TKR TKR Recovery Journey

[Jockette]

I chalk the slow progress to the advanced osteoporosis the surgeon found when he opened me up. I'm just literally going day to day.

You are not having slow progress, this is how this recovery goes, as it takes an average of a full year for complete healing.

We recommend a phased return to work. Try not to let your boss pressure you to come back before you’re ready, he/she is not the one who will deal with the pain and swelling if you do.

Phased return to work

For return to work at 10-12 weeks as patient feels able, the following schedules are suggested week 1: Tues, Thurs 5hrs week 2: Mon, Wed, Fri 5hrs week 3: Tues, Thurs 8-9hrs week 4: Mon, Wed, Fri 8-9hrs week 5: normal duties The thing to remember really is that so often when people think of...

bonesmart.org

 

[FCBayern]

I have to agree with Jockette @Dedou, you are right about where we all were 6 weeks in. A lot of people come into this surgery without really knowing what to expect in recovery. You already know you can't work as soon as next week. You need to listen to what your body needs and then be your own advocate. You've got this! Brighter days soon!

 

[Dedou]

Thank you both for the encouragement! I have been taking Gabapentin for the RLS these past two nights and I've enjoyed two long nights of uninterrupted sleep. Insert Hallelujah chorus here!

 

[allin1]

One note of caution on the Gabapentin, I went on it after my knee replacement and someone here mentioned it is strong medicine. When I tried stopping it I had a bit of a hard time quitting off the 300 mg pills (anxiety). I got the Dr to prescribe some 100 mg pills and was able to wean off that way. I'm glad it is allowing you to get some good rest!

What's the Best Way to Stop Taking Gabapentin (Neurontin)?

Consult your doctor before you stop taking gabapentin. Never stop taking this medication all at once. Your doctor can help develop a plan to help you taper off.

www.healthline.com

 

[Dedou]

One note of caution on the Gabapentin, I went on it after my knee replacement and someone here mentioned it is strong medicine. When I tried stopping it I had a bit of a hard time quitting off the 300 mg pills (anxiety). I got the Dr to prescribe some 100 mg pills and was able to wean off that way. I'm glad it is allowing you to get some good rest!

What's the Best Way to Stop Taking Gabapentin (Neurontin)?

Consult your doctor before you stop taking gabapentin. Never stop taking this medication all at once. Your doctor can help develop a plan to help you taper off.

www.healthline.com

Yeah, it does seem to be strong, but last night it didn't even touch the restless leg until I ended up taking 3 (300mg) caps! Then, I didn't wake up until 9:45 this morning! I'm not sure if that's bad or good, but at least I'm getting sleep.

 

[Celle]

One note of caution on the Gabapentin, I went on it after my knee replacement and someone here mentioned it is strong medicine. When I tried stopping it I had a bit of a hard time quitting off the 300 mg pills (anxiety). I got the Dr to prescribe some 100 mg pills and was able to wean off that way. I'm glad it is allowing you to get some good rest!

What's the Best Way to Stop Taking Gabapentin (Neurontin)?

Consult your doctor before you stop taking gabapentin. Never stop taking this medication all at once. Your doctor can help develop a plan to help you taper off.

www.healthline.com

Yes, BoneSmart also recommends tapering slowly when you come off Gabapentin.

 

[Jockette]

Yeah, it does seem to be strong, but last night it didn't even touch the restless leg until I ended up taking 3 (300mg) caps! Then, I didn't wake up until 9:45 this morning! I'm not sure if that's bad or good, but at least I'm getting sleep.

If this is more than the recommended dose you need to speak with your doctor, or maybe your pharmacist, to be sure that is a safe dose for you.

 

[Jamie]

Gabapentin is not a sleeping pill, so it may be that you need to take small doses throughout the day for it to be effective for you. As Jockette suggested, talk to the prescribing doctor before you take more than is prescribed on the bottle.

You can also have problems with restless legs if you try to do too much during the daytime. Be sure you're not pushing yourself beyond what your body is ready for at this stage of your recovery.

 

[Dedou]

She prescribed 300-600 mg to be taken at bedtime. Last night, I took 600 mg and slept well. I woke up once, changed position and then went right back to sleep. As long as I can get to sleep, the RLS doesn't bother me. I hope the Gabapentin continues to help me sleep, even though it's not a sleeping pill. She did tell me I could go up to 1200 if need be, but she wanted to start me out on a low dose. I don't take any other meds.

 

[Dedou]

You can also have problems with restless legs if you try to do too much during the daytime. Be sure you're not pushing yourself beyond what your body is ready for at this stage of your recovery.

I did too much the night I had problems, so I'm sure you are correct in this. Trying to figure out what will be "too much" at this stage is difficult. I try not to aggravate my knee to swell more than it already is. I wake up with it already swollen a bit every morning. Trick is to keep it from swelling more. Elevation and icing doesn't seem to make much difference. The leg seems fine other than that, meaning I don't think I have an infection.

 

[Jamie]

Are you elevating and icing at night when sleeping? You can certainly do that and it might help more than just doing it during the day.

 

[Dedou]

Are you elevating and icing at night when sleeping? You can certainly do that and it might help more than just doing it during the day.

I wish I could, but after trying several times, I came to the conclusion that I just don't get comfortable to sleep with my leg up. I'm a side sleeper and sleeping on my back is not an option if I want to get real sleep. I do use a pillow between my legs for comfort. This morning when I woke up, I immediately put on a Chopat brace and I'll see how that helps.

