PT questions

[Hope810]

Since I got such a good response from the PT, I wanted to help others if they need to address this issue too. That's is what is so great about this site. We can help each other.

Today is 4 weeks post-opt for me! I sure don't have much energy yet. I'm so glad everyone here tells us that it takes time so I don't feel bad about all the resting, icing, naps, that it takes every day. Sure was hurting last night so took an oxycodene and slept well (yippy) but again found my knee-leg real stiff today and took a lot to get it "unfrozen" and moving. Finally feels like it is finally loosening up again by late afternoon. I will discuss with doc this week.

Thanks again for the support,
Hope

 

[backbay38]

Hope -- my surgeon required me (and all his patients) to sleep with an immobilizer on my operated on leg. It didn't keep it totally straight- allowed a slight bend. But he said people sleep in the fetal position on their sides and then can't straighten their leg in the AM -- thus the immobilizer. My leg would be a little stiff in the AM but I worked on the bend on the floor in a sitting up position - other leg straight -- alternating with quad tightening -- while I drank my first cup of coffee. 3 sets of quads, 3 sets of gentle but insistant pulling the leg toward my chest. By the 3rd set -- the bend would be back where I left it the night before -- and sometimes I could coax it to be a tiny bit better. At 6 weeks the immobilizer went bye-bye and I felt much better in the AM. But I have kept up the routine every morning first thing - 7 days a week. I can see the difference in just walking around the house after I do my little routine. I also tend to sleep on one side or the other with my legs more stretched out than curled up which I'm sure helps. And I stretch alot when I wake up to go to the bathroom -- just lying on my back for a moment and doing a full body stretch. I've always done; I was a marathon runner for 20 years and runners are always stiff!!!

 

[Jamie]

Excellent suggestions, BackBay!

 

[Hope810]

Thanks again for telling me that I'm expecting too much. Guess it will be sometime (if ever) before I can just jump out of bed without warming up. Ha, I couldn't jump out of bed before the surgery! LOL /Hope

 

[Hope810]

Re: PT questions - ankle swelling

I would like to ask about my ankle again. My knee hasn't been my problem so far but my ankle and foot keeps hurting and swelling - which I keep icing. I'm going to talk to doc and Pt about this. I'm 4 weeks post op and trying to walk a bit more but just around the house (no cane) and a short trip to store (with cane). It seems that my ankle-foot is holding me back not my new knee. Any suggestions?

Hope

 

[Jamie]

Hope, don't worry.....you WILL be able to leap out of bed one of these days. You'll get there!!!

At 4 weeks, you are such a NEWBIE in the recovery process, hon. Ya gotta focus on slow and steady for a while. Walking is good, although a trip to the store (even with a cane) might have been a push for you. Everybody gets impatient and pushes too hard at some point in recovery from a TKR. The way you know you've done that is afterwards, you have pain and swelling (knee, leg, ankle, foot all are candidates). You are doing the correct thing by icing. Be sure you are elevating your leg at the same time (above your hips). I used to lie on the couch and put my iced leg up on the back of it....but find a position that works for you.

Your main job right now is to rest and heal. Your body has had a teriffic shock to its systems with the surgery and it will take several months before you BEGIN to feel normal again. But you will get there - honest!!

 

[Hope810]

Jamie - thanks for the support. yes, after iceing, I spent some time resting yesterday afternoon on my bed with my legs up on pillows - watching tv - about an hour. felt good. sure glad I retired last year so I have no hurry really. my best to you. /Hope

 

[Gretchendz]

Thanks again for telling me that I'm expecting too much. Guess it will be sometime (if ever) before I can just jump out of bed without warming up. Ha, I couldn't jump out of bed before the surgery! LOL /Hope

You are expecting too much, too soon...but in a few months, it will happen--I promise!

 

[backbay38]

Hope -- try doing a little walk a couple of times a day outside instead of one longer one. You'll get stronger faster. And what kind of shoes are you wearing? Good solid running or walking sneakers? That might help your foot swelling at least. But I think your foot and ankle just swell because that's gravity. And when they swell they hurt. You may need to do more elevating and icing--especially elevating. And think about what you're eating -- salty food will cause your body to retain water. So watch the salt and drink loads and loads of water to get rid of all the stuff floating around in your leg and maybe that will help. And of course ask your doctor and PT. I found my ankle got a bit swollen at night and of course so did my knee. Everything was always worse at night.... But because I had to wear the immobilizer at night somehow it helped with the swelling and by morning (until I started moving around at least) the swelling would gradually be less and less. And then somewhere around 6 or 7 weeks I found I had only a little swelling in the top and back of my knee. And now (9 weeks) that's pretty much gone too...although I get a little zinger type pain like nerves coming back to life in the knee now and then (like right now) mostly at night. Totally tolerable for the gift of my life back!
Hang in there Hope -- it'll happen for you too and faster than you might think!!!