Knee Infection* Entering and exiting a tub?

steverup

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It went great! In by 8:00am out by 4:00pm. I feel really good but didn’t sleep too much last night but that was expected. I realize it will be a bit different in a few days when the nerve bloc wears off. This is my third major knee surgery (two on the right) and it was nice knowing what to expect and how much better prepared I was this time around. I’ll list a few things that are really helping this time.
1. Get a roll of green painters tape and tape a caution line across your floor at door jams. (Over the trip protruding transition strip). This helps remind you when you’re stumbling around on your walker on pain meds. Do it the day before surgery so you don’t get used to them. YOU DON’T WANT TO FALL!
2. Get an ice machine (well worth the $150) and a $6.00 24 hr electric timer to plug it into.. I do 2 hrs on and 30 minutes off to let the knee get back to room temp ALL NIGHT in bed.
3. Put up night lights everywhere you may need to go at night.. create a runway light path because you will have fuzzy brains especially at night finding the potty.
4. Journal... I got an app called day one that I like to recap the day and it sure comes in handy when you talk to you doc. You can post pictures, record yourself etc... Funny how all the meds make stuff (you’re certain you’ll never forget) go away, poof. I’m also able to look day-by-day at my previous TKR to help remember and know what to expect.
5. i know we’ve all heard it... rest elevate ice. rest elevate ice. rest elevate ice.
6. Get a hooped stretchy thingy (pic) below. It’s great to help reposition your leg in bed or in the recline. Also great to gently pull up every now and then to help get it straight.
7. I got another app called ‘soultime’ and have found it to be very relaxing. Soft sounds, story’s, readings, maybe it’s the oxy but it sure helps me relax!
8. my daughter-in-law introduced me to oil defuser. Fills the room with a nice smell of whatever oil you want to drop into it.. I love the citrus.

thats all I got for now. ride the wave.. and blessings!
steve
 

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:welome: to recovery again, @steverup .

I've moved your post, above, from your pre-op thread, to start your recovery thread.

Please continue to post in this thread about your recovery.

If you'd like another thread title, just post what you'd like and we'll change it for you.

Here's your copy of the recovery guidelines:
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
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

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

5. Try to follow this

6. Access to these pages on the website

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.
 
Look at you! In-and-out the same day TKR-woo-hoo! Cool if that's your preference! Your careful planning is paying off. Awesome!! Yes, I too used a 'yoga' strap to move my then nearly immobile knee. You have the one with the multi-loops. There's also one with a buckle loop adjustable end similar to the PT strap. I still use for my home PT to extend and flex my knee 12+weeks later.

I too kept a low watt lamp on in an extra room to add more ambient light to my home over all at night, with night lights too. All of that helps for getting about in the middle of the night. I have an oil diffuser. Thanks for all of the cool tips! Please keep us informed as you progress!!
 
I put my good leg underneath my tkr leg and lifted and lowered it that way. No straps needed!
 
Yesterday was my first PT and I was ready for them.... fortunately they were super understanding and realized this wasn’t my first rodeo. I was so NOT wanting to go and am happy to report that it was a great experience! Mostly just massage and some very light stretches (which I hand been doing anyway). I have a lot more ROM than the last time. Yesterday evening the dreaded nerve bloc wore off and the quad area was really the only thing that was really painful and tight .. I was simply amazed at how little pain I’m having this time around thus far. Hallelujah! Yesterday after pt I of course, iced, elevated & rested. the only issue I’m having at this point is sleeping, I can’t seem to connect more than a couple hours at a time. It sure makes for long nights. Thanks everyone for the encouragement! It’s nice knowing that y’all are out there and going through (or have gone through) the same things.
 
Hello Steve! Congrats on a successful surgery. Hope your recovery goes well. I just had bilateral partials on Feb 19th and am documenting my journey on my recovery thred here. It has been so cathartic and the folks in this forum have been lovely.

Thanks for your thoughts on prep. I wished I’d known of the Day One journal app prior. How cool. It sounds like something I would use a lot. That ice/cold therapy machine and my lift recliner have both been god sends for me.

stay in touch and talk soon!
 
I used the good leg to lift other leg too. Figured that out fast! Handy when doable. One has to be resourceful!
 
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That was my number issue - TKR side affect. It went on for weeks averaging 2.5-3.0 hours of sleep per night. I compensated by at least laying in bed listening to TV w/ eyes closed. Or some light reading.
The insomnia improves - but I had a bout this week...:tiredwheel:I'll need extra naps this weekend to catch up

...the only issue I’m having at this point is sleeping
 
It’s only day three and I’m getting bored out of my mind! Today alone feels like it’s been three weeks! Not sleeping is the problem I think. trying to think of things to do to occupy myself.... what I y’all do to stay busy or distract Yourself?
 
I watched every episode of Columbo known to man during my first 10 days of insomnia.... :tiredwheel:

Needed something not too ponderous with a light edge. I did the Sopranos last year. I'll have to scope out Boardwalk Empire -- I like Buscemi!

The insomnia has returned (day two with less then five hours of sleep). Maybe I will try Murder She Wrote tonight to snooze by. LOL! I tried current stuff but it's too annoying right now. Twilight Zone episodes can be cool as they are short and you don't have to invest too much time!
 
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Day 5: starting to feel a little more normal today. I’ve noticed I’m able to put more weight on it and my balance is better. I took a shower and boy it sure makes you feel like a human again! Funny how you take thinks for granted. Had my second PT today and I pushed it a bit because I was feeling so good. That was stupid as now I’m suffering. When I got home I climbed into bed and got my ice machine on and elevated, went right to sleep for a nice solid 2 hour nap! That was awesome! :dubious:
 
One week post op yesterday!... boy was I depressed and not sure why just woke up in a cloud. After a few hours my wife called in the big guns (my granddaughter) she’s 13 months and full of energy and life.. just watching her run around discovering all of grampa‘s new toys (Walker, Ice machine, breathing machine etc) she was in seventh heaven! It sure cheered me up just watching her excitement. Slept pretty good last night and took a nice hot shower this morning and I feel like I’m ready to take on the world (or at least PT today)! Hang in there folks... we can do this! :chuckmarch:
 
Just wondering how others are thinking about continuing PT with all the warnings for catching the virus? We live in the epicenter of Washington state where the most deaths in the US have been reported. The state and adjoining cities have shutdown all group meetings/gatherings over 250 people and advising anyone over 60 stay home And even suggesting to have your groceries delivered. Are any of you canceling your PT And just going it alone at home on your own?
 
I live in Alaska, we don't have any confirmed cases right now but with our connections to Seattle and Washington it's only a matter of time. I'm barely going to PT as is, I only have one appointment left this week and one next week before I have surgery again. I'll go to today's appointment as it's too late to cancel without being charged but most likely I'm going to cancel the one for next week. I already am doing my "exercises" 5 days a week at home.
 
@steverup you will notice that I have merged your two threads together as we prefer that members in recovery only have one thread.

This is for three reasons:
1. if you keep starting new threads, you miss the posts others have left you in the old threads
2. it often ends up that information is unnecessarily repeated
3. it's best if we can keep all your recovery story in one place so it's easily accessed if we need to advise you.

Please keep all your questions and updates on this thread. If you would like a new thread title just give a shout.
 

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