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TKR Post surgery - Finally!

Well, here to give an update. Went to my post op appt on Thursday. They took the bandage off and things didn't look great. Redness, seepage, bumps. It's also been very itchy. I thought the itching was from the healing process, but no. The PA thinks I'm having an allergic reaction to the glue. She told me to start taking Benadryl and prescribed me antibiotics just in case. I have to go back in on Wednesday so she can take a look at it again. The Benadryl seems to be helping because the itching has improved tremendously.

PT that same day showed improvement in my flexion. I'm back to 90 degrees. But, still quite stiff. Continuing to ice, elevate, and rest.

Today was quite busy with visitors. Even though I sat on the couch the whole time, it really sapped my energy! But, it was nice to know people want to see me and see how I'm doing!

My pain level has dropped dramatically in the past 2 days. I'm finding that I don't need Oxy much during the day. I've been taking one or two at night, though, to stay comfortable and to get a good night sleep. The ache does set in at night. It sure is nice not to take so many pain relievers! Hopefully, this continues!
 
Good Morning!
Sorry for the inconvenience and extra concern the incision area may be causing you. Thankfully you're taking cautionary measures and seeing improvement already. I hope you get the "all clear" on Wednesday.

Those early visits from friends and loved ones can drain your energy for sure and when you're done, you're done! If it looks like there may be a repeat of this, consider telling visitors how you'd love to see them, but you're still recovering and get tired pretty quickly and can only manage short visits, setting a time limit for the visit ahead of time.

Great news on less medication, while it's working for you, but if it ramps up and you feel the need, it is still early days.
Happy Sunday, BarabooProud, I hope it's a good one for you! :)
 
It is nice to have people come to see us, it is so uplifting, but tiring. Having company is good, and so is having your company leave! Now, get yourself some nice needed rest.
 
Yes, I paid for all those visits today. I was absolutely wiped out and purely exhausted. I've done hardly anything all day! Binge watched a new show and took a great nap. Trying to do some exercises this evening to stretch things out a bit. I just can't believe how stiff my knee bend continues to be!
 
BarabooProud said:
I just can't believe how stiff my knee bend continues to be!
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Stiffness/Tightness is a normal occurrence after this kind of major surgery. Your surgeon did major carpentry work and disturbed every millimeter of soft tissue in this area. You aren't tight because your muscle is underused and needs to be stretched and rehabbed. You're tight because your tissue has been disturbed and is healing...and full healing takes a full year or more.

This doesn’t mean you will be stiff and tight for a whole year, but in these early days, yes, it will feel stiff. That will ease up over time, as you gradually heal.
 
Jockette said:
You aren't tight because your muscle is underused and needs to be stretched and rehabbed. You're tight because your tissue has been disturbed and is healing
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Thanks for that clarification. Sometimes I get this crazy idea that I'm not doing everything I need to do to improve the tightness. I need the reminder to take it easy and not try to push things!
 
Hello and Happy Monday BP,
Those early visits from well meaning friends and loved ones are draining. I am sorry you're feeling the effects. Short walks every hour or two in-between icing and elevating should help, using an assistive device if you feel the need. Some gentle stretches should help also.

Your leg endured major trauma, in a very small area, albeit controlled. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue is going to cause you discomfort and pain for a while yet. Remember its still early days in the entire scheme of things and overall you're doing well! Keep it up and have a great week!
@BarabooProud
 
Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster. I cried 3 different times over hardly anything. Just frustration and not feeling well after having been so busy the day before. Once I took an oxy to calm my body aches down I started to feel so much better.

Today was also much better. I had a great PT session. My flexion is now at 94 degrees. So it continues to get better with time, rest, and gentle stretching and exercises. I feel like I'm finally accepting my slow lifestyle. I found some good shows to binge and that gives me something to occupy my time. Having a cleaning lady stop by this week to give me an estimate for how much it would cost to have her clean for me. Might be worth it to hire the cleaning out a few times during this recovery!
 
I think hiring a cleaning crew for at least a couple of months is a good idea. You shouldn't think of running the vacuum until you're about 3 months out. That's when I bought my Roomba Irobot. You'd be surprised at how good of a job they do on surface dirt.
 
