I had a TRKR on 12/10/19. A bit of drama leading up to, I caught a 24 hours stomach bug. I refused to put this off by another 3 months. So not feeling at my best went through it. Once they started the epidural they must have put something in it, I don't remember anything else until I woke up in PACU, had to stay a bit short on rooms. Once in my room it seemed like they were always doing something. Blood tests, glucose tests, blood counts. Had some trouble getting my pain under control. Had Percocet and morphine via IV and still found it hard to get ahead of it. Ice is my friend. Nights seem to be the worse-getting comfortable. Gave up on my bed and am sleeping in the recliner. So now I'm day five.
TKR Surgery over now what
- Thread starter ginr
- Start date
Hello @ginr - and 
to recovery.
Here is your copy of the Recovery Guidelines, along with some helpful articles:
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:
3. Do what you want to do BUT
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
5. At week 4 and after you should 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 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.
to recovery.Here is your copy of the Recovery Guidelines, along with some helpful articles:
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. At week 4 and after you should 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 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.
Helizabug
graduate
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2019
- Messages
- 700
- Age
- 63
- Gender
- Female
- Country
-
United States
I’m about two weeks ahead of you @ginr, and, if your experience is like mine, this might be helpful. I had a lot of pain week one, into week two, though almost all of it was well managed and tolerable. Ice and elevation, the right pain meds, and ignoring time, beyond my meds schedule, seemed to get me to where I am now: short periods of time with less pain than before the surgery, short periods of time with more pain than before, and the rest of the time with very manageable pain.
For most of us, it seems, following the BoneSmart approach has worked well: avoiding extreme ROM exercises; embracing the ice, elevation, and appropriate pain relieving medicines; and practicing patience. Also, joining this community of people who have walked the path you are walking is very helpful.
Wholeness is on its way.
For most of us, it seems, following the BoneSmart approach has worked well: avoiding extreme ROM exercises; embracing the ice, elevation, and appropriate pain relieving medicines; and practicing patience. Also, joining this community of people who have walked the path you are walking is very helpful.
Wholeness is on its way.
ginr
junior member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2019
- Messages
- 61
- Age
- 66
- Gender
- Female
- Country
-
United States
Finally seeing a little light beyond the tunnel.
Last weekend I started getting an infection in my knee Red, hot and swollen. Called the on call Dr. Sat.21st and his advice was call in on Monday to the regular Dr.
Thank goodness I followed my feelings rather than his advice. I waited until Sunday the 22nd and went to urgent care, He said I should have gone on to the ER but gave me antibiotics and said if not better in 12 hours go to ER.
So around 9:39 Sunday night was on way to ER. After blood tests they didn't see any infection but felt the antibiotics I started earlier may have kept it from going full blown. They gave me a huge dose of IV antibiotics and sent me home.
The home health nurse came Monday and wasn't super happy with the knee. Came again Tuesday and was much happier. He called in the my doctors to ask about removing the staples. Spoke with a different Dr and was cleared to remove staples.
It have gotten so much better. Today my PT said I must feeling feeling better, was laughing and able to do better range of motion. So in this case following my intuition versus waiting 36-48 hours before seeing a Dr. was the right call. So over the first hump.
Last weekend I started getting an infection in my knee Red, hot and swollen. Called the on call Dr. Sat.21st and his advice was call in on Monday to the regular Dr.
Thank goodness I followed my feelings rather than his advice. I waited until Sunday the 22nd and went to urgent care, He said I should have gone on to the ER but gave me antibiotics and said if not better in 12 hours go to ER.
So around 9:39 Sunday night was on way to ER. After blood tests they didn't see any infection but felt the antibiotics I started earlier may have kept it from going full blown. They gave me a huge dose of IV antibiotics and sent me home.
The home health nurse came Monday and wasn't super happy with the knee. Came again Tuesday and was much happier. He called in the my doctors to ask about removing the staples. Spoke with a different Dr and was cleared to remove staples.
It have gotten so much better. Today my PT said I must feeling feeling better, was laughing and able to do better range of motion. So in this case following my intuition versus waiting 36-48 hours before seeing a Dr. was the right call. So over the first hump.
Good for you sticking to your intuition. Waiting would not have been a good thing.
You did the right thing in getting your knee infection treated early. It's never a good thing to hang around - much better to get on top of it straight away.
Did you let your surgeon know?
Did you let your surgeon know?
ginr
junior member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2019
- Messages
- 61
- Age
- 66
- Gender
- Female
- Country
-
United States
Yes I called his office and spoke with his nurse. She said I had done everything right and it sounded like things are on the mend. I go for PT at the office on Monday night and pick up my newest pain prescription. My follow up appointment in 1/8. So unless things look shady again I can wait. Does anyone else have horrible muscle cramps. Mine are right below the knee in the calf. I wasn't sure tonight whether to pass out or throw up. I just ended up doing a lot of deep breathing until it passed.
