TKR The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

[Roy Gardiner]

I've actually never heard of anyone having the knee locked post-surgery. What's that all about?

Sounds like your carers are falling down on the job, have you a spouse/partner/friend who can stir things up for you?

 

[Mutley]

Morning Solar Cycles. So sorry you've had a horrible night. There aren't that many people who can say they got much sleep while they were in hospital. Too much going on & I found the night staff were so NOISY Like Roy, I haven't heard of this locked brace you are wearing? Your surgeon must have done it for a reason though? I would ask anyone who comes round to check you, or who takes it off! If you didn't have it on at least you would have been able to do a few gentle leg movements, even ankle pumps, small leg slides & trying to push the back of the knee down into the bed. Again it seems every hospital is different in what they want they're patient to do. I really hope when the brace comes off & they start to get you moving that you will begin to feel better about the whole process. Keep positive & keep us posted!

 

[Solar Cycles]

It's due to the extensor mechanism autograft I had in conjunction with my TKR, the consultant used my tendons to build it up as it was pretty shot at.

 

[Mutley]

I'll have to Google that one! I had a Valgus deformity correction at the same time & now left wondering whether it's down to this that has given me quite a bit of grief along the way. Trouble is if you look up too much on the Internet you could come away thinking the worse Fingers crossed your be more comfortable later today Who knows, you might even get an egg from the Easter Bunny...if your good

 

[Mutley]

.....perhaps that wasn't the best idea before eating my breakfast I'm sure this could be contributing to your pain at the moment. Your surgeon has been having a good old route about in your poor knee Still, all done now so just keep focusing on getting better & getting back on your feet

 

[Toothfairy]

Morning Solar Cycles,
Sorry you have had another bad night. I hope things improve when you get your knee brace off later.
Each day will bring you one day nearer to that pain free knee, hang on in there,
Toothfairy x

 

[landoz]

Congratulations on your new shiny knee and I hope you have the pain under control now

 

[Solar Cycles]

Just seen the Physio and we've decided to leave the brace on after the dressing has been reduced as she isn't here at 5 pm. She has hinted that I maybe in hospital a little longer than expected, it all depends on how strong my quad muscle is tomorrow when she takes the brace off.

 

[Mutley]

...well I just hope the food is better where you are if you've got to stay longer

 

[maddoxsmama]

Good morning Solar Cycles! Hope things are improving for you and that your pain is under control. Just think, each day brings you closer and closer to a pain free knee.

 

[Mutley]

Morning Solar Cycles!
Just checking on how you are doing? Pain any better? Did you manage to catch a few last night? What's on the agenda for today regarding physio? Do you think the brace will come off & you might make a vertical position? One word of warning when the physio's do decide to stand you up. Get someone to check your blood pressure is ok BEFORE getting up. No sooner had they got me up, I was flat on my back That was a loss of an okish breakfast too!
Hope today is a better one for you & you can see if the sun is actually shinning for once! jaki x

 

[Solar Cycles]

Hi Mutley, had another restless night but I managed an hour or two of sleep. The Physio has been this morning and I'm now brace free, what a difference that makes. I've had a walk around the corridor and I've managed the stair test also. I'm now going to try and catch up on some much needed sleep.

 

[Mutley]

Wow! You've gone from Zero to Hero Good news that your now brace free & ready to be let loose on those crutches...or walker!
Sincerely hope you manage to catch up on a bit of sleep as every bit helps! Onwards & upwards my friend Maybe you will be home sooner than you thought!

 

[Solar Cycles]

They are looking at Tuesday for discharge, time too catch up on some long lost sleep, again. Thanks for the wise words of encouragement Jaki.

 

[1ELISEA]

Hi SolarCycles
New to your thread. Happy to hear that you will be out of the hospital soon. There is nothing that compares to being in one's own bed!

Happy healing, and remember ice is your friend!

 

[Mutley]

Morning Solar Cycles! I won't say "Good" as it's 4.16am & I am STILL AWAKE My own fault for doing a bit TOO much yesterday therefore have paid for it during the night! Thought I'd get in early & see how your progressing? Is the pain a bit more controlled? Have you eaten your secret stash of goodies you might have packed in your bag in case the food was a bit rank?!! Have you got the joys of the physio's visit this morning too? Looking forward to hopefully getting home tomorrow & the sanctuary of your own bed & bathroom
Make sure you keep us posted with your progress & if you have any little queries along the way then just SHOUT & someone will as ever offer you some heartfelt advice!

 

[Solar Cycles]

Hi Jaki, that's two of us who overdid it yesterday and suffered a sleepless night then. I think up to now I've only had four hours sleep since the op on Thursday

I'm off my food at the moment as well, I have a Cadburys mini egg Eater egg which was kindly given to me off the ward sister, but it's still there winking at me.

 

[Mutley]

Well not wanting you to feel TOO miserable, i had my 1st chunk of sleep, 5 hours worth only a few days ago AND that is 4 months post op I'm a light sleeper anyway but oh my goodness, something else i wasn't prepared for. I HATE sleeping on my back & I've just in the past week managed to be able to rest the TKR leg on a pillow & lay on my side! Notice i DIDN'T add the word "SLEEP" in that sentance!!!!
Are you off your food because A) It's horrible B) You just have no appetite C) Your just plain fed up??!!!!
In which case it's a No BRAINER....Easter egg with bonus bag of mini eggs EVERY TIME! Didn't I say though that if you were good you MIGHT get an Easter Egg??? It just DIDN'T come from the Easter Bunny!
Hope you manage to survive the day without too much trauma & just take it easy...as if there is anything else to do!

 

[Solar Cycles]

I'm off my food now, my appetite was good up until Saturday lunchtime. As for sleeping, hopefully I'll snatch an hour this afternoon but like you I can't sleep on my back to start with.

 

[Mutley]

So Solar, did you manage to catch a few Zzzzz's? Well I haven't either have you been given the nod that your going home tomorrow? I'm sure that will be a big relief I hope you've been armed with a good range of exercise material to take home with you. Mine, like the food was shocking...A4 sheet of paper with 4 pictures on Check the library on here for some good advice or google TKR exercises. Hopefully your be better prepared, enthusiastic & raring to go! Here's to us both getting some sleep tonight...I'd like to win the lottery too