MUA Sleeping on my side, 5 weeks post TKR

[Andypandy]

Hi all, surgery went well, pretty bad was the surgeon's remark. Usual horrible pain next day, oh why did I have it done, but I know why and need to get on with recovery. Physio had me up on zimmer frame Tuesday afternoon, yuk not nice, but Wednesday much easier and using crutches. Ice machine helps, I have one at home so need to get that going, really believe ice is our saviour. Today, Thursday it's trying out the steps, I have a flight of stairs to get to my apartment but think positive. If all good I will be discharged and start following Bonesmart programme. Will update and many thanks x

 

[Jockette]

Best Wishes!

Here’s a refresher course for you:

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

​

If you want to use something to help heal the incision, ​

BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

​

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

​

​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

​

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity Progression for TKRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

​

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[mendogal]

Welcome to the healing side again!!!! I hope all goes smoothly with your transition home!

 

[Andypandy]

Thank you, don't know where I would be without you all. Horrid journey home, getting that leg into the car was ughhhhhh. Then had a flight of stairs and due to lack of sleep last night, believe it was too much. But, did it, icing and meds. Feel really annoyed with the whole thing but I suppose pain is the enemy. On another note, apologies, but couldn't even sit on the raised toilet seat. What am I doing wrong. Appreciate all tips, advice and wish everyone a speedy recovery.

 

[Jockette]

What am I doing wrong

You are not doing anything wrong! You just came out of major surgery.

Does your raised toilet seat have arms? I didn’t know I’d need them and I sure wish I’d had them. My husband had to help me on and off and I was in too much pain to be embarrassed. But one does what one has to, to help someone else (him) or to just get through something (me).

 

[Andypandy]

Thank you. Just mentioned to my husband re no arms. Nothing to hold onto. He's going out in the morning to hopefully buy a rail support and totally agree, pain has certainly taken over embarrassment.

 

[Jockette]

I do have one of those big corner tubs which are basically useless and an accident waiting to happen, for most of us in my 55+ community. Only the visiting grandchildren enjoy them! It’s only redeeming quality is that it’s not an eyesore, and it is next to the toilet, so at least I did have that to push up on when I was able to be by myself in the bathroom. Most of my neighbors have taken theirs out. Such a waste of space, I’d rather have another closet! (And of course it came with 2, 3 feet wide x 5 feet high mirrors on both sides. Seriously? Who at our age wants to see that much!!! They were one of the first things to go when we moved in!)

 

[mendogal]

I don't even know why they bother to make elevated toilet seats without arms! I sure couldn't have been independent post op without them. My bathroom grab bars are just a bit too far for this height challenged old broad to reach from the toilet when impaired.

 

[Jockette]

I don't even know why they bother to make elevated toilet seats without arms

Technically not everyone need the arms, in general. I will admit, I had the raised seat way before my surgery, and I’ve kept it on. I’m tall and was spoiled by the higher height toilets we had in our previous house, so when moving into this house, the regular, lower height was way too low, and I had knee issues then. I only needed the height, except for those post op months. So, it’s great that they make both kinds. As my uncle always says, that’s why there’s chocolate and vanilla.

 

[Layla]

Hi and welcome to recovery! Congrats on your new knee!
Sorry you had a rough time getting home. Thankfully that's behind you now and hopefully you're resting comfortably, AndyPandy.
I hope you and hubs get the toilet riser figured out for your comfort. Once your mobility and range of motion have improved you'll likely be tossing it aside.
Best Wishes on the journey. Please keep us posted!
@Andypandy

 

[Andypandy]

Thank you so much. Toilet support rail on and so much better. You certainly need to have something for support. Feel slightly better than yesterday, must stay positive. Used Cryocuff machine last night and managed 2 hours sleep. Will continue with icing and meds.

 

[Andypandy]

Tkr on Monday 9th December and I have got myself in a bit of a state. Had pkr 5 years ago and I cannot believe the pain difference. This is horrific. Probably I am expecting too much too soon, swelling why are you still here and I know why but my mind is racing. Propped up trying to sleep not good but leg hurts if I lie lower. I am so annoyed to be in this predicament and frustrated I can't do anything. My hubby is brilliant but I just hate asking. We have the Cryocuff but I don't like it too tight, so will it still be doing its job if slackened off. Toilet trips are horrendous but again I know I have to persevere. Not doing much in exercises, couple heel slides, pushing down to get leg flat, should I be walking around the apartment more. Oh sorry for this, but my tears of frustration are also annoying me. Any tips would be so much appreciated and just knowing bonesmart is here is a saviour.

