TKR One Year Anniversary

Teeboxx

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I’m 4 months since my RTKR Surgery which was done in 57 minutes. I

felt great after the honeymoon block they gave me. Didn’t feel any pain. I was sent home with 100 degree ROM the next day.

Couple days later after Post-op I had a complication with the clear latex tape that surrounded the waterproof band aid on my wound. I started to blister around my incision. Looked like 2nd degree burns. Had to go back to emergency to make sure knee joint wasn’t infected. That was an experience. Luckily It was not infected! Finally cleared up but it delayed my PT for 4-6 weeks.

Tried Percocet, Norco, and tramadol, stopped them all and went with Aleve and gabapentin.

PT worked on Strength and stability but never pushed hard That would hurt my knee.

Sleeping has been a challenge and working through this now. I tried sleeping aids but after reviewing other experiences I discontinued and sticking to Extra Strength Tylenol before bed and during the night. Ive incorporated herbal supplements, 1000mg valerian root, 5mg, melatonin, 400 mg Magnesium, and drinking Chamomile tea before bed. N

o naps during day. Also trying deep breathing exercises for relaxation. That’s been fun!

One thing that I’m to blame though is I was not rehabilitating my knee but training it. That’s a big no-no!
Swelling and pain increased tremendously!

After reading BoneSmart’s advice, I have decided on their recommendations. I still train my upper body because I have gained weight post-op! Things improving with swelling and stiffness. Tight Band around knee still there, it doesn’t let you forget. Here’s to the road of recovery!
 
Welcome to BoneSmart, and the otherside. :welome:

Sounds like you are back on track, glad you are improving with all you have been through.

Here is your copy of the Knee Recovery 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:
rest
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

3. Do what you want to do BUT
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

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

6. Access these pages on the website


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.
 
Can I take an anti inflammatory Aleve or Monica during the day and take the Extra Strength Tylenol at night? Is there a problem mixing!
 
Teeboxx,
By Monica did you mean Motrin?
You can take both anti inflammatories and Tylenol together, just be sure you do not exceed the total dose on the containers. With Tylenol you need to be sure you count all sources to avoid exceeding the daily recommended amount. In the US the total recommended amount is 3000 mg, in the rest of the world the total recommended amount is 4000 mg.
For additional guidance ask your MD or your Pharmacist.
 
Sept 12, 2019, I had a TKR.

Went to see my Orthopedic Surgeon and gave me a clean bill of health. Full range of motion and full extension.

However, you knew there would be a "However!", my knee still is stiff and swollen. He was upset that I haven't been taking my anti-inflammation meds. I really do not pop any kind of pills. It's very stiff during the night and is constantly swollen throughout the day. OS didn't want to drain the fluid because he said that there is a small probability it may get infected.
Still feel those tight bands. So, how long am I supposed to feel like this.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
@Teeboxx,
Sorry to hear you continue to have a stiff and swollen knee. Since your surgeon is unable to give you a satisfactory answer suggest you seek a second opinion for your TKR, from a surgeon specializing in Revisions. They have the education and background to determine what is happening with troubled knees. Look for a surgeon specializing in complex joint reconstruction or revisions. They should have no relationship with your present OS, not even golf buddies.

I noticed your present challenges relate to your previous thread and have merged them for you.

You'll notice that I have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one recovery thread:
  • That way, we have all your information in one place. This makes it easier to go back and review your history before providing advice.
  • If you keep starting new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
  • Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.
So please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.
If you need an urgent response to a question, just tag a member of staff.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.
 

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