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TKR RTKR December 12

Overall a great update!

It's always possible that your unwell feeling is a virus challenging your system. If you're concerned it may be a medication side effect, best thing is to call your primary care provider (or whoever may be on call for them today).
 
LittleBit said:
I only take meloxicam (Mobic) and pantoprazole (stomach protector) plus baby aspirin to help prevent clots. I wonder if it's too soon to stop the meloxicam, which I notice can have side effects of headache and dizziness.
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Yes, it could be a side effect of the meloxicam (I'm one of those who cannot take it because it causes intense vertigo), so it's best to check with your doctor.
 
Good PT session today. Doing well--knee presses, calf stretches, hamstring stretches, knee slides, reclining knee flexes and presses with feet on a giant ball, leg lifts, seated kick forward and standing kick backward, clam shells, standing side kicks, 6-in step-ups. ROM still 0-120. But here's the big news. I went for a walk outside to the end of the block and back [8 min.] with the cane for security. It felt so good! I wanted to turn around and do it again, but remembered warnings on here about ODI. I haven't been able to do that for over a year because of the pain in my right knee--the 12/12/23 operated knee. I am overjoyed! Next goal to see how the knee feels tomorrow and, if no problems, do it again, then start increasing in 2-min. increments every other day.
 
Walking outdoors is a wonderful milestone!!!! Having a stable knee and being able to really take good walks - that's why I had my surgeries!
 
Walking and hiking again were my reasons, so even a little bit gives me hope.
 
LittleBit said:
It felt so good! I wanted to turn around and do it again, but remembered warnings on here about ODI.
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Great news and a smart move to make sure you feel good tomorrow before increasing time / distance. Let us know how it goes…exciting! :happydance:
 
@benne68 Yes, it has made a difference. No more dizziness. Just fatigue, but I'm trying to grasp that low energy is to be expected. I read several posts on here that confirmed that and reminded myself of all the reasons. I hope your recovery is proceeding well.
 
LittleBit said:
Good PT session today. Doing well--knee presses, calf stretches, hamstring stretches, knee slides, reclining knee flexes and presses with feet on a giant ball, leg lifts, seated kick forward and standing kick backward, clam shells, standing side kicks, 6-in step-ups.
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I‘m glad you felt this was a good session, but it is a lot for a less than 3 week old knee. How are you feeling today? Remember, you are healing, you are not in training, and all that looks like training. If you have any increased pain and swelling, consider cutting back on those exercises, especially, in my opinion, the knee presses and clam shells and standing side kicks.
 
I made up my mind that I would cut back if I had increased pain or swelling the next day, but I was fine. I do still ice after any exercise and at least 3 or 4 times a day for about 30 min. I have been ahead of the curve since my first PT on Day 2, and I don't feel I am being pushed too hard. The PT always asks on beginning each exercise how that feels and says to rest or stop whenever I feel like it. Honestly, the only exercise that feels even a little uncomfortable is the knee slides. My flexion has been at 120 since Day 14. I did pre-hab for 6 weeks before the surgery, and I think that has made a difference in my muscle strength.
 
Day 20 and a new year! I took it easy yesterday, doing only 1 session of at-home exercises without step-ups, which still feel challenging. I also skipped the afternoon walk outside, doing walks inside the house instead. We have a steep driveway down to street level, which causes pain in my non-surgical knee. Next time, I'm going to try a different route going kitty-corner across the lawn rather than straight down the driveway. I did a load of laundry and prepared a simple dinner--just chicken breasts in the oven and green beans on top of the stove. Well, the best thing is I woke up this morning feeling as though I had turned another small corner, after sleeping all night--8 hours--without getting up. My operated knee this morning felt less stiff on first getting out of bed. I have ordered some massage balls for self-massage of the upper leg across the top and sides down to the knee. I massaged those muscles a couple of times yesterday, and it felt good. Tomorrow at PT, we will remove the remaining steri-strips, and my therapist is supposed to teach me how to massage the scar. The surgeon has recommended vitamin E oil. Any other suggestions from TKR veterans on massaging the scar?
 
LittleBit said:
Next time, I'm going to try a different route going kitty-corner across the lawn rather than straight down the driveway.
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We also have a steep driveway, which I found challenging during my first TKR recovery. I ended up doing a sort of "slalom" route -- crisss-crossing to the left, then to right, etc. to reduce the strain on my knee. I'm sure my neighbors wondered what on earth I was doing. :heehee:
 
LittleBit said:
I went for a walk outside to the end of the block and back [8 min.] with the cane for security. It felt so good!
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Wonderful news!
LittleBit said:
I do still ice after any exercise and at least 3 or 4 times a day for about 30 min.
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This is good! You are doing well! Just remember to keep inching forward with baby steps as you add new activities and pay attention to how your knee responds (which you are doing).

:happy-new-year-smiley-emoticon-4:
 
@benne68 Great idea to "slalom" down the steep driveway! That way, I won't have to worry about uneven ground. I hope you are feeling well today.
 
Vitamin E oil has been my go-to since the early 1970s for surgical scars, burns, other wounds once there's intact skin.
The area right around the incision takes very light massage.
Definitely go for deeper massage to aching tight muscles and if you feel knots work on them!
 
Day 21 - I had thought my PT was today but turns out it's tomorrow. So I went with hubby to his annual checkup with the cardiologist. I took my walker so that I could elevate my leg on the rung. It was a good idea because we had a bit of a wait. Afterwards, we went to my pharmacy to get some vitamin E oil--my first shopping trip since the TKR. Then to lunch at our favorite little Asian restaurant near the pharmacy for clear noodle soup and gyoza. I knew it would not be too crowded, and I would be able to sit at a table where I could elevate my leg in another chair. First lunch out! I have to say that I was pretty tired and starting to get a little sore by the time we got home. The worst part was riding for much longer than usual in the car. Something about where the seat hits me just behind the knee or the bumps and vibrations. Anyway, I'm back home in my comfy chair with leg elevated and icing. We'll see how I feel tonight, but the morning was good for my spirits.
 
That's an ambitious outing - but I well remember how that first postop restaurant meal is a real morale-boosting milestone!!! Congratulations!!!!
 
Sounds like a long but good first outing.
Now you’ll rest and recover with a refreshed outlook.
That meal out sounds lovely!!
 
Good for you, @LittleBit! Taking the walker to elevate your leg was smart.

When I had my first TKR, someone here on BoneSmart suggested putting a cushion in the car so I could elevate my leg for long drives. It helped quite a bit.
 
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