TKR The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

[Solar Cycles]

Sorry for the length of time in my reply I've been trying to catch up on some sleep, trying being the operative word. I received my post op notes in the post today, a load of techno mumbo jumbo but it does appear my knee warranted a TKR instead of the proposed PKR reading between the lines. It mentions how poor the quality of tissue in the central portion where the patella was and that there was worn bone throughout the Trochlear and wear to the bone across the medial femoral condyle as well.

I've been trying to update my signature but seen as I can't use my main computer yet I'm stuck with my ipad, does anyone know how to update using an ipad?

 

[Mutley]

Yep Go to the top right hand side of your iPad. Click on your username, it will drop down a box and I think signature is the 2nd one down. Click on it & then you can add your operation details. Might be an idea to get a prescription off of your Doctor for a sleeping tablet.
Uuummm, I've just looked at your post & your op details are there!

 

[Mutley]

...just to say that 18 weeks later I've managed to ween myself down to just 25mgs of Amitriptyline to TRY and get a few Zzzzzz's during the night How are you doing?

 

[Solar Cycles]

Good to hear that you've managed some long overdue sleep at last. I had a restless and painful night, my own fault as I hadn't kept on top of my meds yesterday, a lesson learnt! My ROM remains the same I can't seem to break past the 30-40 degree barrier and the simple pushing the back of my knee downwards whilst lying down is still proving painful, though my quad muscle does seem to be responding better than previously.

 

[Mutley]

Have you been given any appointments to see the physio's at your hospital? How are you doing extension wise? I found that when I couldn't do a straight leg raise I used one of those stretchy exercise bands to lift it up & to also try & encourage the leg to be straight. Mentally I felt like I was actually doing something...instead of blubbing on the sofa I think I'm at the point now of just accepting this is where I'm at. Less than 2 weeks for you so I'm just assuming that due to the nature of how much was involved during your op, it's going to take a bit longer to settle down, hence the ROM not quite responding at the moment? I think making sure you take the meds ON TIME & regularly is a good call as well as still icing & elevating as much as possible. If your concerned I think I would give the hospital a call even if it's just for a bit of reassurance......

 

[Solar Cycles]

Hi Jaki, my appointment for physio is on Wednesday, extension wise nothing fresh to report ROM remains the same although my knee does feel stronger when walking and negotiating stairs. I think your attitude to just accepting where you are is about right judging from others on here, it will come together at your pace no one else's. I'm struggling with the elevating as its too painful with three pillows as shown on here, I am icing 4-5 times a day though. The district nurse came today and took my staples out, there was over thirty of the blighters (ouch). I had another sleepless night again,I thought I would try going to bed instead of the sofa, big mistake!

 

[Mutley]

Hugs coming your way. As your know I sympathise with the NO sleep. I swear people don't believe you when you say you have been awake all night. Obviously they have never experienced a night like it! Someone else on here today said they had tried some Sleepeaze tablets which you can buy from Boots with good results...thanks Kathy H!!! Might be worth getting someone to buy some for you to try? It's a bit early in your recovery to try my other suggestion, which worked well for me last night, but I've suffered because of it today....Ho Hum Glad you have a physio appt this week. Hopefully they can put your mind at rest with what's going on in that knee! Your icing regime is good so definitely keep that up even if you don't feel like you need to. Staples...ouch I was SO lucky. I'm normally a bleeder & a bruiser yet after my TKR I didn't have any bruising and my surgeon used disposable stitches One less thing to have to go through! Hopefully you will be more comfortable now you've got them out! Have you tried putting pillows under the whole leg rather than just the knee? It might be a bit more comfortable rather than just under the knee. Anyway, good luck for Wednesday & let us know how it goes!

 

[Solar Cycles]

Another sleepless night and an increase in pain levels trying to increase my ROM, it just won't bend further than the 30-40 degree mark. It wouldn't be as bad if I had something to gauge my progress against, but with this operation being a one of a kind I've no idea where I should be at.

 

[Mutley]

....and this is the problem with having this operation, not enough information prior to surgery Well, in my case for sure. I think some surgeons see this as so "routine" to them that they don't always remember to pass on valuable information to us, the poor recipient. I was expecting swelling, some discomfort & I knew I would probably have a problem with pain control due to being allergic to most meds. What I didn't expect was the fact the pain wasn't controlled, that I wouldn't be able to sleep even with sleeping tablets, the chronic depression ( and not just random weepy days) and the most important issue was I just ASSUMED that my knee, which had always bent before, would still be able to once the swelling was on it's way out & I was moving about more...WRONG The thing is I never knew what my ROM was prior to surgery, I just know I could bend it as much as my other one. The NO GUIDELINES as to where you are & what to expect at various points during recovery SUCKS if you ask me! People keep saying " Be patient". But for how long is my question?? I completely understand your frustrations as I was "stuck" at 80 degrees before having the MUA & that nearly drove me nuts Hopefully the physio tomorrow will be able to help you with future expectations & how your doing now. I know I keep saying it but it's such early days for you at the moment. I'm hoping this is just a case of the swelling & trauma inside taking a bit longer to calm down & that once that is under control you can then start on the flexion & extension more positively.
BTW, I've just been to Boots & bought some of the sleeping aid tablets I mentioned. I'll give them a try tonight & let you know the outcome! Try & keep positive & fingers crossed for a good physio experience tomorrow

 

[speccybecky]

I'm with you Mutley, not enough information. This site saved my sanity!
I was told I'd be out of commission for 3 months, no one mentioned pain although I'm not stupid I knew it would hurt, I just blithely assumed I'd take pain killers for it and be fine..............