Yes, we have heard about this. Many say that magnesium helps with those. Some has used ice and others heat. I think you have to experiment and see what helps you. Of course, before starting any supplements check with your doctor.
ginr
junior member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2019
- Messages
- 61
- Age
- 66
- Gender
- Female
- Country
-
United States
I am almost 3 weeks from TRKR. Have a some issues but moving along. I understand depression is a part of this process. I already suffer from depression and have for years. I had a good cry today and am feeling totally wiped out. I guess this is normal. The only problem is that my son passed away last year on Jan 6th. He was only 33 and was healthy. He collapsed in a store and never opened his eyes and passed 3 days later. So between the holidays, feeling weak and alone I've go this huge pain laying on my heart. First is it normal to feel wiped out everyday-doing my exercises and puttering around but if I sit still long enough I'll fall asleep. Still having pain.
I miss my son Mike more that I could ever imagine. I will miss his after midnight Happy New Year's Mom, have a good one. He was my rock, he was the one who told me that things would be alright. I like to think he has been at my side during this but my heart feels empty. I do have a daughter, son in law and
I miss my son Mike more that I could ever imagine. I will miss his after midnight Happy New Year's Mom, have a good one. He was my rock, he was the one who told me that things would be alright. I like to think he has been at my side during this but my heart feels empty. I do have a daughter, son in law and
Hi and Welcome to Bonesmart.
I am so very sorry about your son.
This recovery is emotionally difficult enough, under the best of circumstances, without an important anniversary such as you are facing. I was much more emotional during my recovery than I usually am.
bonesmart.org
Yes, it’s very normal to feel wiped out after any activity, and it will for a while. Your body is sending almost all it’s energy to healing your knee and there’s not much left over for anything else.
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.
Pay special attention to number 4, about PT. That’s another area that wears us out.
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:
3. Do what you want to do BUT
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
5. At week 4 and after you should 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.
I am so very sorry about your son.
This recovery is emotionally difficult enough, under the best of circumstances, without an important anniversary such as you are facing. I was much more emotional during my recovery than I usually am.
Depression/post-op blues
It's a known fact that even people with no previous history of depression can succumb to depression - often also called Post op blues. It's nasty when it hits but happily, for most it is only short lived. There are several reasons for it 1. just the emotional, physical and psychological impact...
bonesmart.org
Yes, it’s very normal to feel wiped out after any activity, and it will for a while. Your body is sending almost all it’s energy to healing your knee and there’s not much left over for anything else.
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.
Pay special attention to number 4, about PT. That’s another area that wears us out.
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. At week 4 and after you should 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.
Helizabug
graduate
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2019
- Messages
- 700
- Age
- 63
- Gender
- Female
- Country
-
United States
Such a difficult time is hard to bear, but I hope you find comfort and healing nearby. You will certainly find kindred spirits here, maybe not with the same losses, but with the same hopes. May the memory of your son be a blessing to you.
Suz
graduate
Welcome to Bonesmart @ginr. You have found a wonderful support forum with caring members. Your new friends.
My heart goes out to you in the midst of this most difficult time. In any painful recovery, it takes time, but the rawness does ease.
My sincerest, heart-felt condolences to you in your Son's passing. I believe our tears help release unbearable emotional pain.
Try to care for yourself, both mentally & physically, as you know your Son would want. I believe he is still very near to you in love & spirit.
We're here for you~!
My heart goes out to you in the midst of this most difficult time. In any painful recovery, it takes time, but the rawness does ease.
My sincerest, heart-felt condolences to you in your Son's passing. I believe our tears help release unbearable emotional pain.
Try to care for yourself, both mentally & physically, as you know your Son would want. I believe he is still very near to you in love & spirit.
We're here for you~!
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.
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.
ginr
junior member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2019
- Messages
- 61
- Age
- 66
- Gender
- Female
- Country
-
United States
Having a hard day. For some reason the knee is yelling at me today, ouch ouch and more ouch. Took my pain pill but not seeming to make much of a dent, icing but still aching. I think I'm a bit whiney today. I'm tired, sore, out of sorts and sad. I'm three weeks post op and feel like I should be able to do more. Yesterday I took the ornaments off the tree and packed up the knick kacks away. Daughter and Son in law put boxes away. So wondering if that was too much. I'm used to taking care of myself and doing what I want when I want and this is grating on me. The holidays have not been good. I have the anniversary of my son's death looming right in front of me, so sure that is weighting on my soul. Sorry for complaining, I'm trying to look at the best but can't seem to pull myself up by my bootstraps and move forward.
I can empathize with you. My son was killed around the holidays, too. It's a really hard time.
I bet all your extra activities these past few weeks have angered your knee and now it's fussing at you. Rest, ice and elevate as much as you can until it settles back down.
BoneSmart #1 Best Blog
Staff online
-
JayceyADMINISTRATOR Staff member since February 2011