Skep-almost 4 weeks

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skep

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I had RTKR on 11/16. I have been reading and have gotten a whole lot of info. Thanks because others psts are really helpful. I'm another who probably did too much too soon. i have been walking short distances without device for about a week. I had my three week follow up and was told to start using a crutch again. The pain wasn't my knee, it was my hip and lower back. The pain was incredible even with pain meds. Since I started using the crutch again and staying in bed (or rather on the couch) I am feeling much better. It is interesting to see how doctors are different. My doctor is totallhy into pain control. I was basically told to continue the meds regardeless. I tried to not take them one night and felt as though I had drank a pot of coffee before i went to bed. I went back to the Percocet and sure enough, I wake up every 4 hours.The doctor then gave me a prescription for Vicodin which lasts longer. Also, my doctor insists that you are either standing or laying flat with my bad leg extended except to eat for 6 weeks. I also have to wear TED hose on both legs for six weeks and on one leg probably longer. I really don't have a lot of swelling but then, I am not standing up very much.

What's the suggetion about driving? The surgery of course was on my driving leg.
 
Hi Skep,

I am new to the boards, doing all learning, no teaching. It is a great place to get information! My right knee was replaced 11/19, so i will be very interested to hear how you are doing! Sorry to hear you over did it. My doctor's written orders to the hospital mentioned Percocet, but it never got prescribed....have wondered if it is good at controlling the pain.

My OS told me 6 weeks till driving because it is my right leg - and the braking is hard to get a handle on. He said a left leg person can drive after 4 weeks. I still have a walker, tho only use it when first waking up - when I might be a little groggy. I am moving around pretty slowly; the right leg just won't walk quite as well as the left one. :skp:

Does a physical therapist come out to see you? I have had a difficult time getting a grasp on how much you can do when. When i overdid it, i had been feeling so, so good - no idea at all I was doing too much, and i hope i NEVER do that again. The good news was it only took about 2.5 days of bedrest to get back on track.

Keep posting!
 
What pain meds are you taking? the percocet works great But only lasts for 4 hours. But that is 4 hours with no pain. I finally started using heat on my hip instead of ice and that helped a lot.

I am sick and tired of doing nothing!!!!
 
I had RTKR on 11/16.

my doctor insists that you are either standing or laying flat with my bad leg extended except to eat for 6 weeks.

This is so extreme, I couldn't think what to say for several minutes! If he means that you shouldn't sit with your leg down, well that's a little more sensible but ..... :doh:

First thing is that you need to learn to flex your knee and flex it good. But not overdo it. In between times, by all means elevate your leg while you are icing it. Moderation in all things!

As for the pain meds, take them every 4 hrs regardless for this period while the pain is at its peak. Then you'll find you are better able to be mobile and walk around the house and garden, even take walk down the road once or twice a day.

Have you got an exercise bike? Or can borrow one? You can't beat an exercise bike for getting back your ROM.

You might also consider seeing a chiropractor about your back and hip. You probably have muscle spasm from the uneven walking.
 
hey skep...that is normal about the sleep nap when you can.....it will get better...i think i saw a change about 6-8 wks hang in there.......make sure you keep up with your medicine............) ....push yourself but like Jo said just know when to stop.............)good luck to you.............) post anytime...........
 


This is so extreme, I couldn't think what to say for several minutes! If he means that you shouldn't sit with your leg down, well that's a little more sensible but ..... :doh:

First thing is that you need to learn to flex your knee and flex it good. But not overdo it. In between times, by all means elevate your leg while you are icing it. Moderation in all things!

As for the pain meds, take them every 4 hrs regardless for this period while the pain is at its peak. Then you'll find you are better able to be mobile and walk around the house and garden, even take walk down the road once or twice a day.

Have you got an exercise bike? Or can borrow one? You can't beat an exercise bike for getting back your ROM.

You might also consider seeing a chiropractor about your back and hip. You probably have muscle spasm from the uneven walking.

I thought it was extreme too but apparently this doctor has wonderful success. You can sit up to eat BTW. He is very strict about his regimen. He actually did a study of his success rate and had 100% on 64 patients at 10 years. He believes that by lying down and keeping the leg extended the blood flows better and you heal faster and better. How long should I take the pain meds? I stated above that the surgery 4 1/2 weeks :sct: but today is just 3 weeks. I am just so anxious to be doing something. I do get PT at home. This will be the last week then I will go to outpatient. I slept fine last night until 5 o'clock and then the hip and knee started aching. If I turned so the hip didn't hurt, the knee did and if I turned so the knee didn't hurt the hip did. I didn't think about a chiropractor. I was actually considering a massage. a chiropractor might be just the ticket. HOw do I change the topic?
 
You stop taking the pain meds (gradually) when your pain tails off. Don't judge it on when you're lying down but when you doing things. For now though, you should take them by the clock rather than the pain. My recovery was stellar but I still took them for 2 months. A lot of people continue for twice that if the need arises. Don't be stingy with yourself. If you want to get going with the PT, you're going to been pain killers then even more.

You want to change the title of the thread? Only Jamie or I can do that. Shout out what you want it changed to and it shall be done.

