TKR Recovery, Here I Come!

[Jamie]

@katdog ... boy, you've really been through it this week. Time to put yourself first with a lot of rest, ice and gentle exercises....no pushing and discomfort for a bit. And don't be worried about asking hubby for any help you need. This is important time for you and you shouldn't feel guilty about needing that extra attention. You're doing quite a lot for so early in recovery.

I'm sure your calf tightness is a reflection of all this stressful activity the last few days. But if it continues to give you pain, especially if it hurts when you give your calf a good squeeze, then you need to at least get it checked out to be sure you don't have a clot.

A good stretch for your calf is to put a block or book or anything sturdy that's about 2 inches tall about 1 foot from a wall. Then place the ball of your foot on the block, put both hands flat on the wall, keep your leg straight and lean into the wall with your body until you feel a good stretch up and down the back of your calf. Hold that for a count of five. You can do that 5 times several times a day and it should help. I think this exercise is what Flyaway79 was suggesting with the roller instead of the block shown in this image.

You also can put heat on your calf so long as you keep it away from your new knee.

Hope your puppy dog is okay. How frightening to think he was attacked by coyotes!!! Yikes!

 

[katdog]

Thanks for all the kindness. This site is priceless.

 

[knit2tog]

I will keep Fergus in my prayers. He looks exactly like my angel dog, Skittles. I smile every time I see your picture . I will echo what has been said above. Taken care of your knee first. I know your husband understands it comes first and you will be back in the game as soon as you can.

 

[flyaway79]

@Jamie That's exactly what the half roller I posted does. I've used it for years and as soon as I was up and walking around after surgery I found it helped stretch out my tight calves.

 

[Jamie]

That same exercise is also good for plantar fasciitis, something that some people get following their TKR.

 

[katdog]

In defense of coyotes, Ferguson was most likely not attacked. He is a small, old lab that has moments of grandeur where he wants to take on coyotes, livestock and skateboards. We have been able to work pretty successfully on his issues with livestock and skateboards. Coyotes are much less willing to cooperate in a desensitization routine. He has harassed the coyotes for years. They usually run, but for some reason, there was contact. I hope they have not just gotten braver and sick of his spoiled, city-dog attitude. Now we take him out on leash in the dark. Last night, we got to the scene of the crime and, as we turned to head back in, he stopped, turned around and let loose two warning woofs - he even did the front feet off the ground hop as he did them. That let me know he has not had enough. Even more reason to keep him on leash at night.

He is healing well. I tell him we can heal together.

 

[Pheebs52]

I'm so glad to hear both you and Ferguson are on the mend! My little terrier shares his spirit and that's not always a good thing, especially at age 13; aarrghh! Despite living in a dense, urban area we also have lots of coyote issues here.

 

[sistersinhim]

Good news about the both of you! Your doggy thinks he's still a puppy!

 

[IowaNana]

I am glad that you and Ferguson are on the mend!


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[katdog]

Went to PT Today. Not a good thing. I got this aggressive woman who I had, on a previous visit, heard telling a man they hated to make men cry, but that would happen if they had to keep working on his ROM. So she starts in telling me that the last appointment was disappointing and that the guy said I had a low tolerance for manipulation (not those exact words, but the same intent.) why the heck didn't he tell me that? She said they were going to have to get me to the right place in the window of opportunity. I argued. I told her I was paying so I had control. She said, "No, your insurance is paying so they have the say." We went back and forth like that. Finally, I asked if she would stop if I said so and she said she would. She told me to call my surgeon and see what he says. I do plan on doing that on Monday.

I have a question.
1. When I elevate, my knee is not totally straight. Is it supposed to be? I am on three pillows or the Amazon wedge that a few of you have. My leg is not 100% straight on either. I really do not see how you could hang your leg in the air and have any degree of comfor to sleep.

 

[sistersinhim]

No, you shouldn't have your knee completely straight. That is way too painful. Just a slight bend is so much better.

You can tell your smarty pants PT that you pay your insurance company, so you are paying her! I'd quit that place. You don't need to be talked to like that. You are the one in the right! You can do anything and everything you need to do to rehab your knee. And you can do it without pain or smarty pants PT!

 

[knit2tog]

Wow! What nerve of her to say that. I am about speechless and that almost never happens.