Sagoff October 3, 2017 ltkr

sagoff

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I'm now within three weeks of my left knee replacement. Last week and this week I obtained all my permissions (Dentist, Primary Care Physician, Wife), and today had my meeting with the hospital staff.

This site has been very useful! And, a bit scary, too, with all the concerns about PTs who push 'til it hurts' and lengthy recovery times. I'd been planning to be back to work within 10-12 weeks. My surgeon says mine is especially bad, that he asked his associate to work with him on me as it will take twice as long in the operating room.

I see that Cdntkr also has an October 3 date; smart, to get it done before that Canadian Winter hits; good luck to you!
 
Welcome! I'm glad you've found helpful information on BS, so I'll leave you with a little more to help with planning your recovery.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

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
5. Here is a week-by-week guide for 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.
 
Thank you, KarriB!
Nice puppy you've got there, and I will read the additional links you provided.
Sagoff
 
You may want to share the activity progression chart (and other links) with your wife so she's aware how limited your activity level will be as well as how unpredictable a TKR recovery can be.
 
Good idea there about sharing the chart. I printed up the chart and some select BoneSmart posts and articles and put them in a folder for my husband and his Big Italian Family, because the family spends all kinds of time together, meaning they needed to be in on my recovery. No one seemed interested at first, but once I had the surgery... that folder got passed all around. When would I be good for this... when would I be good for that.... It really helped with expectations.
 
And, a bit scary, too, with all the concerns about PTs who push 'til it hurts'
If you should be unfortunate enough to run in to one of these , there is a very strong and simple word you can use to stop them "NO"! You don't have to submit to all their craziness - read this Saying no to therapy - am I allowed to?
and lengthy recovery times. I'd been planning to be back to work within 10-12 weeks.
Despite that your surgeon has told you - quite unprofessionally in my opinion - that " it will take twice as long in the operating room" and therefore by inference, twice a difficult - that is his problem, not yours. It will not impact on your recovery one little bit. And generally most people are about ready to return to work at 12 weeks but it would help you to negotiate this with your employer Phased return to work.

I'm sure you will be fine.
 
Hi Sagoff,
I feel your pain as I am about seven weeks from bilateral knee replacement. I have been reading along as well and certainly agree about the physical therapy dilemma. My therapist (who worked with me concerning knee pain) when asked if he planned to push on my knee said he would need to do that. I am certainly not planning to let anyone beat up on my knees.

The best of luck to you.

Sherry
 
There are lots of therapists out there who do not do things aggressively.
 

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