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PKR PKR Recovery & Rehab

sk44tyler said:
Day 6 post op… recovery progressing well. Yesterday I looked at my phone and was surprised that I had managed to get 1500 steps in just from walking around the house and walking out back a bit.
Sleep is going OK, although I keep waking up at 2 AM and then at 4 AM. I tend to change positions a lot (side to side and stomach), so staying on my back for much of the night isn’t something my body likes. My knee starts to ache a bit (not too bad) and my back hurts. It doesn’t help that before the surgery I pulled a muscle in my back lifting weights. Anyways, the back pain is beginning to annoy me.
For meds, I’m now only taking 1 oxy before bed (none during the day - only Tylenol, Celebrex, and Gabapentin). I might skip the Oxy dose all together tonight - I don’t really feel like I need it anymore.
Had my in-home PT this morning. I’m now measuring -3 and 112 degrees for extension/flexion.
Tomorrow I get the dressing off and on Friday I get the staples out.
Overall, things are going really well. I feel like I am in actually less pain than I was for my previous open knee surgery (ACI). I think I took my pain meds more religiously in the beginning this time around, which helped. Fun fact - this is the 3rd time I’ve had open surgery on my right knee (only 1 scar though - the same one being used for the incision every time). My surgeon this time around said there was a lot of scar tissue he had to get through which caused the incision to be slightly larger.
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Great that things are going well.
 
Sleep is important, so sleep where and when you can. It doesn't have to be during the night only. Lots of little naps will be helpful in your healing. While you are asleep, your body can concentrate more on healing that knee of yours!
 
Congrats on your new PKR!
My OS recommended napping during the day for an hour to an hour and a half in the first weeks (or longer!) after surgery, to rebuild overall stamina (distinguished from strength). I had never been a day napper, so it was odd at first, but I found I slept better at night when I had had a nap during the day.
I didn't have numbness or zingers, just a tight band feeling and some soft tissue pain.
It doesn't hurt to kneel, but it's such an unnatural feeling that I dislike doing it and avoid it. Kneeling and going down stairs (up is fine) are the only actions when I am conscious of the implants. Neither hurts, though.
Icing was my best pain reliever, especially at night. Ice really reduced the swelling.
 
I never normally nap during the day but found that I dropped off quite often during the recovery from my TKR’s. Just listen to your body and if you feel tired have a nap.
 
Rehab and recovery continue. I’m at day 10 post OP.
Today I got my staples out, which I have been looking forward to. The incision is healing nicely.
I’ve been walking quite a bit - currently only using a cane. I hit 4,800 steps today which I think is pretty good. I will most likely begin out-patient PT next week (I finished the in-home PT today).
One thing I did want to ask you guys. Is it normal to have medial pain (side of my knee; away from the incision; where the femoral and tibial implants are)? It is especially bad today, when I’ve walked the most since the surgery. I assume it is (related to tight ligaments, swelling, etc.) but just wanted to check with the community. Today I’m also having a bit of a popping sensation when I walk. I can re-create the popping by standing still and pushing my knee inwards and outwards. It isn’t painful, just noticeable. Any feedback would be appreciated.
 
sk44tyler said:
One thing I did want to ask you guys. Is it normal to have medial pain (side of my knee; away from the incision; where the femoral and tibial implants are)?
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I had medial pain particularly on stairs for some months after my PKR.
In my case it was because the MCL ( medial collateral ligament) had got overstretched for years due to the collapse of the lateral compartment of the knee. It took time and exercise for the quads to strengthen and pull things back.
You are still very early. You are walking plenty. I found walking really good- but balance it with icing and rest.
Don't worry about the odd click or pop if it is painless.
I still get an occasional click if I twist when moving backwards- say like stepping back from the bathroom mirror. But if nothing hurts then I reckon it is fine.
 
EalingGran said:
sk44tyler said:
One thing I did want to ask you guys. Is it normal to have medial pain (side of my knee; away from the incision; where the femoral and tibial implants are)?
Click to expand...
I had medial pain particularly on stairs for some months after my PKR.
In my case it was because the MCL ( medial collateral ligament) had got overstretched for years due to the collapse of the lateral compartment of the knee. It took time and exercise for the quads to strengthen and pull things back.
You are still very early. You are walking plenty. I found walking really good- but balance it with icing and rest.
Don't worry about the odd click or pop if it is painless.
I still get an occasional click if I twist when moving backwards- say like stepping back from the bathroom mirror. But if nothing hurts then I reckon it is fine.
Click to expand...
@EalingGran - Thank you for sharing your experience and your advice. It definitely makes me feel better.
I’ve had so many failed procedures In the past, I think I’m a bit paranoid about any pain, noise, sensation, etc.
 
