Guest viewing is limited

TKR Tough Going <

@MimiMimi Do you have a friend who has had a knee replacement or perhaps a nurse to go with you? Usually if there is someone who knows what is going on I feel like I have someone on my side. Have the X-rays to check to see if the knee is structurally sound. As far as using a walker I would suggest trying to use a cane in your house for a little bit of time and slowly build up. It is scary to feel unsteady when walking in different places. I still may use a cane when I'm in areas with hills to make sure I don't fall. Use whatever you need to walk with a regular stride with confidence.
 
For me it was the PT who was all "scare talk" about "if you don't get to x, he may want to do an mua." The OS himself was much more low key as it turns out. He just had me show him what my bend was and said keep doing your exercises and that it would take a while.

I was also lucky as from the outset he was honest that full recovery could take a year.
 
@KarriB that's great! What is the name of his practice?Maybe his website has a paper on it like some do with "What to expect" information like some practices do! Help me Obiwan Kenobi You're my only hope!
Yes, taking s friend might be a good idea. Y'all will be proud of me for cancelling my PT for the next few days.
 
My doctor still tells new patients that recuperation time is 3 months and the key is aggressive PT. I overheard him say that to a perspective patient. Five minutes before he told me it could take up to a year to fully recover. Why not say that in the beginning? I guess it depends on your definition of recovery.
 
There's nothing on my OS site. The practice even has a PT affliated with it and no statements. I read it somewhere on line and can't find it again.
 
Hi folks! What would you consider a reasonable amount of pain meds at 5.5 weeks post op? I'm on 10 mg Oxycodone evey 4 hours, though I'm trying to space it out to 5 hours and I've had considerably more pain like that.
Do you think 10 mgs every 4 hours is excessive? Maybe I should take 5 mg every 4 hours instead of trying to space it out. Of course, before exercising, I don't skimp. @Josephine any thoughts?
TKR Sept 29, 2015
 
If you still need the meds then I see no problem using them as the doctor prescribed them. My pain levels increased when I was doing too much. I went to the no pain no gain school of though therapists. It actually made things worse. I was also trying to do too many other activities at the same time. Your knee will wean you off the meds when it's time.
 
If it is what your Dr prescribed then it is not excessive. Everyone's pain tolerance is different. I have 2 friends that both had the same surgeon and one friend took 3 pain pills and that was it. Other friend woke up crying in recovery because of severe pain and was on narcotics for 3 months. It is different for everyone. My OS will prescribe narcotics for 3 months.

Don't compare yourself to anyone else and remember if you are in pain it will slow down your recovery. You will cut back when you are able.
 
The time to cut back your pain meds is when you start forgetting to take a dose, not when you feel you should cut back.
That you felt increased pain when you spaced the doses 5 hours apart indicates that you're not yet ready to cut back.
 
MimiMimi said:
What would you consider a reasonable amount of pain meds at 5.5 weeks post op? I'm on 10mg Oxycodone evey 4 hours, though I'm trying to space it out to 5 hours and I've had considerably more pain like that. Do you think 10mgs every 4 hours is excessive? Maybe I should take 5 mg every 4 hours instead of trying to space it out
Click to expand...
A "reasonable amount" is like asking how long is a piece of string! Everyone is different. I only know that for my first knee I was taking the full whack of my prescribed meds (100mg Tramadol and 1,000mg acetaminophen) ever 6 hours for about 4 months and needed it. Second knee was totally different because I had Exparel injected into my knee at close of surgery (miracle drug!). But the fact you are experiencing 'considerably more pain' when you try to take less should tell you all you need to know really. This business isn't about working to a prearranged schedule regardless, it's about listening to your body and knee and being guided by the experience. It really isn't rocket science.

I would also ask what kind of PT exercises and exercises at home are you doing? How much and how often?

Can you detail it like these examples?