 

[Dedou]

Dear Mods, would you please change my thread to something like TKR Recovery Journey? TY!
I read somewhere recently about moving from walker to cane too quickly and it was a post that I am so happy I ran across!! My surgeon's office had a written handout with my post-surgery appt. on it that I was discharged with. On it, it states that my surgeon would be expecting that I would be walking without assistive devices at this appt. That was for my one month appt.! I am almost two months into recovery and yesterday pulled out the borrowed walker again. I have log leg after sleeping or sitting for a length of time and the cane was difficult to balance with. My leg is doing SO much better using the walker! I'm not going to bother going back for the surgeons visit until I'm good and ready. If anyone is struggling with excessive pain and swelling, try going back to using a walker and see if it doesn't make a difference for the better! I am so grateful for this site!

 

[sistersinhim]

I changed your title for you.

 

[Jamie]

I'm so glad to hear you were comfortable going with what your body was telling you rather than some arbitrary milestones set up by your surgeon or a therapist. Bodies follow their own schedule and you'll know when the time is right to lessen the use of a walking aid. That would be when you find yourself taking off and leaving it behind without thinking! It will come. In the meantime, the aid - especially a walker because it provides balanced support - provides a great tool for you to work on lengthening your stride and walking correctly heel-roll to toe with each step.

 

[Dedou]

Hello to you all! I just wanted to update you on my healing, in case it might be useful to someone. June 2nd will be 3 full months from my RTKR. I have had 2.5 months of pain, some depression, lots of sleepless nights and frustration. There have been many times I just wanted to rip the whole business out, but I'd be the one to faint watching an operation, so my knee was safe.

I've been back to work 3 weeks, now, but that's only 3 days of 7 hrs each week. AND, it's a desk job. Even that has been a challenge, but I'm doing a bit better each week. I still keep the walker handy, as my knee stiffens up at night and if I stand or even sit too long. Overall, though, there is definite improvement. A light at the end of the tunnel and it doesn't appear to be a train!

I've dialed the Gabapentin back to 300 mg/night, which is doable for now. The RLS is mostly dulled by that dose. I'll ask my regular doctor for some 100 mg pills as the RLS (hopefully) fades. Still sleeping with a pillow between my knees.

Most of the pain I get currently is in the back of my knee (driving was painful at first, and braking was a b-tch! It's gotten better, with discomfort rather than pain. I drive an ancient 2008 Subaru with heated seats and those seats have been a huge comfort, especially when I'm driving! The other pain is a "stabby" type of pain on the inside side of my knee. Kind of like I used to get pre-surgery from the bone-on-bone. I used a homemade whole buckwheat microwave heating pad for that and it worked wonders. I made that thing over 15 years ago and it has a washable polar fleece cover over the actual poly satin pad itself. Polar fleece holds the heat and moisture in. It's never gotten moldy or nasty - way superior to rice pads, in my humble opinion. I'm definitely more of a heat therapy vs cold therapy person, although use both.

I'm taking Mag/Cal powder, mixed with cold liquid at night. In the daytime, I'm taking a bioavailable form of iron, vitamin D, C, and a few others I'm spacing on right now. I have the bottles set up in the kitchen so I kind of go on autopilot when I take them.

That's about it. I'm so grateful to be coming through the tough time. If you're reading this at some ridiculous hour of the night and still having a bad time, it really will get better. We're all different, but healing does happen!

 

[Sisterpat]

Desou, what a GREAT update! Gives us all tremendous help and hope! I’m over 3 months out from my first TKR and I think that knee has done well, but it’s hard to tell since I had the other TKR a mere 9 weeks later, so, I’m still dealing with that more recent recovery. Like you, I have struggled with sleeplessness and discouragement at times, but your post lights up my day! Thanks for coming back here and reporting!

 

[Dedou]

Thank you, I hope your recovery goes quickly!

 

[Newkneemelodee]

Hello Dedou
My tkr was March 8th. I am struggling with anxiety worrying about my bend. Do you know any of your numbers? I hope you are feeling better after Covid. Reading your posts made me think I will try magnesium as well. I hope it helps. I wake in the night with pain. I am taking naproxen which I took for arthritis. I too find this site helps me so much. The doctor had such high expectations for my bend, and it is only at 109 currently. Take care.

 

[Dedou]

Hi Newkneemelodee,
(Love the name). I don't know my numbers, nor do I have any interest in knowIng. To me, it was a huge relief and blessing to read of people with normal bend now who didn't even exercise, or if they did, didn't overdo. You should see the exercises the surgeon's office is thinking I'm currently doing! One of them involves a long towel or scarf and looks like a Chinese dance troupe move! Not happening... Do NOT worry about your bend. Others way more experienced on here helped me let go of that who-ha early on, so I am happy to give you permission to also be a bit of a rebel. My focus has been and continues to be on healing. I just sat down from fixing a simple dinner and I'm in pain. At almost three full months out, I "should" be doing these crazy exercises, not needing pain meds and walking regularly. Except my body said Nope, not happening. So I'm listening to my body. We've been conditioned to hand over our health to the "experts", but in many things such as healing like this, my body will tell me through pain or no pain if what I'm doing is good for me. My surgeon also had high expectations. Good for him. He wants to be able to say he did another successful implant. I get it, but I don't dance to that tune right now. Sorry about what may appear to be a rant; I just don't want you to worry. This one takes lots of time and going really easy on ourselves.