severe swelling

[RobertC]

Had TRKR 12-22-08. Have been home since 12-24-08. There appears to be bruising and I have alot of swelling and pain still. Ice does not seem to help.Started therapy 12-26. today I cant even do the therapy due to the pain. Suggestions or is this normal?

 

[BruceT]

It seems like ther is a lot they don't tell you. Probably because the experiences are slightly different for every one, but there are common elements in it all. Before I had tkr, I could not even imagine how painful it would be. If they had been totally truthful. I prbably would not have done it. But it does get better. It seems like if I push, then I pay for it in pain, but afterwards, there always big gains.

 

[beachcomber]

Robert---
Have you watched the YouTube videos of a TKR? If not--- you should.

I'm gonna be blunt--

Six days ago they sawed off the ends of the two major bones in your leg, drilled holes in them, pounded in some metal/plastic artificial surfaces, put your muscles, ligaments, and tendons back more or less where they were, and stitched you up.

And now you are surprised that your leg is "still" bruised, swollen and painful?

Give yourself a break, man! You just had one of the most painful surgeries possible and it is going to take a long time to recover from this. The ice *will* help with your recovery. You MUST also elevate your leg (not just your knee) above the level of your heart. That will (eventually) reduce the swelling and the pain.

Take your pain medication around the clock as prescribed. Don't be a hero. If your pain is not under control you will not heal. Also take stool softeners along with the pain meds.

One year ago I was where you are. I had my knee replacement on December 21st 2007. A year from now you will look back and know this was one of the hardest things you have ever done--- but it will be worth it.

Welcome to BoneSmart. Stick around here and you will find many who have or are currently experiencing the same things you are feeling. This is a powerful, positive group of people who will support you in your recovery. No one else *really* knows what this is like unless they have "been there-- done that."

Good luck on your recovery.

Beach

 

[Josephine]

Darn, you're getting good, Beach!

 

[RobertC]

Thanks everyone for the information and support. I hope the swelling and tightness goes down before too long of a time. I couldn't even do my therapy today.

 

[edk]

I know it's hard when you get older, but keep it up and on ice.

 

[Jamie]

Darn, you're getting good, Beach!

Boy, I agree with Josephine, Beach....VERY nicely put!

Robert, you are going to learn patience during your recovery. It is a must or you'll drive yourself nuts. It is slow going till you are better and it is important to celebrate even the small steps forward. Read, read, read the posts here. And write whenever you need a question answered or some support if things don't seem to be going well. Someone here has experienced anything you might go through!

If you are having trouble with therapy because of swelling, be sure you are taking your meds properly (most docs prescribe something with an anti-inflammant), ice and elevate frequently, and rest a lot too. If you aren't having home therapy, maybe you can get your surgeon to prescribe it....it's easier at first to have the therapist come to you until you are up and around better.

Write again soon....each week will get better....promise!

 

[harleyrider]

Robert, I had my surgery just a few days earlier than yours on Dec 18th. On Friday after my wife helped me take my daily shower I laid on our bed and sobbed for about 30 minutes, never could I have imagined so much pain swelling, and Discomfort. Today when I got up after sleeping through the night, (first time since surg) most of the swellling is gone, my leg actually is starting to look like a leg again, and I took a shower by myself.

Hang in there buddy it will get better, keep that leg elevated and use ice, ice, ice and keep up on the meds.

Mike

 

[RobertC]

Mike

I wish that would happen to me. My calf is bruised and red. I have staples not stitches and wondering if this might be the difference. I ice, ice, ice and do not do much activity.
I cannot wait till this is over.

 

[Jamie]

Robert, I had staples like you and parts of my leg also bruised and turned funny colors. That is all normal. When you elevate your leg, just be sure you place pillows under the ankle and not at the back of the knee (which can contribute to clot formation). I used 4 big gel packs (2 at a time) and many times lay on my side instead of my back with my TKR knee on the bottom. You'll find out what works best for you as you go along. Do you have access to a stationary bike? They help mobility. How is your range of motion (ROM) coming along? What kind of pain meds are you on and how often? They are VERY important to your proper recovery.

