Become an Insider

TKR Seven years out, Right TKR

Thank you for your prayers! ~ I made it thru my first 5 hr day!!! It was good to see my coworkers again. The patient load wasn't too bad & even had a couple of chances to sit & ice my knee for 10min. The only frustrating thing is getting asked why I'm not walking normal/bending enough yet [emoji37] like I didn't do enough PT or I've not tried hard enough. No one understands except you all!!!~~so very thankful for BS! Hopefully each day it'll get better & I'll improve.
Came home iced, elevated & took a much needed nap![emoji42]
Thanks again everyone![emoji175]


Sent from my iPhone using broken link removed: https://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=75543
 
How long does it take for a person to gain back there normal walking pattern. I know I've been asked the same thing, don't think I walk as much as a peg leg pirate like a did a month or so back. But I know by how tired out I get walking in general it's not a normal gait, not yet anyways.
 
I'm wondering the same thing... I still struggle trying to walk normal. I think swelling, in my case, contributes to it. I hope someone has some answers for us!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Changing my gait/walking correctly didn't just come for me. I have to concentrate on how I walk. It helped to practice on a treadmill because it was an allotted time where I only had to worry about my walking, not passers by, or carrying things etc. My PT also studied my gait, made suggestions, and caught me walking incorrectly then helped to correct. For some of us, we've walked incorrectly so long that fixing it can be daunting.
 
Years ago I began the awful habit of walking hunched over watching my feet. My brother in law, when talking about my new knee, asked me if I would still walk like an old lady! Well, that is on my mind all the time now and I'm trying hard to hold up my head, watch my feet with my eyes lowered, and not limp! It's a constant mind thing. It's not natural for us to walk our new, and improved ways. I guess it'll just take concentration, time and patience. certainly not an easy combination!
 
I also had to retrain myself in walking correctly, I still catch myself not bending the knee at times.
 
Thanks @KarriB @sistersinhim @uva55
Question: after working 5 hrs yesterday, I woke up with my knee real puffy & very warm. I'm icing & elevating before going back this afternoon. Do you think the compression stocking is helping or adding to this?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Regarding walking, I've found my new gait has come quite naturally after initially focusing hard to make sure I was doing a full heel to toe landing. I've noticed that my stride is longer too. It probably happened sub-consciously because a longer stride means fewer steps!

Yesterday was my first day of getting over 15,000 steps since at least a year prior to my first surgery. I walked for a solid hour and a half!!! I'm a little tired today, but not too bad. My legs feel fine too - no extra swelling. I'll definitely take it easy tonight though. I try to walk every other day to give my knees some recovery time.

@julesm86 I think the stockings definitely made my legs feel better, but I was never convinced they helped with swelling. I felt like the stockings just moved the swelling to other places if that makes sense.
 
I'm sorry, don't know anything about compression socks. Just the thought makes me hot and uncomfortable.
 
Ahhh...work is kicking my butt! Today was my 9th 1/2 day back & it was super busy~didn't get a chance to sit, let alone ice, even for a few minutes! Ugh! I see my OS Wednesday & he'll probably release me back to full time. I've been wearing the compression stocking off & on~ still can't figure out if it helps or makes it hurt??? This process is soooo slow & long. I'll be 4 months next week~whew!
Ever since surgery I've felt so anxious, even panic attack feelings with everyday things~ going to the store, going to work each day???~has anyone else ever go thru that? At first I felt that way because I felt so helpless~ like in case there was an emergency & I couldn't get around, but now it happens for no/any reason??? I used to be on depression medication ( it won't let me put the name of it on here) during menopause cuz it helped with the hot flashes. I stopped taking it a few months before surgery, & I'm wondering if I need it now to deal with the feelings I'm having??? Any thots?
 
Understand your feelings about work kicking your butt, I've felt the same way this past month. By Friday I am plum tuckered out. I think overall it is getting easier, I find myself resting most of the evening hrs. And the first half of my work day goes pretty good, afternoons seem a little harder as I'm getting tired. A few weeks back I had trouble with my knee, ankle and foot swelling on the surgical leg. I ordered the compression zippered socks. Haven't started to use them as of yet as I've ended up having a wound vac put on part of my incision that never healed shut, the one thing about the wound vac it keeps the swelling down. I plan on using the stockings when I am done with the vac, I would imagine the swelling will return. Guess the only advice I have is any chance you have to rest in the evenings or after work take it, also make life as simple as possible for yourself, I've ate plenty of take out meals lately as I only have x amount of energy for a day.
 
When I first went back to work I found that the change from not doing anything and jumping back into the 'real' world a bit tough. Your activity has increased ten fold and your energy levels are not back to normal yet. I would give yourself a couple of weeks and then if you still are feeling anxious then see your MD to talk about medication.
 
Going back to work was difficult. I found it was better for me to only worry about work during the week and shop on the weekend. I only grocery shopped, nothing else. The worries about emergencies and how I would get along were there also, because as a teacher I also had to be concerned about my students. But I just had to have faith that if something came up we'd handle it together. I always kept a cane in the classroom in case something came up I hadn't planned on. I figured I could use it as a weapon if need be, with all the security issues in schools today.
 
Thanks for your suggestions! :) I'm gonna give it a couple more weeks to see if the anxiety improves before talking with my PC.
I went to PT this morning just to have her check my walking & hip alignment (which was off & causing pain). I'm so so bummed ~~ my ROM went from 105 down to 96 :tantrum: Here I was thinking I was doing so much better & I'm worse~~ugh... Also my outer hamstring is very tight & my fibula head is swollen, painful & red. Since it's the back of my knee, I can't see it, so she took pictures of both legs & you can definitely see it. She massaged the soft tissues since they're inflamed. She also used some kinesic tape to help relieve the pain some from the fibula. I see my OS tomorrow & she said to discuss it with him. :what::sigh: Not a good way to start the day. Off to work in an hour...:thud:
 
Hi Julie, I'm sorry you are having so many ups and downs at the moment, only people who've had a TKR know how much of a roller coaster it is. My recovery certainly is, so I sympathise. Don't be too upset about your ROM, there's a lot of inflammation there, and I'm sure it will improve again when the swelling goes down. Work sounds difficult, especially if you don't always get decent breaks, you could mention that to your OS. I feel for you with the anxiety too, I have experience of it as well. I avoid prescription meds if I can, but if you found them helpful before it might be worth a chat with your GP. Anxiety is horrible,I hope you find something that helps.
Tabby xxx
 
I can certainly relate to your roller coaster ride. If we do little, we are fine. If we do much, we suffer. I've also lost in my extension as I've become busier. It's so frustrating. Julie, just know that you are not alone. We are right here with you and for you.
 
Please don't fret over the ROM numbers going down. Many people experince a drop in ROM after they start back to work, are on their knee more and have less time to ice/elevate. It will improve.
 
julesm86 said:
I'm so so bummed ~~ my ROM went from 105 down to 96 :tantrum: Here I was thinking I was doing so much better & I'm worse~~ugh.
Click to expand...
Most people find they have an increase in swelling and a decrease in ROM when they go back to work. It's a normal reaction to the increased work load your knee is doing. It will settle down and then your knee will make forward progress again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 2,183 (members: 0, guests: 2,183)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom