Revision TKR Tabbykit's recovery from TKR revision

tabbykit

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Hi all, going to have my left knee TKR revised on 17th June, and will chart my recovery on this thread. It's 4 years since my TKR and I had a poor outcome after complications, (see my other thread in the pre-op section https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/awaiting-revision-and-very-scared.53658
now having with a bend of about 60 and straight 30 degrees. I'm now 'disabled', with blue badge etc. My right knee also need replacing but surgeons have told me it was not advisable until the left one was fixed. Each year I have seen a surgeon for a review, and they have said my only option was a revision, but there was no guarantee it would be any better. So I thought I would not go through that again if only to end up the same. However, about 6 months ago the TKR knee suddenly became EXTREMELY painful, (as opposed to my 'normal' level of pain) so I went to see a new surgeon who specialises in revisions. He says the implant has become loose, and also on x-rays the kneecap was not in the correct position. He says he can help me to have a good outcome and is very positive ... so after 4 years I am going for it!
I will be in the hospital for 4 nights, and hope to chart my recovery for anyone interested or going through the same.
 
Good luck, hope you come through this one with a successful knee! I'll be watching for updates.
 
Fantastic news that you have an answer to your knee's pain and poor recovery. Four years is long enough to get that resolved. We will be here with you every step of your recovery.

The following are our basic guidelines and should help get you started. As you read more on other members recovery threads, you’ll get a better perspective of what to expect and what not to do, especially regarding PT.

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
5. Here is a week-by-week guide for 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

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.
 
Many of us never took formal PT or did exercises. I am one of them. I had 11 knee surgeries, 2 of them kneecap removals and 1 tkr. Even after those I never took PT. But, I didn't just sit around and do nothing. I took care of myself, my house and yard as my knee allowed me to do. As I healed, I did more. But, my knee was always in control. This was enough therapy for me and would be for any tkr patient. All the awful pain of PT is so unnecessary.

All you have to do is use it in your daily living. Your knee knows how to rehab itself and doesn't need anyone telling it how. Just use it and it will come back like new. You have to be patient, though, it doesn't happen quickly. ADL,(activities of daily living), going to the bathroom, brushing your teeth and bathing, fixing a light meal, getting something to drink and or a snack, those kinds of things will be all the exercise your knee needs. If you just use it daily in your living, you can have a less painful recovery. We know what works, we've been there:yes:.
 
Thanks all for your kind words. I hope to start posting tomorrow if I can.
 
OK, here we go. Surgery was at 10am, took 3 hours. Had spinal, general and nerve block. Now 7.30 pm, amazingly managed to eat some dinner an hour ago. Surgeon says it went well and he removed a 'mass' that was making the knee inflexible. Says it now has bend of 100 degrees and used implant with 50mm post (I think). Will confirm tomorrow when I am more compos mentis. Nerve block wearing off and pain starting to kick in but not too bad yet. Am in HDU tonight as they are watching for allergic reaction.
 
A horrible night, maybe a little sleep towards the morning. Pain was awful once the nerve block started to wear off. I had Oxycontin 10mg at 10pm, the paracetamol at 12. I didn't feel much benefit and was worried about the possibility of a reaction. Was able to eat dinner, well, about half of it, and was able to use a bedpan to pee. More oxycontin and paracetamol this morning. PT visitrd in the morning and said I would get up and walk today, which I found impossible to believe. BTW I am in a private hospital in the UK if anyone is interested. Will continue tomorrow.
 
Wishing you a smooth recovery. (I edited it @Celle appreciate the heads up).
 
Last edited:
:console2::console2:If your pain is not controlled keep telling them about it so they can try something different.
 
Hello Tabbykit. I had my left tkr done at the Chiltern in Great Missenden on 5th June. So I am now at 2 weeks tomorrow! Having staples removed tomorrow, all 28 of them. Feeling much better than i thought i would but struggling to keep pain under control in the evening/night. You must tell them about your pain, I did and got given short acting opiods which worked great!! Thinking of you ☺
 
Hello all now day 2 I did get a little sleep despite pain. Yesterday PT came and said he would get me up walking. Nurse gave oxynormal as a fast acting painkiller. Shortly after PT returned, we did some gentle ex, then he got me up with frame. I felt lightheaded so he got me to sit in chair. Lunch came so he said I could eat sitting in chair. I went hot and cold and fainted. Came round lying on floor with staff all around (and my panicking husband). I was throwing up, My blood sugar was low, and they did not know if the oxynormal had caused this or contributed. I was out of it for about 4 hours, could not stay awake, felt very nauseous. Thus I will not be having that pain med again. I am now on oxycontin twice a day plus paracetamol. I discussed pain meds with the anesthetist pre op and this is what he recommended given my history. There is another one in reserve (Di-something codone) but all parties are reluctant to use this. So not sure what can be done to manage the pain for PT. I am icing, PT said I could use my cryocuff yesterday but he says for 10 mins. I couldn't manage it myself at night so been using ice packs. Thanks all for your kind words and @dogwalker2 hope your recovery continues to go well.
 
Wow, that must really have been scary. I remember I fell off the bedside commode while in the hospital.....and you're not allowed to laugh! Well, at least not too loudly.:heehee: Anyway I was more mortified than scared, I think. But it was totally my own fault, not the fault of the poor nurse who I scared to death. But I know how concerned everyone gets when we fall, so I'm glad you're not hurt, and sorry you had to go through that.

You probably already know this, but don't let them send you home until they have your pain under control; otherwise you'll just end up right back at the hospital. Believe me, I know firsthand how that goes and it's no fun to get home and have to turn around and go back that day or the next.

I know many advisers here have said not to take pain meds for PT as it will mask the pain and it's easy to overdo it when you can't feel the pain it's causing. As for the 10 minutes of icing, that won't do anything. I iced for long periods while also elevating, plus I iced all night every night when sleeping. Just don't forget to use a cloth between your skin and the cuff or ice packs for safety.
 
@lovetocookandsew sorry to hear you had a mishap too! I would love to have more pain relief but scared as the reactions have been so awful. Have also had rashes where the BP cuff goes, so it seems that these drugs really do cause me to be extra sensitive. The ice is helping, and I will use the cryocuff again today.
 
Surgeon has just stopped by and said the original implant was 'not balanced as well as it could have been' but would not really commit when I asked if it had originally been done wrong... He said what he has done should make a 'significant difference'. Also brought x Ray but I cannot attach as it says too large.
 
Just learned that it is a hinged implant. He did not mention that today so I will ask him tomorrow.
 

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@tabbykit I am glad you have improved as day has progressed. I struggled with low bp and o2 sats on oxycotin and found one nurse at night made me lay down whilst another made me have a higher head position. I seemed to be a bit of a yo yo all night long.
I ended up on codeine and paracetamol for pain.

@dogwalker2 I also had my knee done at the Chiltern Hospital, and am having my 6 week apt with surgeon on Friday followed by physio. Can't wait to get all clear to drive again.
 
Thank you@lisabl, and hope your 6 week apt goes well. I'm hoping to have a shower today (and a poo, fingers crossed,) and get dressed which will help me to feel better. Surgeon said he will keep me in for another day so I can have more physio.
 
Day 3 post op. Was able to shower at least, felt good, got dressed.. Now only taking paracetamol, refused oxynorm as they cannot say whether it caused me to pass out yesterday. They also offered Oramorph which i also refused. Pretty damn painful after physio but cryocuff helps. So would sleep! Why do hospitals have to be so noisy? Haven't staff ever been in as patients and appreciated the huge importance of rest and quiet? This always puzzles me. I should be able to go home tomorrow afternoon after having two more physio sessions. No point staying just to have another sleepless night.
 
Hi Tabbykit. I am now day 15 postop and feeling much better. You will too!! ☺Like you I can only tolerate paracetamol and ibuprofen, but find these are working well now. For some reason anything opium or morphine based makes me feel hideous too. Hope you have a better sleep tonight
 

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