TKR TKRs 20 November 2021 & 31 December 2021

[ginben72]

H - having had two knee replacements - left 20 November 2021 and right 31 December 2021, - had done really well. Had done all my physio and "graduated" lol did some physical therapy sessions at the gym (water and light walking and bike), went for a 3/6km beach walk because i felt amazing, also climbed some stairs one leg on each stair, and then a few days later started getting worse and worse. Couldn't put weight on right leg, excruciating pain in bed, trying to roll onto left side (pain in left leg) initially diagnosed as sciatica. Which it wasn't as didn't respond to lyrica.

Cant take anti inflammatories because I've had full gastric bypass surgery as well. Plus they also flare my asthma. Had a CT scan which didn't include my hip, everything ok except all discs in back building.

3.5 week wait for an ultra sound and said some fluid in trochanteric bursa - symptoms of this are exactly what I've been experiencing even though i did have a cortisone to the SI joint as I had a lot of glute pain as well. Feels like my butt is always clenched LOL but its not.

I think it could also be a problem with my gait - or maybe doing too much too soon. Am having cortisone injection to this bursa as well because I can't take anti inflammatories so hopefully this sorts it out. Had been to my physio who said siatica, and my chiro who i felt broke my cocyyx in the process.

The issues is my right side, for 15+ years I needed that knee replaced so lent on my left side. That knee was bad hence why I had that done first. Short of going back to my surgeon I would be interested to hear from anyone with two and a similar issue perhaps? thanks for your help/advice and input.

 

[Jaycey]

@ginben72 Welcome to BoneSmart! I think you have answered your own question. You had 2 major surgeries in a very short space of time. If that right knee needed surgery for a very long time it is going to take time to heal.

Too much, too soon often results in bursitis. Rest, ice and elevation can help this calm down.

What is your activity level now?

I'll leave our recovery guidelines here for you. It's not too late to get back on track.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines
We are all different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for YOU.“ Your doctor(s), physiotherapist(s) and BoneSmart are here to help. But you have the final decision as to what approach you use.

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. At week 4 and after you should follow this Activity progression for TKRs

6. Access these pages on the website

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

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.