New to Forum - 7 1/2 wks after TKR

[Lizard51]

Hello all... I have enjoyed finding this site and reading so many positive and encouuraging words from folks. I had a total knee replacement on Oct 22, 2008. Went home from the hospital after 2 days, I had a physical therapist who came to my home (3 times a week) for 2 weeks and a day! I have faithfully done all of my exercises and have been walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day..... I haven't had to take any pain medication since December 3rd. Now for my questions. I returned to work (office work) last week. I have had a lot more swelling and that tight,uncomfortable feeling that drives me crazy.... does it ever go away? I was walking every day, but took a couple of days off on Friday/Saturday and I felt better. Then I did the treadmill yesterday and noticed the tightness & swelling right away. Any words of wisdom out there? Thanks so much!

Liz (Lizard51)

 

[Josephine]

You went back to work at 6 weeks??? My, that was ambitious!

I normally recommend waiting till at least 12 weeks. No wonder you are getting excess swelling and tightness. You're still in the process of healing and not being able to balance the exercise with adequate rest means your body is going to react by this swelling. And the swelling is responsible for the tightness you are experiencing. The fact that it felt better after a rest and then swelled after a spell on the treadmill confirms this.

Another issue is continued pain management. The tightness you are feeling and the swelling can be the result of a persistent low grade pain. Are you still taking adequate pain meds?

What is your work?
Are you a full or part-time worker?
Did your doctor/OS approve your return?
Did you go straight back into your normal hours and duties or did you negotiate a phased return to work?


As an Occupational Health nurse, I usually recommend that my workers have a phased return in the form of;

week 1 ~ 2 half days (all spaced with a day off in between)
week 2 ~ 3 half days
week 3 ~ 2 full days
week 4 ~ 3 full days
week 5 ~ full return

 

[Lizard51]

Josephine: Thanks so much for your answer/advice.... originally my OS had me scheduled off until December 22nd.... Perhaps I did go back too early. I'm going to be talking to my OS tomorrow so I may opt for half days for a bit. I'm just very happy to have found this site! It has helped to quiet some of my fears, seeing that the things I have been experiencing are part of the process. Thanks again! Liz (Lizard51)

 

[Sandy R]

Hi Liz, welcome to the forum. I'm interested that you're using a treadmill. My OS forbade my husband (had 2 TKR's) and myself (had 1 TKR) to go on the treadmill ever again. We gave ours away and just bought a stationary recumbent bike. I'm 10 weeks post-op and using the bike really helps with the stiffness and tightness. Don't know if the treadmill is your problem but you might ask your OS about it. By the way, I'm still swollen, not a lot but when my activity level goes up, I can sure feel it. That's when I ice... which I do about 3 to 4 times a day. Good luck.
Sandy

 

[missyc]

I also have a lot of pain and swelling still in one knee (not to depress you, but I'm at 17 weeks). My OS specifically told me last week to avoid too much walking and to bike and do the elliptical instead. He thinks walking can easily irritate the knee at this stage. It seems to me that the treadmill would be particularly unstable.

For me, I'm going to try to keep the walking to a minimum this week (as much as possible, since I live in NYC and don't use a car) and see what happens.

Lots of luck to you and welcome!

 

[edk]

Along with what Josephine said

1. NSAID's are a lot better at preventing swelling than knocking it down once
it happens. So if your not doing it I would probably due ibuprofen or naproxen
daily if you stomach can take it.

2. Part of your problem might be body position (legs dangling all day). If you can
find someplace to lay down with your leg elevated at lunch and breaks it might
help.

 

[doriselliott]

I to went back to work at 6 weeks after bilateral TKR and am now almost three months post op. I have an office job too and the first week was rough with increased swelling. My therapist told me this was normal. I also go to to the gym just about every day now. After the first week, I felt much better and now the swelling is minimal. Sitting makes my knees stiffer so I just have to make sure I move around during the day. I do not do a treadmill at the gym; just the eliptical and bike for cardio and weights.