 

[RobertC]

Mobility range is not very good. I cannot lift my leg my myself, can barely bend the knee. Dr has me on Norco (a form of vicodine) 1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours.

 

[Jamie]

Thanks for the additional information, Robert. It helps to know this to understand where you are in recovery. I know timewise you are just beginning, but everyone regains mobility at a different rate. Like you, I needed help lifting my leg for a while after I got home. Does the therapist work with you on this? If your knee is really swollen, that can make it more difficult to bend. The therapist should be working on that too. Do you have home therapy? Do you have access to an exercise bike? It would REALLY help you while you're doing home therapy. I'm glad to hear you're on a good pain med. Just be sure and take it regularly. Don't wait until you start feeling some pain...that's too late and your body has to work harder to recover. If you are in pain, you can't do your exercises plus you can become depressed. You need the constant pain relief. When I was at your point, I was on hydrocodone taking 2 ever 4 hours. I continued with that level of pain medication for three weeks and then switched to Darvoset 2 every 4 hours for the next month. So we're talking about quite a period of time on some serious pain meds. But believe me, it's necessary!!! The other important thing was what Beach mentioned. When taking that much pain medication, you will need a stool softener a couple of times a day or you will become very constipated. You might also need to drink prune juice and/or chomp on some flavored dried prunes (they have lemon and orange that are quite good). This is probably way more than you wanted to hear, but these are important things to know about your recovery that no one may have told you. Most of us learned by talking on this forum to those who went before us in surgery. We'll be here for you!!!

 

[JudyS]

Robert, my heart goes out to you. It does not seem like you were prepared for what was coming.
I had a hip replacement in June. Althjough the need for the replacement was a shock, I was lucky to find this great group of people in April. I knew it would hurt, knew about my 3 months of restrictions (for hippies), still was not ready for that first step out of bed, or actually trying to move my 1,000pound leg off the bed or even a millimeter.
It does get better, the worst gets better quickly. I was so swollen, both legs, I would have called 911 if not for this group. I gained 24 pounds . Rest assured, I was shocked that most of that was gone in 2 weeks.
Welcome to the gang here.
Logging on was the hightpoint in my day when I got up.
Judy

 

[RobertC]

Thanks everyone. You are right I was not prepared for this much even after talking with the surgical group. I will continue taking my meds regularly, along with some stool softners. Hopefully within the next couple weeks I will start to see results.

Again, thanks and I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

 

[JudyS]

Robert
I would say to set a timer for the meds if you have to!!!! Playing catch up with pain is not fun [wonder how I know?}
jUDY
cAN you see I have not missed mine today, I can barely type. Not for my hip, it is awesome, I just had a knee scope and spinal injections

 

[Gretchendz]

Robert,

You will be amazed in a few weeks (or months)....

I, too, could not raise my leg on my own for a week or two post-op. Now, 8 months later, it is GREAT!

The first day you are able to raise it on your own, you'll want to have a little celebration (or come back here and post and brag--we like that!).

 

[Jamie]

I agree, Robert! We LOVE hearing about those milestones accomplished - no matter how small! They all make us do a happy dance.

 

[JackieS]

Robert --

What everyone is telling you is absolutely spot on. One thing I'd like to add is that you'll notice a huge difference once the staples are removed. It's like all of a sudden you have an extra inch and a half of skin and some of that real tight feeling is gone!

It's a long road and the first two or three weeks are the worst. I'm seven months out and although there are some swelling issues when I'm on my feet a lot, my life is so much better now -- a world of difference! Hang in there, keep up with your meds and exercises. You'll be in a new (and fantastic) world in a few months yourself. Just in the next few weeks you'll find yourself doing things you couldn't do the day before.

--Jackie
LTKR 5/14/08

 

[RobertC]

I want to thank you for the advice concerning keeping the entire leg and not just the knee elevated. I did this over the night and amazingly the swelling has diminished alot. Attempted my therapy this morning and was able to do a little more.

You guys are terrific with all your knowledge.

 

[edk]

most of the swellling is gone, my leg actually is starting to look like a leg again

Mike

This reminded me that about 6 weeks after surgery I had shorts on and sat down
and thought "Oh I do have a kneecap!"