Tkr

[star]

Hiya. This is my first message on the forum, so i hope i am doing it ok. I had a TKR 2 weeks ago now and i was sent home after 5 days. I got a 85 degree bend and could lift my knee quite high, so the consultant told me that i could go if i agreed to have a couple physio sessions. So here i am. I have a very weepy wound and have had 2 swabs taken from it. The first has come back fine. I find it very difficult to sleep, as i have been told that i cannot lay as i would normally, but to lay on my back and keep my bad leg still so as not to twist it. I normally put it on a pillow. What with that and wearing the lovely stockings they give you in the hospital. I have been unable to sleep through heat on my legs and weight of the duvet, of which i have had to replace with a lighter one. Has anybody else had this problem and how do you cope with it??

 

[Jamie]

Welcome, star! So glad you decided to become part of our family. We are a crazy bunch, but there is almost always someone to talk to here when you need a mental boost. Our resident medical expert, Josephine, will probably chime in here soon for you. She ALWAYS has great ideas to help you get through recovery. I am a bit confused by your advice to only sleep on your back. No one ever told me that in recovery. In fact it was just the opposite. They wanted me to bend and stretch in different ways to keep the scar tissue from building up and gain mobility. Maybe your advice has something to do with the fact that your wound is still draining. I would talk to your doctor again and find out why you must sleep on your back. Tell him/her that you are having difficulty. You need your rest!! It does sound like you have a good start on getting your range of motion back, though! Let us know how things go!

 

[JenniferG]

Hi star and welcome. It gets better, promise. I'm 3 and a half weeks BTKR. I've heard of keeping it straight and elevated. while you are sleeping initially. I think elevated is the most important. But also like jamie said, you've got to bend and move sometimes though to keep things going. Are you in physical therapy yet? I had a nice flannel flat sheet. gave me warmth and softness but not as heavy as blanket. and if I got really hot I'd just stick my feet out. They are a good control of hot & cold on the body.

 

[star]

Welcome, star! So glad you decided to become part of our family. We are a crazy bunch, but there is almost always someone to talk to here when you need a mental boost. Our resident medical expert, Josephine, will probably chime in here soon for you. She ALWAYS has great ideas to help you get through recovery. I am a bit confused by your advice to only sleep on your back. No one ever told me that in recovery. In fact it was just the opposite. They wanted me to bend and stretch in different ways to keep the scar tissue from building up and gain mobility. Maybe your advice has something to do with the fact that your wound is still draining. I would talk to your doctor again and find out why you must sleep on your back. Tell him/her that you are having difficulty. You need your rest!! It does sound like you have a good start on getting your range of motion back, though! Let us know how things go!

High Jamie. Thanks for that. I hate laying on my back, and am getting no sleep. My drain didn't work in my leg so they took it out, and i have now got lots of weeping of which i have had to have a swab taken. Hope to have the staples out on Monday so will ask about it then, as it is driving me around the bend. I don't sleep well normally but this is even worse. I will let you know though. I am glad i found this forum, especially as everybody know how it feels.

 

[star]

Hi star and welcome. It gets better, promise. I'm 3 and a half weeks BTKR. I've heard of keeping it straight and elevated. while you are sleeping initially. I think elevated is the most important. But also like jamie said, you've got to bend and move sometimes though to keep things going. Are you in physical therapy yet? I had a nice flannel flat sheet. gave me warmth and softness but not as heavy as blanket. and if I got really hot I'd just stick my feet out. They are a good control of hot & cold on the body.

Hi Jennifer. The first thing i did was ditch the duvet that i had. It was a kingsize and was very heavy so i bought a single quilt which is lighter and i turn it around so my feet are outside. That bit works well, its just having to keep my leg still so it doesnt twist. I am having Physio at the local centre on Tuesday. Not sure what it involves and cant say im looking forward to it. I do my excercises at home as much as i can, but have been told to take it easy as i have lots of weeping, and a swab has been taken which came back ok.

 

[JenniferG]

I am having Physio at the local centre on Tuesday. Not sure what it involves and cant say im looking forward to it. I do my excercises at home as much as i can, but have been told to take it easy.

I had that concern as well. I thought it might be BRUTAL. It wasn't. It is similar to what you're doing now. Down the road things progress and get kicked up a notch (pun there!), but not on day one. It was actually nice to have the outing after lying around home so much trying to heal. Got to see real grownups! take your pain pills, relax and maybe even have fun. And when you come home take a good nap.

 

[star]

I had that concern as well. I thought it might be BRUTAL. It wasn't. It is similar to what you're doing now. Down the road things progress and get kicked up a notch (pun there!), but not on day one. It was actually nice to have the outing after lying around home so much trying to heal. Got to see real grownups! take your pain pills, relax and maybe even have fun. And when you come home take a good nap.

Thanks. I'll let you know how i get on.

 

[Josephine]

Hey star! Sounds a bit of a bummer to have a weepy wound. Hope it dries up soon for you. Most of those kinds of weepiness are fairly superficial but do make sure you stick with the antibiotics. Absolutely crucial, I promise you.

Which hospital did you go to? Which surgeon. (I always ask the UK members - I'm just plain nosy!)

 

[star]

Hey star! Sounds a bit of a bummer to have a weepy wound. Hope it dries up soon for you. Most of those kinds of weepiness are fairly superficial but do make sure you stick with the antibiotics. Absolutely crucial, I promise you.

Which hospital did you go to? Which surgeon. (I always ask the UK members - I'm just plain nosy!)

Hi Josephine. Had my staples out today. ( ouchhhhhhhhhhhhh). Still weeping but a couple of weeps out of 42 stitches isnt bad i suppose. It feels a bit easier at the moment. I asked about the swab and it is ok. No infection. The hospital was Kettering General, in Northants, which is well known for having bugs, but have cleaned up their act. The surgeon was Mr.Biswaz. A wonderful gentleman. I finish my antibiotics tonight.

 

[Josephine]

Oh yes - I know (of) Kettering. Not a bad hospital as far as provincial hospitals go.

 

[star]

Oh yes - I know (of) Kettering. Not a bad hospital as far as provincial hospitals go.

I can't fault the hospital at all. Everybody did their level best to look after you andmake you feel as comfortable as possible. The cnsultant was lovely and a bit of a funny man, as he was always saying things to make you laugh. By the way, all the weeping is healing and leg is very bruised. I can see it all now the dressiing and the stitches have been sorted. Have been given more excercises and they are very gruelling but obviously neccessary. The worst part of this operation, I am finding, is that I get bored out of my brain through lack of being able to get about, and I am normally so active. I'm finding it hard to comes to terms with the fact I have to slow down.

 

[JenniferG]

Yes the walls do start to close in. Thank goodness for the computer and this forum. Lends a little outside contact in the beginning.

 

[star]

Yes the walls do start to close in. Thank goodness for the computer and this forum. Lends a little outside contact in the beginning.

I certainly agree with that xx