TKR Post TKR Body Aches

[Tuuli]

I am 9 weeks out from TKR and have tremendous all-over body aches. Has anyone else experienced the same? I’m beginning to wonder if I have an infection or nerve damage.

 

[Layla]

Hello Tuuli,
Welcome to BoneSmart! Thanks for joining us.
I am really sorry you're not feeling well. I am not certain what other symptoms you're experiencing, if any? Or how long you've been feeling this way. Wondering if you have a fever, or cold symptoms etc...
I will advise you start with your Primary Care Physician and go from there. Sadly. your symptoms are a bit vague and we're not in a position to diagnose. So please contact your PCP for some advice.

We ask that you share the date of your TKR so we're able to create a signature for you also identifying which knee you had replaced.

Since your surgery is fairly recent, I will leave our Recovery Guidelines below for you to read. I do hope you receive answers and begin feeling better soon.

 

[Jockette]

Hi and Welcome!

Layla must have had an interruption, so I’ll jump in with the guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

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.​

​

If you want to use something to help heal the incision, ​

BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.​

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.​

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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. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity Progression for TKRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

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Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

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 the 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 the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[Layla]

Yes...I was interrupted, suddenly / unexpectedly for an hour...so thanks for leaving the Recovery Guidelines @Jockette