TKR patients that have had previous ACLR?

[rungout]

My story: I'm 54; ridden and trained horses all my life (which means falls along the way didn't help but most of the damage was actually caused by unrelated injury) The ACL was done about 20 years ago. Arthro was done two times previous to that and now finally, the TKR, 6 days ago.
I would say over-all so far the TKR for me was not nearly as painful as the ACL. I got almost 100% ROM after the ACL and got a good start on the TKR ROM. My husband had a TKR two years ago and I wish we had done a diary on it but I know he was much more in pain than I was. But he had much more wear on his joint before he actually had it done. However, he has fully recovered now and can work out at the gym, even get on his horse from the ground!
I had a bad nite last night. Felt like I had to take the max. painkillers and I don't like to take drugs! Iced it constantly all night as it was hot. Had what I considered pretty intense PT yesterday so going to take it easy today.
I was wondering if anyone that has passed this point has any advice on the PT or how they felt 6 days out so I can feel assured that all is normal. I guess its only to be expected that I would feel worse a few days out than I did in the hospital with all the pain control there and with the progression of healing from the surgery.

 

[JudyS]

Rungout
I had a hip replacement in June am 51. 6 days. I don't know if I could post at the computer at that time!!!! I think you are doing incredible just to be coherent.
I just had some major back surgery 5 weeks ago and am still rungout. Remember you had major surgery. A lot of people on this site take pain meds for a few months or more.
You too will be back on those horses, you just need a lot of patience. I ususally don't have any patience as I am very active, but this most recent surgery has really wiped me out.

REst, ice , elevate and congrats for making it through the surgery!!

Judy

 

[calling_all_angels]

Rungout,
Hi nice to meet you. Wow 6 days out. I think you are doing great. Surgery takes alot out of you plus your knee takes time to adjust to you. I think PT is always a KILLER
but it could be I am just a whimp!! All I know is PT is important!!!! So I grin and bare
it!!! Then come home and ICE UP!!!! I can say I have learnt a lot more colorful words to use!!!!! LOL And I have met some wonderful people here that really care!!!!
^i^

 

[Weezy]

I had a bad nite last night. Felt like I had to take the max. painkillers and I don't like to take drugs! Iced it constantly all night as it was hot. Had what I considered pretty intense PT yesterday so going to take it easy today.
I was wondering if anyone that has passed this point has any advice on the PT or how they felt 6 days out so I can feel assured that all is normal. I guess its only to be expected that I would feel worse a few days out than I did in the hospital with all the pain control there and with the progression of healing from the surgery.

You're normal! And at 6 days out, it sounds as if you're doing fabulous...however, your heightened pain level is telling you to slow down a bit. There's a LOT of healing that needs to be done in there--remember that your leg was sawed off in two places and that is MAJOR trauma. ROM is important, but so is healing. My PT told me to back off a bit during the first two weeks, and as long as I'm keeping things moving and making progress, that's all that's needed this soon.

On the bright side, because of your previous physical activity and fitness, you'll probably be back riding before you know it!

Weezy

 

[backbay38]

I also had ACL repair 25 years ago and ran 30 marathons after. Then meniscus trim etc and now TKR on that knee 3 1/2 weeks ago. You sound like you're doing fine; I had no pain when I came home from the hospital but did have some uncomfortable nights and some wiped out feeling evenings and days. When you feel pretty good it's easy to overdo. You'll learn. PT bending really hurts like hell early on but if your therapist is good just trust him/her. It still hurts as you go on but As the tissue swelling goes down it gets easier. Another week will make a big difference especially if you get the staples out then as I did. My surgeon said all my previous surgeries complicated the TKR but he did a great job and I am already on my way to running again when the muscles are rebuilt. Take it one day at a time and look only ahead. Not at yesterday . You'll do fine!!!

 

[rungout]

Thanks Weezy
I'm also feeling a little blue too. I'm not a jealous person but my husband spent the evening at his x-wife's 60th B'day party dancing and having fun while I stayed at home. Now this party had been planned for some time and had I not gotten my knee done when I did, i would have gone too. It was a big fancy party at the country club (she married a rich guy the second time) and of course his daughter and all of his old friends were there too. I wouldn't be quite so blue if he had come home when he said he would (he was quite a bit later) and made a big deal of "having" to dance with this woman who was flirting with him.
Well, that didn't help my feeling totally useless.
You think I should have gone? I mean I'm like feeling terrible with the knee and the drugs but am I being a wuss for staying home?
Rungout

 

[rungout]

Wow thanks everyone for the encouraging words.
So how do you know if your PT guy knows what he's doing? I know with healing horses from a lifetime of shoeing and conventional stall keeping(I'm a hoofcare professional specializing in rehabilitation trimming), it can be life-threatening. I'm fairly healthy but like most people that are dealing with knee pain before they finally decide to have the TKR, I was a little overwieght (30lbs) and not as active as I would like to be. I feel like my heart is being stressed with the drugs and surgery. Are there any statistics that show how many people die of heart attacks after TKR?
In healing horses, a big part is movement. Not fast but as continuous as possible. Should I be making a few laps around the living room every hour or so?

