TKR November 8, 2019 Right TKR

[Naturelover]

On Halloween, I had my first appointment with a new Orthopedic surgeon. He was booked for surgery until February, I asked if I could be put on a waiting list in case of any cancellations at an earlier date.... So here I go, six days from now. It is happening so fast (be careful what you ask for)! I am bone on bone. I was a runner into my mid 30's and was very active (until my knees started bothering me approximately 20 years ago), horseback riding, skiing, tennis, beach volleyball, etc. I have been steadily losing mobility since 2014 and cannot walk much without difficulty. I had a left PKR in 2016 that wasn't exactly a "home run" so I am anxious about my upcoming TKR.

 

[Jockette]

Welcome to Bonesmart and best wishes for your upcoming TKR.

I have a Patellofemoral partial that hasn’t been a home run either. Which partial did you have (Patellofemoral, medial or lateral?) and what don’t you like about it?

Please tell us the dates of both surgeries and we’ll make a signature for you.

 

[InkedMarie]

Good luck!

 

[Pumpkin]

@Naturelover
Welcome to BoneSmart, glad you joined us!

To help you prepare for you upcoming TKR, here is a copy of the post op guidelines, the articles are short and will not take long to read.

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:

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rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

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a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

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the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

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Activity progression for TKRs​

6. Access these pages on the website

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Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

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?

There are also some cautionary articles here
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 a 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 history before providing advice.

 

[Celle]

I've added your name to the November Nimbles 2019 list, @Naturelover, so you can see who else is having surgery around the same time as you are.

 

[newlybionic]

Good luck with your upcoming surgery!

 

[Lovely]

Thinking of you today and praying for a successful surgery!

 

[Naturelover]

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

 

[Campie2]

Hi Naturelover, I had my TKR on November 11th, was curious how you are progressing pain and mobility one week ahead!

 

[Pumpkin]

@Campie2
Welcome to BoneSmart, please start a recovery thread, where you will receive more answers to your questions and concerns about your recovery. Just click on the orange start a thread link top right of the main knee recovery forum.

I added your surgery date to your signature and have added you to the November Nimbles.

 

[Naturelover]

Hi Naturelover, I had my TKR on November 11th, was curious how you are progressing pain and mobility one week ahead!

 

[Celle]

Naturelover's recovery thread is here:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/naturelovers-recovery-11-08-19-rtkr.57277/#post-1374472

Let's follow her progress on her recovery thread.