TKR Total Left Knee

[silkies3]

My surgery is early tomorrow morning so I’m starting this entry today. I had my right knee done in 2016 and 2 more surgeries on it since then. I hope this knee surgery goes well

 

[Tykey]

So do we!
Good luck and tell us how it went.

 

[sistersinhim]

Good luck tomorrow. We'll be waiting to hear from you. I leave you a refresher for your reading.

The following are our basic guidelines and should help get you started. As you read more on other members recovery threads, you’ll get a better perspective of what to expect and what not to do, especially regarding PT.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

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. Here is a week-by-week guide for Activity progression for TKRs


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.

 

[silkies3]

Thank you. My surgery went very well. I am home recovering after 1 overnight in the hospital. The left knee is much easier than my right knee replacement. I am very happy about that The visiting PT came to my home today to get me started on rehab. All Is well so far except for the pain but that’s to be expected. Lots of icing and elevating also

 

[LD of Michigan]

Me too for overnight. I did not want to do same day. I like that they start you on rehab fast. It's not a surgery to lay down on! Up and about is key as you probably know from going thru it before. Keep us posted!

 

[loneshark64]

I also was this past week. One night in hospital.Kind of in the same shape you are.
On track , next two weeks ride it out

 

[Starsfan22]

You newbies have a target date, February 2! Superbowl Sunday is a goal date to be past the first couple of weeks. Onward to healing from there. Good luck!

 

[Jockette]

While I was reading your thread, I missed the one about your return home on Saturday! Glad your settled in your own nest. Keep letting us know how you’re doing.

I’m not surprised you missed that post, way back in post number 4.

This thread has gotten way off topic with many posts that have nothing to do with silkies3. This is what we call derailing a thread. This is silkies3’s recovery thread and should be encouraging her, not other members conversing with each other.

Forum etiquette - being polite when posting

We make every effort to keep BoneSmart a pleasant, positive environment so all members are comfortable within our community. Some "do's and don'ts" for posting are included in our forum rules, but a little more detail is provided here. Read and abide by the forum rules BoneSmart has...

bonesmart.org

Please take any further comments to the recent topic to one of your own threads.

 

[LD of Michigan]

That had to be good Silkies as your weather there is similar to ours and who'd need to go out. In that you've had your left knee operated on driving can occur sooner if you drive.

How are you coming along today?

I am very happy about that The visiting PT came to my home today to get me started on rehab.

 

[Celle]

I have moved several of the off-topic posts from this thread. Please remember that this thread is about silkies3's recovery, not about discussions of other issues.

 

[silkies3]

I am 4 weeks post-op now The knee incision has healed well. My surgeon doesn’t use staples TG. I still have swelling so constant elevation helps me After my 2 previous TKR. I find having a rented hospital bed at home is great for elevation And better sleep.I also learned that recovering in a recliner or couch is the worst for my leg and knee. Pillows for elevating didn’t provide stable and consistent support so I purchased a leg elevator memory foam device. My pain is much less than my other knee even when doing Pt . At the end of my pt sessions I receive stim machine and ice. That really feels great. Today my ROM was 94 and increasing weekly. My next goal is to cycle a full rotation on my stationary bike.

 

[Jockette]

It sounds like you’re coming along very well!