 

[Mutley]

So Solar, you share your physio session today & I'll share mine

 

[Solar Cycles]

Physio went as expected, painful. ROM is now at 55 degrees and they've given me a couple of more exercises which will hopefully improve things. She wants to get the pain under better control though before my next appointment in two weeks time, I'm already om a hefty dose though and it's when I try doing these exercises my pain increases. How has your appointment gone ?

 

[Mutley]

Hi Solar. ( Do you actually have a proper name or were your parents very cruel??!!)
Have you come away from your appt today feeling a bit more positive that at 2 weeks & with the other procedure being done, your doing pretty good, or has the fact it was still painful clouded any positivity? Next appt not being for another 2 weeks is a bit pants Still, at least you have been given a couple of different exercises to try so hopefully if you can get the right combination of pain relief, ice, elevation & rest, in those two weeks you could well see a BIG improvement...fingers crossed...
I just had my last session of Hydrotherapy I think it has made a big difference. We got a ROM of 115 when I got out the pool but my physio has made another appt for a week or so to measure properly in an dryer environment! I think in reality the ROM is around 105-110 as we did have quite an intensive session as you do seem to be able to achieve better movement in the very warm water! I know you shouldn't get het up about figures but I was pretty much ready to give up with all the exercising as I didn't seem to see or feel any improvement. Mentally this has made me think, come on keep at it for a while longer! Having said that my surgeon only achieved 120 while doing the MUA so I'm assuming that I'm not going to be getting further than this either?
If you have someone who can pop into BOOTS for you, give those Sleepeaze tablets ago. Just check with the pharmacist 1st that they are ok to take with your current medication though
Keep going Solar. It sounds like your on the right track. A good nights sleep & a little less pain can make all the world of difference

 

[Solar Cycles]

Hi Jaki, it's looking good at your end, your ROM is indeed impressive. I'm not sure if my hospital has a hydro pool, they spent a fortune building this a few years ago but it seems to lack a lot of the basics. I had another sleepless night it appears this intensifies during the nighttime for some reason, I think I'm going to have to try those sleepeaze tablets.

I'll start my new exercise regime today and hopefully I won't see an increase in pain, I'm still worried at my ROM, it looks like it could take me a while just to reach 90 degrees, I'll get there eventually though I just need a little more patience.

Regards
Stephen

 

[Mutley]

I got to 8 weeks without pretty much no sleep before I nearly had a breakdown! Saw the Dr & the 1st thing she said was, " Why haven't you been to see me sooner?" Give the Sleepeaze a try. They come in a 50 or 25 mg packet. Either 1x50mg before bed or take 1x25mg & if you then wake up during the night you can take another 25mg tablet. A bit of trial & error when taking them (time of evening/night) though. To get the Amitryptiline to have any chance of working I have to take them before 5pm otherwise they don't kick in when they should! Other people will pop one 5 mins before bed & be out for the count!

I think my ROM will allow me to do most things in life, so for that I'm grateful. Bizarre though how some people hardly have to do anything yet have a really good ROM, & others slog away at it & it seems a daily/weekly/monthly battle

I always found even prior to my op that I was in more pain during the night while "resting" in bed then what I was during the day. Maybe it's the same after the TKR due to the fact that as the body is resting it gives everything inside the knee/leg time to expand, stretch, ping & zing( have you had the sudden electric shock type feelings yet??!!!!) without being in a tense, stiff or swollen position?

So, have you managed your new exercise regime yet? Make sure you've taken your pain meds a good 30 minutes beforehand so hopefully it won't feel as painful.

I am aching badly from yesterday's phsio. However, I moved the seat down on the exercise bike by another notch & managed to still pedal!
I bet if I try to do that after I've walked the dogs this afternoon I won't even be able to pedal backwards

Anyway, hope your day isn't too awful & keep us posted!

 

[bottomshollow]

Also keep in mind that when you go to bed at night there are not the distractions we have in the daytime---more noises all around us--traffic, birds, radio, TV--being able to see all kinds of things around us, etc. At night we're just lying there wanting to get comfortable and go to sleep. The getting comfortable is often very difficult. We are suddenly aware of every little ache and/or pain and have nothing to take our minds off of them.

The above is why I always recommend getting in as many catnaps during the day as you can. I also spent at least half the night in my recliner watching mind numbing TV which did allow me to drift off for short sleeps off and on. But if it really becomes a problem, seeing your doctor is a must. I often wonder why those who are really, really sleep deprived don't..

Take care and keep us posted. We care. Hugs

 

[Solar Cycles]

Thanks or the replies, I've catnapped for most of today, I think you can only go so long without sleep. I haven't felt too good either today with hot sweats and alternating between feeling hot and cold, though my temp is normal.Due to this I haven't done any exercises today, I just haven't felt up to it I'm afraid.

 

[bottomshollow]

are a good thing. And sometimes, Solar Cycle, a day off from everything is just what the knee needs.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[Mutley]

Morning Stephen,
Just doing a Friday morning check to see how you are feeling today? Hope your not feeling as lousy as yesterday? It just adds insult to injury sometimes Chin up my friend, it WILL all come good in the end Hope to hear a progress report later!
Right, need to sort out some packing I guess as I'm off to sunny Spain tomorrow

 

[Solar Cycles]

Hi Jaki,

I'm still feeling a little out of sorts I think this is down to the Tramadol as I'm feeling short of breath also. I've decided to stick with the co-codamol and emit the Tramadol from here on. Hope you have a fantastic holiday, where in Spain are you heading or and for how long?