Today is 3 weeks post LTKR

[sykeRN]

Hi Everyone!

Today is 3 weeks after surgery--time has flown. Also yesterday my hubby and I had our 40th anniversary.:D We got married when we were 21--mere kids

I have done well:thmb:----have not experienced too much pain (surprisingly), walk without a cane since first week home around the house and with a cane outside, My ROM is good--126 flex and extension is "straight" and generally I have felt good.

I am still learning each day about recovery. I am raring to go but I am also attempting to listen to my body--sometimes I need to slow down or sleep. I of course have my goal lists (this is what I do) for exercise and everything---however I also experience such gratitude for this life changing surgery. I thank God daily for my life and family and for the opportunity to have less pain and more mobility in my knee.

I also appreciate Bonesmart and all of the wonderful folks that I have met. I hope that I too can help others with my experience.

So-a BIG THANK YOU TO ALL!:wub: Warm Regards. Nancy

 

[geolane22]

Wow Nancy you are doing great. I am at 4 weeks today. Though I am not doing as well as you, I am coming along find. Keep up the good work.
Georgette

 

[SportHog]

Great news Nancy. Sounds like you are progressing well.
And, it just gets better and better.
Cheers, Ross:thmb:

 

[calling_all_angels]

Nancy,
I am so happy to hear that you are doing so well. And Happy belated 40th anniversary.
Our 40th was June 7th. I do not know about you but these 40 years have really flown by in a blink!!!

 

[Josephine]

It's been a pleasure, Nancy. And you have contributed a lot to the forum as well!

 

[Max Wallace]

That's great news!

I find each and every day things that I would never have done prior to surgery. A day does'nt go by that I don't praise the outcome of this procedure. I found it very hard to explain to people who have never had a debilitating pain. They don't understand that just standing without pain is a miracle in its self not to mention all of the activities given up because of the pain. I am a macho type of gut but at about 3 months post op I started crying uncontrolably and my wife, prior to that did'nt fully understand what the years of pain had done to me and others. She now tells everyone she has a new husband.

 

[geolane22]

I am now at 5 weeks, the pain continues every 6 hrs, still can;t get the knee straight (7), still going to PT, hurts really bad to get up after sitting for any time more that 30 mins.
Am I where I should be, how long before the pain lessens? I know we are all different. I do ice it alot, do my exercises most days and also I am doing more than I should be doing. My body seems to want alot of sleep. I can take 2 naps a day and still sleep all night.
Hugs To all of you
Georgette

 

[sykeRN]

Hi Georgette,

I am now at 4 weeks 2 days--still learning much about my recovery!! As I wrote on another post today--I have been exercising a lot each day--attempting to get stronger and begin to become active again. My ROM remains the same--still do not have much pain during the day---BUT my knee plus other body parts ache for a few hours during the night--I think I'm definitely overdoing. I do get stiff like you do if I sit for more than half and hour--I expect that-- since so many on Bonesmart folks reported having this stiffness. I also take naps--mostly one a day--I know that this is normal --YOUR BODY NEEDS TO RECOVER from this big surgery.

I think you are doing fine--I know that MANY people have reported pain for quite a few months and have needed to take their pain medication routinely throughout the day and night. Everyone has their own recovery story. Give yourself a break--nap when you can--ice--do PT and allow yourself to recover. I wish you the best! Hang in there.

 

[Judles]

You.too,Nancy!! Keep up the great recup!! :thmb:

 

[geolane22]

Thank you Nancy, your reply to my post helped me so much. I have been so concerned about the pain still being as intense and as strong as the 2nd week, it doesn't seem to lessen. I will be patient and just continue my recovery.
One thing that happened 1week post op, at my 1st PT appt. In rehab when she pushed down hard on my knee to help straighten it further and it made a painful popping noise. I had no pain post op until that moment. I still think she did something harmful to it , and I have been in pain ever since.

 

[sykeRN]

Hi again Georgette- Well thank you for your kind words!. Not sure about your painful popping noise. Mu home PT was fairly intense--boy did my muscles SCREAM--my knee does make a few noises when worked--never sure anyone else hears it except me!

I'm now at 5 weeks--believe me I'm still learning a LOT from my own recovery. Still feel like I am doing well--AND I continue to push myself some--even though I have NOT made anymore goal charts in the past week--and I do know that my body pays me back in some pain/aches for my OVER efforts. It's such a balancing act--one step forward--a step back--finding what my body can do each day.

