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TKR Right TKR on 11/28/23

With my first TKR it took me a while to be able to lift my leg up. I don’t remember how long but it was enough that my husband learned to do it well and after that I remember using a strap. I remember being very shocked in the hospital when I couldn’t lift it.
 
Another note: You didn't say how much oxy you are taking but I know for myself once I got home I was in a lot of pain, so much that I got an elevated temperature (which can happen). I talked to my PA and he increased my dose of pain meds to help with the extra pain. If resting, icing and your current dose of pain meds is not enough, don't hesitate to call your surgeon's office to let them know it's not working and you might. need more. Also, make sure to take them on a schedule and don't wait for them to wear off in between doses.

Good luck, @berman2921
 
Yes, it happens to many and it's only temporary. Good to read yours has eased and you're able to lift your leg again.

Why Does My Leg Feel So Heavy?
The first stage of healing is the inflammatory phase. During this time it is very common to notice swelling. After lower extremity surgery, or trauma involving bleeding and inflammation, there will be fluid in the leg causing the sensation of heaviness. Gravity pulls the fluid downward and since the patient is less mobile the fluid is not pumping back through the heart as quickly. Regular movement will assist in the reduction of swelling, as will elevation and ice. Your surgeon may prescribe compression stockings for a short period of time.
Have a great rest of the week!
@berman2921
 
Today is the 11th day after the surgery. Bending is still extremely difficult with pain first at the outside of the knee and then incredible tightness in from of the knee. I hope it's too early to start worrying about scar tissue and a possible corrective procedure
 
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It is way too early to worry about adhesions. Scar tissue is what your knee needs to close the wounds, so you need that! You are still in the newborn stage of your new knee. It is understandable to be painful and stiff. That tightness is swelling caused by inflammation. At your early stage, all you should be doing is walking around your house doing your daily activities. Keeping your swelling and inflammation should be #1 on your mind. Ice and elevate as much as you can. This will help you with your healing.
 
Yes, you are very, very early days in this year-long recovery, @berman2921, and your are correct -- it is much too soon to be worrying about adhesions!

Bending is difficult because your knee is still extremely swollen from the surgical trauma it's been through. It can take weeks, if not months, for that swelling to abate.

Icing, elevating and time are the best way to help the swelling.
 
berman2921 said:
Hello, had the surgery yesterday, and it looks like it went well. However, they discharged me shortly after some PT evaluation but didn't make sure I could urinate. At midnight with still no urination we went to ER, where they inserted a catheter. The knee started bleeding quite a bit with all this walking. Resting now with not much pain when I'm not trying to bend it.
Click to expand...
Similar story. Tkr 11/30, could not pee before leaving surgery so they drained me with catheter and said f I didn’t go by midnight, go to ER. Went to ER and they said I was empty…..so wasted trip
 
iphimac said:
berman2921 said:
Hello, had the surgery yesterday, and it looks like it went well. However, they discharged me shortly after some PT evaluation but didn't make sure I could urinate. At midnight with still no urination we went to ER, where they inserted a catheter. The knee started bleeding quite a bit with all this walking. Resting now with not much pain when I'm not trying to bend it.
Click to expand...
Similar story. Tkr 11/30, could not pee before leaving surgery so they drained me with catheter and said f I didn’t go by midnight, go to ER. Went to ER and they said I was empty…..so wasted trip
Click to expand...
After all of my previous surgeries including the first TKR I wasn’t allowed to leave the hospital unless I started urinating on my own. I’m absolutely sure that the trip to the ER shortly after the surgery impeded my recovery
 
Sorry for so many posts but it looks like I did something to my IT band. I was putting on a shoe and kind of reached towards the back of the shoe when I felt the worst and sharpest pain in my life outside the knee. Now I can't even think of bending the knee for even 1 degree: the pain is just too much. Also I press outside of my leg from the knee up, it hurts. This feels like a really upsetting setback to me. Anyone on the board had a similar experience? Thank you
 
You are so very early in recovery and it’s easy to upset our poor, freshly replaced joint. Rest, ice and elevate, careful short walks and ankle pumps, to give your joint gentle mobility.

You can always contact your surgeon for reassurance, or help, if needed.
 
Jockette said:
You are so very early in recovery and it’s easy to upset our poor, freshly replaced joint. Rest, ice and elevate, careful short walks and ankle pumps, to give your joint gentle mobility.

You can always contact your surgeon for reassurance, or help, if needed.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the instant reassurance. I will definitely call the office on Monday. For now I can’t even sit down on a chair and getting into bed is a major chore
 
Hopefully by Monday it will have settled down.
 
Please don't worry about posting - we've all experienced the scary moments (why is it always after business hours or on weekends?!) and how quickly they lead to concern or anxiety when it feels like there's nobody to bounce ideas off of ... we're with you.

If it doesn't seem to improve tomorrow you can try calling your ortho office to have the on-call doc call you.
 
Saw PA yesterday. X-Ray showed nothing wrong with the implant itself. She thinks it's an IT Band sprain which might take weeks to resolve. She put me on a muscle relaxer for 2 weeks for now.

On Monday morning I got up and all of a sudden every step causes pretty sharp pain in front of the knee. I asked the PA about it, and she said it might be that scar tissue broke up. I'm not sure about it but I almost can't walk for the last two days whereas before Monday I enjoyed short walks outside. So no progress has been made since the surgery: can't bend the knee due to IT Band problem and practically can't walk because of the pain.
 
berman2921 said:
it looks like I did something to my IT band. I was putting on a shoe and kind of reached towards the back of the shoe when I felt the worst and sharpest pain in my life outside the knee. Now I can't even think of bending the knee for even 1 degree: the pain is just too much.
Click to expand...

berman2921 said:
Saw PA yesterday. X-Ray showed nothing wrong with the implant itself. She thinks it's an IT Band sprain which might take weeks to resolve. She put me on a muscle relaxer for 2 weeks for now.
Click to expand...
I’m so sorry about this new injury. What was your activity/PT level on Friday? Did you do anything new or different that day?
 
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