TKR Take care

[SusieShoes]

Sounds like your knee is doing wonderfully and you're have a relaxed recovery. Sorry to hear that your shoulder is acting up, though! It's so true our bodies are interconnected organisms. The shin bone is connected to the knee bone, and all that on up the line.

Using the upper body more to get off bed and chairs and toilets certainly adds extra work. It may take a month or so, or it could happen sooner, but when your legs (both of them) are able again to lift your body capably, that will help your shoulder a lot. So will eventually walking without the walker. The cane is less work, and PT can teach you how to use the cane in your left hand exclusively if that's a concern. Until then, you're doing what you can.

 

[donebyme25]

Changed my title because Part 1 is done & working on healing so I can move on to Part 2, which is RTKR, hopefully in April 2018.

Saw my OS this past Friday and he was pleased with my progress for 4 weeks post-op. I have an appt in February 2018 for us to discuss the surgery date for the right knee. He seemed to agree with my desired April 2018 date if left knee has progressed accordingly.

I just came home from my 1st outpatient PT evaluation. Good news there! He said I am doing very well at this point of my recovery. Nice to here that! ROM good. Moving my leg around good too. He took a detailed history, handed me tissues for my (many) tears and basically is a nice man who was kind & professional. He EMPHASIZED that PT should NEVER, EVER hurt and if it does STOP. How's that!?!?! He also said to NEVER allow anyone to force movement of my leg. He said that the only movement that counts is movement by me. He also said that walking is the best exercise of all and keep up my walking in the house. Sou ds lime he reads Bonesmart! He gave me 2 quad strengthening exercise & said to continue heel slides & walking. It's way too cold & icy to go outside. (91 days 13 hrs 25 mins 50 seconds to SPRING...yes I'm counting....) He wants to see me 2x week for now and they book in 2 week increments then reevaluate every 2 weeks. He also said that he likes his TKR patients to have surgery in the Spring, if possible, because of no more ice & snow danger & people feel better in springtime. My kind of person!

I addressed my shoulder issue with him & he said my PT program will also address that to help heal/strengthen them. Man, my R shoulder hurts so much and can barely raise it up. I have trouble even dressing myself. This past weekend, I stopped using the walker except at night as walking with the cane puts much less strain on my shoulders. He agreed and also said I was walking correctly with the cane. He said no driving yet becuase my quads are still not firing well. I agree. He said I'd probably get stopped for driving to slow!

I have also stopped the tramadol on Saturday . I was only on 25 mg every 4 hrs along with Tylenol 1000 mg every 8 hrs. I am continuing the same Tylenol dose. Icing less often but still 4-6 times a day for 45-60 mins.

The hardest thing right now is emotional. NOT doing very well with that. Extremely teary which freaks my husband out. Poor man. What a saint he's been! He just doesn't understand and keeps saying I am doing so well physically so why am I crying? I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE! I WANT MY "LIFE" BACK. I have a significant history of Major Depression & Anxiety Disorder and I can't let this get out of hand. I must stay on top of it. I have a constant dialogue going in my mind talking myself throh to everything. Yesterday and espcially last night was bad. Couldn't stop thinking about that I have to do this ALL OVER AGAIN in a couple of months. Today's a new day so I hope it's better.

Well, that's it for now. It will be 5 weeks on Wed since my surgery. My biggest goal was to be able to go to my son's home on Christmas Day and that is definitely a reality!

Happy Holidays, :treestar:
Luanne

 

[KarriB]

Sounds lke you should have a great experience with PT. Just be careful in case you get a different therapist and let him/her know the rules just to be sure.

Emotional issues are very common during TKR recovery. It seemed I cried 20 hours out of 24. If you feel it’s necessary to contact a doctor about your depression don’t hesitate. We’ve had some TKRs who need that help during recovery. I found it helped to get out of the house once in awhile, it made it feel I had a bit of normalcy. We usually went out for breakfast or lunch (less crowded) and I always propped my leg up on the booth beside me. I didn’t venture out to shop for about 3 months though.

 

[Celle]

I just came home from my 1st outpatient PT evaluation. Good news there! He said I am doing very well at this point of my recovery. Nice to hear that! ROM good. Moving my leg around good too. He took a detailed history, handed me tissues for my (many) tears and basically is a nice man who was kind & professional. He EMPHASIZED that PT should NEVER, EVER hurt and if it does STOP. How's that!?!?! He also said to NEVER allow anyone to force movement of my leg. He said that the only movement that counts is movement by me. He also said that walking is the best exercise of all and keep up my walking in the house. Sounds like he reads Bonesmart!