Exercises done at home: 3 sessions a day
Heel slides x10 (reps)
Strait leg raises x10
Steps x10

At PT
Squats x5 (reps) x2 (sets)
Wall slides x5 x2
Clamshells X5 x2
 
Hi @Josephine. I had Experel. If it is a miracle drug, I would hate to see what it would have been like without it. I think it gave me horrible depression too, but I digress. I took your advice and stopped two sessions of PT this week but I am going today with very assertive boundaries in mind.

As far as the meds go, I will let the knee guide me.
Exercises done at home: 2 sessions a day
Heel slides x10 (reps) 2
Strait leg raises x10 2
Steps x10 I have not done anything on steps.
I am walking around the house with my walker ( I am so ready to heave it out the window ) grabbing some yogurt out off the fridge, making myself a cup of tea, that kind of thing. I have been on a few outings other than PT, but I paid dearly for them. The last outing was to bible study/prayer group and it was worth the price for the fellowship. encouragement and prayer. It is just so boring to stay in the house !
 
MimiMimi said:
I had Experel. I think it gave me horrible depression
Click to expand...
It cannot do that - it's only lidcocaine! If it didn't work then it wasn't used correctly.
MimiMimi said:
I am walking around the house with my walker ( I am so ready to heave it out the window )
Click to expand...
Why are you still using a walker? In the UK TKR patients are only given a walker for about 24hrs and after that, it's crutches. That was my experience with both times. I say heave itout of the window and get yourself some crutches - but do get the crutches first!
MimiMimi said:
It is just so boring to stay in the house !
Click to expand...
I know it is but that's the price we pay for having painfree knees!
 
@Josephine it seems like in the US everyone wants us to use walkers. We're told crutches (and canes) would cause us to be unsteady. Walkers are used for a few weeks and then to 1cane based on PT decision.
 
I can't use crutches. I have psoriatic arthritis. Im in a major flare right now and have sore wrists, shoulders and elbows. Exparel is bupivicaine. It says, right on the patient info leaflet that it can cause anxiety and depression. I'll try to find it and snap a photo.
 
MimiMimi said:
Exparel is bupivacaine.
Click to expand...
Then I mustn't have had Exparel as my chap said he'd used lidocaine. He had previously mentioned Exparel so perhaps I got it wrong. I shall ask him when I see him 5 weeks time.

I've also checked three quality drug information sites, Drugs.com, British National Formulary and Drugin.fonlm.nih.gov and not one of them mention any mental health issues with bupivacaine. I've also worked with it for years and never heard of it before. It's just a local anaesthetic after all.

Will be interested to see your paper.
 
I hope it shows up. It mainly mentions anxiety and lightheadedness and solomnence, in particular 5 to 1 vs. placebo I got a message saying my picture file was too large, but here is the actual website exparel.com if you want to look around.
 
You should be ready for a cane soon, I'd think. Everyone is different, but usually after a few weeks people seem to graduate to a cane. Mainly just for a little extra support/steadying.
 
I sure hope so! I'd like to be on a cane when I see the OS on Monday!
 
Try the cane in the house. Concentrate on keeping your hips level and take small steps. You should be able to get a good feel for it with a few trips up & down a hallway. Mix the walker in if you feel like it helps you with coordination.

I actually use a hiking stick/pole with the spring loaded tip as it cushions the impact. That may help you since you have arthritis.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The difference in approaches is interesting.
Here in NZ, I started with a walking frame in hospital, for about 36 hours.
Then I was shown how to use crutches, which I used for about 3 weeks. I used two crutches but, as I got stronger, I would gradually use only one crutch around the house.
When I was confident on only one crutch, I started using it outside as well.
After a couple of weeks, I replaced my one crutch with just a cane.

Using that approach, I found the gradual reduction in support was easy. I just made the changes when I felt ready.

It seems like a big change to go straight from a walker to a stick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Staff online

Members online

Total: 2,324 (members: 3, guests: 2,321)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom