Become an Insider

TKR Seven years out, Right TKR

Julie, you are doing a huge thing, stressful both emotionally and physically, going back to work after major surgery. I wouldn't worry about ups and downs at a time like this, just because the roller coaster is bound to be reaching new highs and lows before it settles down again. The rom will come back when the swelling goes down. Just focus on getting through what absolutely has to get done and give yourself a kind pat on the back and a big hug from all of us!
 
Also I am sure that your gait will be better once the swelling leaves the leg! I have found walking with my Nordic poles helps my gait. Many of us use a cane just to keep our gait going correctly until we have changed our old habits. I was lucky that I had a sudden onset of pain before surgery and never had to adjust my gait. Don't get discouraged things will get better with time. I hope the OS lets you work half days for a while longer.
 
Re: my last post~~~I see my OS tomorrow, will be 4 months next week. What do I do if he says he needs to do a MUA??? :boohoo:
 
You say, "no thank you". Then explain that youv gone back to work and been up and on the knee more than usual. If you want to continue part time ask him for a script. I taught mornings for 6 weeks before going back full time.
 
I found that an over the knee prescription compression stocking on my TKR knee very comfortable while I still had swelling, which I had for over 4 months. They seemed to keep my leg feeling secure and because it was over the knee there was no swelling at the knee. I didn't have to go to work, so that must add extra pressure on your knee. I'm not surprised you're having increased swelling
 
Julie, I'm just letting you know I am saying prayers for you. You are an amazing woman and your recovery story has helped me.


Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 10/11/16
 
Just got home from my OS. He said that the area of swelling over my fibula is from the ligaments/tendons rubbing against it & in time when the swelling goes down it'll get better. They took x-rays & all looks good inside. He didn't even comment on my flexion or extension, he just said since I waited over 5 yrs to have my TKR, it'll take longer to get my muscle strength back, my gait to improve & to recover from this whole process ( no mention of MUA~whew!). I see him again in January & will be 6 1/2 months at that time, so hopefully I'll be bending much better!
We talked about work, and the pressure I'm getting to be back full time, he said to try it and if I can't handle it to call him & he'll write me an order to cut back my hours to part time again. So tomorrow I start back 6:45am to 5:30/6:00pm ~~ will do the best I can. Might need to start looking for a new job just in case???
Thank you for all your support & encouragement thru this! :SUNsmile: I love my BS family! :roseshwr:
 
So happy for the good assessment! That must be such a relief for you. But that work schedule sounds pretty daunting. Hope it goes well tomorrow.
 
@julesm86 So glad you got a good report today. Don't know how some of you do it with going back to work. Glad I waited to have my knee replaced until after I retired. I am just now this past month or so that I feel like I could go back to work and I still don't think I could do full days. Hope it's not too hard for you to go back full time. Wishing you all the best and progress in your recovery!
 
Just knowing your OS will give you a half day prescription for your job if you need it has got to be comforting!
 
Thanks everyone!~you're all amazing! :SUNsmile:
It was an 11 hour day today & I'm exhausted, sore & swollen~~icing & elevating now.
Some good news: my manager was real concerned & supportive (not sure why she's not been that way the past 11 days I've been back, but not complaining~just grateful now). She's switching me from full time medical assistant to most mornings being the phlebotomist (less walking & more chances to sit) and then seeing patients in the afternoon, for the month of October. When I need to get off my feet in the afternoons to ice & elevate for a little bit, she's willing to accommodate that also. I got my lunch & took it in an empty room & propped my leg up & iced while I ate. So at least I'm now getting the chances to do what I need to do to make it thru my long days~~so thankful! :)
 
julesm86 said:
my gait to improve & to recover from this whole process
Click to expand...
What happens is the dysfunctional becomes functional---there are times that many of us, due to pain and the dysfunctionality of the joint, develop bad habits with our gait. It works, but it is not normal. I actually saw this when I coached, as kids had developed bad habits, and breaking them and introducing the correct mechanics made the motions feel very weird.

We then get a new knee, and our gait is still the old, dysfunctional gait. "Mechanics is muscle memory"---so we have to learn what is healthy, what is normal, and what is truly functional. The weird thing is, is that it feels normal, but it is not, and, while we learn the correct gait, it does feel abnormal. It takes quite some time for the correct, healthy gait to actually feel normal. Many of us have had to work on our gait post-TKR or post-BTKR (myself included.)

You may wish to celebrate your new knee and purchase a few pairs of new shoes, as the wear pattern in the old ones are forcing you to use the old, dysfunctional gait.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm now 4 months out...at PT today (going 1x/w) she measured me @ 107...will I ever improve??? How did you all get in the 120's-130's??? What should I be doing?
 
I think 107 is good for 4 months. My knee 1 is at 120 and I haven't done much of anything except follow the Bonesmart mantra. But I'm not working and have iced and elevated a LOT. I can tell knee 2 is going to be a completely different story, even though I'm doing the exact same thing. It's just different for each knee, even on the same person. I trust the folks here that we'll get ROM by doing ADLs and letting our soft tissues heal. You're working -- I bet you don't have time to let all the swelling go down day to day.


Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 10/11/16
 
Swelling is keeping your bend from increasing. Only rest and time will improve it. If you weren't working and going to PT, I bet it would improve in no time at all.
 
You really don't have to 'work' at doing anything for greater flexion. At the end of my workdays I usually will ice and sometimes all night long. Your range of motion will increase on its own.
 
Hi everyone! I'm about 4 & 1/2 months out now. Being back to work, as draining & hard as it's been, has really helped my walking to get back to normal. Tuesday I finally was able to go up & down stairs (still holding on the hand rails) like a normal person!~~I was sooooo excited! My recovery has been on the slower side, but I'm encouraged more than ever that it's all gonna be fine~~like you all have been telling me! :heehee::yes: My bend still needs to improve, but I finally feel like I'm living my life & not constantly thinking about my knee. I know I'm not even half way yet in this year long recovery, but feel more hopeful now. I thank each of you here for your encouragement & advice. I see a few of you are moving on from BoneSmart & I'll miss you! :cry: We've all shared an experience that no one else can truly understand. My BS/TKR friends, I will continue to keep you all in my prayers. I feel blessed to have met each of you & have shared part of our lives together. :flwrysmile:
Those just entering this journey: hang in there, follow the BS mantra, stay connected here, and know that you'll make it & be better than before!
 
That's great that you are doing well. You will start having more and more firsts on your road to recovery.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Corganics CBD
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Staff online

Members online

Total: 2,849 (members: 2, guests: 2,847)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom