TKR Patience Is A Virtue

[kneeper]

Please let us know what the doctor says.

 

[sanflo1309]

I had an xray on my ankle and the doctor did not see anything unusual. He did notice that the ankle was swollen a little so he wrapped and gave me inflammatory medicine to take once a day as needed. After I took medicine the pain subsided by th end of the day. I am still having occasional pain in the ankle. I also meant to ask should I apply warm compress on my knee that had the replacement when I am having the tight rubberband filling?

 

[kneeper]

It's worth a try. Sometimes ice is good and sometimes heat when you're as far out as you are.

 

[kneesrus]

Sanflo, you may want to seek out a PT clinic that offers Dry Needling techniques. I have had a great deal of success using this technique. It allows more blood to come into the tight areas and promotes healing. You can google Dr. Ma and IDN to learn more about this growing technique.
Hope things turn around,
David

 

[sanflo1309]

It close to a year since I had my surgery. Lately, my leg is so stiff. I can not sit for long periods. If I do when I stand it hurts. It painful when I move. It is mostly sore and painful in the back of my knee. I must admit I haven't been exercising the knee as much. I can't go downstairs normal. I think I am putting too much pressure on my right ankle. I am starting to have pain in my right ankle. Doctor gave me some anti-flam medicine and the pain went away for a while but it's I back again with a vengeance. Should I go back to elevating and tacking pain medication if so what kind? Should I talk to my doctor about pain meds?

 

[sanflo1309]

Hi is there something special I need to do to get a response? I had some questions on Jan. 2 and I haven't got a response

 

[kneeper]

Hi @sanflo1309 sorry that your question somehow got missed. Josephine is recovering from her own tkr right now but I'll tag @Jamie. I would say you should see you doctor to see what's going on.

 

[Jamie]

@sanflo1309 So sorry that we missed your questions, but I'm glad you spoke up again! Next time, if you have a specific question like this, please feel free to tag Josephine, me or others on our staff for a faster response. To tag, you type the @ sign in front of the person's username with no space in between.

If you are hurting, you need to treat the pain. But you should be able to do it with Extra Strength Tylenol. Try taking 1000mg every 6 hours through the day and night. You need to be sure you take no more than 4000mg in 24 hours so be sure to count any other medications you take that have acetaminophen in them (like cold, sinus or allergy meds).

What is your normal activity level during the day? Do you feel like your ROM has changed recently and actually lessened?

 

[sanflo1309]

Thanks for responding. I was wonder how to alert someone when I have a question. As for my activity level I do walk quite a bit during the day. I was doing water acrobatics and chair exercise but I got the flu and that was like a 2 month recovery. So no additional exercise other than being busy taking and picking up grandkids from school. I can still bend my knee but not as far back as before. Additionally when I Sit for any length of time it is so painful to get up. It takes me a minute to get together when I stand. Thanks for the direction of getting my pain under control. I am a little skeptical about taking that strength of Tylenol because I have heard it is not good on your kidneys. but I will try. It will be a year on the 31st.

 

[sanflo1309]

Oh I forgot to mention I am back in water acrobatics and I sign up for a yoga class hoping this will help.

 

[kneeper]

Do continue to let us know how you're doing.

 

[Jamie]

@sanflo1309 .... how are you doing these days? Has the pain level decreased?

Providing your kidneys are not compromised in any way, it is safe to take up to 4000 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in a 24 hour period. You do need to be sure that you take no more than 1000mg at a time and that you count all other meds that have acetaminophen in them (some prescription pain meds, over the counter cold and sinus meds, sleep aids, etc.). One of the things that people do frequently is to not take a strong enough dose of Tylenol to impact the pain. That is why we advise you to take the full 1000mg dose when you do use it. It works much better that way.

If you have any concerns about taking Tylenol on a regular basis for pain, make an appointment and discuss it with your GP. That might ease your mind if you are worried.

 

[sanflo1309]

Well hello my Bonesmart Family. Every since I went back to water aerobics (for arthritis) my knee has been improving and not as stiff. I am able to go down the stair (slowly) alternating my right and left leg. I did start taking the 1000mg Tylenol and that initially helped with the pain. That is good news. However, I am now suffering with extreme pain in my right ankle. So back to the doctor I go. I thought it could have come from me not properly walking due to the issue.

 

[sanflo1309]

Oh Thanks @Jamie for asking. I've wanted to post something earlier but this was my first chance

 

[kneeper]

Yes, that's possible that it's part of your recovery.