TKR Second time lucky for LTKR

[SusieShoes]

Will continue ice, elevation and scotch.

Walking unaided all the time now although I use a stick in London mainly to get others to give me a wide berth.

That's wise of you! People are generally respectful of canes (I truly believe most people are good-hearted souls who don't want to hurt others). Canes can be useful in dozens of situations until your knee improves to full use.

Firstly I didn't factor in the commute...

Most people don't. I think we take the "in-between" parts of our activity for granted. The getting there is sometimes more taxing than the being there.

Very happy with where I am after such a short time

We're happy for you! You're doing really well and appear to be having fun doing it.

 

[Nick-UK]

I will admit that I thought it would take longer than it has for me to get to this point.

Luckily this forum and its amazing members gave me lots of useful hints, tips and encouragement before and post op which has really made a difference.

 

[NavyGunns]

@Nick-UK, you should be fine driving right now! My PKR was on my left leg and my OS gave me the ok at 2 weeks as long as I was not taking narcos except at night. Haven’t had any issues since.

Massage works great even if self administered! My problem with that pinching like pain on the medial side of my knee cap was due to scar tissue. My PT showed me how to do deep massage to help break it up. After a couple of weeks, the pain is gone.

Keep up the good work and especially the humor. Best form of medicine!

 

[Katlyw]

I need to try scotch therapy

 

[Niftyknee]

Great read during yet another bad night post op
So glad you had such a great recovery.

 

[Celle]

@Nick-UK, you should be fine driving right now! My PKR was on my left leg and my OS gave me the ok at 2 weeks as long as I was not taking narcos except at night.

I think that when you start driving again depends on a number of things - the most important being that you feel 100% confident that you will not cause an accident and you can do an emergency stop.

As long as you're not taking narcotics and you're clear-headed, you may be able to start driving an automatic car sooner than one with manual transmission.
If you have a car with manual transmission, you need to be able to move both feet quickly and easily from one pedal to another, without pain.

My car is a manual. Before I started driving, I would sit in it with the engine turned off and practice moving my feet from pedal to pedal, and doing an emergency stop.
I started driving again at about 5 weeks post-op.

 

[Katlyw]

I started driving at 3 weeks post OP (it was my driving knee). My therapist told me that he was ok with it because I was walking well and had good quad strength. BUT, he told me to try it in a parking lot first. I actually tried it in a residential area and drove the last couple miles home. I had my mom still in the car and she came with me the first few times in case I needed to switch.

 

[Nick-UK]

I think my biggest reason not to drive is the scotch therapy. Dont drink and drive kids!

Been busy today, we are moving in a month and had to clear the garage. Knee not only held up but walked the dog a mile after.

I can safely say I am now limping less than I was pre op

 

[Nick-UK]

Just realised its 3 weeks since the op. I have been super lucky

 

[Nick-UK]

Moving house in 4 weeks time so finally insisted I pulled my weight as regards some of the packing. We did a lot in anticipation of the operation but there is still plenty to do.

Saturday we cleared the garage, lots of boxing up and dismantling with a couple of runs to the tip. Sunday cleared the shed with boxing up. More tip runs and a couple of trips to charity shops and done.

Not exhausted but knew I had done a fair bit of physical activity.

Went into London yesterday expecting to be stiff but felt fine.

I have noticed that my swelling is still reducing. My ankle is now the same size as the non operated size. Still icing and elevating when I can though.

Limp has almost gone completely.

 

[sistersinhim]

Wow, are you an inspiration! You're doing all those things on a baby knee! The icing and elevating is surely helping.

 

[Nick-UK]

The ice and elevation does help.

I am now back at work full time (first 2 weeks working from home and third week half days). I use a stick out and about in London but mainly so I am not jostled on the train and tube.

I still have a lot of swelling on my knee which is probably the reason my ROM is restricted and hence I can only go upstairs sequentially. I think the swelling is part post op and partly my own fault due to me taking advantage of my mobility.

I do still feel tired when I get home but again think this could be due to overdoing it slightly.

Still pain free. I have a couple of tender points if they are bumped and I still have a couple of small areas of numbness.

Big concern is setting my own preconceptions for the RTKR. I am very aware that my LTKR experience has gone incredibly well.

 

[Spex10]

Snap! My first TKR really put me off. It's early days yet for me but so far it's been so much better than I had expected! A different OS and an amazing PT have really got me off to a good start.
Don't overdo things during the house move!!

 

[Nick-UK]

My OH is very over protective so I am sure she will make sure I stay within her limits (much stricter than mine)

 

[SusieShoes]

It’s great to read how well you’re doing! I think it’s great you have a partner to rein you in a bit if needed, because it’s tempting to overdo things, but your progress in recovery is undeniable.

 

[Nick-UK]

My recovery is worrying, you know that feeling where things are going too well?

Everything seems to have accelerated so fast I am concerned that something hasn't had the time it needs or deserves to heal properly

 

[KarriB]

The tiredness is probably due to energy drain, it can take quite a while to gain back your normal stamina. But you’re doing great!

https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/energy-drain-for-tkrs.11953/

 

[Nick-UK]

One issue I didn't expect. I have been back in long trousers this week and with my left knee being swollen its been rubbing the skin off on the outside of my knee

Back in work in shorts today and probably will be until the swelling reduces sufficiently.

Getting some very uncomplimentary comments about my legs!

 

[PHousley]

Hi @Nick-UK - I'm heading back to the office full-time next week after Right TKR June 2nd, 2018. Good tip on the shorts, any other tips for the office? I've had a really good recovery thus far, swelling almost gone and good ROM, I'm a little concerned that sitting at a desk all day may set me back a little.

Great progress by the way, well done and thanks for sharing.

 

[Nick-UK]

Hi @PHousley

I make a point of moving regularly, at least once an hour. I still have a lot of swelling so find this helps, I also stiffen a lots if i dont keep mobile.

I have a sticky on my monitor that says "Put your leg out!!!" as I habitually bend it under my chair otherwise.

I have been back 2 weeks and find that I do tire more than I did pre op so let the powers that be know you may want to leave early. I also work in London so plan my trains for when the tube is less busy. Commuters tend to move at speed and I think if i get knocked over it will do me more harm than good.