TKR TKR today. Now post-op

[Iknit]

Hello...

I did it! Had my right TKR at noon today (7/7). I must say, for the first 12 hours, I've been presently surprised. Feom admission, to preop, OR and post op. Great encouraging staff for the first two shifts.

Here's a run down:
* loved the anesthesia. Block for behind the knee, naropon nerve block via catheter in thigh, spinal block and the Propofol which I enjoyed as no side effects when I woke up. Had my urinary cath and sequential wrap on unoperated knee.
*dinner and Dunkins coffee at 6 pm. Up in chair with walker from 7-1030 pm. I knit and listened to audiobook.

*THEN... it hit. Pain was only 5. But it hurt. Back to bed and took 10mg oxy. Doing well.
* not sleeping at 1230 am. Too wired but not uncomfortable.
* plan for am: cath out by 6 am. OT at 7am to get dressed.
*Now the real work and rest begins. Plan to go home Sunday am with Home PT/OT.

 

[lennie]

Sounds like things are going well to this point.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Celle]

Welcome to recovery, @Iknit
It sounds as if everything went well. Good.

Here is your post-op reading:
Knee Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now; they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:

rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

the BoneSmart view on exercise
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. Here is a week-by-week guide for Activity progression for TKRs


The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?

Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key

Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly

Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. 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.

Looking forward to hearing how you are getting on.

 

[Iknit]

I appreciate the info! I'll be sure to read this tomorrow. Much appreciated!!!!

 

[knit2tog]

Welcome to the recovery side fellow knitter! I look forward to reading about your recovery.

 

[nensi]

Hey there knit! Hats off to knitting on day 0. I am 8 days ahead if you and feel ready for a project!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[bibi]

Welcome to the other side!! Hoping you had a restful night! Praying for a full recovery

 

[VW54]

Wishing you a good and steady recovery.
One of my lady friends also loves to knit and she too was knitting the day after hip surgery.
She said it distracted her, her method of meditation
Maybe you can knit yourself a cover or two for the icepacks?

 

[sistersinhim]

Be sure and follow the guidelines and you will do fine! Don't over do!

 

[rubyyarn]

Congratulations ! Took me several days to try knitting. The general anesthesia left me pretty fuzzy.

 

[Pheebs52]

Welcome to recovery my fellow New Englander! It sounds as though you are off to a very good start! As someone else already stated, be very careful to not overdo and make certain to stay ahead of the pain with your meds. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

 

[liam2015]

you look amazing for so soon after surgery, drinking a coffee, sitting up and smiling. then i scrolled down to "then it hit". in any case, you're off to a successful recovery with that positive attitude. remember to keep ahead of the pain with your meds. lots of good info here.

 

[kmak81230]

Welcome to recovery and well done so far! Hope these next few days go well for you. If you're up to it you might need to knit a sweater for those long days with the ice machine seriously though, take heed of the good advice here - rest often and don't overdo it.

 

[newlybionic]

Congratulations on your new knee! I hope your recovery goes well. Follow the guidelines and you will do fine.

 

[Josephine]

Now the real work and rest begins

No, not work. Read the guidelines.

 

[sistersinhim]

Now, the healing starts, not the work!

 

[Iknit]

@sistersinhim and @Josephine You are both correct! Thank you for reminding me that I am NOT the nurse, but the patient that needs to heal. I think I was just plowing through on pain meds.

 

[Iknit]

I was put in my place. My adductor nerve block cath came out. Went back to preop to have a new one placed with ultrasound. Now I'm numb and not ready to go anywhere! And I am THANKFUL to have been made to slow down. I passed all my PT walking, safer and stairs. Have my CPM machine and cryotherapy ice wrap, but I'm safe and resting in the hospital bed with my oxy for the night This nurse will read the guidelines over and over till it sticks in my head. Promise;)

 

[Iknit]

I was told I'd be going home 26 hrs after surgery. My body said NO and I listened

 

[sistersinhim]

Have a good night!