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TKR RTKR - November 6, 2023
- Thread starter 406Gypsy
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406Gypsy
new member
Update re PT on Monday - I iced after I got home and took my Tylenol and seemed okay. Yesterday afternoon - about 2, the kneecap area really started aching and I just couldn't get comfortable. Tried some mild stretches to see if that might help - seemed to make it worse. Tylenol and ice didn't touch it at all. I think I must have stretched the tendons holding whatever my kneecap is now, because when I massaged around it, it felt a little clunky - which I understand is normal. Anyway - ended up taking a dilaudid at bedtime last night and slept pretty soundly. Seems somewhat better this morning, but still a little sore. I plan on discussing it with my PT at my appointment tomorrow, but I imagine this is just from stretching it more than I've already done.
Axx72
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
@406Gypsy @sistersinhim I agree completely with moving. Found that more than an hour and a half without activity definitely created a lot of stiffness in my knee, which is what I loved about stationary cycling. Easy non-weight bearing activity with a good range of movement. Need for movement was also one of the biggest contributors to not sleeping for longer than four hours at night.
Sorry to hear about the sciatica. Maybe irritation caused by seating position? Hopefully heat and some massage can help.
Sounds like support from your company is great. Has to be nice to stay busy at the level your knee is capable of.
Sounds like you’re doing pretty good. Nice work!
Sorry to hear about the sciatica. Maybe irritation caused by seating position? Hopefully heat and some massage can help.
Sounds like support from your company is great. Has to be nice to stay busy at the level your knee is capable of.
Sounds like you’re doing pretty good. Nice work!
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Short frequent walks have been my single best therapy!
I had to set timers to make myself get up and walk five minutes during the first few months postop, anytime I wanted to lose myself in a sitting up activity like drawing or watching a movie.
At this point, five months postop, I still need one walk during a very short older movie and two walks during a more typical two hour movie!
I had to set timers to make myself get up and walk five minutes during the first few months postop, anytime I wanted to lose myself in a sitting up activity like drawing or watching a movie.
At this point, five months postop, I still need one walk during a very short older movie and two walks during a more typical two hour movie!
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406Gypsy
new member
Went into the office for the first time yesterday (5 weeks post-op) and stayed for 6.5 hours and it went really well. I kept two different foot rests under my desk - each a different height - and got up every hour to either stand and stretch or walk around a bit. By the end of my time there, my knee was starting to feel like it was swelling a bit, so I came home and put it up with ice and it seems fine today - I'm working remotely today. I plan on going back into the office tomorrow and Friday. I commute 1/2 hour each way and that wasn't bad either. I have PT again tomorrow after work, so we'll see how that impacts me on Friday - the PT seems to affect me more the next day, so I might not stay at the office as long.
raylo
senior
This is an indication that you are doing too much at PT. Back off of your exercises a bit until PT doesn't cause pain the next day. That way you will know that your knee is ready for those movements. You might not even need to go to PT anymore since you are back to work. That is PT all by itself.
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406Gypsy
new member
Thanks!! Actually, I did get my annual bonus yesterday since I wasn't in the office last week when they were distributed to everyone else - definitely made the effort worthwhile...lol
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406Gypsy
new member
I only have 3 PT appointments left before the end of the year and I might cancel the ones next week. I'm going to ask her tomorrow about when she thinks I could start thinking about coming to the gym that's located in their complex - mainly to continue stretching, but also for a timeline to start adding some light weight training. My leg is definitely getting stronger and my endurance is increasing - I actually cooked dinner Sunday night (yay!). I'm really pleased with my recovery so far and won't push myself, but want to keep moving forward.
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I love weight training and miss it.
But I'm holding off until closer to the one year mark, and definitely until I no longer need any icing or elevation to cope with swelling from my increasing activity.
The swelling and need to ice and elevate is, IMO, the (baby-toddler-teen) knee's only way of expressing its displeasure.
But I'm holding off until closer to the one year mark, and definitely until I no longer need any icing or elevation to cope with swelling from my increasing activity.
The swelling and need to ice and elevate is, IMO, the (baby-toddler-teen) knee's only way of expressing its displeasure.
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406Gypsy
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I do love my ice-machine! It's amazing what 2-3 hours of ice does to improve any slight swelling or aches I feel after PT or after I got home from work yesterday.
