TKR Right TKR 72 hours ago

[Tennisagain?]

My first day in recovery is not bad! Pain is a 1 or a 2 mostly an ache in the back of the knee. I have a pillow under the foot which puts slight pressure on the knee as I try to straighten it. First pain pill coming up in an hour along with laxatives. Up and down the stairs to my bedroom a couple of times, no problem. I‘m worried I might be overdoing a little, better start reading more articles. My PT person didn’t like the Lounge Doctor pillow, said it kept my knee in a slightly bent position, said I needed to focus on straightening the leg. Happy so far but beginning to worry about the blocks wearing off and the increase in pain!

 

[Layla]

to recovery!
I will leave our Recovery Guidelines below. Check out the article Activity Progression for TKR, under No. 5 below. You can use it as a rough gauge for activity since you mentioned concern in overdoing it.
I hope you pain remains manageable. Lots of rest and icing should help. Best Wishes! Stay in touch, we'd love to follow your progress.


KNEE RECOVERY GUIDELINES

As you begin healing, please keep in mind that each recovery is unique. While the BoneSmart philosophy successfully works for many, there will be exceptions. Between the recommendations found here, your surgeon's recovery protocol and any physical therapy you may engage in, the key is to find what works best for you.

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for TKRs​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.
@Tennisagain?

 

[mendogal]

Hi! It's interesting your PT insists on your leg being straight. This is directly contradictory to what my whole ortho team and my PTs (in a totally different county and unconnected from my orthos) have said, which is basically:
1) You aren't going to be able to fully straighten your leg for weeks because of swelling.
2) Use pillows to elevate your leg with a slight, comfortable knee bend, as long as there's neither a deep bend nor direct pressure behind your knee (because of the risk of clots).

I suggest you get a reality check directly from your ortho team because that PT advice just sounds wrong.

 

[Jockette]

My PT person didn’t like the Lounge Doctor pillow, said it kept my knee in a slightly bent position, said I needed to focus on straightening the leg.

You aren't going to be able to fully straighten your leg for weeks because of swelling.

You will find there are many differing opinions on this recovery. Do what is most comfortable for you. Many of our members love their Lounge Doctor, and have the blessing of their medical team to use it.

Here is an article from Bonesmart’s Recovery Guidelines:

Elevation: Doing It the Right Way

Updated June 11, 2024 by Jockette Proper elevation is one of the best ways to help with pain and swelling following either hip, knee, or ankle surgery. Many people elevate improperly, which can dramatically lower the effectiveness. In the weeks following your surgery, make sure you elevate...

bonesmart.org

 

[sistersinhim]

My PT person didn’t like the Lounge Doctor pillow, said it kept my knee in a slightly bent position, said I needed to focus on straightening the leg.

I agree with the others. Keeping your knee straight is not necessary and can be really painful. Quite a few of us have had good recoveries using the Lounge Doctor or something similar to elevate our leg.

 

[trinket]

My first day in recovery is not bad! Pain is a 1 or a 2 mostly an ache in the back of the knee. I have a pillow under the foot which puts slight pressure on the knee as I try to straighten it. First pain pill coming up in an hour along with laxatives. Up and down the stairs to my bedroom a couple of times, no problem. I‘m worried I might be overdoing a little, better start reading more articles. My PT person didn’t like the Lounge Doctor pillow, said it kept my knee in a slightly bent position, said I needed to focus on straightening the leg. Happy so far but beginning to worry about the blocks wearing off and the increase in pain!

This is interesting. I had my second knee done yesterday, and they also said not to elevate with my knee bent. Their reasoning is that they don’t want my leg to start to heal with a bend in the knee. Said I was fine to lay flat with my leg out straight. I guess that makes some sense. No mention of that with the first knee. I’ll give it a try and see how it goes.

 

[Tennisagain?]

RTKR 72 hours ago and pain level is still 0! I’ve been taking 1 tab of 2MG Hydromorphone every 6 hours along with 2 tabs of 500 MG Tylenol. My knee is stiff but pain is much less than I expected. I’ve been waiting for the nerve blocks to wear off for two days. Tried to sleep in my lift chair the first two nights and got sporadic sleep, went upstairs to bed last night and had the best sleep I’ve had in a couple of years. I think I’m liking the Hydromorphone too much and will try skipping every other dose. Keeping up with a 30 minutes on 30 minutes off routine with the ice machine.

