TKR Turning a Corner Towards Recovery

[Debbie_joints]

Debbie, glad your husband got it taken care of. I think you mean 13 mm. 13 cm would be like a tumor, but maybe I'm wrong. I don't think you could pass a 13 mm. stone either. My stone was tiny, only 4mm. So why so much pain in the beginning? I think because it got stuck high up on the ureter, and then, maybe because I drank so much water, maybe because of meds, maybe because it was small, there was never more than mild pain and some pressure. I was lucky, although the ER visit was pretty awful.

Now it's time to take care of my knee. You're getting your knee replaced this month, right? I'd read as many of Jo's messages, and the ones she suggests in the library. It has often been hard for me to believe them because they contradict so much of what I am told by PTs, by the surgeon, by his assistants. But when I follow Jo's advice, I am usually in less pain, and certainly less frustrated, less disgusted with myself and my "slow healing time." One reading has not been enough for me. Good luck with your surgery. And post if you want encouragement or support.

Of course you are right jeniper, 13mm, over a half inch anyway. I guess my husband's didn't cause that much pain was because it didn't move. What caused pain was having the stent put in and left in for a month. I swear the man walked around with a scowl for a whole month. Yes I am getting my knee replaced next week. Yikes, that is getting to sound soon now. When I was saying next month it didn't seem that real. Oh well, get it done so I can recover hopefully.

 

[juniper]

Debbie, not "hopefully," definitely. Just don't expect your timetable and your knee's to match perfectly. I really hope you heal quickly. Remember the first month is all about meds, ice, elevation, rest and gentle stretching. Don't let the PT make you scream or cause pain. I wish I'd found this site before my PT did. Josephine posted a good schedule on John's thread. And while she says "Ice for an hour" she really means "at least an hour." More icing, less swelling. I'll find the exact site and post it for you. Good luck to you. I'll be thinking about you and wishing you well.

 

[juniper]

Good session at the gym this morning. Stationary bike for half an hour, some leg presses and crunches and then walked in the pool. Icing and elevating now. When I went to PT this week, I was told that I'm doing pretty well except for walking when I'm not bending my knee. I have to think about bending with each step. It's very stiff, but I can bend it. So I am practicing. PT doesn't think I need to go back to my surgeon and her response when I asked if it might be adhesions that were making bending so difficult, "Well, you don't want to have surgery for that, you'll just open a can of worms and have to go through another six months of healing." So I am plugging away; getting a half-hour to an hour of exercise; walking with a conscious bend; icing and elevating and trying not to stand or sit for long stretches.

Massage hasn't yet begun. Setting that up is next week's goal.

 

[Limpin'Lizzie]

Hi, Juniper, I'm enjoying reading your posts, although I'm certainly not happy that you've had difficulty. I'm 3 1/2 months out and according to my doctor, my ROM is still at 90. I think it's more, b/c I feel like I can bend it more. Anyway, he didn't even measure it!

My question for you is about the bike. Are you able to make a full rotation? I can't do that yet. I've moved the seat back, tried going backwards, even tried lifting my hip, as someone suggested. Still can't do it. So I just sit there rocking back and forth.

I just wondered if you can go all the way around? Thanks, Liz

 

[speccybecky]

Jane, you're doing loads more exercise than me! I hurt doing leg presses!!
We're all different and we ll all get there in the end.

 

[juniper]

Liz, I got over on the bicycle after about 8 weeks. The PT would look at me with such disappointment when I rocked back and forth and he kept telling me I could do it but I was just afraid. I was. Afraid, that is. I felt as though my knee was going to snap if I went over the top. Here's what it took--my husband held his hand under my heel as I pushed the leg over and gently held it so I wouldn't feel it was going to be out of control. I needed that "support" the next three times, and then I could do it on my own. I think you'll eventually get it over on your own, but you might try this technique if someone is willing to be the "holder." Now I can put the seat fairly close and cycle fairly easily. Cycling and the elliptical are both far easier than walking. We are each so unique in the way we heal and in what causes us problems.

Today is utterly beautiful--sunny, clear, breezy and we went to an arboretum we've joined. I walked quite a ways. My husband could see that, in spite of my effort--I wasn't bending my replaced knee as much as the other, so I really exaggerated the bend. I'd taken meds so that I could walk without too much pain. And I did. My spirits were great. And being outside together was wonderful. I have been pretty crabby in general...that smiling photo of me and my husband belies my grouchy attitude towards him. So much of the time I can't tolerate anyone; I guess because I'm hurting. Today reminds me that this will get better.

You'll get there too. The amount of patience and ice that are required boggles the mind.

 

[juniper]

Nancy, I haven't been as consistent with the exercise as I want to be. So yesterday was a shift with biking, leg press and water walking. The PT suggested a half hour to an hour. So I am going to be better about it, especially now that I am on summer break. That will end soon.

You do a lot more walking than I do. And you seem to be walking with more ease. You're right--we are each so different. I think because we both had surgery on the same day, we look to each other to see what progress might look like, and I think we are both healing fairly well, even if it doesn't always feel that way.

Has your weather been good enough for walking? And do you have the energy for it now that you're back at work? I hope so. Have a wonderful week. Juniper

 

[speccybecky]

I don't walk nearly so much now I'm back at work but I live just over a mile from railway station so I have been trying to walk there in the morning, too knackered at night so I get the bus! I don't know if yopu can count walking about the office! I am sure your bend will sort itself out almost without you noticing as time goes on. Honestly, if it would stop hurting I think I'd be happy with the result so far. I still feel heat in my knee, do you? I even iced today. You were back at work a lot quicker than me remember.