 

[calling_all_angels]

No Rungout,
You are not a wuss!!!!!!!!!!!! Your husband is!!!!!!! he could have made a appearance at the party then came home to be with you. I am sure you were with him when he had his knee done. Not out dancing with someone who was flirting with you. Ahhhhhhhhhh men sometimes you just have to shake your head and wonder where they come from!!! Ohhhhhhhhh right they come from MARS. You have every right to have the blues. BUT REMEMBER you have us to talk to and vent to.
^i^

 

[rungout]

Thank you Angel! Yes I need you guys right now.

 

[Josephine]

You sound like you are doing really well, rungout. I just addressed your problems in another thread. But as I said there, when you have time 'off' from PT, take time off and rest up! Until you get your stitches/staples out just spoil yourself and give your body a chance to recover from an operation that was, to put it mildly, traumatic!

 

[rungout]

Well I just found my book that I know I read at the hospital but since I've been on serious drugs, I lost it somewhere in my room and found it again.
It says I should get up and walk or do the exercises the PT prescribed every 30 to 60 minutes! I've been sitting in my chair and doing some exercises but I haven't been religiously getting up every 30 to 60 minutes.
Thanks for all the encouragment.

 

[Josephine]

Maybe, but mind you don't go and overdo it. Go easy on yourself this first few days.

 

[Weezy]

It says I should get up and walk or do the exercises the PT prescribed every 30 to 60 minutes! I've been sitting in my chair and doing some exercises but I haven't been religiously getting up every 30 to 60 minutes.
Thanks for all the encouragment.

Oh Rungout--big hugs for your hubby's lapse of thought. That would sure contribute to feeling blue and down.

Please listen to Jo and the others! Even though the book says every 30 to 60 minutes, at this point that means doing a few heel slides, a few quad sets, and a few leg raises...maybe a turn around the livingroom. It does NOT mean a full blown PT session to where you're sweating or hurting. My PT interprets that as "just keep it moving a bit" during the first two to three weeks.

I'm glad you found us--the folks here are a lifesaver when it comes to needing to vent and it does help to know that others know EXACTLY what you're going through!

Weezy

 

[backbay38]

the problem is recovery from this surgery is so time consuming and intense we all tend to focus too much on every little physical thing. Your husband should have been more sensitive but he probably needed a break too. You would have been miserable so soon after surgery if you had gone. I'm sure you were medically checked out before the surgery so just follow your doc's instructions and don't worry. I'm told heavy duty pain meds can cause depression too . And you should walk as much as you can but I know I napped alot for the first week after I cAme home. How many TKR patients has your PT worked with? The therapy is pretty much standard: lots of leg lift, some mild half squats and other mild quad exercises and lots of painful bending by the PT and by you. I hAd to do exercises 2 or 3 times day including PT. Not much time for much else except icing and napping. Like I said some days are good and some not so good but really -- it DOES get better after 2 or 3 weeks. As you'll see from this forum everyone is different.

 

[Roof1]

Dear rungout keep your chin up. You are doing an amazing job thus far. My hubby, bless him, was pretty much flat as a tack at 6 days, actually still in hospital. You have a lot of recovering to do so please do yourself a favour and try to utilise your energy focusing on your getting back to "normal". I don't want to excuse your husband but you are the important one at the moment. Things can seem overwhelming when you are coping with all the pain etc,. Try to be strong, you are a woman afterall, (what a PLUS) and before you know it you will be back to your wonderful self. You will get the best possible support from the great people on this site so make a point of checking in often.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[JudyS]

Rungout

You defiantely are not a wuss and made the right choice staying home from the party. Not sure your husband made the right choice, but husbands are a trip!!!

Do remember you need to rest. I was definately taking a daily nap at 6 days after hip replacement. I am 5 weeks out of back fusion surgery and took 2 naps today. My third major surgery in 1 1/2 years and i think I finally realize the need for lots of rest to heal!!! Slow learner

Judy

 

[Josephine]

flat as a tack

Oh my!

I never heard that saying before - it's soooo descriptive!

 

[Peta]

It's a very "aussie" saying Jo - "Flat out like a lizard drinking" is another one that means pretty much the same thing...........! LOL

Hi Roof1 - good to see another Australian on here!

Peta

 

[Judles]

Welcome Rung! Another hippie here! You've come to the right place! Venting is a great healer in itself, Each one of us can relate! Just think,,,,,with every day that passes, you'll be a day closer to riding! Good luck & keep posting!!

 

[maggy]

Hi Rungout.
In my experience (my TKR was almost 6 weeks ago) the recovery process is very up and down, both pain-wise and emotionally. My first two weeks were great in that I had lots of energy, the pain was under control and I was exercising like crazy. I thought it was going to be a fairly easy ride for me. However, since then I've been very up and down. My husband has pointed out to me that I seem to have a very good day followed by a bad one and that has indeed been my pattern.

Being on drugs is also a big concern for me and so I've been trying different drugs and combinations to find the minimal effective dose. Not having much previous experience with drugs, this has been quite the process. I find that the pain really varies and affects my ability to exercise and just plain cope with life in a big way.

Reading the experiences here and making changes and adjustments in my own rehab, keeping in mind that everyone is different, is the way I'm handling it. One day at a time.

I've also found that getting out for a walk and a meal (when you feel you are ready) really recharges me and makes me feel more normal ad part of the world.

The days will pass and things will get better!

Mag