TKR TKR with Fibro and Raynauds and RA, anyone else?

[Jamie]

This is great news! There is a proven relationship between inflammation, pain, and swelling. So it makes sense that ensuring any pain you’re having is under control will help reduce inflammation. But the fact that any of this is contained mainly to your knee is very good news. Keep listening to your body and things will only get better!

 

[mendogal]

Just logging on with my afternoon cuppa and am grinning ear to ear reading your latest post!!!!
Yay for progress! For a big outing you didn't suffer for!!!!
Alternating a more active day with a couple of less active days is going to be your ticket to staying on this path.

 

[EalingGran]

but I feel I’m definitely progressing well now.

That is great news. It is wonderful when you finally feel things have turned a corner and you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just go steady and hopefully all will be well.

 

[beralc]

Thanks all. Yes it’s been quite amazing and seemed to literally happen overnight. As you say @ mendogal after Thursday I had what I call a soft day. Just doing normal activities, elevating and cooling, interspersed with some gentle exercises has been all I’ve done. Today will be semi soft and tomorrow off out again.
Other than a bit of muscle stiffness/ache (which I was expecting) really have been no issues since the Park outing. The only issue is that left knee
( the one I had the Arthroscopy on in Sept) is still sore but I really believe that will also get stronger as I’ve been including it in all my post op exercises too.

 

[beralc]

Had to add those other achievements today. Excuse the crude drawings
Couldn’t quite believe it. It is uncomfortable when doing it, but not agony and definitely not puffing air to achieve it. I remember feeling really demoralised when I saw how far away I was on the 27th of Feb. Very happy, as you can imagine.

 

[Layla]

Looks like it been your week, beralc!
Hope the day ends well and you enjoy getting out again tomorrow.
Still early days, as you're fully aware, so if a less than favorable one sneaks in here and there, entertain it
with some rest and ice.
You're on your way!
@beralc

 

[Jamie]

GREAT drawings!!! All of us with knee replacements most certainly share your joy. Your sudden progress is proof of what we always tell people. The ROM is there….it’s just being held back by swelling. When swelling decreases, voila! It’s there!!

 

[mendogal]

 

[beralc]

Looks like it been your week, beralc!
Hope the day ends well and you enjoy getting out again tomorrow.
Still early days, as you're fully aware, so if a less than favorable one sneaks in here and there, entertain it
with some rest and ice.
You're on your way!
@beralc

It certainly has but don’t worry I’m under no illusions that it’s softly softly. I know what’s possible now so if I get a bad day I now know it’s not a set back, simply a pause.

 

[beralc]

GREAT drawings!!! All of us with knee replacements most certainly share your joy. Your sudden progress is proof of what we always tell people. The ROM is there….it’s just being held back by swelling. When swelling decreases, voila! It’s there!!

You’re right, but it is interesting too, that in the last few days when the Flexion was increasing, I found that even when I did have some swelling, I could still flex. So it also makes me wonder if there’s a certain amount of brain involvement. Almost like once your brain knows you’ve done it already, you can just go for it again.

I think the other thing is that the pain has lessened as the flexion has improved. Anyway all good. Thanks everyone for sharing in my progress.

 

[beralc]

Thought I’d check in. Sending hugs to everyone and hope you’re all progressing ok.

Had bloods done yesterday, Hb in normal range now, so big improvement there, so the exhaustion I feel now, is down to my previous underlying conditions and simply the result of having surgery.

I’ve continued to progress and haven’t had any relapses for nearly two weeks now. I’m getting more and more back to pre surgery status, but without the knee problem.
Knee is strong and functioning well, no real pain unless I overdo and even then, it’s not around the knee itself, but more the muscles and tissues surrounding it. I go between rest and exercise one day and more activities and less exercise the next, to balance things and that’s going well. I still elevate and ice every day and will continue to do so for now.

Still managing stairs, up and down, foot over foot, slowly but normally and I’m starting to be able to sit for longer with leg down if I go to a cafe for example.

So everything going well.

 

[Layla]

Wonderful update, so good to read, I'm happy for you!
I hope you have a lovely day and weekend!
@beralc

 

[benne68]

I go between rest and exercise one day and more activities and less exercise the next, to balance things and that’s going well. I still elevate and ice every day and will continue to do so for now.

That's perfect! Listening to your body lets you find what will work for you recovery. Sounds like you are well on you way!

