Revision TKR Relief...Not what I expected<

[traveler1]

@2014knees

Sounds like you are doing well. Just remember not to overdo. This is a long journey for sure and we all want a good outcome. Good luck in your recovery

 

[2014knees]

I am seeing my surgeon tomorrow for my 3 month check up. Any advice on what kind of questions I should be asking at this point of recovery? He will probably release me tomorrow so I don't want to forget any important questions.

 

[referee54]

Congratulations on your tremendous recovery!

AS for questions, I am not sure that you need to ask anything in particular---maybe icing/pain meds, or activities, and such.

 

[2014knees]

Got a good report from OS. He said my ROM was 135 but I still have some fluid on knees. Said it would take many more months for the pain & swelling to subside and have an over all good feeling in the knees! The only thing I shouldn't be doing right now is running and jumping! I told him I couldn't do that before SX so I don't think it will be something I'll miss!! Thoughts and well wishes to all of you on the other side and to all who are going to be crossing over! I'm sure it is all worth it in the long run!!!

 

[2014knees]

I am just past 4 months since BTKR and am having some issues with the right knee. When going down steps (still just one step at a time) standing up from a sitting position etc. the right knee feels like it does not want to bend or go straight like the left one does. It feels as if there is a block in it. It is hard to explain but I hope someone will understand what I'm talking about and advise. Also I would like to know what kind of exercises I should be focusing on at this 4 month point in time.

 

[Pumpkin]

@referee54 may be able to help with the feeling of a block, and how even with a bilateral the knees can be very different in their recovery.
Here is a link to some post op exercises.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads...rself-exercises-from-basic-to-advanced.14390/
All the best and hope your right knee feels better soon.

 

[2014knees]

Thank you @pumpkin for the link! I haven't seen this exercise link on here. Very helpful information!

 

[2014knees]

I am going on 5 months since Bilateral knee sx and my knees do not feel good. When I go from sitting to standing I have to stay still for a few seconds until the pain stops generating down my legs. I can go up steps ok but I still can't go down the steps normally. My right knee seems to be the problem when it comes to the steps. Also at times it feels as if my knees want to hyper-extend. My knees and legs really do not feel any different since before sx with the exception of a different kind of pain in knees. At least I do not wake during the night with knee pain!

I know that everyone is different when it comes to healing but does it seem to be a little out of norm for progress after 5 months? Am I expecting too much? Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

Can I also get my thread name changed to "Relief...Not what I expected"?
@Josephine.......Thanks

 

[Josephine]

I've changed your thread title.

Now I'm going to ask you some questions and it would be very helpful if you would answer each one individually in as much detail as you can then I'll come back as see where you are ....

1. what are your pain levels right now? (remember the 1-10 scale: 1 = no pain and 10 = the worst you can imagine. And don't compare this with the bone-on-bone pain you had before surgery!

)

2. what pain medications have you been prescribed, how much are you taking (in mg please) and how often?

3. how often are you icing your hip and for how long?

4. are you elevating your leg, how often and for how long?

5. What is your ROM - that's flexion (bend) and extension (straightness)

6. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc., and

7. what kind of PT/exercises are you doing? How much and how often? (and detailed details would be appreciated, please! Reps, sets and session and all that)

Note:
If you're not familiar with this, it goes like so:
1 lift of a 500kg bell bar = 1 rep or repetition.
Doing 5 reps and then a brief rest = 1 set of 5.
And doing 5 sets and finishing = a session.

 

[2014knees]

1. what are your pain levels right now?

2 to 4. Had a constant dull ache today in right knee which was bout a 4, took 1500mg x strength Tylenol which eased it off so now its about a 2. I also have the dull pain in left knee but not as often as the right knee.

2. what pain medications have you been prescribed, how much are you taking (in mg please) and how often?

I am off all pain meds except Tramadol 50mg as needed. I still have a few AP/325 Hydrocodone left which I take sparingly because I have no more refills on it. I can function during day taking a Tramadol but can't take the Hydrocodone till I am settled in for the evening.

3. how often are you icing your hip and for how long?

Don't need to ice my hip!
I am no longer icing my knees.

4. are you elevating your leg, how often and for how long?

If elevating in recliner counts....off and on everyday, times vary from 10 minutes to 30 minutes at a time.

5. What is your ROM - that's flexion (bend) and extension (straightness)

When I went to doc for 12 week check up he said I had a 135 ROM. I still have a good bend and straighten out very well.

6. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc.

I am doing normal housework/cooking/cleaning practically everyday. I also keep my two grandchildren, ages 6 and 9, thee days a week since school is out for the summer.

7. what kind of PT/exercises are you doing? How much and how often? (and detailed details would be appreciated, please! Reps, sets and session and all that)

I walk about 30 minutes everyday either on treadmill or on pavement and when I have time to go to gym ( average of twice per week) I work on upper body weights, stationary bike (no incline) for 20 to 30 minutes and 15 lb leg lift weight machine 10 reps.....rest for 1 minute.... x 3.

Thank you for any advice/instructions you can give me. @Josephine

 

[Josephine]

I walk about 30 minutes everyday either on treadmill or on pavement and when I have time to go to gym ( average of twice per week) I work on upper body weights, stationary bike (no incline) for 20 to 30 minutes and 15 lb leg lift weight machine 10 reps.....rest for 1 minute.... x 3.

There's your culprit! Knock that off and your legs will get better. That and the Tramadol!

2 to 4. Had a constant dull ache today in right knee which was about a 4, took 1500mg x strength Tylenol which eased it off so now its about a 2. I also have the dull pain in left knee but not as often as the right knee.

It's not wise to exceed the normal dose of 1,000mg of Tylenol at a time though you can take that up to 4 times per 24hrs. You would have been better to take 50mg of Tramadol instead.

I am off all pain meds except Tramadol 50mg as needed. I still have a few AP/325 Hydrocodone left which I take sparingly because I have no more refills on it. I can function during day taking a Tramadol but can't take the Hydrocodone till I am settled in for the evening.

I suggest you don't bother with the hydrocodone. Just use the Tramadol instead and bolster it with 1,000mg Tylenol if required.

 

[2014knees]

@Josephine... With the exception of the leg lifts, is the amount of exercise I am doing enough or should I be doing more at five months out? Should I be walking more? I feel like I should be doing more exercise at five months. I just don't want to get stiff but maybe I am expecting too much too soon.

 

[referee54]

I walk about 30 minutes everyday either on treadmill

My OS did/does not want me on a treadmill---I guess others are allowed to use them, but some say that they can have a negative effect on your knee.

I feel like I should be doing more exercise at five months.

We have a saying in officiating---"Let the game come to you." In other words, call what you need to call and let the game progress---do not dictate what you think you have to do.

The same applies to recovery. You think that you should be doing more at five months---but should you? Let your knee or knees determine that. If you do more, and they are not ready, you have created a negative impact on both of them.

I just don't want to get stiff but maybe I am expecting too much too soon.

After my BTKR, it took me five months to lose s light little limp---my right knee was stiff for quite some time.

Remember, your recovery timetable is dictated by your knee or knees---you do what they can tolerate when they can tolerate it---no more.

 

[referee54]

I can go up steps ok but I still can't go down the steps normally.

Yep, going down steps normally is one of the last milestones that many of us accomplish---it is one of the last benchmarks if you will.

Do not rush this or worry about it---it took me about six to six and one-half months to go down steps normally. Then, one day, not a problem at all.

 

[Josephine]

With the exception of the leg lifts, is the amount of exercise I am doing enough or should I be doing more at five months out? Should I be walking more? I feel like I should be doing more exercise at five months. I just don't want to get stiff but maybe I am expecting too much too soon.

Actually I think you don't need to do any. Hips actually don't need much exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

 

[2014knees]

@referee54 & @Josephine Thanks so much for the feed back. I guess I just have it in my mind that I need to be doing more to get better. Not being able to conquer the steps is big for me but I will definitely try to take things a day at a time and realize that good things come to those who wait!

 

[2014knees]

Actually I think you don't need to do any. Hips actually don't need much exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

Does that also go for the knees? Just walking would be enough for now?

 

[referee54]

Please take a look at these two articles---they will help you understand why you cannot set up a schedule---that is, saying, "I am here; I should be able to do these things by now."

TKR: work “smarter” and not “harder”

Where are you in recovery?? (tkr)

It sounds like you have a case of "I am five months out and I should be further along-itis."

Remember---some people take upwards to a year to recover---not all, but a few do---so you just have to be patient and understand that you may have a way to go yet.

When we set up the schedule---and the expectations that go along with it, we set ourselves up for frustration. Trust me---I was there.

 

[2014knees]

@referee54 & @Josephine Thanks so much for the feed back. I guess I just have it in my mind that I need to be doing more to get better. Not being able to conquer the steps is big for me but I will definitely try to take things a day at a time and realize that good things come to those who wait!

Guess I should have said Good KNEES come to those who wait!!

 

[Josephine]

Good KNEES come to those who wait!!

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long enough!