TKR Recovery #2

[Montecresto]

I had 1 PT session last week and scheduled for 1 this week.

Great, good luck!

 

[beachy]

@Montecresto
My pain has been very controlled. My OS is very good about refilling pain meds. There were some painful times, no doubt, but it was expected.
I really had turned a corner at 4 months with first tkr and it only got better from there.
Yes, the tightness will go away. It is a 12 month total recovery.

 

[WillB]

@Montecresto
My pain has been very controlled. My OS is very good about refilling pain meds. There were some painful times, no doubt, but it was expected.
I really had turned a corner at 4 months with first tkr and it only got better from there.
Yes, the tightness will go away. It is a 12 month total recovery.

There it is!! “the tightness will go away” I sure hope so!

 

[trinket]

If I could get the tightness to improve, I'd pretty much be back to normal. Today I kneeled to do some pull-ups and my knee felt good. Also spending time on my quads. Luckily my hip flexors are very strong which I think has helped my recovery.

 

[Montecresto]

@Montecresto
My pain has been very controlled. My OS is very good about refilling pain meds. There were some painful times, no doubt, but it was expected.
I really had turned a corner at 4 months with first tkr and it only got better from there.
Yes, the tightness will go away. It is a 12 month total recovery.

Oh there was no shortage of pain medicine made available, it just failed utterly to relieve my pain. My pain was extreme. I was writhing in bed daily for the first 3-4 weeks…..In fact, it was such a miserable experience that I will baby my left knee the rest of my life….and, I still have pain, though nothing like that first month. But I am in construction, have been all my life. I have a torn rotator cuff right shoulder, I’ve had cervical fusion in my neck, and bulging discs in my lower back, arthritis, spinal stenosis and a host of other lower back problems…My right knee I can see is going to complicate my work even after it’s completely healed one year out because of the 130 ROM. I really need to be able to bend my leg to the 150 range…..

 

[beachy]

@Montecresto
I had an episode during my first tkr that sent me to ER per my surgeon's instructions. It was a little over 2 weeks post op. It's journaled here in my first recovery thread.
Turns out the oxy was not controlling my pain. ER sent me home on dilaudid. My OS continued me on it. Same for my shoulder replacement.

If any newbies are reading this and your pain is not controlled call your OS. Chances are you need a different pain med.
This time around I made my new surgeon aware and I'm taking hydrocodone.

 

[Flashlight]

I was also on dilaudid because the oxy didn't work. I was told to let the doctor know within the first few days. I was hesitant because I didn't think I gave the oxy enough time to work but I was told a narcotic doesn't work that way. My medication was changed 2-days after my surgery. It made such a huge difference in my recovery.

 

[beachy]

@Flashlight
Glad I'm not the only one! Dilaudid is really a miracle pain killer. I had it IV in recovery room. Totally took away the pain.

 

[beachy]

Turned a corner today. Not sure if it will last. I had a long morning from 8 am to noon at a very large hospital with my hubs. He had a lot of testing and a doc appt. Our son drove and dropped us off at entrances so I didn't have to make the long haul from parking lot. Still a good bit of walking in hospital. I took a long lasting ice pack and made good use of it.
Been home 2 hrs and I have very little tightness and pain! I will continue to ice and elevate the rest of the day. Could this be a new good thing???? Sure hope so!
Tomorrow will be 4 weeks. Fingers crossed.

 

[JusticeRider]

Hooray for corners turned! I’m glad it went so well at the hospital today. It’s good you can be there to support your hubby

I also turned a big corner at 4 weeks. (But then I had a huge setback, so don’t do what I did )

This isn’t your first rodeo and you’re being very wise about your surgery, so hopefully you’ll just keep on truckin and getting better and better. Cheering for you!

 

[beachy]

Thanks @JusticeRider !
Cheering for you, too!

 

[EalingGran]

Still a good bit of walking in hospital. I took a long lasting ice pack and made good use of it.

Sounds like a busy day. Really glad it all went well and you and your new knee managed fine. That is a big achievement!

 

[beachy]

Happy 4 week kneeversary to Righty!
She is amazing! If only she would let me sleep!
Resorted to a trazadone 50mg about 3 am. Woke at 8:12 am! On my side with pillow between legs

Today was second PT. My regular therapist, Kelly is on vaykay and returns next week. The PT office could only schedule me 1 time this week. 2 x next week. Before we started I had "the talk" with Laura. It was already noted in my chart YAY!
She starter with gentle massage around the incision, never on the incision. Lovely!
I did a few strengthening exercises.....calf, hammies. Maybe 4 different kinds. Try to do 10. No problem, no pain/discomfort. No measuring. While i was lying down she held my leg at 90degree angle and made a few tiny movements that i barely felt. Then an ice wrap that was so wonderful that she wrote down the website to purchase.
Came home, made dinner. Knee feels great!

 

[trinket]

That sounds wonderful, beachy. Could you share the info on the ice wrap? I'm always looking for new icing ideas.

 

[EalingGran]

Sounds really positive. Glad it all went so well. Glad the trazodone helped you get some good sleep- so important.

 

[beachy]

@trinket
Healthykin.com
Elastogel ice pack/wrap
9" x 24"

I haven't looked it up yet. She said make sure you get the 9x24 size because its good to ice other body parts if needed. It wrapped my whole knee. Was like an icy cloud LOL

 

[beachy]

In my post a few above today's about pain not being controlled....
Therapist asked me what I'm taking for pain meds. I told her about my experience with ocycodone for first tkr.it's She had the same issue with it after back surgery! She was switched to Tramadol.
Newbies.....again if your pain is not controlled call your doc!

 

[beachy]

In a few words....I feel better!

Taking 1 hydrocodone in am....down from 2. Occasionally 1 during day and always 1 at night...was taking 2 at night.
Knee is stiff and tight, but not as bad as before.
Still icing and elevating quite a bit.
PT told me if I don't want to elevate at night then don't. If that helps me be more comfy it might help with sleep.
Last nite I slept all nite. With 50mg of trazadone again....about 6 hrs.
I was on my side again with pillow in between legs. No problem from that.
I know the KBM (Knee Boogie Man) is always around the corner, but I hope I can stay ahead of him!

 

[JusticeRider]

You sound great beachy! Watch out for that KBM! And keep up the good sleep

 

[trinket]

Sounds like you're doing great. Thanks for the info on the icy cloud wrap!! It looks good.