Bilateral TKR Recovery Diary

[Roy Gardiner]

Hi Roy,
Glad you're doing so well. I'm a few days behind you - had my Revision TKR on 9th Dec, so only at Day 9.

I'm also glad that my surgeon ( here in NZ) also does not agree with excessive physio, but is happy to let healing take place at its own pace. I can already see small improvements.

Celle

I think that's what we have to hang on to, to avoid impatience. For instance, I have been able to switch from the chair on the right (note books underneath) to that on the left, because I can now actually get out of it again where previously I couldn't.

8 books, 2 at each corner. Encyclopedia Britannica no less, no rubbish in my house.

Extra advantage is that when I put my feet up on that footrest there, they are relatively higher.

 

[Celle]

Books under the chair are a good idea.

I have bricks under the foot of the bed, so that my legs are elevated while I rest.

 

[kneeper]

I'm enjoying your reports, Roy. Sounds like you are doing fine.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

I'm enjoying your reports, Roy. Sounds like you are doing fine.

Thank you, I appreciate that. Yes it looks like it so far, fingers X'd.

Week 2/Day 13

The tiredness wipeout thing continues to amaze me.

Yesterday I sat around all day watching telly, just about. I made myself some breakfast (not lunch, my wife prepared that for me before going out) and cleared the ashcan from our open fireplace. That's it.

Fell asleep on the couch for 1/2 hour or so in the afternoon. Went to bed at 22.00. Woke at 00.00, 02.30 and 5.30 briefly each time, enough for 'nature' and Tramadol except 05.30 where I didn't need any pain relief and went back to sleep for another 2 hours!

The body really has taken over - and of course I'm following all the Bonesmart advice and letting it - but it's so strange.

 

[srn]

I found it incredible how much I slept after my op, I think I dozed on and off for the first 6 weeks!

 

[Dhare63]

Love the reports Roy, and it sounds like you are the poster child for a "bonesmart" recovery. Keep it up!

I know exactly what you mean about being drained all the time. It was a shock being so exhausted with so little stamina for any activity for week, even months. I still find I need that extra rest!

Cheers,

Dawn

 

[Josephine]

Yes, that energy drain is something else, isn't it? Like being taken over by an alien!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Week 2 day 14

Today out-patient with the OS who said I can now leave the wounds open and can use the shower (hallelujah!).

ROM estimated 10-110 but it's all a bit rough and ready as the knees are swollen as always and the incisions still tight.

Going to try cutting out Tramadol from now cos of the constipation, let's see how I sleep tonight.

Pix of the knees https://bonesmart.org/forum/knee-scars-post-your-badges-honor-here-t13373.html?p=266723#post266723



Great day in the morning! With that bandage off I can now

- stand up (using my hands to help) from any toilet in the house without the 'riser'.
- take a shower in my own shower! up to now a flight of steps too far
- get up (again hands helping) from every bed in the house, not the highest one I've been using so far. Now to sleep soundly through the night before I rejoin the wife.

 

[Josephine]

"Every day in every way I'm getting better and better"!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Week 3 day 15

Two weeks ago exactly that I was being cut up. Seems much longer...

Gave up on the Tramadol because of the constipation, which seems to have worked. But the trade-off was that last night's sleep was more disturbed.

Knees both pretty swollen today, but that's apparently par for the course at 2-3 weeks? Cryocuffs are helping of course.

Not sure there's enough ROM to try the static bike yet, may leave it awhile.

 

[Jazyb]

Interesting that you are only on paracetamol after 2 weeks ..... Good for you and keep us updated.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Week 3 day 16

Paracetamol during the day isn't really needed because I sit still, ice, and watch the telly. No real movement to cause pain there.

And it's not just paracetamol in the evening. I like to drink wine with my dinner, which I've just restarted doing. We always eat dinner late (very late by US standards) it was 21.30 last night. So, I had some additional relaxant on board at 23.15 when I went to bed :th_heehee:. Then 2 x paracetamol and one Advil (a US over-the-counter medicine that helps one to sleep).

Woke at 02.30, 05.30 and 07.20, quite good for me. Right knee now has shooting pains on moving in bed first thing in the morning, left, nothing. Still extremely stiff, but some stretching and walking about helps.

Knees still swollen, but going down. Not just two giant balloons now, but deflated to the point where specific areas of swelling can be seen.

Thinking about setting up the static bike. Today/tomorrow maybe.

13.30. Got up this morning, came down stairs, sat in front of telly about 10.00. 11.00 fall asleep, wake up 13.00. This tired thing really is taking me over.

 

[Jazyb]

That all sounds very civilised drinking wine 2 weeks out from surgery, I was thinking it would be more like 6 weeks before I could have a glass :cheers_wine: but I guess it depends what type of medication your on. I will just have to wait and see. Enjoy!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Week 3 day 16

That all sounds very civilised drinking wine 2 weeks out from surgery, I was thinking it would be more like 6 weeks before I could have a glass :cheers_wine:

a glass

but I guess it depends what type of medication your on.

17.45 update. No paracetamol since 05.30, don't seem to be needing it. Now planning on some at bed-time.

Red letter day Went into the cellar and set the bike up on the static trainer, and turned the pedals! Only wearing slippers not proper shoes, and instep on the pedal to give maximum leg extension, but done just the same . I'll get the kids to bring the bike and trainer upstairs for tomorrow.

 

[Josephine]

Woo hoo! That full rotation is usually so difficult to get - you seem to be getting this just right!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Week 3 day 17

Swelling has declined to the point where I have two very swollen knees as opposed to two inflated balloons with knees concealed within.

Didn't take any paracetamol yesterday and by the end of the day was walking very carefully indeed, but no real pain. Very tired by 22.00 and it bed around 22.30. Again slept fairly well until 05.00.

Going to stay with no paracetamol during the day if I can, but maybe try ibuprofen to help reduce the swelling.

 

[Tykey]

Roy, I don't know how you lasted two weeks, I had some to celebrate getting home after two DAYS!!!!

You just keep confirming that the British approach works extremely well. Just gently letting nature take it's course, building up your activity gently as your body allows, dropping off the meds steadily as you are able, drinkwine, watch the telly and potter about. Just like my recovery.

Well done Roy:xmasmore:

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Roy, I don't know how you lasted two weeks, I had some to celebrate getting home after two DAYS!!!!

I just didn't want any -- which my friends will find hard to believe as I tell and retell my stories ad nauseum...

You just keep confirming that the British approach works extremely well. Just gently letting nature take it's course, building up your activity gently as your body allows, dropping off the meds steadily as you are able, drinkwine, watch the telly and potter about. Just like my recovery.

Yes, I agree. There is NO WAY I would have allowed aggressive ROM (or any other kind of) 'training', and wouldn't have welcomed the attempt. It's where boards like this really help ordinary people to become very knowledgeable about one piece of medical practice that affects them directly.

 

[Josephine]

 

[Jazyb]

from me too!