I kind of understand your surgeon's logic but I find it difficult to see how it works. Next time you see him, tell him "interested parties" want to know if he's ever published a paper on this and if so, can we have details. If not - why not! 100% is pretty impressive though 64 is a very tiny number to call success on. However, I would love to be educated!
 
Skep,

I am on Tramadol. It takes care of most of the pain. Right now I take it every 6 hours, but in between doses I take ibuprofen or Tylenol. The physical therapist left about an hour ago. When he arrived, my pain level was about a "2"; now it is closer to "7".:sigh: It won't be Tramadol time again for 2 more hours.

But, my ROM was up to 90 from 83, so I am encouraged.
 
Hi, Skep. Welcome to BoneSmart. You sound like you are doing quite well for as early in recovery as you are. Keep up with your pain meds as Josephine said. That is REALLY important. So is exercise in moderation. Your main job right now is recovery, so you must keep focused on it. I know it's a tad boring, but hopefully you can find some things to do that keep your mind busy....books, magazines, movies, posting on BoneSmart, there must be something!! Just don't fall prey to the problem that some have had....getting bored, feeling fairly frisky, and then way, way overdoing it. Increase your activity gradually as you start feeling better. Just the switch from home to outpatient PT will cause you to feel more tired and/or notice a little more pain. This is the time you need to be kind to yourself and allow your body the time it needs to heal.
 
Welcome, Skep! This is definitely the place to come to ask and gGet answers and suggestions as you recover.

Sorry to here your hip and back are hurting. My OS says that is not unusual. After surgery we are using different muscles and ligaments that have not been used for a LONG time. My personal opinion is that using a cane or crutch does help to even your gait. My hip/back seem to respond best to alternating heat and cold on them.

Jo/Jaime...would adding a NSAIDs help?

Oh my boredom and lack of sleep. Most of us have had these problems. Also be aware that !is not unusual as well (just a warning). Maybe a short term subscription to Netflix and get some funny movies. Naps are essential. Get some friends to come visit you or call them and chat.

All this does get better pretty quickly...usually by week 6 you are a LOT better.

Again Welcome...we are a great family...usually someone here day or night
 
You stop taking the pain meds (gradually) when your pain tails off. Don't judge it on when you're lying down but when you doing things. For now though, you should take them by the clock rather than the pain. My recovery was stellar but I still took them for 2 months. A lot of people continue for twice that if the need arises. Don't be stingy with yourself. If you want to get going with the PT, you're going to been pain killers then even more.

You want to change the title of the thread? Only Jamie or I can do that. Shout out what you want it changed to and it shall be done.

I kind of understand your surgeon's logic but I find it difficult to see how it works. Next time you see him, tell him "interested parties" want to know if he's ever published a paper on this and if so, can we have details. If not - why not! 100% is pretty impressive though 64 is a very tiny number to call success on. However, I would love to be educated!

You can get information at his website, orthodoc.aaus/skelly and go to the health library. Here is the info on the research paper. Full text publication of Dr. Kelley's first 101 knees. Fetzer GB, Callahan JJ, Templeton JE, Goetz DD, Sullivan PM, Kelley SS: PosteriorCruciate-Retaining Modular Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Nine to Twelve-year Follow-up Investigation. J Arthroplasty, 17(8):961-966, 2002
 
Skep,

I am on Tramadol. It takes care of most of the pain. Right now I take it every 6 hours, but in between doses I take ibuprofen or Tylenol. The physical therapist left about an hour ago. When he arrived, my pain level was about a "2"; now it is closer to "7".:sigh: It won't be Tramadol time again for 2 more hours.

But, my ROM was up to 90 from 83, so I am encouraged.

I would think that you'd get a better effect if you took the Tramadol and Tylenol at the same time. It maximises the effect. Take the Ibuprofen whenever you want. I found that way it lasted a good 6 hrs.

Incidentally, what dose of Tram and Tylenol are you taking each time?
 
hi ohyes .. you and I had RTKR on the same day . Its good to be able to compare how you and I are progressing . I have no PT at all . just do my own thing . I have a static bike which i use every day but have only managed to a full revolution once I am taking pain meds 6 hourly and resting when i can as like you I am not sleeping well. Ice packs are my best friend .
Good luck and wd on reaching 90
 
I finished my home PT with 0 to 110. I start outpatient today. I went to Costco yesterday and boy was I tired. I am planning on returning to work after the Christmas holidays but now I'm not sure. If 20 minutes in a store is this hard, what is all day teaching going ot be like? I have a very difficult population and usually end up exhausted without surgery.
 
Skep,

I want to hear all about the outpatient PT....and I do mean ALL about it. I have two weeks remaining of home PT. When the therapist came Friday, I told him he could not leave until my ROM was past 100 (what it was on Tuesday). So, he measured it and it was 100 again. He told me to give it another "umph" and I gave it all I could. It was 101. :hissy:

Like you, I teach school and figured I'd be back after Christmas break (January 4). Now, i am not liking that idea so much. My 6 week check up is not until New Year's Eve and I have to have a written clearance from the doctor turned in two days before I come back. I have emailed folks to let them know i will be out at least one more week because of the logistics (no way to get the dr. note to them two days before January 4)- but honestly, i do think a week or two more would be a most excellent idea.

