TKR Struggling a little

[Flashcat]

I’m 2 and 1/2 weeks post op. I’m struggling with the PT issues. I had a good start by staying over night at the hospital so I had regular meds and PT right there. Walking basically. Once the in home team started they were awful! Rude and disrespectful. Warned me I was way behind and I’d just gotten home! They said I had a limited period to get to a 90 degree bend and if i could not
Do by 2 weeks post op id never get there. I was I upset! Then they pushed swollen the knee so hard I cried (when they left). So I’ve been feeling depressed,defeated and upset since then! I just canceled my first outpatient PT because I’m afraid to go! I sound crazy in sure! The wound has a place where the skin isn’t flat and lining up with the other side. That’s fit me scared. There’s more but die goodness sake that’s enough!

 

[Flashcat]

Hope I didn’t breach protocol by launching in to my person story!!

 

[benne68]

Welcome to BoneSmart, @Flashcat! Glad you found us so early in your recovery. Please give us the exact date of your surgery and which knee so we can create a signature for you.

They said I had a limited period to get to a 90 degree bend and if i could not
Do by 2 weeks post op id never get there.

As you will read in some of the articles below, this is absolutely untrue. Do not let them push you! It just causes more swelling, which keeps your knee from bending.

I'm going to post our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.
(Administrative Note: For those reading this thread, please be aware that these links are a premium service and only available to Insiders Club Members).

Just keep in mind we are all 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 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.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, 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.

2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
don't overwork.
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
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

Good nutrition is very important during recovery:
Dietary Tips for Recovery
Nutrition Basics

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 a 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 history before providing advice.

 

[benne68]

I just canceled my first outpatient PT because I’m afraid to go! I sound crazy in sure

You do not sound crazy -- those PT folks do. Your reaction is completely sane when someone pushes you into pain without your permission!

You are very early in recovery and don't really need to worry about PT or your bend. Take some time to recover from the bad experience you had, and then schedule a get-to-know-you appointment with that outpatient PT.

Once you've read through all the material above, you'll be better equipped to ask questions about his/her approach and give clear feedback about what you are prepared to allow. Remember, the PT works for YOU, not the other way around. You can always say "no" if they try to push you.. And if you aren't happy with their approach, you can go somewhere else.

We are here to help, so let us know if you have any questions!

 

[Flashcat]

I had surgery in my right knee on 5/5/25 about 2&1/2 weeks ago.
Thank you!

 

[sistersinhim]

I never took one minute of PT or did any exercises after my TKR and I recovered just fine. I let my ADL, (activities of Daily Living), be my PT. Just taking care of me and my cats was plenty of natural PT. Without having the agony and increased swelling from aggressive PT allowed me to hire without adding extra pain and swelling needlessly. Many PT don't know how to rehab a joint replacement, and treat it like a normal recovery. This is far from the way to do it, and doing so usually causes setbacks with having to recover from the PT, then getting back to the normal surgery healing. Listen to your knee and watch for its reactions to activities.

 

[Flashcat]

I may consider just doing that myself. I am terrified to go to PT at this point. Honestly I’m not that assertive and I find being vulnerable to make this attribute more pronounced.

 

[sistersinhim]

There are many of us through the years that never took formal PT or did exercises, and we recovered just fine. I have had a total of 12 knee surgeries and always recovered 'my way'!

 

[Flashcat]

This is good to know I have been kind of put in to PT by the doc. I have utilized PT in the past but it was my decision when trying to avoid surgery. I assumed that I had too silly when I think of it.

 

[Flashcat]

I’m working on elevating with the ice
cuff is it normal for the surgery knee be so uncomfortable when raised? I’ll keep protecting the pillows. I bought a pillow that is like a canal and totally uncomfortable. I’m short so it’s also too big.

 

[Jamie]

Hope I didn’t breach protocol by launching in to my person story!!

Not at all, @Flashcat! I’m glad you were able to join the Insiders Club and we are here and ready to support you.

In fact, we like for members to start a thread and introduce themselves so everyone knows a little about your situation and the conversations can begin.

We believe that knowledge is power here on BoneSmart, so perhaps after you're here for a while you may find you're able to be more assertive with your medical team. Communication with all those involved in your care is critical. You're an active part of the team, not just a person to respond to whatever is proposed. When you learn a bit more about your joints and the surgery you've had, you should feel better prepared to ask questions and ensure that things are completely explained for you. You're certainly not alone in those feelings about medical personnel. Our whole lives we're taught how special and highly trained they are (which they are). But you, and you alone, are the professional where your own body is concerned. We're all a bit different and you know more about how it reacts to various things than anyone. So you ARE an important member of the team.

I suggest that you spend some time reading articles on our website (they are more general information), articles in our BoneSmart Library (link is in the blue toolbar at the top of the screen), and the information in the Postop Care link in the blue tool bar.

