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TKR Recovery Journey Continues

Some PTs think it’s important to mobilize the patella itself. Mine did that. I won’t consent to that next time.

I believe that there are many aspects of this recovery that I just have to let Time take care of. I believe in giving my knee the privilege of sorting itself out, especially in the early days and weeks. I believe my knee knows how to heal and the less interference it gets, the better. This is how I will recover if I ever have to do this again.
 
I’m a little over 5 weeks out and last night I hit a happy milestone. I ONLY got up to go to the bathroom and then went back to sleep!!!!! Usually I get up once or twice to put on a cold gel wrap or do the ice (cold water) machine, literally eliminating 2-3 hours of sleep. The usual nighttime pain wasn’t there. Typically it begins as a subtle throb that progresses and wakes me up. I’m overjoyed even if pain returns at night because now I have HOPE!
I still walk a little wonky and have to focus on my gait but pain during the day has decreased. I still get super fatigued and nap when I feel like it, I consider my naps as “healing naps” both physically and mentally.
I got my hair cut and colored and it looks like a “Karen” hairstyle . (No offense to anyone named Karen.) It will grow.
I pray for continued patience, perseverance, healing and optimism for all of us who have endured this surgery . God’s Blessings to you all.
 
My RTKR was August 3 and I’m recovering really well….. except I’m wiped out for at least half of my day. My ROM is great and my surgeon said I could skip the 3 month visit. I did PT for 6 weeks and I still do some (not a ton though) exercises, walking for about 10-20 minutes, exercise bike for about 7 minutes, lots of quad stretches for extension (I think is 0) and flexion slides , about 125. I started my once a week volunteer shift of four hours and it’s not too strenuous. I walk some and can sit and elevate my leg a little. Thank God, my sleep is so much better and only need to get a cold wrap occasionally. So I don’t typically overdo it and know the next day because of slight swelling and discomfort. Of course I ice and elevate. I definitely had some depression (which I’ve dealt with forever) but it’s lifted and managed pretty well.
WHY am I so tired, lethargic and unmotivated?!! Everything is going so well recovery wise but I sort of want to lay around all day, every day. Do I need to force myself to do more activities? Is my “energy drain “ on overdrive? My husband is so supportive but maybe he needs to kick me in the butt every now and then to get me going!
 
Hello, my surgery was one week after yours. Things started out okay and it felt like I was progressing but lately I’ve had lots of swelling, inflammation and a squeezing feeling around both knees. Have been to PT three times a week for six weeks! This week had to begin using a cane again due to stiffness. It’s depressing and I cried this morning when I couldn’t even put on my own socks. So I’m lying around a lot too because it’s hard to stand for very long. And yes, the fatigue!! Wondering when I will finally feel better.
 
I’m sorry Wally07, and I bet the admin people would say to decrease your activity some. They would probably tell me to up my game. I know things will get better for both of us but it sure is nice to be able to express ourselves on this forum.
 
RaeRae1 said:
I’m sorry Wally07, and I bet the admin people would say to decrease your activity some. They would probably tell me to up my game.
Click to expand...
You don’t need to up your game, you need to reset your expectations. This was major surgery and your body is in overdrive trying to heal, and that takes a lot of your energy. Try to find a way to pace yourself between rest and activity.

@Wally07
Welcome to BoneSmart!

Why don't you start your own thread and tell us a bit about your situation. Our members are here to support you. Here's a link to Starting a new thread and posting .
 
@RaeRae1 By the way, I merged your newest thread with your second knee’s recovery thread, as we prefer that members in recovery from each separate procedure have only one thread per TKR.

This benefits you because all your information is in one place, easy to find, and maintains a nice journal for you.

This also benefits our staff, as your information is all in one place, and we often go back through your thread for previous details, so we know what you‘ve been through which helps us advise you better.

So, please keep all your posts in this thread. If you’d like a new title, let us know what you want, and we’ll change it for you.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.
How can I find my threads and posts?

Best wishes on your continuing recovery! :flwrysmile:
 
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Thank you Jockette for your reply. My husband also feels the same way about the rest that your body needs after this surgery. I appreciate the reassurance, it’s just easy to think of myself as a lazy bum but I actually know better.
You don’t need to change my thread title. Sorry I posted in the wrong place again!
 
RaeRae1 said:
WHY am I so tired, lethargic and unmotivated?!! Everything is going so well recovery wise but I sort of want to lay around all day, every day. Do I need to force myself to do more activities? Is my “energy drain “ on overdrive?
Click to expand...
You are tired because you are still recovering. You are only two months into a year long recovery and your body still has a lot of healing to do:

Take a look at this chart -- especially #12:

1652123217285.png


It's quite normal to struggle with energy drain for a while -- although it does improve. It just takes time.

:console2:
 
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At this stage of recovery it's all about pacing yourself. It is not unusual to find that you can do more activities than you used to but that you also need a lot of rest.
 
Yes, at this stage (7-8 weeks it is important to pace yourself. I look at my calendar some weeks and cringe. While social activities are a nice and necessary distraction, for me doing more than two things in a day can wipe me out. The body is obviously sending so much energy into healing. At my age (69) I have to admit that I am not the same as I was even 10 years ago. Everything takes longer!
 
I’m in my 13th week since my RTKR replacement. My recovery is going very well. I’ve recently developed a puffy area on top of my right foot, just beneath my middle toes. It came on gradually over a few days and became more painful to the touch and to walk. Pain doesn’t seem to be in my toe joints. Dr. said he thinks it’s gout and gave me Indomethacin(?). I’ll get my blood results tomorrow for uric acid levels. Ankle is now puffy too. It’s been about 9 days since onset.
It’s probably not related to my knee replacement but should I inform my surgeon? Primary care doc said he didn’t think it was a blood clot. Anyone else have anything like this this far out from surgery?
 
It might be a good idea to report it to your surgeon, just so they have it on record.

I‘m so sorry you’re dealing with this, knee recovery can be tough enough without something like this! :console2:
 
I have had a great recovery until 5 days ago. Upon waking up, I stretched my legs out and I think I popped something in my new knee. Not sure if it was audible but I felt it for sure. It was tender and wonky throughout the day and later the same day, I was manually pulling the garage door down and my leg was up and I let it come down way too hard accidentally. There was pain and some swelling soon after and I iced and elevated it. Since then, I’m limping some and it feels like tendon’s around my knee move and shift as I get up and when walking. It feels crackly, for lack of a better word. It’s somewhat painful and almost feels like it starts to “give out”occasionally when walking.
Hopefully I just jarred and aggravated it. It’s not any better after 5 days. Shall I give it more time and take it easy or call my doctor?
 
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