Revised PKR to TKR Tosh's PKR to TKR Recovery.

[Legseleven]

It’s all progress @Tosh30. I’m still in shorts or dresses as my scar is still understandably sensitive. A silicon type strip can help with this, simply for protection from fabric. I used them last year.
The numb patches will shrink and lessen, but often a little numbness on the surface can remain and that’s all normal, and becomes unnoticeable. It’s far too soon for the scar to feel comfortable and become non-reactive. I put scar cream on twice a day on mine too, and that helps.

Inflammation is a normal part of healing after any injury, illness or surgery. Often it’s internal and we don’t even think about it, especially as we can’t see it. Bodies are marvellous things however we have to give them time to do their magic. Patience is key, it’s boring and frustrating but an integral part of the exclusive joint revision process. There are so many of us in the JR club too.

Please remember you are 8 weeks, almost 9, out of 52 for full joint healing and many members find the knees improve even further in the second years and beyond.

My extension is gradually improving, I’ve walked 5k steps daily, over the whole day, for the last few days with no issue. These are over several walks plus my chores. I make sure to rest enough and not over do it. It’s challenging at times, I’m sure this knee will be fine, as it’s working well and the time spent recovering will be well worth it. I tell myself it’s my main job now.

All will be well, please just give it time.

 

[Tosh30]

Good days at PT Tues and today. The lidocaine patches help with sleeping. Feel like the path is smoother now than in the past few weeks. As LE says, it's my main job

 

[Legseleven]

It is our jobs @Tosh30 for a bit longer.
Just now I cut the small lawn, and now I’m icing. See how the knees react to this new task over the next 24 hrs. I figure hanging on to the little mower is kinda like having a stick or crutch, and it makes me feel good to be able to do it. A little more of normal life returning.

 

[sistersinhim]

Normal life is what this surgery is all about!

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary, Tosh!
Thanks for sharing your journey here. I hope you have a lovely weekend!
@Tosh30

 

[Tosh30]

Thanks @Layla. It's been a decent ride. Still staying positive. Week 10 started this Monday.

Knee swelling hasn't diminished, clicking in it continues, but I think I'm slowly gaining back strength. We walked back home twice from dinner, which is about .5mi, with little issue other than I can feel the swelling push against knee parts. It doesn't hurt, but it's there, a bit uncomfortable, and is a constant reminder that I'm still healing. The skin sensitivity remains, but Lidocaine patches and a soft knee sleeve make nights much easier. I have started going back to the gym on Saturdays to work my upper body. I'm not taking any chances with the knee, so all exercises are on a bench or machine. Still on Celebrex.

Documenting my journey last year on this platform has given me the opportunity to look back on what it was like and put the two experiences into perspective. If I'm feeling like it's not working out, I read where I was last year. I'm clearly ahead of the pain that I had with the partials, but the pain is different and in slightly different places. As Asia once sang, only time will tell, so I continue to ice, heal, and remain thankful. T-minus 12 days until my first plane ride and focusing on what I need to be doing for that to be comfortable. Ciao for now!

 

[Layla]

Hi Tosh,
Glad you're remaining positive, you have every reason to be. You're making good progress. If you're no longer icing, consider it for the swelling, especially if you're noticing it after activity, like the walks you mentioned.
Thanks for documenting your recoveries here. Not only has it benefitted you in looking back, but each experience brings unique aspects and you never know who may benefit through your words or healing journey.

Some travel tips -
Pack light. One medium size bag you can check and a carry-on. Make sure the bag has sturdy wheels. Pack any pain medications in your carry on luggage.

If possible, get a ride to and from the airport, getting dropped off at your terminal gate. Find out which airlines have curbside check in. You might want to book with that airline.

When you book your flight, you can request handicapped assistance. This involves a wheelchair and a porter to help assist as you sit in the wheelchair. The porter will check your bag and take you to the gate. You'll board before other passengers and can take the wheelchair all the way down the ramp if necessary.

Try to book an aisle seat so you are able to stretch out into the aisle, if needed.

Whenever possible, book a direct flight so you don't have to change planes. Otherwise you'll need wheelchair assistance at every airport where you switch planes.

Once on the plane, ask the flight attendant if they will arrange for a wheelchair to be waiting at the gate when you arrive. Bring some zip lock bags and ask the flight attendant for ice to use in flight if you feel it will make you more comfortable.

Check with your doctor for approval before flying.
Wear compression socks to prevent a potential blood clot.
Get up and walk every 30 minutes or so.
Stay hydrated by drinking water and avoiding alcohol and coffee.
Stretch and flex your muscles often while seated. Do calf squeezes and ankle pumps
Check on a bulkhead seat if there are no available isle seats and first class is not an option.

