TKR Trinket's TKR Recovery

[trinket]

I reached a milestone today. Went ice fishing! Never thought I'd be able to go this season, and yet here we are. I still have swelling and tightness in my knee but was able to enjoy a day on the ice and catch some beautiful fish.

 

[sistersinhim]

I changed your title for you.

Two beautiful fish. What kind are they and can you eat them? There is nothing like fresh fish! Did the cold hurt your new knee? Some of us have found that really cold weather makes them ache. I find it strange that icing our knees feels great but cold weather makes it hurt.

 

[trinket]

They're called crappies here in Minnesota. They are delicious eating fried or in fish tacos.

Yes, my knee did ache a bit from the cold. I wear insulated flotation pants so it was a little warmer than it normally would be outside for so long. I also have boots with ice cleats so felt pretty secure on the ice, but taking a fall was my biggest worry. I was very careful. It felt so good to do something I thought would have to wait until next year.

 

[Jockette]

I love the ice fishing photo, you go, girl! And, it’s nice to meet you!

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary!
Nice fish trinket! I used to go ice fishing with my hubs all the time many years ago, but haven't been in quite a few years. Seeing your pic brings back memories. I think the fish houses have to be off the lake this weekend in my neck of the woods. It's that time of year. Spring is almost here and it will be a good one for you with your brand new knee. Have a great week!
@trinket

 

[trinket]

Thanks Layla. The last three months has gone by quickly. Can't believe I thought I would want to be doing my second knee replacement at three months. There is no way I'm ready for that yet. My surgeon recommended, and I concur, that I will enjoy the summer, let my right knee continue to heal, and have my left knee replacement this fall (after fishing season). There is still plenty of room for improvement on this right knee.

Last night I went to a crowded basketball game. It was my first time in a large, pushing crowd and I was a bit nervous. My balance and gait are definitely improving.

 

[Layla]

I agree with waiting to have your Left TKR as long as you're able to live in reasonable comfort. I don't believe I could go back for round two that quickly either. For me, I'd base my decision on how limited my mobility is and what level of pain I deal with most often.

The pressure of a large crowd at this point in recovery can make you feel anxious for sure. While you're beyond using an assistive device, you may consider a fold up cane to use if you attend crowded events on a regular basis. I believe you can purchase one for around $20-$25 at Walmart, Walgreens, places like that. A cane signals people to give you space and they normally do. Just a thought, especially because you could reuse it after your next TKR once you're really beyond needing it. I mention fold up because you can easily carry it in a large enough handbag, or lightweight tote bag in places such as the crowded sporting event. Happy Monday!
@trinket

 

[EalingGran]

While you're beyond using an assistive device, you may consider a fold up cane to use if you attend crowded events on a regular basis. I believe you can purchase them for around $20-$25 at Walmart, Walgreens, places like that. A cane signals people to give you space and they normally do. Just a thought

Agree.
I travel by myself now on the London Underground at 19 weeks post-op.
I am doing well but I like my fold up stick for getting on and off the train if there is a big gap. It also gives me confidence in crowds and signals to people not to jostle me. Generally I don't have to stand as I will get offered a seat but a stick is also good for leaning on

 

[trinket]

I had a scare at the gym today. Getting off the Pilates reformer I fell. I was supposed to wait for my trainer to help me off the carriage, I thought I didn't need help, and wham I fell hard backwards and on my rear butt cheek. Yikes. I carefully got up off the floor, and checked to see if everything felt ok. I think it is. My butt is bruised but everything else, especially my knee seems OK. My knee is aching a tiny bit, but nothing that feels serious.

If my knee is still aching tomorrow or gets worse, I may run over to my OS office to get it checked. My orthopedic practice has an urgent care service where I can come in any time, without an appointment, and be checked out. Will decide tomorrow if I think I need to go see the PA.

I was cocky. Thought I didn't need help, but obviously I did. Won't happen again.

