Bilateral TKR Toodles Recovery Thread

[Creation]

@Toodle68,

You seem to be progressing really well! I also noticed how annoying it is to have to go to the washroom so often at night. i was getting up a lot more during the 1 st week but now it is easing off to twice a night. My mouth was so dry all the time that I would continuously sip water. I am better now. Hope you get into a nice rhythm soon, such a pain to get in and out of bed and then get all set up again to be comfortable!

 

[kneeper]

All the trips to the bathroom are good exercise but annoying overnight!

 

[Toodle68]

Day 17.. Had a little setback moving from rehab to home. My last PT in rehab was Tuesday (day 12). I left rehab Wed and rested. Thursday was initial home visits from PT and nurse. By the time I started exercising again and had PT on Friday, I had dropped from 90 degrees to under 80.

We worked over the weekend on exercisers and had PT again today. 96 on my Left and 94 on my Right. I am walking around the house with just a cane and most times putting that down when in the kitchen. Able to get up and down the steps ok with handrail and cane.

I am getting a little bone ache in my left leg but otherwise the only pain is during exercising and PT.

The frequent trips during the night to pee has nearly stopped. I am able to get up and use the bathroom during the night but wife wants me to keep using the bottle since my walker makes a racket..

We did have one issue with me coming home.. our bed is very high off the ground but I found this on Amazon and overnighted it.. working really well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EWVP80?tag=ate362da-20

Reading some other people's experiences and how it relates to my own, I am so very lucky to have spent 9 days at an amazing rehab center. I went from being barely able to bend to practically walking out unaided (had they let me) and with a 90 rom.

My wife has been a rock throughout all this.. we went out for dinner last night. I was craving a steak. Just needed the cane to get from car to table, but did need to move around a lot and keep my legs moving throughout the meal.

So far.. feeling ok.

 

[Celle]

It's good to hear you're doing so well.

Do remember, though, that PT should not hurt. Discomfort - yes. Pain - no.

 

[Toodle68]

Thanks.. and yes, it is more discomfort than pain..

 

[Toodle68]

Day 19.. after having a great day Monday, I had an awful day Tuesday. A dull ache in both legs all day. I could not get comfortable. Could not sleep well.. Today I woke up and all was well again.. The unpredictable change from 1 day to the next is exhausting.

Had PT again today.. managed to get 100 on both knees. My right knee still feels heavy and tight even though it does not look swollen. Walking foot over foot going up the stairs. Not quiet at a point where I can lift myself up from sitting down without the cane, but getting close..

 

[Celle]

You're doing very well.

Don't try to rush things. Your knees will tell you when they're ready to do new things.

I'm sorry you had d couple of bad days, but that'a what happens with this recovery. It's a sort of "two steps forward and one step back" progress, or you could liken it to a roller coaster ride. Sometimes, you'll even seem to come to a halt for a while, before moving forward again.