TKR Post-op questions

[Jumpinjohn]

Just looking for some advice I’m at six weeks from my total knee replacement I’ve been walking with no cane or walker for a couple weeks minimal pain my problem is I get out of breath early can someone tell me how long it takes before you get back to you no good circulation I’m going back to work Wednesday and I’m going to start doing outside therapy preferably a stationary bike or something also to help me get some stamina back but I would appreciate any feedback

 

[sistersinhim]

Welcome to Bonesmart, @Jumpinjohn. Please tell us your surgery date and which knee it was. Knowing this information will help us to be able to advise you better.

You are just beginning a year-long knee healing journey. Though, you will feel better before then. The following are our basic guidelines and should help get you started. As you read more on other members' recovery threads, you’ll get a better perspective of what to expect and what not to do, especially regarding PT.

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​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

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

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. Here is a week-by-week guide for Activity progression for TKRs


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.

 

[Celle]

Hello @Jumpinjohn - and

As sistersinhim said, you are only 6 weeks into a year-long recovery. Lacking ins stamina and energy is completely normal at this stage of recovery. That's because almost all your body's energy is being directed towards healing your knee and there's very little left for anything else. This article explains:
Energy drain for TKRs

You've been through major surgery and your body needs time to heal. You can't force it to be fit again by doing exercises and there's nothing you can do to speed up recovery. Trying to do too much, too soon, can actually slow down your recovery.

You're going back to work a bit early, too. We usually recommend taking about 12 weeks and then doing a Phased return to work .
Going back to work too soon is likely to increase pain and swelling in your knee, so make sure to rest, ice and elevate your knee when you come home from work..

 

[Jumpinjohn]

Thank you

 

[Celle]

Hello again, @Jumpinjohn

Please will you tell us the full date of your knee replacement and which knee it is, so we can make a signature for you? Knowing the exact date will help us to advise you appropriately in the future.
Thank you.

 

[Jumpinjohn]

Right Knee on 9/9/2020
This is today:

 

[Celle]

Your knee's looking good.

Thank you for your surgery date. I've done your signature and also added your name to the September Sapphires surgery team thread.

 

[_Annie_]

Wow jumpinjohn, your knee looks great! No swelling at all. You probably don’t have that tight feeling that many of us have. What kind of surgery did you have? I had the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery.