TKR Recovery, Here I Come!

[katdog]

Thanks, knit2tog. KarriB - maybe that is what I will do. I am sleeping downstairs on the couch to avoid stairs during the many bathroom trips during the night. I totally forgot about the bed upstairs.

 

[liam2015]

hi katdog...sounds like you live in a lovely country setting. you're so ambitious taking care of your garden and berries. puppies are a lot of work as you already know...we have a 1-1/2 y.o. irish setter and he exhausted us when we first got him. we got up at 1 a.m., 3 a.m. and maybe 5 or 6 a.m. to let him outside. he slept with us and we knew when he got restless he needed to go out. he was potty trained quickly which was great but he was/is very rambunctious, a compulsive counter surfer and grabber of anything in his reach. the best thing we did was crate train him, which wasn't a problem ~ he always slept better and right through the night in the crate. hubby has been taking him to his office most days since i had the surgery, april 19th. now he leaves him home in the afternoons with me as he settles right down, waiting for hubby to come home lol. i could not have looked after him in his young puppy stage at 6 weeks post op ~ your pup might be easier and you might be a better trainer than us. this has been our most challenging dog. i agree with someone who suggested you ask the breeder to keep him a bit longer, if you think he's in a good environment.

as for floor exercises, i found myself on the floor one day and it was hard to get up, so i didn't do that anymore (was trying to get a dog toy from under a chair). you can do those exercises on your bed or sofa. soon you'll be doing more standing exercises. try to relax, lay down, ice and elevate when you can and when you need to after your chores. good luck at the surgeon appointment.

 

[IowaNana]

@katdog - it sounds like you are having a good recovery. I had the same incontinence problems at first, and was so glad that it passed and to learn that I wasn't alone. That's one of the things I love about this site - we're not alone!

Although a puppy is a lot of fun, you may still need some help with it at 6 weeks post surgery. Not only for the things that others have mentioned, but puppies don't really know boundaries or have good manners yet. I would be concerned with jumping and getting in the way while you are walking. One of our dogs is just a year old, and has no clue to avoid my knees. Luckily, she is only 11 pounds, but still thinks she should be able to walk and jump on my knees to get to my lap. (She is a total diva princess)


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[sistersinhim]

Maybe you should pass on going to PT tomorrow. Just going to the doctor is going to be exhausting for you. You are only a few weeks out. I was a month when I went back for my checkup and was wiped out afterwards. I few days later for PT won't make a bit of difference. And when you do go, remember to not let them hurt you or cause you to hurt you!

 

[katdog]

Good news from my surgeon's office - my knee is at about 80 and 5. I was relieved because it really is gaining ROM slowly and I was nervous of hearing the evil MAU (? I always forget this acronym) word. I met with my surgeon's PA, a laid back woman who I really like. She got me to relax and the knee easily went to a 5. She explained that we muscle guard - it is natural and normal. She kept calmly saying , "Relax," and I did! So, I was elated because it was better than I thought.

After that, we briefly went to Costco to drop off my new pain med script and get a few groceries. Next, it was home for a nap, then off to PT. I had a different therapist and she had me do a few easy exercises, then she just gently and carefully massaged the knee and the kneecap. The whole knee felt much better after that. So far, this place has been great. They aren't aggressive and seem to have a good feel for what I can and can't tolerate. I am still keeping an eye on them, though.

Today I thought the knee would be really sore because yesterday was so busy, but it feels pretty good. I took it out for a short walk and keep icing and elevating. It seems that I have turned a corner and things are looking up. I am sleeping less, doing things like light housework or taking the dog out don't exhaust me like they did. Of course, as I say this, my eyes are closing -time for a nap.

 

[keefsmom]

You are doing great @katdog! Btw, love your handle, reminds me of that silly nickelodeon cartoon my boys used to adore!

 

[flyaway79]

I don't know how anyone "briefly" goes to Costco! Ours is huge and the parking lot is a nightmare. I went with my sister at about 6 weeks. Every single handicap spot was taken and my sister had to drop me off at the front and park way out on the back 40. I used the electric cart but even so I couldn't get to the couch fast enough when I got home and slept for about 3 hours!

My husband wants to try another trip there but I told him no way on the weekend. Maybe I will try again next week .......

 

[sistersinhim]

@katdog, It's MUA, manipulation under anesthesia. Great that your OS didn't bring that up! You are really doing a lot for a little over two week old baby! Good that PT was gentle with you!

 

[Pheebs52]

@katdog, your ROM is fab so don't feel otherwise! Glad to hear you have a good PT; makes all the difference.

 

[Celle]

my knee is at about 80 and 5. I was relieved because it really is gaining ROM slowly and I was nervous of hearing the evil MAU

You know, your knee really isn't gaining ROM slowly. It's doing just fine. Most surgeons don't expect 90 degrees until about 6 weeks and you are already at 80, in just over 2 weeks. Is your PT hassling you about ROM? He/she shouldn't be, because you're doing very well.
You're most unlikely to need a MUA (Manipulation Under Anaesthetic).

 

[VW54]

Ha! I couldn't get down on the floor (voluntarily) nor up again before the TKR op without a lot of pain. I had nightmares of this situation.
I hope that at rehab place in August they will teach me how to do this. Would be good to be able to do this well before becoming a grandparent, (and just in case I trip snd fall.)

 

[katdog]

Keefsmom - thanks, the handle was chosen because we love animals and I wanted something to represent me. It is a little silly, too.

Thanks, everyone for the words of encouragement. That is the one thing that picks me up more than anything - confirmation that I am doing well from people who have been there. Things really are looking up. Once the three week mark came, there was a shift. I feel confident standing and walking with the crutches as an aid to keep my gait correct. I can walk almost to the end of the short private road we live on and the goal is to walk to the end by mid week. The bed makes an ok substitute for the floor to do arm, stomach and back exercises. I began that, very cautiously, yesterday and the knee felt great this morning.

My nest is still where most time is spent, ice and the i-pad as company. The good thing, though, is that I can see the end. Those first two weeks were rough -as everyone says - wondering what you have done. Do things keep improving this rapidly? I sure hope so.

Celle - my usual PT is young. Lots of book learning but not lots of life learning. She wants my ROM better. She has not harassed me about it, but does have this attitude that imlies, "Things should be further along." So far, though, she has been good and gentle with the knee.

Flyaway 79 - no, Costco is not one of those places for a brief visit. If I put blinders on and just head straight for what I need, then straight to checkout, it is pretty quick. I try to go as soon as they open or at odd hours during the week. That way there are usually handicapped spaces and carts. Waiting for a cart can be excruciating.

Thanks, again, bonesmart peeps. Nap time again.

 

[Celle]

Celle - my usual PT is young. Lots of book learning but not lots of life learning. She wants my ROM better. She has not harassed me about it, but does have this attitude that implies, "Things should be further along." So far, though, she has been good and gentle with the knee.

PTs tend to get very concerned about increasing the numbers. I wish they didn't, because it always worries their patients. In fact, I wish they only measured about once a month. You can see when ROM is improving, without having to measure it all the time.
However, showing an increase in ROM numbers is one way in which the PTs can prove to the insurance companies that their work is effective - so they get paid.

You don't need to buy in to the obsession with ROM numbers, though, and the PT's agenda doesn't have to become your agenda. Your knee knows what it's doing, and will work on its own schedule..

I'm glad your young PT is gentle. That's worth some praise.

 

[katdog]

Day 21

Things continue to improve. Now, I am getting restless, which is a good sign. I sat in the driver's side of the car today, experimentally working the gas and brake. It felt pretty good, but I realize sitting in the car in the garage is way different from actually driving. I was also on 10 mg oxy, so that would explain the no pain when pushing the brake. Now there is something to work for though - driving. That means getting off the pain meds. I have begun reducing them. While sleeping, I took one every 4 hours and that was fine. Getting up to go to the restroom was less pleasant, but tradeoffs happen. I did take two about 1/2 hour before getting up so I could do the morning chores without wincing and gasping. It is a little scary to think about going off the meds because I really hate pain, but that is part of the challenge.

Another milestone - I was able to sleep on my side today! That is a big one as I am totally a side sleeper. This again, was on 10 mg oxy and there was slight discomfort. It just felt so good to sleep on something besides my back that it was worth the discomfort.

Finding that balance between healing movement and tearing down movement is tough! On about day 16, I was able to do more things and, since I naturally push it, it has been a challenge to follow the bonesmart mantra, but try to get stronger too. I don't mean walking a mile, or even 1/4 mile. I mean finding that fine line where healing is still happening and I am also able to do a little more every day or every three days or whatever seems to work. This is rambling, sorry, I just believe the more information we provide to other people, the more it helps.

 

[Pheebs52]

Great report @katdog! There definitely is something positive that occurs around the end of week 3! I had to wait another whole week for some more obvious improvement, but I got a big, surprising positive change this past Saturday night. I don't look for things to improve on any sort of schedule though because I know this isn't going to be a smooth, linear progression. In fact, as I type this right now, I am feeling all sorts of oddball, new and irritating sensations in my thigh, hah! Maybe something is waking up in there? Either that or my leg has been invaded by prickly aliens. Regardless, I am still moving much more naturally with less discomfort since Saturday night; I'll take it!

I understand what you are saying about treading that fine line between enough and too much. activity, specifically walking. Today, while at PT, I told him about my 15 minute, double crutch walk outdoors yesterday. He said 15 minutes was ideal for me right now and I agree because I had no adverse affects and some positive ones. Of course, your mileage and minutes may vary. I'd just say to err on the side of caution to avoid joining the ODIC.

Congratulations on achieving side-sleeping! It's such a big milestone. Like you, I am not a natural back-sleeper, so despite some discomfort on the side, that's how I am sleeping since the end of week two. Mostly, I find it makes me feel as if I am lying on a bunch of rumpled sheets or blankets. Then I quickly realize, I am the rumple. That's ok.

I haven't tried just sitting behind the wheel of my car yet for many reasons, but the primary one is I am not able as yet to give up the Rx pain meds. I wish I were, but wishing doesn't make it so. Though I had my left knee replaced, I know it wouldn't remain comfortable for very long in the driving position without pain meds and it would be a distraction. I just don't have enough flexion.... yet. I'm sure it'll come soon and in the interim, I have a great chauffeur in the form of my husband. If you can manage to give up the Rx meds and your right knee is strong enough and flexible enough to maintain driving control, my hat's off to you!

 

[SusieShoes]

Sounds like you'll be ready for driving when the time comes. That's such a liberating feeling! I could be driving if I wanted to, but it's not a priority for me. My PT said I could drive now, but I'm waiting until I see my OS to get "official" permission. I can be not in a hurry because Mr. Shoes is a willing chauffeur.

It's amazing too how things get so much better somewhere in the vicinity of week 3-4. That's when I first started feeling "on the other side" of this surgery too. Less need for pain meds, wanting to move around more because it actually hurt a little less, and the beginning of some energy returning. There's still an energy drain for a while, but the need to nap three or four times a day tapered off and became the need to rest after moderate exertion. I still need to rest after moderate exertion, but little by little the energy has begun to return and the knees can do so much more every day. Our bodies do know how to heal, they just need a bit of time in order to do it!

 

[VW54]

...and that last line just triggered a memory: "Give me just a little more time" by The chairmen of the Board", a 70's tune?
At the social room I've added some songs for our greatest hits after TH and TR surgeries. Will go add that too.

 

[katdog]

Really, the only thing I am disappointed with is my lack of flexion. I am almost to 0 on extension, but the flexion just does not want to go to 90. I am trying to barely push it, no pain, not even discomfort. I have maybe gained an inch in the past week - and that is a maybe since I haven't been to PT much and I haven't measured. I have tried to build in small walks, times when I just sit on the sofa with my leg hanging over, heel slides when I am on the loo... None of this is excessive, just when I think about it. The darn leg just won't budge.

Pheebs52 and SusieShoes - My husband works long hours and is, in his "spare" time, rebuilding our deck. He has never been a natural caregiver, but has had to take care of me through many surgeries. He has gotten better. That said, he is busy because life is busy and he is not by any means an eager chauffeur. I had set up a shuttle service to get to PT and back, only to find at the last second that they did not go to my PT's office. Husband graciously stepped in to take that over.

Driving will have to start as short trips, like around the block. Then around the block two times.... the last thing I want is to be a menace on the roads. I cut the pain meds down to 5 mg every 4 hours yesterday and it has gone better than I expected. I hope ( and that is capital letters for hope) that I can go to just tylenol by next week. That may be a bit overzealous, though.

Take care and healthy healing.

 

[SusieShoes]

If you're taking narcotics, be careful about cutting back too quickly. I got a nasty withdrawal kick when I did that. It didn't last long (and was combined with general nausea from another med), but it was miserable for a couple of days. Your plan to take up driving slowly, to make sure you're not a menace, is sensible. I've heard it can feel really strange when starting up driving again after a long hiatus.

 

[katdog]

I almost wonder if I am not withdrawing a little today. I started 1/2 doses yesterday morning and, while the pain is a bit worse, there is not much. I am tired though and a bit wonky.