I agree that the pain is likely from overusing the new knee; ice and elevation is the go-to.

When I overdid things it was helpful to reduce distance or time by 25% to 30% for a few days and if doing better increase by 10% increments as tolerated every few days.
 
mendogal said:
I agree that the pain is likely from overusing the new knee; ice and elevation is the go-to.

When I overdid things it was helpful to reduce distance or time by 25% to 30% for a few days and if doing better increase by 10% increments as tolerated every few days.
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@mendogal Thanks! That’s good advice
 
sk44tyler said:
One thing I did want to ask you guys. Is it normal to have medial pain (side of my knee; away from the incision; where the femoral and tibial implants are)? It is especially bad today, when I’ve walked the most since the surgery. I assume it is (related to tight ligaments, swelling, etc.) but just wanted to check with the community. Today I’m also having a bit of a popping sensation when I walk. I can re-create the popping by standing still and pushing my knee inwards and outwards. It isn’t painful, just noticeable. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Yes, all normal. I've had similar experiences with both my TKR's. My left TKR is still very new. However, I can still make my right TKR "pop" on command. As you stated, doesn't hurt, just an unusual sensation.
 
JDinCT said:
sk44tyler said:
One thing I did want to ask you guys. Is it normal to have medial pain (side of my knee; away from the incision; where the femoral and tibial implants are)? It is especially bad today, when I’ve walked the most since the surgery. I assume it is (related to tight ligaments, swelling, etc.) but just wanted to check with the community. Today I’m also having a bit of a popping sensation when I walk. I can re-create the popping by standing still and pushing my knee inwards and outwards. It isn’t painful, just noticeable. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Yes, all normal. I've had similar experiences with both my TKR's. My left TKR is still very new. However, I can still make my right TKR "pop" on command. As you stated, doesn't hurt, just an unusual sensation.
Click to expand...
@JDinCT Thanks for sharing. Very helpful!
 
I had medial pain, also, so I called and asked for my surgical report. It was there that I discovered I had a medial release during my TKR. I had had 2 lateral releases during earlier surgeries, so I was experienced with the recovery from a release. Below is an example of a lateral release. Medial is the same but on the opposite side of the knee.
Lateral Release Explained
 
sistersinhim said:
I had medial pain, also, so I called and asked for my surgical report. It was there that I discovered I had a medial release during my TKR. I had had 2 lateral releases during earlier surgeries, so I was experienced with the recovery from a release. Below is an example of a lateral release. Medial is the same but on the opposite side of the knee.
Lateral Release Explained
Click to expand...
Interesting. I checked my surgical report and there was no mention of doing any kind of medial release. I think what I’m experiencing is most likely due to ligaments, tendons, fluid, etc. Thank you for sharing.
 
Well tomorrow marks 3 weeks since my surgery. Time flies! I’m going back to work on Wednesday.
Recovery is progressing nicely. I walked 7,800 steps yesterday with no issues (just some stiffness but no pain). It’s an amazing feeling to not feel the pain of old any longer.
My flexion / extension are at -4 and 128, so I’m doing really well. I’m currently not using any device for walking (crutches, cane, etc.). Lastly, I’m doing PT 3 times a week for probably the next 6 weeks (could be less).
 
Wow...amazing! Thanks for the update and please take it slow and easy as you head back to work.
It's still early days for you even though you're doing very well. Best of luck!
@sk44tyler
 
:yes!:
Great update!
Do continue to ice and elevate ... there's still healing to do!
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sk44tyler said:
Recovery is progressing nicely. I walked 7,800 steps yesterday with no issues (just some stiffness but no pain). It’s an amazing feeling to not feel the pain of old any longer.
Click to expand...
Really glad it is all going so well.
Just go steady- particularly with going back to work. Still think about icing if you do a lot and keep up the exercises to gradually build back muscle.
It is amazing surgery when all goes well.
 
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