TKR Ready for Recovery TKR Left (9 years since right)

[Rockgirl4]

It's almost like your calf and the outer side of my knee have decided to be buddies. The swelling is crazy, and I'm sorry your shin is giving you this much trouble. I'm right there with you on the poor sleep and weird sensations too. I've been having the zingers for awhile, but the burning just started last night. It makes me feel good to see where you are compared to my own recovery, as I'm at 6 weeks today.

 

[Dearjr]

@Rockgirl4 we will work thru it together and come out well on the other side

On a side now the upper point on my incision which is well healed spit out what looked like pus. I called the OS and he thinks it's a mild infection from a retained stitch. Started me on antibi6and will watch
Thankfully not red hot or tender

Everyone have a great Friday

 

[Rockgirl4]

I have read about so many people getting the infected stitch. I hate it that there's always these little things to consider during recovery. I hope the antibiotic knocks it out quickly.

 

[Dearjr]

So far the area where the pus came out looks clean and not infected

Friday night I sat down too much and didn't move enough so the knee was very swollen and calf hard .
Elevated and iced and went to bed
Saturday was a much better day and was more mobile . The PT told me my quads were not firing so she tried electric sim and had me do quad sets while it was

Seem yesterday I was crossing street and car came out of no where I had to "run" across street and was able to slower than usual and also more stuff. I couldn't do that even if I tried a few days ago.

When I don't go to work and move around for normal things the knee and calf are less swollen

But when I sit too long the swelling returns.

Is that unusual ?

Hopefully all are having a nice weekend

 

[mendogal]

It's not unusual.

Quad sets are my favorite post op exercise starting when I woke up in recovery and done for months! Heck, I still randomly do some when watching a movie with my legs stretched out on the coffee table!

To increase quads activation while doing quad sets: pick a region of the quads you want to focus on and lighly place fingertips there. Once you feel a good connection and response,move your fingertips to an adjacent region.

I learned this decades ago from a trigger point therapist who used his fingertips to tell my body how to activate some tiny mid back spinal muscles. It's incredibly effective!

 

[Layla]

But when I sit too long the swelling returns.
Is that unusual ?

Sitting and lack of movement causes fluid to accumulate due to reduced circulation and gravity. Take frequent breaks to stand, stretch and walk a bit. Also, elevate your leg while sitting and see if you notice a difference.
Good luck...hope you have a good week!

 

[Dearjr]

Unfortunately very hard to elevate in front of patients
But will do mostly standing and moving alot and see if different than sitting

 

[Layla]

Unfortunately very hard to elevate in front of patients

Yep, I get it. Maybe at lunch and on any breaks you can elevate the leg a bit.

 

[Dearjr]

I'm trying

Seeing os tommorow
He keeps saying calf and swelling will slowly go down
Even months is normal for some
I can't wait to get rid of the tight rubber band !

Rom 105-107 -4

 

[Dearjr]

Saw the OS today
My culture didn't grow anything so I don't need antibiotics anymore
He said my swelling of calf will go away but it might be months . Bent knee gently and said it's working fine
He felt some fluid in joint space and said I might be more comfortable getting it drained .
He took out quite a bit but still feels the same

Anyone had this done to a TKR knee?

Have a great election day

 

[Dearjr]

6 weeks out
Rose outdoor bike today
Felt good with knee.

Had a substitute pt Friday who essentially pushed down hard on my knee to get to 0 extension. Was not pleasant considering it was -5 last week..lol
At least it didn't break

 

[mendogal]

6 weeks out
Rose outdoor bike today
Felt good with knee.

Had a substitute pt Friday who essentially pushed down hard on my knee to get to 0 extension. Was not pleasant considering it was -5 last week..lol
At least it didn't break

Please please please do not permit anyone to push down on your knee like that. It's traumatic.
Extension comes from two things: relaxation of muscles and decreasing swelling.

 

[Jockette]

Had a substitute pt Friday who essentially pushed down hard on my knee to get to 0 extension. Was not pleasant considering it was -5 last week..lol
At least it didn't break

I’m so sorry that happened to you. It was totally unnecessary.

 

[sistersinhim]

Never let anyone push or pull on your leg. All that does is cause more inflammation, swelling, and pain.

 

[Layla]

Oh my goodness! So sorry to read you had to endure that pain. Wondering if you had increased swelling after that incident? Consider the irritation of soft tissues that can occur causing even more discomfort. Go slow and easy during sessions rather than allowing the heavy force of pressure. Just say, NO!
I hope you have a good week, Dearjr!
@Dearjr

 

[benne68]

Yay to biking outdoors!

You are doing so well, @Dearjr, you probably won't need much more PT.

 

[Dearjr]

Hi all
Still in PT
Swelling of knee front and back and calf still there
Worse after day of work where calf is very hard

Walking alright and biking at home
Rom 110 and that's with swelling

Hope all are well

 

[Jockette]

Still in PT
Swelling of knee front and back and calf still there
Worse after day of work where calf is very hard

Since you are back to work you might want to reconsider going to PT, since you still have a fair amount of swelling, making your calf very hard by the end of your work day. All the movement you do during the course of your day is plenty of, what I like to call, natural PT. (and maybe even too much activity, for your stage of healing, at this point) Instead of going to PT and doing more movements, I think more rest, ice, and elevation, would better address your swelling, and most likely also your comfort level.

 

[Dearjr]

@Jockette thanks for the advice. It is tough with work and the feeling u get at the end of.the day

I do ice before work lunch and after

I will lessen pt this week and then stop and see how it goes
The os said my swelling can last a few months and is satisfied with my motion

It's just very annoying and itchy at the same time

 

[Layla]

The os said my swelling can last a few months and is satisfied with my motion

My OS once mentioned that swelling can last up until a full year post op, normally easing along the way.
Please don't lose sight of the benefit of ELEVATION. Article here -> ELEVATE
It is our lymph system that rids the body of fluid (swelling). So you want to get the fluid to the lymph nodes in your torso area so your body can more quickly process it. The lymph system works rather slowly on its own and much more efficiently with the assistance of gravity. The fluid isn’t draining into the hips, but contained with the lymph system and moving to the torso and lymph nodes located there. You may consider a Lounge Doctor if you don't own one. It's not necessary, but many who have them love them and use them long after recovery, I, being one.
Hope you have a good day!