TKR Recovery #2

[beachy]

Today was a monumental day, indeed.....
The toilet seat riser, aka throne, was removed.
The ice water machine thingy went home with a friend. Her hubs is having tkr tmrw. We all have the same surgeon.
I'm going to get a pic of the gym and the view and post it one day. We couldn't believe it the first time we saw it.

Thank you all for the encouragement! Not gonna lie, there were tough times, but I hung in there the Bonesmart way. Long way to go still and anything can happen. But, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[benne68]

WooHoo! Cause for celebration indeed, @beachy!

 

[Layla]

What a wonderful update, beachy. Laying those recovery items aside one by one is such a good feeling.
You're doing great and it's going to get even better. I hope you have a lovely weekend!
@beachy

 

[EalingGran]

Knee feels strong. I may go back at some point, but my community has a state of the art gym with a bank of stationary bikes and a beautiful view of the Chesapeake Bay

That sounds so beautiful! Very envious.
It really sounds as though you are making a great recovery and glad your knee already feels strong.

 

[beachy]

I drove today. Hubs was with me. Got behind the wheel and backed out of the garage then up the street. Everything felt ok and I didn't have to hit the brakes hard. Not sure how that would feel. Drove about 10 min to son's house. Then hubs drove home. Didn't want to push my luck.
I'm not confident to drive too far or in heavy traffic.
After several good days the knee is swollen and uncomfortable. Lots of ice and elevation.

I'm not going back to pt. I looked up the one I went to for tkr 1. They have an office close to me. I have an appt March 10. The one I was going to didn't push me, but I can do the exercises at home. They massaged my knee once. There's no electric stimulation or ultrasound. Just do the exercises. Even when the PT agreed I was swollen.
The PT for tkr1 always assessed my swelling then gentle massage and/or ultrasound, e-stim, ice. Then some gentle movement. And it always helped. Looking forward to going back.

 

[EalingGran]

The PT for tkr1 always assessed my swelling then gentle massage and/or ultrasound, e-stim, ice. Then some gentle movement. And it always helped. Looking forward to going back

Great about the driving! It's so good to feel progress. Sounds like a great plan about PT- your previous one sounds much better. I have never tried ultrasound and probably don't need it now, but very interested to hear your experience.

 

[beachy]

@EalingGran
I can't specifically say what the ultrasound did, or can't remember, LOL. It was very gentle, gel on the knee then an ultrasound wand going over the gel. The combo of that, e-stim, etc really helped the swelling.
I'll be sure to ask about it next week.

 

[Layla]

The PT for tkr1 always assessed my swelling then gentle massage and/or ultrasound, e-stim, ice. Then some gentle movement. And it always helped. Looking forward to going back.

I can see why, this actually sounds relaxing, more spa like, while still beneficial.

I didn't feel like driving once I received the green light to do so. I believe I waited another week. Maybe by the time your appointment rolls around you'll feel like driving, then again, maybe not. It's great you have options in the event you're not feeling ready. I hope your day is sunny and bright, beachy!

 

[beachy]

Thanks @Layla!
Day is neither sunny nor bright nor warm LOL
Cloudy ,windy, chilly. Ides of March?

I'm back to having a difficult time with swelling. Keeping my "upright" time limited to 30 minutes.
Icing, elevating when not upright.
This morning I iced and elevated with tens unit under ice pack. Then did the lymphatic massage for right leg. So far, no help.
Back to taking Tylenol 1000mg every 6 hrs. Resorted to 1 5mg hydrocodone last night.
Ugh! Can honestly say no ODIC.
What the heck? Can a staff member advise, please? Or is it normal?
The puckered top area is the stubborn part.
First pic is standing. Second is elevating. Big difference. I'm 5'6" 145 lbs. The first pic looks ginormous!

 

[Jockette]

That first picture is today? Wow!

Everything felt ok and I didn't have to hit the brakes hard.

Maybe not the ODIC, but maybe using the brake was just more than Pia was ready for? We know what drama queens they can be.

 

[IndigoKnee]

Oh dear beachy I’m really sorry to hear that - you were doing so well and as you are a week ahead of me that was very encouraging. Take good care of yourself.

 

[EalingGran]

Can you send a pic to your team if you are worried? There was a nurse specialist I could WhatsApp and I did send her a picture of my scar at around 5 weeks when I thought mine was a bit red.
At least your swelling doesn't look red/ inflamed. Is it hot at all?

 

[sistersinhim]

I drove today. Hubs was with me. Got behind the wheel and backed out of the garage then up the street. Everything felt ok and I didn't have to hit the brakes hard. Not sure how that would feel. Drove about 10 min to son's house. Then hubs drove home. Didn't want to push my luck.

Did this swelling pop up after your driving time? If so, your baby knee isn't ready for that yet. It looks like most of the swelling is in the thigh area and not the knee. When you're laying down it was look that bad. Have you tried to elevate even higher and maybe rubbing your swollen area up toward your kidneys? That swelling looks so painful. I think I remember that you can not take NSAIDS like Ibuprofen. If you can they could possibly help with that inflammation.

 

[Layla]

Recovery can certainly plague us with uncertainty at times. I am sorry you're dealing with this, beachy. It is frustrating I am sure.

If the photo was taken last night or this morning, I wonder if the swelling is a result of activity prior to yesterday and not really related to your post op maiden voyage behind the wheel? Wondering because you noted yesterday afternoon that after several good days, your knee was swollen and uncomfortable. It does seem swelling can increase at the end of a day of activity. As we know, mild to moderate swelling can go on for up to six months, even as long as a full year for some. I think you're doing all the right things by icing and elevating and practicing the LDM as you are. Take adequate walks around the house and do ankle pumps if you're not already. As long as you're not struggling with any other symptoms such as redness, pain, warmth etc. it's likely activity related. Hopefully all of your efforts pay off and it eases over the weekend. Hugs and best wishes.
@beachy

 

[beachy]

@Jockette yes, the pic is today, but usually looks like that. When it swells its puckered at top of incision. My foot only pivoted between gas and brake. Just light pressure. Not really pushing on the pedals. I don't think driving did it.

@EalingGran post op appt on tues. It will prob be gone by then. No redness or inflammation .

@sistersinhim my thigh area isn't swollen. Just looks like it in the pic. And, yes, lying down or elevated in pic its barely noticeable.
Im elevating over heart and did lymphatic massage directing everything up after clearing the upward blockage areas.

I was really surprised at the pic, too. Maybe its the angle.
Hubs took this pic from front. Its swollen but not as bad as angle I took.

 

[beachy]

@Layla
I agree. Seems like the least amount of activity affects the knee.
Hope to get some answers at post op appt on tues. If the xrays look ok I doubt doc will care about swelling. Probably just something I have to deal with.
The only real activity day before driving was taking the dog for a short walk....less than I walk around the house. Head scratcher for sure

 

[beachy]

@IndigoKnee
Hang in there and don't be discouraged.
I really think this tkr is inclined to swell more than the first one. Lucky me LOL

 

[beachy]

OMGosh those pics! I need a tan!

 

[Layla]

Oh my gosh...that pic looks way better! The angle of the other I think was deceiving. Plus the close up of the swollen area just accentuated it. I think it will be better before you even meet with your surgeon.
You'll be out in the glorious sunshine bronzing those gams in no time!
Thank goodness I proofed before hitting post reply...I caught an auto correct that read - You'll be out in the glorious sunshine "boozing" those gams in no time!
Maybe that too! Gotta love that AC.
@beachy

 

[sistersinhim]

Now, that photo is a whole lot less shocking! That first one made your poor thigh look like it was ready to burst!