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

I think as you say I’m just going to have to experiment but I can’t see ice being the way forward for me which is difficult given how much emphasis is put on it to reduce swelling,
Not all surgeons recommend icing, we had a member somewhat recently, @Nivea, whose surgeon told her not to ice, so she didn’t, and she had a great recovery. Her surgeon also didn’t send patients to PT, he told them to just use the new knee as they were able, as it healed. She did great.
This is interesting isn’t it! I’ll see how I get on tomorrow taking the icing down to 5 mins and review at the end of the day. I should be seeing the PT about the 31/1/25 so that gives me some time to narrow things down as to what I can do with regards to what’s working.
Thanks for this.
 
that gives me some time to narrow things down as to what I can do with regards to what’s working.
There are no set rules for recovering from a joint replacement. We each have to find what works for us, using common sense to decipher all the advice we get, and choosing our own recovery/rehab path.
 
Another little question. Just so I have a rough idea, I was wondering approximately how long it was before you could move your leg and control it when getting out of bed etc rather than having to physically lift it? Thanks.
 
Good Morning,
Lifting your leg unassisted post op varies from person to person. It has to do with quad strength, for one. How strong your quads were before surgery and your overall fitness. Whether your pain is well managed may also dictate how quickly you regain movement, as well as how much swelling there is, which you realize can restrict your mobility or movement, making it more difficult to lift your leg. Also, in some instances we fear pain which may cause lack of effort and delay our progress. Any pre-existing health conditions can also play into the speed of our recovery.

Others can share how long it took them, but because we heal at different rates for a variety of reasons, please don't feel you're behind if someone tells you they were doing this extremely early on. At only ten days post op it may take you a little longer and that's okay.
Happy Monday! I hope this is a good week for you.
@beralc
 
Thanks Layla, yes that makes sense, thanks. I’ve been keeping a journal since surgery day and whilst filling it out this morning (in bed with my leg elevated on pillows) I thought I’d do a vlog of how much progress I actually did have or not, in moving my leg. My pain level was good. So I concentrated hard and lo and behold my leg lifted by itself and moved from the top of the pillows in a controlled way, down onto the mattress!! That was a surprise. Well that’s psychologically set me up for the day ☺️
I did a bit of pottering around, made myself presentable and a few things in the kitchen (nothing strenuous) while my husband had a run. So feeling pretty good. I did notice a difference in my absolute dependency of my frame and was using it more for stability than leaning on it as heavily as I have been.

I’ve actually decided not to use any ice today, just to have the pain comparison, but instead I’ll just keep it elevated in between normal activities and gentle exercising. Will update tomorrow unless anything comes up before. Thanks as always x
 
Hi @beralc, with being able to lift my leg onto the bed, I was able to do that from day 1. I’d sit on the right side of the bed, lift the non op left leg first followed by right op leg. The nurses were very impressed. Thereafter it went downhill! So being able to lift the leg ion to the bed doesn’t mean everything else was easier, oh no! Walking with the frame was hard work, doing the stairs even worse, but as time went on things improved. I have Raynauds but only mildly, it has to be very cold for my fingers to turn white. Also my early recovery was during a nice late spell of summer (Sept) so that helped. I think icing so much in the middle of winter must be difficult. I only ice for about 10 minutes now as I can’t bear how cold it makes me feel. My brother has RA so I know how painful it can be. He’s had 2 new hips and now his knees hurt. He’s adamant he won’t have any more surgery, but we’ll see. I hope you are able to get the right balance of icing, if any. Take care.
 
Thought I’d update where I am. So no ice at all yesterday or today. Kept the leg as elevated as possible but even that’s troublesome at times and managed to be more mobile. Even managed to raise my leg from the floor to up in a stool. Anyway I think it was definitely the right decision to leave off icing, certainly still have pain, but not the intensity I was when icing. I’m very pleased about that, cos I really couldn’t have coped day after day with that awful experience.
Felt really pretty good yesterday and pain kept to around a 3 sometimes a 4 which is bearable. Only managed a couple of hours sleep last night though, due to nerve pain no matter what I did I just couldn’t get any ease, but I did manage to catch up with a couple of hours kip late morning.
Feel like I could sleep for England still, but that will be the Fibro at play too. Certainly feeling more positive than the weekend but prepared for more ups and downs.

Oh one strange thing. The foot of my operated leg is its usual self no swelling or anything but I noticed yesterday the left foot has become swollen . Just thought that was odd really. There’s nothing else untoward that I can see though.
 
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Hi @beralc, with being able to lift my leg onto the bed, I was able to do that from day 1. I’d sit on the right side of the bed, lift the non op left leg first followed by right op leg. The nurses were very impressed. Thereafter it went downhill! So being able to lift the leg ion to the bed doesn’t mean everything else was easier, oh no! Walking with the frame was hard work, doing the stairs even worse, but as time went on things improved. I have Raynauds but only mildly, it has to be very cold for my fingers to turn white. Also my early recovery was during a nice late spell of summer (Sept) so that helped. I think icing so much in the middle of winter must be difficult. I only ice for about 10 minutes now as I can’t bear how cold it makes me feel. My brother has RA so I know how painful it can be. He’s had 2 new hips and now his knees hurt. He’s adamant he won’t have any more surgery, but we’ll see. I hope you are able to get the right balance of icing, if any. Take care.
Wow @ouchie! I could only just about wriggle my toes on day one! Know what you mean though early successes don’t mean it’s going to be plain sailing. Have had to leave the icing off all together as you’ll see from my other post. I was really beside myself with pain. It was dreadful and that level has gone now I’ve stopped icing. So I’m hoping to manage with elevation,pain relief and keeping things moving. It’s funny I’ve probably changed my mind about 3 times as to whether I’d ever have the left done and I’m only at day 11
 
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I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better. Remember, you are in very early days. At 11 days post op my body was still trying to figure out what had happened to it. I was just trying to get through the day, I wasn’t looking for improvement.
 
I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better. Remember, you are in very early days. At 11 days post op my body was still trying to figure out what had happened to it. I was just trying to get through the day, I wasn’t looking for improvement.
Yes you’re right it’s about getting through in as gentle a way as possible at this point. All I desperately needed, was some relief from all the combined pain, that was the most important improvement. I know the rest will come.

I think it’s difficult in the beginning too because you have no idea what constitutes “too much” until you’ve done it, so that’s what probably happened last night. A lot of nerve agitation after too much mobility. You have no frame of reference either, so it’s all trial and error.
 
Oh one strange thing. The foot of my operated leg is its usual self no swelling or anything but I noticed yesterday the left foot has become swollen . Just thought that was odd really. There’s nothing else untoward that I can see though
I have read this before, but not that often. It can happen with compensating or favoring, as you're avoiding pain or weakness of your op leg. It can also happen if you're spending more time sitting, due to gravity and the non op foot may swell more if its bearing more of a load currently. So it's usually a reaction to increased strain or circulation changes. If you're aren't already, elevate both legs (toes above nose) stay mobile, within reason, it's very early days for you.

I found using the Activity Progression from the Recovery Guidelines as a rough gauge very helpful -
Week 1
Walks around your home - trips to the bathroom and kitchen count
Be up on your feet several times a day, without getting obsessive about it
A 5-6 minute walk every 3-4 hours is plenty and this can normally be accomplished with a trip to the bathroom or to the kitchen for a snack / drink.
Spend most of your time resting, icing and elevating

Week 2 - add this to previous instructions in Week 1
Walks around your home 3-4 times a day for about 5 minutes without getting into pain, or too fatigued.

Happy Tuesday, beralc! I hope it's a good one.
 
Thanks @Layla. From what you’ve said I think it’s probably the compensation thing. Especially as it’s developed in the last twenty four hours when my mobility increased and I’ve not been putting that leg up with the other. I’ll try elevating that one too. Thanks for the info x
 
@beralc how are you doing, do you feel better from leaving off the ice. It certainly makes you cold to your insides, I always have a blanket and hot water bottle. I also use the ice packs which don't give me twinges. Hard to get right but we have to try all options. Take it easy x
 
@beralc how are you doing, do you feel better from leaving off the ice. It certainly makes you cold to your insides, I always have a blanket and hot water bottle. I also use the ice packs which don't give me twinges. Hard to get right but we have to try all options. Take it easy x
Thanks @Andypandy. Yes I feel so much better since I dropped icing.I really feel a significant change since Monday when I stopped. I had very little sleep on Monday night and consequently a tough day yesterday but the pain was still more bearable. Can you believe it last night apart from waking, taking some medication and going to the bathroom, I slept for over 10 hours!!!!

I’m really trying to approach everything very patiently (very unlike me when it comes to recovering from things) and I’ve felt more in control as a result. It’s all one day at a time isn’t it.

How are you doing?
 
@beralc so pleased for you. If you're feeling better without icing then that's for you. 10 hours sleep, wow never had that even before surgery, 2 to 3 at the moment. After 2 uneventful days, little improvement today, managed usual exercises, getting about regularly, washed a few cups up and knee didn't like the standing, started to swell. It's a fine line how to get this right, if there is a right. Found dangling leg off bed from sitting position, seems to help bend, slowly, slowly. Think I will have to visit my osteopath, maybe tomorrow as back definitely needs a tweak, plus neck. PT at Nuffield Friday pm. Surgeon appointment Monday pm. Not going to worry too much, my knee will let me know what to do I am sure. Take it carefully, so easy to overdo it x
 
Yeah it is a very fine line and I’m sure there will be plenty of times we don’t get it right but we’re learning every time. It’s definitely a lesson in listening to your body and a patience game.

Think when we learning to walk again and having pain it’s easy to become rigid and guarded so hopefully the osteopath will help.

My extension is really good. Very flat to surface without effort, the flexion seems pretty static, but I will have my clips out Friday and some say it’s a little easier after that.
Good luck with your appts and stay strong !
 
I am glad you're finding the approach that works best for you, beralc.
I think you will like getting clips out. It can remove some pressure / tightness which obviously will reduce any discomfort. Also...they're ugly :heehee: My surgeon didn't use them, and I'm thankful, because they remind me of Frankenstein.:wink:
You're doing great! Keep up the good work.
@beralc
 
Frankenstein :heehee:

Yes I’m just taking everything slowly as recommended by everyone here. It’s interesting that how you feel can literally change not just day to day but hour to hour so it’s a constant reminder to be mindful of everything you’re doing
 
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@beralc been to my Osteopath, fitted me in 4.00pm and yes everything tight. Home and resting on bed with hot water bottle, back and knee need thought. X
There aren’t many times in life where we get to really look after ourselves so relax and enjoy. Was it you that said about the ice cream van it’s just pulled up.
 
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