Hopefully you'll find some of the suggestions useful.
Best Wishes for a safe trip and fantastic time in Italy. Please consider posting an update in the interest of others upon your return noting how navigating the airport and the flight was, also sharing any tips you found helpful.
@Tosh30

 

[benne68]

Documenting my journey last year on this platform has given me the opportunity to look back on what it was like and put the two experiences into perspective. If I'm feeling like it's not working out, I read where I was last year.

YES! Our memories can be foggy -- especially when it comes to dealing with pain. It's so valuable to be able to go back and read what was actually happening to us at each phase of recovery. That's exactly why we encourage members to keep a journal.

Thank you for confirming this, and enjoy your upcoming travels!

 

[Legseleven]

but the pain is different and in slightly different places.

I second this. I have more pain intermittent currently than at the same time last year. For me ice was more beneficial last year.
Enjoy your trip, Layla’s given great information.
Bon Voyage.

 

[Tosh30]

It's a new week, but I don't have any PT scheduled. Insured visits are exhausted, so now it's out of pocket. I'm planning to go in one more time this week, prior to leaving for Italy on Sunday. I'm not inclined to do more than I'm doing right now, but we'll see what PT says. No pain meds at all now. That doesn't mean there isn't discomfort, but rather it's not painful. Skin irritation has gone down a little bit, enough to sometimes sleep without a pain patch. Going downstairs is still a little painful, but not enough to stop me from practicing. Going down sideways is the plan for now.

 

[Legseleven]

You’ve done really well. I think I’m currently on a plateau, and that’s normal. The improvements do become smaller and slower. I still have some acetaminophen as and when, but not all the time. I can go up stairs alternating but not all the time. I can even alternate down on the small 3 step set, with both arms supporting on the bannisters and I’m careful not to overdo it, as I know I’m not at that point yet. It was 11 w on Monday.
Enjoy your trip and just keep moving often. Don’t worry if you get more swelling and stiffness, this too will pass, and please wear your compression stockings for the flights. We look forward to hearing about it all.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Wednesday Tosh,
You're doing really well at only two and a half months post op. I'll bet you're excited for Italy. I hope you have a wonderful month while away creating new memories! Don't forget the ankle pumps, ankle circles, heel slides, glute squeezes, gentle seated marching, toe / heel lifts or any others you can think of like walking the aisles when it feels safe that you're not annoying the flight attendants. All of a sudden the flight doesn't sound too relaxing. Better safe than sorry though. Please update us upon your return and share any travel tips that you found useful for the benefit of others.
Buon viaggio! Goditi la dolce vita! (Have a good trip, have fun, enjoy!)
@Tosh30

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary, Tosh!
I hope your time in Italy is going well. Can't wait to hear about it upon your return...hoping you'll have a scenic pic to share and maybe some valuable travel tips you learned through experience. Cheers to good times and a safe return home!
@Tosh30

 

[EalingGran]

Going downstairs is still a little painful, but not enough to stop me from practicing

You're doing really well for relatively early on still.
Have a great trip!

 

[Tosh30]

Travel knee update...thanks for checking up on it.
Plane ride went better than expected. I wore a compression sleeve for the entire time. Week 1 in Milan was easy and got some practice walking around. The roads are a little more updated and paved. Most days logged 4-5K steps, with one day at 12K. Week 2 had short trips where no day went over 5K. The smaller towns like Stresa and Acona were old roads with lots of cobblestone. Week 3 has had lots of walking, so far averaging 9K per day (with 15K yesterday in Venice). Today and tomorrow are work days, so not much walking and I'll do my at home PT today (which I've only done 3x since I've been here - twice in Milan at the hotel gym, and once at the lake house rental). Either my quad is getting stronger, or I'm not noticing any instable steps. Milan had a few instances a day. Yet yesterday's 15k steps, I didn't notice one until the end of the day. I'm taking that as progress. I haven't taken anything harder than Ibuprofen. I stocked up on a medrol pack, tramadol, muscle relaxers, and lidocaine patches. Nothing on that list has been used at all, save a few patches. I'm taking that as progress too. Downstairs still a little painful, but still using it as practice/PT.

 

[benne68]

What a great report, @Tosh30! You are having an amazing recovery.

 

[Layla]

Hi Tosh,
Sounds like you're doing really well! Glad to read the flight was easier than expected.
It's wonderful that you're staying physically active and enjoying your time there. I wish you safe travels homes when the time comes.
@Tosh30

 

[Legseleven]

Great going @Tosh30 thanks for updating us, and enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

[sistersinhim]

Wow, what an amazing post!

 

[Tosh30]

What a great report, @Tosh30! You are having an amazing recovery.

Thank you