I do not have a lot of "knee pain" --but my other body parts are trying to figure this all out---sometimes my hips hurt--my lower back feels strange--last couple days my left calf (surgery knee side) has hurt--my shoulders have hurt etc. I think my new way of walking is causing all of this--certainly I used to limp when I walked and could not straighten my knee--now my body is saying--Hey!!!---this is different--new muscles being used etc. (I think from other past posts that Bonesmart people have experienced the same).

I did have a few FIRSTS though yesterday--I went up and down--slowly-steps to our upper level(15) foot over foot holding onto the railing. Haven't done this for 2 years! Also we took a ride in our boat--had to walk down a hill and then walk onto our dock-then into the boat. All went fine-I was a happy lady--but my left calf still hurts like I lightly strained a muscle.

So--today is a new day. Today besides a walk and some time on my exercise bike-I'm going to do some strengthening exercises for my back, hips and legs. I'm still very grateful for my knee.

Hang in there--you're doing great. If you are worried about your knee--call your OS office. Warm regards!!

 

[Jamie]

Nancy, some giant milestones accomplished here. There ARE no small ones. You are doing fabulous for this early in recovery!! I'm so proud of you. Just remember to try not to do ALL your milestones at once! :hehe:

 

[Texas]

Yep I agree Nacny hang in there it gets better ea day....I hope real soon for you.......I hope you can sleep thru the night soon............)

 

[Motherofmany]

Thank you Nancy, your reply to my post helped me so much. I have been so concerned about the pain still being as intense and as strong as the 2nd week, it doesn't seem to lessen. I will be patient and just continue my recovery.
One thing that happened 1week post op, at my 1st PT appt. In rehab when she pushed down hard on my knee to help straighten it further and it made a painful popping noise. I had no pain post op until that moment. I still think she did something harmful to it , and I have been in pain ever since.

The first time I moved my LTKR after surgery, right after they had transfered me to my room, there was a very loud pop. It scared my husband and me. I rang for the nurse and spoke to my OS when he came in to check on me. He said it was not uncommon and was probably just some trapped air/gas. I thought great, this will be embarrassing if my knee continues to pass gas!

Also during my third home PT session about day 8, I had a bit more swelling around the knee joint and was unable to straighten the leg to the satisfaction of my PT. He is 6'7" and a rather large muscular man. In his infinite wisdom, (not!) he decided to press down on the patella to try to force the extension. I screamed and told him to stop immediately before I passed out from the pain. I then proceeded to scold him for causing unneccessary pain and possible soft tissue swelling. I had just spent the day before at the massage therapist working on some tough areas that were spasming out of control and he was fully aware of it. My MT did some deep tissue massage to break loose the over taut muscle that was hindering my walking and ability to move without pain. This in turn caused some additional swelling. I refused to allow him to man handle me. He complied and allowed me some time to recoop from the incident and we even shared lunch since I hadn't eaten in over 5 hours and was very weak and nausiated. That seemed to help me get through the rest of therapy, however the patella and area around it was very tender for many days afterwards. I did pass out after he left and slept for the majority of the day. I also insisted on having pt every other day to allow some down time for healing and rest. No use over stressing the knee and causing injury and set-backs. This has not hindered my recovery, in fact my LTKR is already more flexible than the RTKR that is 5 months older.

Don't allow anyone to bully you or cause you unneccessary pain. No amount of overpressure is going to cause improvement, it will only cause swelling and pain and set you back. Keep your pain managed by taking the pain meds as prescribed whether you feel you need them or not. This is advice that I have taken serious from Jo and am benefiting by not having the swelling, uncontrolled pain and sleeplessness that I experienced the last time around.

Check with your OS, PT or Massage Therapist if you have one about possible soft tissue swelling. My outpatient PT is hands on and has been successful in massaging the area and getting the soft tissue swelling to release. The first time this happened after my MUA on the RTKR, I was able to get on the bike and pedal around for the first time ever. It gave that much relieve. Things continued to improve after that. Swelling and pain can definitely hinder your ROM and progress and cause depression and frustration.

Hope you get some relief soon and continue on with a pain-free recooperation.

Blessings,