PKR tarajenni's PKR Recovery

[tarajenni]

Does anyone have a specific TENS unit that they highly recommend?
Thanks in advance.

 

[MathProf]

I got a TENS 7000 2nd edition digit on Amazon for about $25. Recommend by my PT and worked well.

 

[Josephine]

@tarajenni 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 necessary

There was also this notice in the post that Celle left earlier with the recovery guidelines in the second thread of this thread. Please abide by this protocol.

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.

 

[Josephine]

Does anyone have a specific TENS unit that they highly recommend?

To be honest, there are so many TENS machines on the market, it's a little difficult to recommend just one. I suggest you read this article TENS machines for pain management and note the recommendations in there.

 

[tarajenni]

Great intraoperative pic of my kneecap. You can see the normal, smooth and shiny cartilage on the one half and the rough eroded half with exposed bone. My surgeon was thrown aback at how bad it was.

 

[SusieShoes]

That's a pretty amazing photo! It sure does capture the difference between normal cartilage and arthritic damage. What amazes me most is that any surgeon can put that hashed up knee back together so well!

 

[NanaBeach]

@tarajenni, it's great to hear how well you are doing in such a relatively short time! I'm supposed to be having a PKR also (was planned for Monday 8-27, but now rescheduled with date TBD) and am eager to be focusing my energy toward greater mobility and less pain. Having had knee troubles for almost 5 years, I am definitely ready to be able to walk comfortably again! Walking 1/3 mile -- let alone multiple times per day -- sounds like a dream to me. Keep up the good work!

 

[tarajenni]

@NanaBeach I had a ton of anxiety going into surgery. But so thankful all went well. So well, in fact, I insisted on MRI of other knee. I know I will eventually need it done and since I’ve met my deductible for the year, figured go ahead and see where it’s at. If it’s bad enough, I’ll go ahead and proceed with another PKR before years end.

I wish you the best.

 

[kneeper]

Sounds like you're doing great. Just keep listening to the knee and gear your activity accordingly.

 

[tarajenni]

@kneeper
Great advice. Thought I was doing so well so I decided to go with husband to local Farmer’s Market and arts festival. Big crowds, full sun...came very close to passing out. Made our way home and got horizontal in the AC. Yep, don’t try to overdo it.

On another note, got my TENS unit and love it!!

 

[katchmo]

You and I are at close to the same place. I wouldn't try a farmer's market yet! Glad we are both doing well; my first one was a lot more difficult. Like you plan, I did the second knee as soon as possible due to my deductible. I'm very relieved I am having an easier time this go around!

 

[tarajenni]

2.5 weeks postop. Brought my bike inside and hooked it up to my trainer. Rocked the pedals back and forth to stretch out the knee then finally got it all the way around. Took a while but I was patient and determined. Stayed on it for about 10-15 minutes. Then straight back to the couch with elevation and ice. Baby steps!

 

[mngirl]

@tarajenni, sounds like you are doing great! I had one PT session and did not go back! So painful and swelling increased. Seemed to put me back a few days!

I had issues taking pain meds too. Tramadol seems to work best for me! I’m pretty much off pain meds now though! I also had PKR on 8/8!

I think it’s great you are doing all the walking! I have not tried that yet! Doing a lot of normal activities tho! All housework and some gardening and yard work! Also, picking Granddaughters up from daycare and having them for a couple hours.

Take care, will follow the thread on progress!
I really love Bone Smart!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tarajenni]

@mngirl Sounds like you are doing great as well. Glad to hear it. I love Bonesmart too. I’ve found some great information and received advice that has helped a lot. Keep healing!

 

[bowhunter8]

How has the TENS unit helped your recovery and do you consider it a “must have”?

 

[tarajenni]

@bowhunter8
I feel it’s really helped and they are so inexpensive it’s definitely worth it. I have used it when going to sleep and also when driving.

 

[bowhunter8]

So going on 5 weeks for you now, what is your mobility like and how have you been able to move around?

 

[tarajenni]

I get around fine. Today is my first day back to work. I’m doing fine except I woke at (my normal post op waking hour) 3am so I’m a bit tired.

Walking upstairs alternating legs. I can do the same going downstairs but it’s a bit uncomfortable. I brought my road bike in the house and put it on a trainer. I’ve been riding it 30 min every night for about a week. Going to try to ride it on our greenway (flat path) on Saturday. I have little to no swelling unless I’ve been up for extended periods. My flexion is 115. Working on my extension. I have a natural hyperextension so we (PT) are trying to get me back to that normal. My distal quads are still sore, especially when I do straight leg raises. When we work on extension, my hamstrings are tight. So, the PT tried needling yesterday (see pic). I was skeptical at first but was willing to try. I was very impressed with the relief I got. She needled my quads first then my hamstrings. I’ll definitely try it again.

Very pleased with where I am. But found out yesterday I’ve got to have PKR on other knee. Going to try to do it before end of year since I’ve met my deductible. But hoping next spring, I’ll be able to bike a lot more than this year!

Hope you are doing well, I’ve been keeping up with your recovery page.

 

[bowhunter8]

Hey thats great you are able to do all you can and just at 5 weeks! That’s encouraging to hear. Hopefully I can say the same at 5 as well. Never heard of needling, it looks similiar to acupuncture and I’m glad it’s bringing you relief.

Sorry to hear about your other knee...another surgery and recovery...ugh...I had a knee scope in my left knee one week prior to my partial In my right knee and its still a bit tender having to pick up the slack still.i did that for the same reason you are. Met my out of pocket max so why not do it now if it needs done. I suspect in the future I may have another operation done on my left but I hope I’m wrong.

 

[tarajenni]

The needling is like acupuncture but they put the needles deeper into the affected muscle instead of just into the skin. She said it increases blood flow into the muscle.