TKR Pescara's Recovery Thread

[Pescara]

Hi everyone. I am new to this site I am finally getting some answers. It will be 7 weeks since my TKR. I have had a pretty hard time staying at home. Cabin fever has set in. I was lucky my insurance sent PT and a nurse 3 times a week for 2 weeks then I was left on my own. I went from the hospital to rehabilitation for only 3 days before my husband demanded I come home. ( 5 minutes of PT in 3 days). The home therapy was great and I was left with exercises to do on my own. I am exhausted all the time and want to do lots but I can't. After 3 weeks my Rom was 108 so I was very happy. The PT gave me a great idea for stairs. Going up on your good knee is going to heaven,going down on the bad knee is going to a bad place. This has helped greatly. Palmers cocoa butter with vitamin e works great for scars. I can hardly see in some places where my scars are. August 18th I will find out about when my other knee surgery will be done. I'm not sure if I can put up with my husband's cooking and cleaning skills lol.

 

[Pescara]

Today is week 7 of my tkr I'm still having a problem sleeping. I still have a little swelling but ice packs are helping. I am walking pretty good but still favor my knee. It seems just having to walk to the kitchen can be a chore. I helped with dinner then had to nap. I love my naps!

 

[Pescara]

After finally finding this site I noticed many have seen their ortho plenty of times. I only saw mine once to get my staples out and an appointment for August 18th. I got my new knee May 29th. Should I find a new doctor?

 

[KarriB]

@Pescara have you started your own thread? It's a great way for everyone to see you are here and looking for answers. Also, if you do that you can add your surgery type and date to make it easier for anyone to answer your questions.
I too love Palmer's Cocoa Butter for my scar and now use it on my feet too!

 

[Pescara]

Thanks KaeieB. I tried to start a thread but can't seem to do it. I have my profile all done but maybe I need to start over?

 

[KarriB]

@Pescara I've been on here for months so I don't remember how to do that. But I'll tag someone who may be able to help. @Jamie can give you advise on how to start your own thread.

 

[Jamie]

Hi, @Pescara......please take some time to read our "how to" information under the Help & Info tab at the top of the screen. If you mouse hover over the tab, you'll see a link to "How To Use This Forum" you can click on. Articles in that link will help you learn how to start a thread and perform many other helpful things to make your time on BoneSmart more enjoyable. Let me know if you need help with anything.

For now, I've created this thread for you as your official recovery thread. I moved all your posts here so that you can begin to chronicle your recovery journey. Please continue to post updates or to ask about questions and concerns here rather than starting new threads or posting in someone else's recovery thread (that can derail their thread). You'll get the hang of things here quickly. And there is always someone available to assist.

If you decide you would like a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you!

 

[Pescara]

Thanks you Jamie. I usage my kindle since I fell last night trying to go to the bathroom with no light

 

[Slainte]

Hello @Pescara ! You are a few weeks ahead of me. As far as seeing your OS goes, I think your experience is common. I met my OS exactly once before my surgery, and he visited me in the hospital two of the three days I was there. I will see him again a week from Monday - 3 1/2 weeks after surgery. After that will depend on my recovery status, plus the fact I am going to ask him about going ahead and doing my other knee ASAP. An OS is like the fighter pilot of the medical world. They focus on using their extraordinary skill, not so much on hand holding. I'll take the skill.

Glad you are here! Keep posting so I will see what might be ahead for me. Thanks.

You fell??!! That is my biggest fear. Are you all right?

 

[Jamie]

Well, I trust you'll do things a bit differently at night now. Sorry you fell. A light and using a walker would be smart.

 

[PolarBear60]

I used my walker at night for bathroom trips long after it became a clothes rack during the day. I didn't want to take a chance of being unsteady and falling.

As far as OS visits go, it's not obvious to most of us, but there seems to be a TKR "package" of services covered by most insurance companies. I'm not sure if the exact coverage, but it seems to include the surgery, the hospital stay, and a certain number of follow up visits. (2, 6, and 12 weeks, then six months and maybe a year?)

If there are problems, more visits may be in order, but generally speaking, you'd rather not need them.


Jean

LTKR (Stryker Triathlon): 21 April 2015
Right Knee Arthroscopy: 25 July 2006
Left Knee Arthroscopy: 10 February 2005

 

[Pescara]

I have been pretty steadily improving but the power went out for a bit and I didn't notice. My dog alerted my husband and I will spend the day on the couch with ice packs watching bad tv! I should be fine by tomorrow morning but still so tired all the time. It seems to zap all my energy just to make coffee. I am supposed to get my other tkr in August but now I am having second thoughts.

 

[CATSMUM]

@Pescara I'm just about 7 weeks out from having my 2nd tkr, had my first one in 2013, this one came as a little bit of a shock as I'd never had any ops on it and no major trouble until I fell down the stairs 2 years ago and injured it. Please have you're knee done, I was worried but know that it's worth all the pain and discomfort that we all experience, you're life will be so much better when you are no longer in pain.

