My long six week update: I am driving and getting around okay, but I still limp and bring the cane when I am out and about. I decided to go to outpatient PT for a while, mostly because I don't want my OS to give me grief about my compliance, or lack of. My insurance covers it, anyway. The day before PT I had pulled my hamstring (back of knee thru groin and glute) somehow and was hurting all night. It hurt to walk first thing in a.m., and none too thrilled about going to PT. However the pain had eased somewhat by my 4 pm appointment. I need not have worried- it was mostly eval, followed by a couple of basic exercises that I do all the time at home (duh). The therapist measured me at +7°/106°, which I believe were impacted by my pulled muscle and her insistence on measuring while I lay uncomfortably flat on my back with a cramping hamstring. I think my #'s will be be a bit better next time. She practically begged me to let her try ultrasound on the back of my knee, and I allowed it. I felt absolutely no difference, so we won't do that again. I also refused the interferential e-stim, as it did zero/nothing for me last time, and I told her sorry, but she's never going to massage my incision line. Non-compliant!
This PT office has the special pool, which I am VERY interested in, however it is currently under repair. When I see my OS I will ask for a prescription for Aquatic Therapy. Hopefully I'll be running in that warm water soon.
About pain meds: my therapist expressed concern that I'm not taking anything anymore (I'll explain that momentarily) because some of the work she'll be doing with me is "sure to cause considerable pain". HA! No, it won't because I know my rights.
More on pain meds- I weaned gradually from percocet 5/325. I tapered first the frequency, then the dosage, until I was down to 1/2 tablet q8 hrs for two weeks, then q12 last week. Figuring that was a minimal-enough dose, I just stopped. Well... by Friday night I had a runny nose, pounding heart, chills, neck and back ache, nausea, jumpiness, and a searing migraine. I considered going to the ER, but they would have given me morphine for sure, and I didn't want to start over. So I toughed it out, ate nothing but weak chicken noodle soup and crackers, and made it through the weekend. Migraine medicine (Immitrex) and tylenol helped, but only a little. I feel 100% better now. I don't want anyone reading this to worry about narcotic withdrawal- I am a notorious lightweight who just doesn't tolerate much. I didn't get withdrawal symptoms after my first TKR, I think, because I stopped percocet within two weeks post op. This surgery I had different, sharper pain that made me cry (literally), so I kept the meds up longer. But I won't take percocet again no matter what PT thinks about it. Besides, I have to drive!
Oh, I almost forgot- I have had several hot baths already and it was glorious. I initially worried about getting in and out of the tub because my right knee has always been the dominant one, but thankfully I have decent arm strength.
My patella was "jumping" for a while when I straightened my leg in a certain way, but non-painfully. I can't reproduce it this morning, so hopefully it was just one of those things. Everyone take care and have a great day!
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