Trying to walk too soon

[BruceT]

Two weeks after tkr I tried to walk from the kitchen to the living room. Big mistake. Pain in the calf muscle (not the knee) was excruciating. After this, I have been unable to put weight on my foot and toes or leg. I can feel knots in the calf muscle. What have I done and what should I do?

 

[Rowdy66]

Boy, Bruce, I don't know what to tell you. At two weeks post op I was walking without assistance and I had both knees done at the same. My question is why didn't the doctor have you up and moving around the day after your surgery. I needed a walker but up and going I was. I thought getting you up and moving was pretty standard practice. Were there some extenuating circumstances you haven't mentioned. Are you going to physical therapy? Riding the stationary bike? I will look forward to hearing back from you. Oh, and before I forget, welcome to the forum. Best place you could have come to. Good luck, Rowdy

 

[Troweltalk]

"pain in the calf muscle"

Are you sure you don't have a blood clout? that is the location he hospital staff most warned me about; I'd immediately get it checked!!!

 

[Linda2]

First, make sure you do NOT have a clot.
Second, if you aren't getting PT, tell your OS you want it, but first call different PT clinics until you find one that does muscle releases/deep massage. It really helps--things can knot up in there! Walking really shouldn't be such a problem.

 

[JudyS]

I agree with Mudpro about the clot possibility. This is an emergency situation. I hope you have recieved info on blood clots, you do need to go to an ER if this is even a remote possibility. Let us know
Judy

 

[Josephine]

Cramps in the calf aren't uncommon. I'd get you PT to massage the muscle to help it relax. But first I'd get it cleared of any possibility of thrombosis.

 

[BruceT]

Thanks for your concern. First, I was walking, but with a walker. I tried to walk on my own with nothing to hold on to. That brought on the pain that set me back. I went to the os and he ordered an ultrasound, so I know there is no bloodclot. My PT is working with me to stretch the muscle.

I am extremely pain intolerant due to the pain meds I took to be able to work (as a floor installer) for the two years prior to the surgery. This complicated things for me because I am finding out that medication that works for most people does not phase my pain. This also makes PT more dfficult because if I am too aggressive, the pain level goes through the roof and is unbearable.

 

[JudyS]

Glad it is not a clot. Get your doc to help you find pain meds that work for you.
Judy