TKR Swelling Frustrations

[MichiganGal]

Good morning from rainy Michigan. I had tkr in June 5th and so glad I found this group. Hope to learn about the process of recovery and share success.

 

[sistersinhim]

Welcome to Bonesmart @MichiganGal! You've come to the right place to learn all about knee joint recovery!

Each person is different as is their recovery. Most find that the Bonesmart approach works best for them, but others find that a more aggressive therapy helps them more. It's your recovery and your choice on how you recover. As you read more on other members' recovery threads, you’ll get a better perspective of what to expect. The following are our basic guidelines and should help get you started.

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.

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

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

6. Access these pages on the website
Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications
Wound Care In Hospital

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.

Try out our great new opportunity to improve your gait. It's OneStep. It's free and you will find it to be a huge help to you. Click here: OneStep

 

[Jaycey]

@MichiganGal Which knee was replaced. We will update your signature for you.

 

[MichiganGal]

Right knee replacement

 

[MichiganGal]

Hello Everyone - this site is amazing. I am just over 2 months post replacement, and I was starting to feel very defeated and wishing I had never had this surgery. Quick history I was hit by a car in middle school and that started my 35+ year journey with knee problems and 5 surgeries. I keep trying to increase my activity and that causes more pain and swelling. I guess I feel I should be further along than what I am. I am back to work, I can ride my recumbent bike for 10-15 minutes, I can take my dog for a short walk about 10 minutes, easy swimming and shopping. I am just frustrated because the moment I try to do more my knee let me know - HEY STOP THAT! PT was great but sometimes I think too much. But hey - I am on the mend and looking forward to all the support with this group.

 

[sistersinhim]

I keep trying to increase my activity and that causes more pain and swelling.

Well, that is your knee telling you that it isn't ready for you to be doing what you are doing to it. You need to cut back and let your knee heal. More activity and pushing your knee only set your recovery back. It's best if you go slow and obey your knee. It will treat you much better.

 

[Tentcamper]

Isn't it just a pain in the keester to not be able to do more? I started out setting dates to accomplish things and blew them all. Now I set milestones. What caught my eye is that you are back at work. Is your job contributing to making this harder? Unfortunately this healing thing takes time. You are 1/4 of the way. Uck. Hang in there. You'll get better!

 

[MichiganGal]

Isn't it just a pain in the keester to not be able to do more? I started out setting dates to accomplish things and blew them all. Now I set milestones. What caught my eye is that you are back at work. Is your job contributing to making this harder? Unfortunately this healing thing takes time. You are 1/4 of the way. Uck. Hang in there. You'll get better!

My work is very accommodating. I can elevate my knee, ice it when needed or take gentle walks at any time to loosen up. I work in an outpatient rehab facility as a care coordinator so I really do not have physical stress on my job. I need to listen to what I tell our clients - give yourself grace and time for healing.

 

[MichiganGal]

I keep trying to increase my activity and that causes more pain and swelling.

Well, that is your knee telling you that it isn't ready for you to be doing what you are doing to it. You need to cut back and let your knee heal. More activity and pushing your knee only set your recovery back. It's best if you go slow and obey your knee. It will treat you much better.

Thank you - my husband has been telling me this since the start but I feel guilty not being able to do more and he has done so much.

 

[sistersinhim]

He is blessed to be able to take care of you. Let him enjoy nurturing you! Afterall, it's his turn to be the caregiver!

 

[skiforever]

PT was great but sometimes I think too much.

I have found that PT is far too tough for me. They seem to want 0-125 degrees instantaneously, but my knee does not want to do that. I had 110 before surgery and think it will be months to get more than that. Meanwhile I am enjoying what I like to do, biking, swimming, diving, kayaking, and a little hiking, along with ADL. If I get stuck I might go back to PT, but I have plenty of exercises to do at home - at my pace.

 

[Axx72]

As you are finding out TKR recovery is a marathon not a sprint. I found measuring small successes and achievements was the way to move forward and sooner or later you have achieved a larger goal!

Try not to join the ODIC (overdo it club)
@Axx72 <—- permanent member

If you do, your knee will always let you know and slow you down.

2 steps forward, 1 step back are the dance steps all the way to the finish.

Have yet to determine what my finish is but we all get there step by step. Gratz on your new knee!!! And whenever you need to complain we are all here to support and listen.

 

[Susie-Q]

Hi @MichiganGal !

Yes, remember you are only a little over 2 months into a 12 month recovery and it can't be rushed! Your knee is going to have it's own time clock and for now you need to let it be the leader. Slowly add in new activities and if you experience pain, stiffness and/or swelling, your knee is telling you it's not ready for that activity just yet. You should still be spending lots of time icing and elevating. Patience! You will get there.

 

[MichiganGal]

Thank you everyone - I needed to hear all that encouragement. I have been over doing it and my body told me loud and clear yesterday to slow down. By the end of the day my mid calf to my thigh area was swollen and I was having pain with walking. I worked from home to today so lots of ice, elevation and then an easy/relaxing float in the pool. I am also drinking cranberry juice - did that before and it helped with fluid buildup in my body. This group is so amazing!

 

[MichiganGal]

Hello Everyone - my RTKR was on June 5, 2023. I am struggling with swelling/inflammation with my knee. Every time I try to increase my activity I get swelling and feels like irritation on the inside which I know is swelling. I am trying to do daily evening walks with my dog about 10-15 minutes and each morning I ride my incumbent bike 10-15 minutes. But if I try to push past that time frame or try to do the exercises that my PT gave me after I competed 8 weeks of PT (finished that on 7-31) I get swelling. I know I am very early on this journey but wondering if others experience this too? Thanks for all of your support.

 

[Jaycey]

@MichiganGal Swelling can continue for many months post TKR. Keep icing and elevating as much as you can. And please don't try and push yourself. That knee is in charge now.

You will notice that I merged your newest post with your original recovery thread. For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one 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.
• If you keep starting new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
• Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.

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 will get it changed for you.

If you need an urgent response to a question, just tag a member of staff.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.

 

[Mutti3]

@MichiganGal
You still have a baby knee. Reduce your activity to decrease swelling. Are you still icing and elevating. It’s a marathon recovery, your knee can’t be pushed,

 

[Jockette]

I would cut the time on the bike to 5 minutes.

 

[mendogal]

Hello Everyone - my RTKR was on June 5, 2023. I am struggling with swelling/inflammation with my knee. Every time I try to increase my activity I get swelling and feels like irritation on the inside which I know is swelling. I am trying to do daily evening walks with my dog about 10-15 minutes and each morning I ride my incumbent bike 10-15 minutes. But if I try to push past that time frame or try to do the exercises that my PT gave me after I competed 8 weeks of PT (finished that on 7-31) I get swelling. I know I am very early on this journey but wondering if others experience this too? Thanks for all of your support.

Yes yes yes. You're continually putting yourself in the Overdid It Club! (ODIC) and you have tons of company here (raises my hand!) because frankly it's frustrating to not "make progress"... but often the progress is happening slowly inside our healing bodies and we have to allow it. And yeah, I'm telling myself this today as much as sharing with you!

 

[Layla]

Consider giving up the PT exercises and solely engaging in the activities of daily living and the dog walks.
You can always gradually add back the time on the bike if you miss it. Your best bet is to abstain from "pushing" anything. Try to take it slow and easy and if any movement causes pain during, or afterward, you can safely assume you're doing too much. Best wishes for a good week!
@MichiganGal