 

[Jockette]

Hang in there!

Not doing much in exercises, couple heel slides, pushing down to get leg flat,

These are all you need right now, just a couple at a time, just to give your joint mobility. Short walks, just to and from the bathroom are just fine.

 

[mendogal]

I hope you're not literally pushing your knee down with your hands to try and gain extension (flattening) - it won't work.

Instead, if you do quad sets when your leg is out in front (like in a recliner) - that's contracting the big muscle on the front of your thigh - it automatically has the effect of increasing the straightening as the knee moves lower to the chair or pillow. It also helps wake up those big quad muscles so they start firing effectively.

It's fine to keep the cryocuff loose. My body hates compression but needed cold, so I always let the Velcro on my ice machine loose!

Walking once an hour when awake is what my ortho team wanted - just a five minute walk.

Are you able to use pillows to mostly keep your knee higher than your heart? I had my reflux act up post op so couldn't lie flat for a couple of weeks! I alternated between sleeping in the recliner for a couple of hours and resting on the bed with my upper body elevated on a reflux wedge and my legs on a three pillow stack (which I replaced with a Lounge Doctor).
@Andypandy

 

[Layla]

I am sorry you're having such a rough time of it, Andypandy.
The dependency upon others and weighing out every move you're going to make while in pain is frustrating, but you will get through it.

Please don't hate asking hubs for help, you know you'd help him if the situation was reversed. For better or worse and in sickness and in health, remember? lol. It will get better.

The suggestions below are all you need to be doing in these first couple of weeks. So go easy on yourself.

Week 1
Walks around your home - trips to the bathroom and kitchen to get a snack normally cover this.
Be up on your feet several times a day, as you need to. A 5-6 minute walk every 3-4 hours is plenty
Spend most of your time resting and elevating

Week 2
Add this to the instructions from Week 1
Start on a plan of walks around the house 3-4 times a day for about 5 minutes, but don't push through too much pain, or wear yourself out. Stop before you reach that point.

Lots of comfort to you and best wishes on the journey!
@Andypandy

 

[Andypandy]

Thank you so much, so appreciate all your help. It's so comforting knowing bonesmart are there. Physio have given me an appointment this coming week and I am going to cancel, far too early, I believe. On Monday 23rd December, I go to have staples removed and that car journey will be enough. Surely physio will be OK after Xmas, any thoughts. Thank you x

 

[Jockette]

Surely physio will be OK after Xmas, any thoughts.

Good PT is ok any time. Bad PT is never ok. Check out the article below, so you know what to avoid:

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy

You will have noticed there is a significant opinion here about the potential hazards of PT. You may feel that your therapists are experts and know what you should be doing. However, over the last several years I've been here, I have observed that the more intensive the regimen of exercising...

bonesmart.org

 

[Layla]

Good Morning Andypandy!
If you feel it's far too early for you, then wait until after the holidays, which will likely bring enough activity and excitement for the time being. You might feel more comfortable waiting until the staples are removed anyway. Hopefully the swelling will have reduced and you'll be effectively controlling any pain you're dealing with. I'm guessing they'll start you off with some gentle movement and start to work on strengthening muscles, improving your ROM, which can be slow to return, and work on your gait also, if needed. You're the boss and the one in control, so don't allow them to push you. A polite but firm, No, should work if they start pushing you into pain.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a great 2025 as you continue healing! Thanks for joining us!
@Andypandy

 

[benne68]

Surely physio will be OK after Xmas, any thoughts.

Yes, you most definitely can wait until you are ready. I did not start physio until 4 weeks post-op, per my surgeon's advice, and my recovery has been just fine!

 

[Andypandy]

Advice on compression stockings please. Today Day 8 of tkr, still so swollen but using the cryocuff regularly and couple of slides. My issue is sleeping with the stockings on, wearing them 24hrs as instructed but my legs start to get so hot. I also have blood thinning injections. If they cause such discomfort at night, is it ok to remove. I have read various sites saying they needn't be worn at night due to the lying down position. Any advice please, just want to rip them off. X