 

[Pescara]

Hi Slainte Remember to ice, rest ,elevate and don't let anyone push you and take your medication. I had to spend 4 days in the hospital due to being sensitive to blood thinners. I was pretty much out of it and I am still not up to company for more than a half hour.

 

[Josephine]

Hi Pescara and welcome to BoneSmart!

I think you need some reading - these are our recovery articles. If you click on each titles, it will take you to the article.

First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!

Next is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) thread.

And here are some very crucial articles
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Activity progression for TKRs

Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling

Home physio (PT) and activity progress: suggestions
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

And then some wise words from members who have shared their experiences ...
Where are you in recovery?? (TKR)
Five “P’s” of knee recovery
TKR: work “smarter” and not “harder”
Recovering a knee - from one who knows!
It's never too late to get more ROM!
It's worth the wait for ROM

 

[Josephine]

I'm also going to ask you some questions and it would be very helpful if you would answer each one individually - numbered as I have done - in as much detail as you can then I'll come back as see where you are ....

1. what are your pain levels right now? (remember the 1-10 scale: 1 = no pain and 10 = the worst you can imagine. And don't compare this with the bone-on-bone pain you had before surgery!

) Also don't forget to include other forms of pain such as soreness, burning, stabbing, throbbing, aching, swelling and stiffness

2. what pain medications have you been prescribed, how much are you taking (in mg please) and how often?

3. how often are you icing your knee and for how long?

4. are you elevating your leg, how often and for how long?

5. What is your ROM - that's flexion (bend) and extension (straightness)

6. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc., and

7. what kind of PT exercises and exercises at home are you doing? How much and how often?

Can you detail it like this
At physio or PT
First description - 5 reps x 2 sets
Second description - 10 reps x 2 sets

At home
First description - 5 reps x 2 sets 3 session a day
Second description - 10 reps x 2 sets 3 sessions a day

 

[Pescara]

Hi Josephine,
#1 anywhere from 4_7 it all depends on what I do. Some stiffness, stabbing, and still have 1 place that will not stop being swollen.
#2 Norco 7.5 I am supposed to take it 4 times a day but gives me migraines so I cut back to 3 every 6 hours Tylenol extra strength in between and nothing after 6 pm.
#3 I have 3 ice packs so 20 minutes on wait an hour then use another one
#4 I keep it on a pillow most of the day on the couch
#5 The last time my Rom was checked was 108 at 3 weeks ago and I can straighten my knee all the way and can bend almost all the way back.
#6 Last week I started small helping with dinner and clean something every day. I am a little obsessive compulsive.l have not left the house except to take the dog out twice a day
in the back yard on a leash.
#7 PT is 8 reps x 3 and when on the couch watching tv stretch and pump ankles and most other exercises the home PT gave me . A package of pictures and what to do week by week.
After I came home from the rehabilitation center I started using a cane since my hallways and bathroom can not fit a walker. It was about week 2. Since I am home alone all day I have to do breakfast and lunch with no help. I live in a 55+ community and most left in May so I don't have anyone to help me. I am one of the no patience people. I am still not sleeping well and up about every 2-3 hours. I nap during the day when I need to. Last night I had my first meltdown and my husband is right. Everyone is different with healing. I am just frustrated. I am having second thoughts about not doing my right knee in August. I am struggling with the decision.

 

[kneeper]

Josephine has left you some great reading material.
Definitely check out the "energy drain" article. A lot of us are surprised at how this surgery knocks the stuffing out of us for an extended period.
Glad you found us!

 

[PolarBear60]

I would say I was least prepared for experiencing the energy drain and brain fog. I'd read about it, but the first time I experienced it was stunning. It was like my body was an energy meter, and I felt the energy drain right out over a period of minutes! Phenomenal.


Jean

LTKR (Stryker Triathlon): 21 April 2015
Right Knee Arthroscopy: 25 July 2006
Left Knee Arthroscopy: 10 February 2005

 

[Pescara]

I spent most of yesterday reading the sites left for me. I am grateful for all the information. When I saw my family doctor about week 5 for some refills for high BP I asked him about the energy and breaking a sweat just having to go to the kitchen and he said it would get better and what did I expect I'm 61 not 18 anymore. He was also upset I had the tkr. He didn't think I should have had it. He gave me a 30 days of Norco 4 x a day. I was very upset after the visit. Yesterday I only took 1 in the morning before doing my PT. I now have a new family doctor. Still not sleeping well but I nap when I need it. Hubby has been great for support. He showed me how to do on demand and when I can't sleep I watch lots of Showtime series. 6 seasons of Justified, 3 of Homeland and now 8 seasons of Dexter lol. It keeps my mind from worrying about my progress. I do what I can when I can and rest in between. The dust will still be there tomorrow. In August I have decided to do my right knee when I see my Orthopedic surgeon. I want to go back to scuba diving and doing all that Florida has to offer and be healthy. The fog is starting to lift . Today I will go food shopping and get out more and later finally take my Yorkshire terrier for a nice walk. I can always nap. Thanks to all for the great support.