 

[mendogal]

This is great news! You're on the right track.

At your stage post op I was also still having periods of icing and elevating, alternating more and less active days, and continuing to slowly develop sitting tolerance.

My favorite thing was that my new knee genuinely liked to walk.

 

[beralc]

Yes @mendogal went out for brunch yesterday a new thing for me and although I took a cane I actually found it more of a hindrance because the knee is so stable while walking, it feels great, such a strange experience from all those years of instability. And I really feel in control of predicting what I can do and what I need to do to recuperate so am really happy.

Thanks @Layla and @benne68 I’m building slowly but consistently and seeing flexion increase all the time too. And almost two weeks since any flares. You may remember my bloods were all over the place in the early days and as I predicted as systemic inflammation has lessened my bloods have returned to normal and no longer anaemic.

 

[beralc]

I made it!! My 3 month anniversary everything with the knee is going really well. I can actually feel my kneecap now as the swelling’s so much less. It feels good and strong and I’m very happy with it. If I could have seen how I am now, back in the first weeks after surgery, I wouldn’t have believed it possible to make the sudden progress I have. As you’re always saying ladies. Just be patient and time and effort will do the rest. I know it’s not over yet but I really do believe I’ve reached a big milestone and from here things will only get better.

I saw a physio yesterday my second appointment following surgery. This was the follow up to the first PT assessment I had done at the end of Feb, where the physio was very insistent I needed targeted physio for my flexion as it was about 82 degrees @7 weeks. I couldn’t attend the next appointment in March, so the next available was yesterday. So in 12 weeks I’ve had one appt. I thought of you all at the appointment yesterday when the physio asked me what I wanted from the session I said,”well nothing really” and he said “oh fair enough”. And that was pretty much it I let him measure my flexion which is 110 degrees lying down, pretty sure it’s more when I’m sitting on a chair. My reasoning was I can do everything I need to do to make my life feel full again.

Given my other conditions I’m never going to be running marathons or climbing mountains, but I’m driving, I practiced several emergency stops in my road before venturing further and no pain so I have my independence. Walking very confidently without a crutch and am up and downstairs normally, slowly but surely adding those activities from pre op, back into daily my routine.
It’s easy now to look back and realise the initial healing process is a short time really, but at the time it feels like forever and that you’re never going to make it. I’m further living proof that official out of house PT isn’t absolutely necessary, it certainly isn’t the predetermining factor in getting flexion back, I only did the exercises and walking activities as advised here and wouldn’t really say I’ve gone crazy on pressing for flexion. It’s come all in its own time. I do think elevation was key for me and ice as I could tolerate. I still elevate whilst sitting and in bed and my knee is pretty comfortable when I’m sitting with my legs down at a table etc.

My absolute key piece of advice is keep looking forward, enjoy every success no matter how small and listen to the moderators. I have absolute trust in what they say. I know they definitely gave me a confidence i wouldn’t have had,, to say I didn’t want any interference from the Physios yesterday, this forum’s advise allowed me to listen to my own body, rather than agreeing and following along a pattern of care designed as a one size fits all.

Thanks everyone

 

[Jockette]

What an awesome report!!

 

[Jamie]

@beralc Words like yours make my heart sing!!! How wonderful of you to take the time to write the type of detailed post that will ring true with other BoneSmarties who are just starting their recovery or may be waiting for surgery. Thank you and congratulations on this latest milestone. More to come for sure.

 

[sistersinhim]

My reasoning was I can do everything I need to do to make my life feel full again.

This is the key! Those little baby steps all add up and before you know it, you're taking a big step!

My absolute key piece of advice is keep looking forward, enjoy every success no matter how small and listen to the moderators. I have absolute trust in what they say. I know they definitely gave me a confidence i wouldn’t have had,, to say I didn’t want any interference from the Physios yesterday, this forum’s advise allowed me to listen to my own body, rather than agreeing and following along a pattern of care designed as a one size fits all.

Thank you so much for your kind words. It's amazing how well the Bonesmart's way works for almost everybody. You are proof that the individual way is the best way!

 

[Layla]

Hello beralc, I'm so happy for you!
This is such an encouraging update. You're doing amazing. Your strength, patience and hard work is paying off. Your words will be an inspiration to those following behind you. Be proud of the milestones you've reached and know that the best is still ahead.
Happy Saturday!
@beralc