You just experienced a classic example of the possible manifestation of pain. When you overdid things one day with all those visits and activity, you caused your body to have additional pain and fatigue. Not all pain shows up as something sharp and achy. It can result in a general malaise and those crying sessions. When you addressed the pain you were feeling with the oxy, it allowed your body to de-stress and relax again and - VOILA! - you began to feel better again. Good for you for taking something to help with the pain associated with an overdoing it day. We all overdo things as we test ourselves during recovery. It’s part of the process. But it is important to recognize when you do it so you can give yourself a couple of days to get back to where you were.
 
BarabooProud said:
Having a cleaning lady stop by this week to give me an estimate for how much it would cost to have her clean for me. Might be worth it to hire the cleaning out a few times during this recovery
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Definitely get a cleaner if you can manage it. Going for a walk/ coffee is much better for knee healing and psychological recovery than staring at a messy room or trying to clean it yourself when you are stiff and sore.
I could walk miles before I could stand to cook or bend to clean.
 
I'll join the chorus that if the budget allows, hire a cleaner temporarily.
Save yourself the strain of bending, lifting, or prolonged standing while engaging in household cleaning tasks.
Leave the vacuuming, mopping, dusting and dreaded toilet cleaning to someone else for now. Preserve your energy for recovery instead. It's good for your mental health also to have a clean organized space and can reduce stress and anxiety over chores you want completed, but just aren't feeling up to quite yet. You may only feel the need to have someone help out for another two-three weeks and you'll likely be tackling some of it on your own by then, unless you decide you like the help and decide to keep the cleaner on permanently. :wink:
Happy Tuesday!
@BarabooProud
 
Layla said:
You may only feel the need to have someone help out for another two-three weeks and you'll likely be tackling some of it on your own by then
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Yeah, I can definitely see myself doing some of this in a couple of weeks!

By the way, my allergic reaction seems to be getting worse. I have a follow up appointment tomorrow morning, thank goodness. It seems like they should try to remove the glue, if possible. I just want this incision to heal!
 
I am sorry your reaction seems to be getting worse. Do you have additional symptoms?

They may need to switch antibiotics or remove that residual glue.
Have you considered calling to tell them you were prescribed Benadryl and antibiotics three days ago for what looked like a reaction to surgical glue, and you are checking in because it seems to be getting worse, rather than better. I know you have an appointment tomorrow, but would you feel better if you could still possibly get in today to have it checked out?
@BarabooProud
 
Layla said:
I am sorry your reaction seems to be getting worse. Do you have additional symptoms?

They may need to switch antibiotics or remove that residual glue.
Have you considered calling to tell them you were prescribed Benadryl and antibiotics three days ago for what looked like a reaction to surgical glue, and you are checking in because it seems to be getting worse, rather than better. I know you have an appointment tomorrow, but would you feel better if you could still possibly get in today to have it checked out?
@BarabooProud
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I'm comfortable going in tomorrow morning. Appt is at 8:20, so nice and early. But, they are aware it is getting worse. I messaged them and asked if I could keep it open to the air more than just the hour a day they recommended since the bandage seems to be causing a reaction on part of it. They said yes, it can be in the open air.
 
Wishing you the best tomorrow morning! Let us know how it goes, if you feel like sharing.
I hope you have a peaceful evening and sleep well tonight. :sleep:
@BarabooProud
 
So just got back from the ortho PA's office. She said that I should try to leave it open to the air as much as possible. If it's not better in a few days, they want me to take a low dose of steroids to try to calm it down.
 
Great you had it checked. Hopefully leaving it open helps clear it up and the steroids won't be necessary. :fingersx:
I hope you're not feeling too exhausted from the trip to the OS's office. Those early outings can be draining.
Thanks for the update...you have a good day! :thumb:
@BarabooProud
 
Layla said:
Those early outings can be draining.
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Interesting that you said that! While there, I started feeling light headed and they had me lay down and took my blood pressure which had gone way down. Not sure why that happened, but I had to lay there for a bit before they'd let me leave. Came home and immediately went to sleep.
 
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