PKR Patriciad Left PKR Recovery

[patriciad]

@Jockette I think it’s because I was really doing so well at 3 weeks compared to my TKR only to have that taken away from the first outpatient Physio. I am so cross with myself for going along with what I knew to be an extraordinary workout to please the Therapist. So stupid of me. Because of the progress I’d made I guess I did think that it would be an easier and quicker recovery than the last one so that’s the “down” feeling. Not sleeping well for so long is not helping probably. Tylenol does it for the joint but doesn’t help with the scar sensitivity-hopefully this will improve soon too. Thanks for listening it does help.

 

[Jockette]

I think many of us ended up with set backs either because we wanted to please our PT, or thought we had to please our PT. After being hurt by mine too many times, I no longer feel that I have to please them.

Reread theses articles from the Recovery Guidelines, I hope you’ll find them helpful.
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

 

[patriciad]

So not posted on my own thread for a while as no news was good news. I am now 13 weeks out tomorrow and I think I’m doing well. I can walk about 4,000 steps comfortably and I can do steps up and down normally. I have maintained ROM and flexion.
The scar sensitivity is much improved and I use ice and elevation still at least every other day and the occasional 1,000 Tylenol if I get more pain.
I’m not good on uneven ground and occasionally get that feeling that the knee is going to hyperextend backwards. Usually I sleep well but had a bad night waking with swelling this morning. I was babysitting my little granddaughter today so the knee is really unhappy. I’m icing as I write this and posting a photo of an angry knee at 13 weeks for anyone who worries that they are the only ones with issues. TBH the right knee with the 6 year old replacement doesn’t look happy either!
I won’t be doing much tomorrow!!

 

[Jockette]

Our recovering knees can certainly be drama queens! They don’t hesitate to let us know when they are unhappy.

 

[Ginger1210]

4000 steps at thirteen weeks is great. Uneven ground is a challenge and this will take time for your new knee to become accustomed to all the muscle and tissue surrounding it. I still can have bad nights at 20 weeks. Its difficult to gauge what upsets my knee but slowly I am making progress. You are doing great Partriciad.

 

[Jockette]

By the way, which partial did you get? We’ll add that to your signature.

Do you really think this partial does or will feel more natural than your total knee replacement? My patellofemoral partial doesn’t feel the least bit natural, and it’s been over 4 years! I guess it all depends on the experience of the surgeon, and I suspect mine hasn’t done very many of them.

Either way, you are way ahead of where I was, at your stage.

 

[patriciad]

@Jockette - I had a Medial PKR
It does feel more natural already than my TKR. I have kept my knee cap and I can bend the leg up much more easily this time. My Rom and flexion were great right from the start and although the first weeks were painful it was nothing like the agony of the total knee replacement.
Some of that is no doubt due to keeping most of the knee this time but I was bone on bone both sides with multiple bone spurs before my RTKR so my knee was in better shape prior to this surgery.
I know I am doing well but am surprised at the scar sensitivity, how easily it swells and the amount of painful days. The back of my knee gives me problems which didn’t happen with my first but I didn’t suffer a setback then either from aggressive PT. It’s hard to compare but I did keep a bit of a journal that reminds me of the differences.
Reading your recovery I see you’ve had a very tough time of it with your PKR and it has been a very long slog for you. I know you’ve explored every option available (short of asking a revision specialist for an opinion?) I wonder too about the possibility of some sort of low grade infection as you should not be having the issues you have 4 years out. You are a brave soul.
Ps - Congratulations on your Anniversary.

 

[Ginger1210]

Your doing great particiad i am a little further down the road than you in recovery terms. Just this last week i have seen a slight improvement things are getting slowly better. Ice is still my best friend and bonesmart my place to come for encouragement.

 

[patriciad]

Thank you @Ginger1210 for your words of encouragement. Came at the right time as having a bit of a blue morning. I couldn’t get comfortable last night as had a reaction to my Pfizer booster shot so hot and cold, bone ache etc., for past 24 hours has left me feeling wrung out and my knee is not at all happy with the hours of tossing and turning. It will pass as had the same experience after my 2nd shot.

 

[Jockette]

I’m sorry you’re not having a good day and don’t feel well from your booster shot. I hope things improve soon.

 

[patriciad]

So really struggling with pain in that big tendon that runs through the back of the knee it’s very painful when I walk and is causing me to limp. Also have a sharp pain on the unoperated side of the knee on standing. I’m getting that overextension/buckling feeling again also and knee Is once again swollen. Its puzzling as I haven’t been doing anything extra - (never got to gym to try the bike) or twisted awkwardly. I was doing well and felt progress but this seems like a real setback. The outside of my knee had been pretty numb and has started to come back to life so I’m wondering if the sharp pain is part of that process? Anyone had this nearly 4 months out?
if I don’t see improvements by Friday my next step is to get in to see the OS who had discharged me until June 2022 at my last visit.

 

[Jockette]

The outside of my knee had been pretty numb and has started to come back to life so I’m wondering if the sharp pain is part of that process?

This sounds like a reasonable explanation. Your whole knee experienced trauma, even though only part of the knee was replaced. A visit with your OS is a good idea if it doesn’t settle down.

 

[Ginger1210]

HI Partriciad this is all part of the rollercoaster recovery ride. Nearly six months post op all these weird feelings come and go. Yesterday was my weekly bad day. No Physio on Tuesday night but Wednesday was torture. Last knight did my usual physio at home, iced and today i have been great. If i could find out what causes my knee to be upset i would be onto a winner.

 

[patriciad]

Once again @Ginger1210 and @Jockette I so appreciate the words of support.
I am now taking a Tylenol and Advil together when I wake and before bed to see if that helps with the pain I have right now. Does seem to be helping but walking properly is still a bit of a struggle and that horrible feeling that your knee may give out continues. It is less swollen so I don't know whether to try to get on an exercise bike to stretch out that back of knee tendon or to totally rest and ice?
What exercises in home are you doing @Ginger1210?

 

[Ginger1210]

Hi patriciad i do use a exercise bike just gentle rotation with a little resistance for ten minutes Plus leg raises from a sitting chair with a ankle weight which I hold in the elevated position for 10 seconds repetition 10 times. Now I have just started to try and balance on my operated leg with my good leg raised for as long as possible. I ice immediately after and listen to my knee. My quad muscle on my operated leg is like jelly and this will take months to rebuild but slow and steady is my mantra. My physio wants me to do this at least three times a day and if I was not working full time maybe I would but once a day is enough for me after work.

 

[dogwalker2]

I know what you mean with the back of knee pain! Mine has improved somewhat since I gave up any "extension focused" exercise and increased my walking to strengthen the quads. I don't do well with most "focused" exercises and have found going up and down stairs and walking the best for me. Don't forget to use a stick when walking for safety if you experience hyper-extension.

 

[patriciad]

Well taking it easy seems to be working as the tight tendon seems to be easing and swelling is down. I was able to walk pushing a stroller for a good 45 minutes today and gait felt close to normal. Icing now and elevating but Hope progress resumes.

 

[Jockette]

That stroller made a great incognito walker! I’m glad you managed a 45 minute walk well. That great!

 

[patriciad]

@Jockette it did feel good as I’d been frustrated and worried about the setback. All part and parcel of recovery I guess.

 

[patriciad]

4 month update and had the challenge of attending a sold out concert on Friday night. I was thrilled with how my knee performed. Our seats were 3 rows down from the top of the stadium so at least 60 steep steps to handle plus a long walk half around the outside of the stadium from our parking. I didn’t take the stick and chair danced with much knee jiggling for 2 plus hours. Felt stiff on the reverse journey but no ill effects the next day or need for Tylenol that night. I am very happy with progress right now and hope it continues smoothly. My next challenge is to get back to riding my bike so I need a couple of gym sessions on a stationary before trying that.