TKR Starting my journey on the other side

[kneeper]

So glad to see you have a good PT and are gaining confidence in your new knee.

 

[ditzy dinah]

So glad to hear that you are having such a positive experience snorkeler girl! I feel that I am too, and like you I credit all the wonderful advice I have received from my bonesmarties friends! Because of that I know this takes time, so I am going with the flow, and I am not disappointed that I am not doing more, as my expectations have been more realistic. Therefore I am pleased with my progress and I feel happy not anxious! Like you I have told the workplace that I will be off work for 12 weeks, and they are ok with that, so I am determined not to go back a minute sooner than that! I have been signed of by the hospital for six weeks, which is standard for them. Thereafter it is up to my gp, but the docs at the practice are really good, so I!m sure I won't have a problem there. Like you I am sleeping far more than was usual for me pre op, the energy drain after this op is considerable isn't it? So we are feeling so good because we are relaxing and doing what our body tells us it needs...rest! I will be in no hurry to change that! So glad too that you have a wonderful pt. the two I met in the hospital were great, and I go back to see one of those on Friday. Thereafter I will be appointed another closer to home, so hope I will be in tune with whoever that turns out to be. Having a good relationship with your physio seems crucial for your confidence in your recovery and your sense of well being. Hope things continue to go well for you.! I will be watching your progress with interest!

 

[SFBaySailor]

snorkelergrl
How is the recovery going? We haven't heard from you. Good, we hope.

 

[bentknee]

@snorkelgirl~ I am almost 3 weeks post op. I too had great pain control in the hospital, femoral block etc. And if you had told me about the catheter beforehand I would have balked, but I was very grateful for it and it was NO BIG DEAL!

I think the hardest part of the whole thing is how my body feels. No appetite, sort of weak etc. But one thing I was struggling with was that fever issue you mention. In my case, I started drinking at least 8-10 large glasses of water daily. It has really helped. Maybe it will help you too?

Also, one other recipe for digestive part. Stool softener 3X daily, PLUS one 4-6oz. glass of prune juice before breakfast. And chase that glass of juice with water. Then if you don't rush off to the throne, eat breakfast. Shouldn't take too long. Everybody has their own recipe. That is mine, never lets me down. We will OVERCOME!

 

[snorkelergrl]

I wanted to check in because I'm a bit freaked out about my scar. It looks like it's splitting in two areas in the center of the seam of the healed scar--one section measures about 3/4 inch and one 1/4 inch in length. I'm 5 weeks post op. They don't look super deep, but it's obvious the top few layers of the scar have split and they are dark red--no oozing (sorry if this is too much detail for some!). Anyone else experience this? For now I put antiseptic ointment on both areas and covered with bandaids. I've been doing scar massage twice a day to try to reduce sensitivity and recently went back to the pool. I imagine the pool is now out again for awhile until these heal. Should I stop the scar massage or modify anything else? Thanks anyone for your thoughts.

Oh and by the way, I did not have staples. I had internal dissolving stitches and steristrips over the top that finally fell off last week.

 

[SFBaySailor]

Snorkelergrl,
It might help if you post a photo. I'll tag Josephine and see if she has any comment.
I did have some deep reddening of my scar during the early weeks, and it looked slightly indented in some places, as you describe. It was also very sensitive. I also freaked, and saw my OS. He said there was no problem. Nothing ever became of it, and it has healed. I did have staples, though.

 

[snorkelergrl]

Ok, here is a photo. Toward the center of it you can see the split. I'm going to PT shortly and will have them take a look and report back.

 

[SFBaySailor]

Snorkelergrl,
I had the same thing happen. It was in the area of the quads tendon, and it showed reddening just like in your photo. I think yours may even be in the same area. The rest of the scar was healing well. There was also some tenderness and pain if I rubbed the area. But no discharge. I went to my OS, and he said it was not a problem. It eventually healed, but that portion of the scar still looks wider than the rest.
I think that it may be related to stretching of the skin in that particular area when doing PT exercises. At least that is when mine started occurring.

Roger

 

[Josephine]

Thanks for the photo - bit out of focus but it will do!

As long as it doesn't get any bigger it should be fine. It's only a superficial thing. However ....

For now I put antiseptic ointment on both areas and covered with bandaids.

do not EVER put lotions or potions on such an opening or cover it. You can introduce lots of bugs into it from an open tube of cream and from your fingers. Much better to leave it to God's good air!

I've been doing scar massage twice a day

And most likely how come you've ended up with this. Leave wounds and scars alone. They don't need your help to heal.

I imagine the pool is now out again for awhile until these heal. Should I stop the scar massage or modify anything else?

Yes, yes and yes!

 

[snorkelergrl]

Thanks for weighing in Josephine. The PT put some fear in me around adhesions forming from the scar to the bone below and advised vigorous scar massage. I will back off. The PT said the pool was ok as long as there wasn't any oozing. I guess I'll stay on the safe side and avoid for now.

Otherwise all is well 5 1/2 weeks out. I am able to walk without any assistive devices. I take one dose of 10mg oxycodone at night and otherwise rely on naproxen and tylenol. Post op with the surgeon is this Thursday. I'm hoping he'll ok me to be off work for at least a couple more weeks! I still need to work on my stamina plus I'm still needing 11-13 hours of sleep a day.

Hope all is well with my fellow bonesmarties!

 

[snorkelergrl]

I had my 6 week post op today and I am so relieved. I have been faring so well I was afraid the doc would send me right back to work. He said his philosophy is to follow the patient's lead and he had no problem approving my leave until mid November and then a phased return. Partly what helped me be successful here was preparing my work that I would be out 10-12 weeks (thanks to the bonesmart website for that info) and also by not doing what I usually do--putting on the brave face and sacrificing my health. I love my career and my job (and am the sole breadwinner), but heck, it is only a job and people will not die if I'm not there. Now I'm ready to relax into Phase 2 of my recovery. I thought I'd be bored by now, but between all my exercises, PT, trips to the pool, brief errands and Netflix, I'm doing just fine. Thanks for being there everyone!