a big soccer competition going on) so we have something to cheer us up. ( for a while ! )

 

[sistersinhim]

I’m just happy to get back to normal things without pain- I don’t want to be able to run a marathon!

This is the goal for most of us. We were restricted before our TKRs and seeing improvement from having this traumatic surgery is a success! I can't do extreme rock climbing, but that's something I never wanted to do. But, I can hike mountain trails now!

Swimming is a very good recovery exercise, but like you said, it's very easy to overdo. I think you are having a very sensible and successful recovery. You go, girl!

 

[mendogal]

You're having a lovely recovery - safe and sane!

 

[EalingGran]

difficult to know what’s normal - that’s why this place is so valuable .

Absolutely true. I have had a good recovery but I certainly felt confused in the first few months as to what was "normal". Things like the tight band feeling/ zingers and the numb patch are all things that worried me but really aren't mentioned in any surgical literature I could find.

 

[Layla]

I love your update and your relaxed sensible approach to recovery. I am happy for you that you’re doing so well. Your post is inspirational.
Have a wonderful week!
@Gill15

 

[Gill15]

It will be 3 calendar months tomorrow on my journey.
I’m pretty happy with it all generally .
Considering my surgeon wanted to do a MUA by 3 months if my ROM wasn’t the same as the other leg I’m getting on fine without that!
I think I’m about 110-115 and doing stairs normally ( although slowly) and managed a 12 k step day with only some stiffness after but more all over not just the knee.
Did my first work trip abroad ( well only 1 hour flight to the Netherlands ) but coped ok in the flight and trip .
Now I’m going to concentrate on the next 3 months on getting fitter and loosing weight. I’m 220 pounds and have just paid for a private prescription for Monujaro and so I need to get serious as it’s a lot of money!
I’m going to concentrate on walking more and of course keep swimming 3 times a week. I’m doing breaststroke legs now although I’m still not putting the power into it that I did have before . I’ll build up to that.
Getting my knee fixed hopefully means the rest of my plan can now happen.
Keep on with it all fellow Bonesmarties and our motto, ice and elevate ! (still doing that as it feels so nice!)

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary! (one day early)
Great news that you're pleased with your progress and not in need of MUA. Congrats on your first work trip. It's always nice to know we're capable of something we may have had reservations about. I wish you success on your weight loss journey and thank you for sharing your recovery with all. Happy Weekend, Gill!
@Gill15

 

[benne68]

Considering my surgeon wanted to do a MUA by 3 months if my ROM wasn’t the same as the other leg I’m getting on fine without that!

Thank you for sharing this. Unfortunately, too many surgeons these days want to rush patients into an MUA when all that's needed is time for the swelling to go down. I hope your story gives others the confidence to refuse.

It's wonderful to read how well you are doing -- even taking a work trip! Please come back and update us at your 4 month anniversary!

 

[Gill15]

I’m now just shy of my 5 month anniversary.
I’m now upping my walking and swimming to the levels of probably 4 years ago when my knee started to go downhill.
I don’t think of it now apart from in bed when it doesn’t like being still for a long period and the first few bends feel like it’s rusty inside!
Rom isn’t much more than 115 probably but that doesn’t really restrict me much apart from not being able to do foot to butt stretches in that leg after aquafit.
I’ve lost 20 lbs in the last 2 months and that is helping and my thighs are less fat and more muscle to help support the knee ( still plenty of fat though!).
Generally the pain post op is a distant memory and I feel so glad I had it done although at the time I know it’s difficult to believe it’s going to be so much better.
My thoughts are with those who aren’t having such a straightforward recovery, hang on in there and ice and elevate!

 

[JDinCT]

Sounds like an excellent recovery path. Congrats!

 

[mendogal]

@Gill15 Thank you for updating us -it's always an upper to receive the good reports!!!!

 

[Layla]

Happy Five Month Anniversary!
Wonderful update...and it's going to get even better!
@Gill15

 

[Gill15]

7 and a half month update
Just been reading some posts about MUA’s being threatened and ROM not coming along as people ( doctors) expect.
This makes me mad as I was threatened with a MUA if I didn’t improve and told I wouldn’t get the movement back if I didn’t.
Well 7 months in I’m still gaining ROM and I reckon I’m at 135 now. I’m about 3 inches away from getting my heel to my bottom when I do quad stretches after aquafit or swimming . I can walk as much as I want.
It still hurts a bit when I don’t use it like on waking up but by the time I get to the bathroom it’s warmed up fine.
Being active is helping with my weight loss plan ( I’m also using Mounjaro) and I’ve lost about 40 pounds but more importantly my new knee is strong and will also get stronger still.
Yes it was painful and scary at the time but being able to read about people coming out the other side and being able to ask questions to knowledgeable and unbiased people on this forum helped tremendously.

 

[1ethal]

@Gill15

3.5 weeks out and only 70 degrees rom. Surgeon discussed possible mua and dynasplint. Once I hit 70 degrees it’s like the knee is stuck. Just won’t budge and has been this way for several days. Is this normal?

 

[Jockette]

Is this normal?

Yes, this is normal if you are getting inappropriate PT.

 

[Layla]

Yes it was painful and scary at the time but being able to read about people coming out the other side and being able to ask questions to knowledgeable and unbiased people on this forum helped tremendously

What an inspirational post. I'd like to point a few in the direction of your thread to read your words!
Thankfully you believed in yourself and had the patience to allow your body to heal and your ROM slowly improve.
Couldn't be any happier for you. Thanks for sharing!

A blessed Christmas and new year to you!

 

[Gill15]

@Gill15

3.5 weeks out and only 70 degrees rom. Surgeon discussed possible mua and dynasplint. Once I hit 70 degrees it’s like the knee is stuck. Just won’t budge and has been this way for several days. Is this normal?

@1ethal
If it’s swelling that’s stopping the movement you need to get that swelling down with ice , elevation and rest. Gentle at home movement to the point of discomfort but not past and no PT if you are having active days. I don’t know what a dynosplint is but I don’t know how they expect you to bend to 90 at less than a month if you still have considerable swelling .
I was assessed at 6 weeks by the doctor who mentioned a MUA at 3 months but by the time that came round I was convinced I was on the road to recovery and could progress by myself . I only had 3 formal PT sessions . It was scary refusing the MUA and my doctor told me I read too much but there’s a wealth of information on here and it’s my body!
I tried not to be fixated on the numbers but measured my progress by the small things I was getting better at .
Good luck with the recovery.