As for the elevation pillow or wedge, we actually don't recommend that tunnel type precisely because it can be uncomfortable. Check out the Lounge Doctor link in the banner at the top of your screen. It has BoneSmart's seal of approval because of the scientific design that is based on your height and allows for just the right slight bend in your knee to keep you comfortable while still elevating. But it does cost more than a lot of other (not so good) foam wedges, so I understand if that's not a good option for you. You can always opt for the pillow stack that's shown in our article on elevation. That's what I used for my first knee before I purchased a Lounge Doctor.

Bring on the questions....we're ready with answers for you.

`

 

[Flashcat]

Thank you I’ll get busy reading all the articles. I think it will empower me to feel more confident.
I’m going to try for a nap

 

[Jockette]

@Flashcat Hi and Welcome to Bonesmart!

I’m sorry you had such a difficult experience with that home PT. A PT who causes us stress is definitely not helping us. I had some difficult PT experiences, also. I managed to keep going for almost 8 weeks, and as Jamie mentioned, using what I learned here on Bonesmart, I did get more confident with what I agreed to do and not do with them. I found Bonesmart when I was 4 weeks post op, after an especially difficult pool “therapy” session, after which I only went to PT (not the pool) a few times the next few weeks.

After I stopped going, like sistersinhim, I let my daily activities be my “natural PT.”

Try to relax about your recovery, stress only makes us hurt more. Do what you can to be as comfortable as you can (and that can vary from day to day) and use your own common sense about how you should recover. It’s really not rocket science, and we all have different things that help us.

Best wishes and post here often!

 

[Flashcat]

Thanks that’s good advice I’m so glad I found this forum!

 

[Jockette]

This forum is the best! I don’t know what I would have done without it!

 

[Legseleven]

Hello, I’m new here too and preparing for surgery in a few weeks. You’ll find so much support. I have spent ages reading the recovery threads and learned a lot.
Best wishes on your journey, and this forum empowers us to be in charge of our bodies. I’m not going to let anyone push my knee post op.
Take care x

 

[Flashcat]

Good for you! I’ve had a very traumatic past with the medical world and it all flooded back during this experience. You’d think my past would empower me to stand firm for myself even more, which it really had done, until this. Being 73 and so completely dependent on others has played into this situation. Even at home I feel vulnerable and misunderstood way more than is healthy. I know my husband is tired of caregiving and I understand that! Thank you all for more support than I’ve had in my knee journey thus far!

 

[Layla]

Good Morning Flashcat. Welcome to BoneSmart and thank you for joining us as an Insider!
I am sorry to read about your unfavorable home PT visit. It had to be rather tough to feel disrespected by visitors in your own home. It's understandable you feel fearful of PT after what you experienced and the good thing is you don't have to engage with them right now. It's your choice. Hopefully knowing that helps boost your mood.

You're never alone here. Recovering from TKR is tough, especially when you're used to being independent. You're very early into the healing process and it's understandable that you need some help, so please don't beat yourself up over that. Remind yourself that your current situation is not permanent. If you haven't already, start setting small daily independence goals to free up hubby. Like getting dressed on your own, making yourself a cup of coffee or tea, prepping a snack, or a light breakfast. Engaging in some of this activity daily will build your confidence and give your husband a break. As you regain strength and stamina and you're able to do more on your own you will begin feeling more independent. Hopefully you have a lot of tools that will help regain independence such as a grabber, sock aid, raised toilet seat (if you feel you need one) shower chair...to name a few. If meal prep is falling on hubs, there are so many meal services you can utilize these days, short term, if that will help. It may help to cut him loose for a few hours everyday also if you feel he's suffering from caregiving fatigue. You can have him set you up with all you need close by and tell him to go spend time away from home, somewhere he enjoys for a couple hours so he's able to recharge. It may be good for both of you. You'll feel less dependent and he'll come back home refreshed.

I'll be following your healing journey and climb back to independence.
If at first you don't succeed Try, try again! You can do this!
@Flashcat

 

[Layla]

One last thing...
You mentioned your incision, and at only 18 days post op, there can be puckering and unevenness. Your body is still in the early phase of would healing and the appearance should smooth out over the next weeks and months. If it really bothers you take a photo of the area and send it to your surgeons office and let them judge whether it's of concern, or just part of the normal healing process. As long as there are no open areas, drainage of fluid, redness, heat, swelling or pain, let the cosmetic part settle over time...and it will.
@Flashcat

 

[Flashcat]

Thank you Layla! All very good and helpful advice. I must be pretty independent, based on your suggestions, because I do make at least one meal and all snacks by myself. Never needed dressing help. So ! Hubs is just a little bit of a grouch and not much of an emotional support person. I just don’t want to feel resented for needing more than usual from him. I’m polar opposite of him and that works ok under “normal “circumstances thanks again