 

[Jockette]

If my knee is still aching tomorrow or gets worse, I may run over to my OS office to get it checked. My orthopedic practice has an urgent care service

I fell the day after Christmas, and landed right on my PKR. I waited a week and a half to get Xrays because the pain got worse. I had an appointment on January 18, and there was no damage to fix, just lots of soft tissue injury which caused a lot of bruising. I was amazed I could land so hard, on a non carpeted floor, and not have any damage! It took 8 weeks to feel mostly better.

 

[beachy]

Glad you weren't hurt! Watch out for your back, though. I fell on my butt on ice years ago and later I had lower back issues. And you sure don't need that!

 

[IndigoKnee]

travel by myself now on the London Underground at 19 weeks post-op.
I am doing well but I like my fold up stick for getting on and off the train if there is a big gap. It also gives me confidence in crowds and signals to people not to jostle me.

Interestingly regarding people giving you space - I live on a tiny country lane with no pavement and when I was using crutches drivers slowed down and gave me lots of room but the last two days I have managed with hiking poles instead and everyone speeds by!

 

[trinket]

I've been impatient about the tight band feeling on the right side of my knee. Yesterday I contacted my OS's office for some advice. Here are some things that the PA said I should try ... IT Band stretches, foam rolling, and massaging with a tennis ball. I started massaging and IT band stretches and will foam roll tomorrow. Hopefully, I will see a bit of improvement. This, along with the last bit of swelling, are the final pieces of my recovery that I would like to see happen.

 

[beachy]

That darn IT band!
I've seen videos of people using a rolling pin on it... For real.
They use it with pressure going up from knee.

 

[EalingGran]

foam rolling, and massaging with a tennis ball. I started

You can get little spiky pilates balls which are even better than tennis balls for massage. My pilates teacher sometimes massages my IT band although I don't have a problem there.
They are also really useful under your bottom for massaging the sciatic nerve- which I have had major issues with.

 

[trinket]

I went back to see my OS about my the tightness on the outer side of my knee. I have no other pain or problem except this tightness which just won't improve.

I have Trochanteric Bursitus which is an inflamed hip bursa. That is causing the irritation in my IT band which is in turn causing the tightness in my knee. He said it will take a while to resolve and can be tricky, but definitely doable. I am going back to physical therapy to work too resolve this.

I was thinking I should wait longer and give it more time before going to see the OS. I'm happy I went in and can start working on this right away. It was good to hear that everything else about my knee is just fine ... the hardware, ROM, etc. is great.

 

[EalingGran]

It is so good to have an answer which explains the pain- even if it doesn't cure it.
Hope the physio can help.

 

[beachy]

Ugh I have chronic bursitis in my left hip. Its flaring now but not affecting rtkr.
Had a cortisone shot in Nov that lasted until a week ago.
Sleeping on left side hurts it. May be calling about getting another one.
I feel for you!

 

[EalingGran]

have Trochanteric Bursitus which is an inflamed hip bursa. That is causing the irritation in my IT band which is in turn causing the tightness in my knee.

Have you tried massage along the IT band area to release the IT band?
My pilates teacher sometimes does this fo me at the end of our sessions. She uses a spiky pilates ball. She says it is a difficult area to stretch with exercises.

 

[Twinny]

I had a right side TKR on December 5, so I'm about four weeks in. The first two weeks were miserable. I was totally unprepared for how bad it would be. I have an extreme amount of swelling which is finally starting to dissipate, but other than that seem to be doing well. Going to PT two times per week and my ROM is good. My question about icing is ...

I'm told how important it is ice frequently, and that would seem to make sense. However, every time I ice, my knee gets more stiff and uncomfortable than it was before icing. For example, yesterday I was walking around the house, did some stairs, felt great and then thought that I should elevate and ice. So I did, and after that my knee got very tight, stiff and remained that way for the rest of the day. I'm using gel packs with a towel between the pack and my clothes and only doing about 15 minutes at a time. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi trinket
I have the same problem, my knee stiffens after icing.i have a warm shower in the morning that helps to get the knee moving. Then I do my exercises as it's more flexible. Then I ice afterwards. I walk during the day,then shower again at night and exercises again. Everyone is different but this helps me.