I do like your PT therapist! Yes, it sounds as if he is a secret bonesmartie.

The hardest thing right now is emotional. NOT doing very well with that. Extremely teary which freaks my husband out. Poor man. What a saint he's been! He just doesn't understand and keeps saying I am doing so well physically so why am I crying? I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE! I WANT MY "LIFE" BACK. I have a significant history of Major Depression & Anxiety Disorder and I can't let this get out of hand. I must stay on top of it.

The post-op blues are pretty much inevitable:
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
However, since you have a history of depression, I think it would be a good idea to seek help from your doctor now, before the blues overwhelm you. Maybe a short course of antidepressants now can help you get out of this black hole. Get help now - better to do it sooner, rather than later.

 

[sistersinhim]

This surgery sure does affect more than just our bodies. The frustration of not being where we want to be in recovery, the extreme tiredness from the energy drain, and those well meaning folks who always say they knew someone that was doing so and so at only a few weeks out! No wonder we get down. But, it's short-lived. Every few weeks you're see little things that are better than they were and have a 'hallelujah' time! But, I do agree with what Celle said. Don't let the blues go on. If you need help with them, go for it!

 

[donebyme25]

Thank for your kind words. I had a better "mind" day today. Busy day with the PT in the morning & therapeutic massage this afternoon. Both certainly helped soothe my mind, especially the massage. She worked on both my aching shoulders and also on my bad right knee. She pretty much left the surgical left knee alone just doing some really light lymphatic massage in the upper thigh. She said she never goes near the incision area until at least 8 weeks and sometimes not even the. Respect that TKR! She also was very pleased with my knee, incision, minimal swelling, etc. She feels the shoulder pain is muscle related and not joint or tendon. That was relieving to hear! She gave me some loosening exercises to do & agreed that the cane is better for me than the walker except for night bathroom trips when I'm not fully awake. Continue with heating pad just like PT said. The both seem to be on the same page.

I called my primary care physician-PCP- and asked for a refill for lorazepam 1mg (ativan) for anxiety. Pharmacy just called that it's ready for pick up. I'd rather take that than antidepressants so I'll continue with that. I have taken so many psych drugs for so many years and rather treat minimally if possible, at least for now. I've been off everything for about 4 yrs now through lots of really HARD work and just don't want to start it all up. So many side effects!

So, my meds will be Tylenol 1000 mg 3 x day and 1 mg lorazepam at bedtime. Add it lots of ice, prayer, the wonderful care from my dear husband along with LOTS & LOTS & LOTS of HUGS from my 2 year old granddaughter! Just what the doctor ordered!

I.CAN.DO.THIS! I.WILL.DO.THIS!

 

[sistersinhim]

What a wonderful, positive attitude you have! You've won half the battle and have a really good PT to boot. Great that you got your meds refilled. You are truly blessed and you've got this!

 

[kneeper]

Granddaughter hugs will be a real boost. And we're always here for you too.

 

[donebyme25]

I'm hanging in there. 5 weeks today! As you all know, it's UP & DOWN in a moments notice. Doing lots of resting & icing but definitely movement of my leg has improved so much in these past 5 weeks. Tomorrow is outing day. I have PT at 8 AM. If I'm up to it, we may stop by my parent's later to wish them Merry Christmas but we'll keep that open. They only live 5 minutes from my house so distance is not an issue. Just don't know if I'm upmto socializing in my current state. Winter weather expected on Fri so getting out tomorrow will be my only opprtunity until Christmas day. Weather outlook right now is not that great for Christmas day either but we are only going about 10 miles to my son's house. If need be, I can literally get in the car in my garage and get out in theirs so I won't have to walk outside on snow or ice. Just like a princess! There is NO WAY I'm missing opening Christmas presents with my granddaughter. It would have to be a blizzard for that to happen!

Only 89 more days until Spring! Gotta stay positive!

Take care,
Luanne

 

[donebyme25]

For those of us having some mental/emotional challenges along with the physical ones, I highly suggest you checking out what is known as "Radical Acceptance." I understand the definition of radical acceptance to be: to accept something with your heart and mind and to stop fighting reality. When you stop fighting reality, you suffer less. Google it & check it out. It was life saving to me when I was being treated for cancer back in 1999. It's proving helpful in this journey too.

Take care,
Luanne