TKR Sunnyleigh's Recovery Thread.

[sunnyleigh]

I am having TKR on October 7. Very nervous

Babs i had mine on the 5th of Oct. How are you doing?

I am scheduled to have a full knee replacement this Thursday 7 October 2021. It is my right knee.

Cocopug how are you doing?

Yes! Tomorrow, 10/05, TKR right knee. This was postponed from May when I had a funky blood test result. I’m ready! Finally!!

I had my TKR on the 5th, how are you doing?

 

[Pumpkin]

@sunnyleigh
to BoneSmart!

Hope you are doing well since your TKR on October 5th, you have been added to the October Fiesties thread, where you will find members with surgery around the same date as your surgery.

Please remember that the team thread is primarily to allow you to see who has surgery the same month as you. Discussion of issues, comments, and questions regarding surgery must be kept in your individual threads.

Here is your copy of the Knee Recovery Guidelines, the articles are short and will not take long to read.

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.​

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

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the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

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Activity progression for TKRs​

6. Access these pages on the website

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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.

OneStep App Request

Since December, BoneSmart has offered a number of pilot tests and special promotions with our partner, OneStep. Members were allowed to use this unique app at no charge to help us evaluate the program’s effectiveness for prehab and recovery for joint replacement patients. Feedback has been...

bonesmart.org

 

[Pumpkin]

You will notice I moved your posts in the team thread to the TKR Recovery Forum, the members you quoted will see your quotes and be able to respond to you here.
For several reasons, we prefer that you have your own recovery thread:

• That way, we have all your information in one place. This makes it easier to go back and review your history before providing advice.
• With your own recovery thread, you will see the posts and advice others have left for you.
• Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.

So please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.
If you need an urgent response to a question, just tag a member of staff.
How to tag another member; how to answer when someone tags you

Here are the instructions on finding your thread, How can I find my threads and posts?Many members bookmark their thread, so they can find it when they log on.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[sunnyleigh]

Thank you

 

[sunnyleigh]

Has anyone else had to wear a supporting brace for their knee after surgery. I've had mine on for 2 weeks post surgery and can only remove it to shower and exercise. Getting staples out tomorrow and hopefully no longer need the brace.

 

[hawk2go]

I did not wear a brace but did have to wear thigh high compression hose while I was awake. Does the brace allow you to bend and extend freely? My care team definitely did not want me to immobilize the knee after surgery, they wanted movement (the image of dancers popped into my head).

I got my staples out at 2 weeks and it was actually good, the skin hadn't grown over the staples and once removed, the pulling sensation was relieved.

How's your recovery going?

 

[sunnyleigh]

Yes the brace immobilizes the knee it has 2 stability bars on each side and one in the back. I also wear the compression socks full time and taking 325 mg aspirin per day a regimen he wants me to continue for the first 6 weeks. Having staples out in a few hours its been 2 weeks, can't wait.
Recovery is going well and after what I've read its going to take patience. Thanks for your reply

 

[DogTiredKnees]

@sunnyleigh Our surgeries were on the same date I’ll follow your progress with interest.

My staples came out last Friday, such a relief!

 

[Pumpkin]

Sunnyleigh,
If you had a femoral block for your TKR, they give you an immobilizer to prevent your knee from collapsing. Usually this is for a day or two until you quads wake up from the block. Some quads take longer to wake up, so some people wear a brace for a longer period of time.

Just curious, is there a reason your surgeon is having you wearing a brace post op?

We have had other members who for various reasons have worn a brace for prolonged times, they all did well.

 

[sunnyleigh]

I believe wearing the brace was so I could not bend my knee and keep my leg straight while sleeping, bending was only during exercise. Each Dr is different, I understand about the block and yes I had the block. I also went home the same day. I don't see a lot of that either. Got staples out today and trucked out of the office. They were all impressed my exercises and icing are paying off

 

[sunnyleigh]

The feeling i had today walking out of the Drs office after staple removal made me feel very good. Its only been 2 weeks and I can actually walk without a limp and the office cheered. Those are the moments that make the surgery worth all you go through. I guess I'm very fortunate that I have support from family and friends that keep me cheered on. I understand it's going to take awhile and I'm here for the long run.

 

[dogwalker2]

Thats great - you are doing well! It is such a relief when the staples are gone!!Slow snd steady for the next few weeks ☺

 

[sunnyleigh]

Today marks 2 weeks since LTKR. Had a great day in PT things are moving forward. Went out to dinner with friends and was able to sit for over an hour at the table without putting my leg up on the bench. It felt good to get out, will be returning my friends borrowed walker tomorrow since I no longer need it. Feeling blessed with my progress

 

[DogTiredKnees]

@sunnyleigh Sounds as though you are making great progress I am still on 2 crutches! How lovely to be able to go out and socialise. Upwards and onwards!

 

[Cocopug]

Dear Sunnyleigh,
I had the op and went home the next morning. I am doing ok 24.10 so 17 days post op. My leg aches, but the really terrible pain is a lot less.
This is my 8th knee surgery and I have to be honest and say it has been the most uncomfortable one. I have to have my left knee replaced at some point in the near future. I hope you are ok

 

[sunnyleigh]

Thank you Cocopug 3 weeks out of surgery tomorrow feeling a little more sore over the last few days. Think I'm being pushed too much in PT. Learning just because I can do certain exercises doesn't mean I'm going to do them. Found out how painful pushing myself or being pushed has left me. Glad to hear you are in less pain. Take care

 

[kneeper]

You said you were returning the walker--do you have a cane? Having a walking aid can help you with stability even after you no longer need the walker. It also reminds others to be careful around you.

 

[FCBayern]

Think I'm being pushed too much in PT. Learning just because I can do certain exercises doesn't mean I'm going to do them. Found out how painful pushing myself or being pushed has left me.

I had that exact thought during my recovery @sunnyleigh. Listening to your own body is so important.
Prior to my TKR I was aware of the BoneSmart gentle approach to recovery as opposed to rigorous PT. I was lucky enough to find the site before my TKR. Even though I knew about the BoneSmart approach my OS was all about PT and "whatever ROM you have when your scar turns silver is all the ROM you will ever have." He was the trained surgeon that has done many, many replacements, he must know what he's talking about right? So off I went to my first visit to PT, about 2 weeks out from TKR. The next day when my knee was more swollen and I was in much more pain I opted for a BoneSmart recovery. I never went to another PT session. That was one of the best decisions of my life. Not only did I suffer less pain, but my ROM has continued to improve over two years. I've been hiking over rough terrain for good distances, scuba diving, and just living a happy active pain free life with more ROM than I ever thought I would have again after many painful years. I've now had a hip replacement with equal success following a BoneSmart approach. You don't have to suffer needlessly to have an amazing recovery.

 

[sunnyleigh]

LTKR 10/5/21 Not sure why over the last few days I feel like I'm moving backwards as far as recovery. Pain and swelling have had me resting more and it doesn't seem to help. Going to PT in a couple of hours and will definitely take it easier today. Is the 3rd week usually worse than the first? Or are there just days like this?

 

[benne68]

Is the 3rd week usually worse than the first? Or are there just days like this?

I think a bit of both. I still had quite a lot of pain in my 3rd and 4th weeks, possibly because I was moving more. I finally learned to listen to my body and to ice and elevate frequently throughout the day. I noticed quite a bit of improvement over the past week, but I still have localized knee pain and swelling when I overdo. (Tomorrow will be 6 weeks for me.)