Josephine, I am on 50 mg. of Tramadol and 500 of Tylenol. They just gave me another prescription last week after I called to tell them that the Butalb was doing absolutely nothing for the pain and the Aleve (one every 8 hours) had given me a nose bleed. The nurse said i had been through 60 Tramadol in 4 days. (That was not true; it was 47). i have only taken 2 Tramadol in the last 24 hours. The pain has gotten so much better in the last couple days. I am hoping this might be my last prescription; the doctor's office was not nearly as generous with the pain meds as I would have hoped. This will be brought up at my 6 weeks appointment; they need to know the pain management did not go so well...and i made many, many calls to the office. i most likely have a reputation. :skp:
 
Ohyes.....I do think you should take the extra time for recovery. You will not regret it! This is MAJOR surgery and it takes time for your body to bounce back. You will slow your recovery if you head back to a demanding job too soon. It was wise for you to take that hike through Costco....now you have an idea what it will feel like if you go back to work before you are ready.
 
Josephine, I am on 50 mg. of Tramadol and 500 of Tylenol. The nurse said i had been through 60 Tramadol in 4 days. (That was not true; it was 47). i have only taken 2 Tramadol in the last 24 hours. The pain has gotten so much better in the last couple days. I am hoping this might be my last prescription; the doctor's office was not nearly as generous with the pain meds as I would have hoped. This will be brought up at my 6 weeks appointment; they need to know the pain management did not go so well...and i made many, many calls to the office. i most likely have a reputation. :skp:

Mingey so-and-so's! I was taking twice that much! That is 100mg Tramadol and 1gm of paracetamol
every 4hrs. Once in a while, if it was bad, I took 150 Tramadol. But in the last couple of weeks I occasionally took only 50mgs if it was just an ache. I just counted and I was actually taking about 6/8 trams a day at 4 weeks; so over a 4 day period it would be 24/32. I think the moral of that is that sometimes less is more! If you took twice that (100mgs at a time instead of 50 with 1G (2 x 500) tylenol) you'd get better and longer lasting pain relief with less consumption overall.

I also took them solidly for 3 months and had no problems with dependence. Actually, I still have 1½ boxes full in the cupboard. That's 150 left over!
 
Skep,

I want to hear all about the outpatient PT....and I do mean ALL about it. I have two weeks remaining of home PT. When the therapist came Friday, I told him he could not leave until my ROM was past 100 (what it was on Tuesday). So, he measured it and it was 100 again. He told me to give it another "umph" and I gave it all I could. It was 101. :hissy:

Like you, I teach school and figured I'd be back after Christmas break (January 4). Now, i am not liking that idea so much. My 6 week check up is not until New Year's Eve and I have to have a written clearance from the doctor turned in two days before I come back. I have emailed folks to let them know i will be out at least one more week because of the logistics (no way to get the dr. note to them two days before January 4)- but honestly, i do think a week or two more would be a most excellent idea.

Josephine, I am on 50 mg. of Tramadol and 500 of Tylenol. They just gave me another prescription last week after I called to tell them that the Butalb was doing absolutely nothing for the pain and the Aleve (one every 8 hours) had given me a nose bleed. The nurse said i had been through 60 Tramadol in 4 days. (That was not true; it was 47). i have only taken 2 Tramadol in the last 24 hours. The pain has gotten so much better in the last couple days. I am hoping this might be my last prescription; the doctor's office was not nearly as generous with the pain meds as I would have hoped. This will be brought up at my 6 weeks appointment; they need to know the pain management did not go so well...and i made many, many calls to the office. i most likely have a reputation. :skp:

When I got up this morning, there was NO pain. I was shocked. I have had pain upon arising for over 6 years. I am so sorry to hear that you are still in pain. I started on one to two oxycodone evey 4 hours. I was not in pain but felt dopey so the doctor gave me vicodin. He asked me how much I thought I needed. I also have a prescription for tramadol that I had before the surgery. I did not think that tramadol was that helpful but then I was in major pain with my knee which is the reason I had the surgery to start with. During the surgery I had some sort of catheter that went into the artery dircetly to the knee with lidocaine. Everyone I have seen believes that this is one of the most painful surgeries a person can have. Reading abou the problems others have had with pain management I feel lucky that I have such a supportive team. I had more pain in my hip than I did my knee. That was taken care of with a heating pad. Apparently my body was having to adjust to the new knee.

I have to have a doctor's note to go back to work. I go back to the doctor on 1/13. I can get a note from him before that if I feel that I can go back to work. Of course, schools are closed now for the Christmas break. I did not want to get a note until I was sure that I could manage. I teach special ed. in high school and I truly believe that is one of the hardest classes to teach. Many of my students are there because of behavioral problems so it is very taxing.

The outpatient has been less painful than the in home. I have a young PT who I think does not want to cause anymore pain and is much less aggressive with the ROM than the in home PT. I warm up on a machine that is sort of like a reclining step machine so there is no problem with
ROM that I would get on a bike. She massages the knee and my scar quite a bit so I will avoid adhesions.
 
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