 

[Layla]

Wow, you're lucky in being pain free. You're also fortunate in your ability to sleep comfortably in bed. I was the opposite and made the lift recliner my bed for three weeks. I actually slept comfortably on it most nights, surprisingly. I hope any pain continues to be well managed and your recovery is an easy one. Best Wishes,Tennisagain!
@Tennisagain?

 

[Layla]

Hi again,
Wondering if you'd like a thread title that isn't specific to how far along you are on your healing journey? If so, please let us know and we'll be happy to change it for you.

Please notice that we have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. Having your recovery information contained in one place will make it easier for you to reflect back on. It is also helpful for those stopping by to be able to review your history before advising or commenting.
Please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here.
Have a great evening!
@Tennisagain?

 

[Tennisagain?]

Hi Layla, yes please change my thread title to “How long will my knee replacement stay pain free?”

Day 4 has come and gone, still no pain. Knee is swollen and stiff but no bruising. Constipated so I decided to cut down on Hydromorphone to one pill every 12 hours, that along with Bidet and laxatives and has fixed that problem.
Walked out to car and tried out pedals on the car today. Feels like I can drive but I won’t attempt that until I’m off the opioids for a few days.
I don’t know what‘s keeping the pain at bay, I’m hoping it’s the Tylenol as I want to get off the Hydromorphone as soon as possible. Does anyone know the average length of time knee replacement patients stay on opiates?

 

[sistersinhim]

Does anyone know the average length of time knee replacement patients stay on opiates?

There is no set time. Some people never take them at all while others take them up to 2-3 months. Those taking them longer aren't every 4 hours like in the beginning, but just once in a while when they need something more than OTC pain relief.

 

[benne68]

Feels like I can drive but I won’t attempt that until I’m off the opioids for a few days.

Please check with your surgeon before you attempt to drive. I was advised to wait until six weeks post-op; not because of pain or strength, but because there is a higher risk of damaging the implant if you suddenly need to slam on the brakes in an emergency.

 

[sistersinhim]

Feels like I can drive but I won’t attempt that until I’m off the opioids for a few days.

Many insurance companies will not cover you until your doctor releases you to drive. Please be careful. It's best to check with him and/or your insurance company.

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
We haven't heard from you in awhile. I hope you're doing well and feeling stronger week by week.
Please leave an update next time you stop by, we'd love to hear from you.
Have a happy healthy holiday season!
@Tennisagain?

 

[Tennisagain?]

32 days since my knee replacement and still almost pain free! I’m off pain med’s and driving for about a week. My past kidney stones and sciatica were much worse than this. I guess I got lucky! The pain I do have comes occasionally during PT when the therapist gets me a couple more degrees on ROM. Started at 90 and now I’m at 110. I’m icing after I do my exercise routine 3 times a day, haven’t needed to ice at night. I walk around the house quite a bit doing housework and making meals but I haven’t done any extended walks outside yet. My surgeon has OK’d tennis in March and I can’t wait to get on court again!
My wife is still in a Rehab facility, (she broke her ankle a week before my surgery) and we are hoping she can get home by Christmas and I don’t need my son’s assistance so he has found a new job.
Thanks for the information posted on this site! I learned a lot and was prepared for an ordeal that thankfully I didn’t have to experience. Good luck and prayers to those of you dealing with recovery and to those of you who are having knee replacement in the future remember that the pain may not be as bad as you anticipate.

 

[Axx72]

Wow pretty amazing @Tennisagain? I am floored by how easy it has gone for you. You must be so excited to get back to the activities you live. Gratz!!!

 

[mendogal]

What a great update!!!
It sounds like you're finding a balance between activities and icing/elevating that works for you.

 

[Layla]

Great update, Tennisagain! Thanks for joining us to share your progress.
I hope your wife makes it home prior to the 25th and you both have a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2024!
@Tennisagain?

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you enjoyed the holidays. Stay in touch.
@Tennisagain?