 

[juniper]

Nancy, today I worked from 7:30 until 4:30. Lots of meetings, lots of classroom organizing, but I am getting a lot done. Next week, the kids come on Wednesday--an orientation on Tuesday. And yet, I am only a bit swollen. I think because I sat and walked and did knee raises. Not too much of any one thing. My favorite physical therapist talked with me for a long time on Monday. Gave me an idea of what is normal. He thinks that my ROM is fine for now...especially since my knee is still so swollen. Also says that this swelling at 7months is not that unusual, not out of normal range anyway. Gave me suggestions about which exercises I should do, which I should skip, now that I'm back to work. He said it will probably be bad for the first two weeks of teaching but should get back to where I am now quickly. Ice and elevate whenever I can. I love when people take that kind of time. If any Bonesmarties live near the Voorhees Virtua hospital, I'll pass along his name. He is exceptional.​

 

[speccybecky]

It's nice that someone professional takes a few minutes just to reassure you that where you are is normal.
If only more health professionals would realise how much help it is. It may be just another patient to them but it's a big deal to the patient!

 

[juniper]

Took my first actual swim in the pool today. Four laps all together. Felt triumphant! I'd begun to think I'd never be able to kick my leg again. And, while it still does feel strange...like there's a giant knot of wood in there as I kick, it was manageable. I'm beginning to think I just may be able to do this three day outdoor trip with the fifth and sixth graders. A gorgeous morning, so I'm off to walk in the arboretum. Yes!

 

[skigirl]

Judy, I am so happy to hear that things are getting better for you. My husband knows all about living with a grouchy wife!! Sometimes I can not believe myself. Swimming is a great exercise for our knees---and I bet that kicking is helping you with bending the knee. I find that everything happens easier in the water, the walking, the bending, etc. Kelly

 

[speccybecky]

That's great. I couldn't do that...but then I never could, lol!
Great to hear you sounding upbeat!

 

[Kneeteacher]

Hi Juniper,

Tonight I'm checking old posts and ran across yours. I too am a teacher and had to go back to work just shy of 6 weeks. I was making decent progress until I went back however. After the school day is done my knee is swollen, hot and sore. I usually go to PT twice a week after school. I'm measuring at 92 but it's a struggle to get there. I know that going back to work so fast has stalled m recovery....my question to you is.....does it get easier?

 

[juniper]

Sent this to my friend, Nancy (Speccybeccy), who had her knee replacement on the same day I did. We are trying to encourage each other and cheer each other on:

Okay, here's an accomplishment! I went with the fifth and sixth graders, and our faculty team, to an outdoor camp. Kids did physical challenges, took part in outdoor classrooms, got to hole chickens and turkeys and boa constrictors, milked goats, identified and ate local plants. It was great! I did about half of this because I couldn't stand that long, although I lasted the first day for three hours! Yeah, me!

The next day were the classes, and I took care of children in my class who were beginning menstruation, having asthma, and bellyaches. Not so much standing. Slept on little plastic covered mattresses each night. Do you hear how proud of myself I am? I DID IT!

So today was hard, the sleep wasn't great, and I left feeling grouchy and exhausted...needing to iced and elevate my knee. But I did it. Kids are forgetting anything is a problem with my knee. Which is a problem, but it makes me feel great that they just see me as any teacher. I wish this for all of you, that your problems kind of disappear in the minds of other people, and you find ways to keep taking care of yourselves.

 

[speccybecky]

Wow! What a great achievement! I do feel sometimes that people look at me and think I'm fully recovered and I know that I'm nowhere near healed. Its such a big deal to us but not for everyone else it seems. Part of the reason why this forum is so great...we all get it!!

 

[juniper]

Ah, thank you, Nancy. I wish I could bring you roses or maybe, at this time of year, mums. Your support has been constant and completely understanding. I hope you are well and that work is just the right amount of challenge. Is the weather beautiful in your part of the world, as it is in mine?

 

[juniper]

Posted as a response to Bottomshollow, I realized, as I wrote, why I haven't yet retired:

Thanks, Bottomshollow. Yes, I iced and elevated. Although today was so busy at school, I couldn't find the time. I'll work that in. As I wrote that last sentence, I felt bad, like I have to emphasize that I am not yet healed, that I am old and infirm. The other teachers in my team are younger. I loved being the younger one. Time to figure out how to get help, AND give it. I have tons of experience and could share that. I did do a wonderful lesson today. Shared Ernest Hemingway's six word memoir. "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Had the kids write their own. Sixth graders, my dear students last year, understood that this was a metaphor. Fifth graders thought that maybe Ernest Hemingway was a shoe salesman. He got poor and had to sell his baby shoes. One fifth grader, a new boy who is clearly feeling new and out of the group, couldn't write a thing. I suggested he begin, not worry about six words...cut out words later if he needed to...and at the last minute he wrote...and wanted to share this: I've never lived with my father.

The entire year I am helping kids be brave, vulnerable, honest in their writing. He was all three on the first day of classes. I told him I was proud. I hope he can sustain this. Another new boy, a sixth grader, wrote: Old school, small campus, no supplies.

Wow. I feel so blessed to have such brave writers in my class. I have much less time for reading and writing, which is now called "English" in Middle School," than I did when I taught fifth grade in Lower School. I joked with the chair of the all school English Department (also my best friend) who visited today during one of the classes: "Since there is so little time, I think all of the assignments I give will be "six word assignment." Hey, I could be through the expected curriculum in three weeks.

Thanks for reading, anyone who did. This work is my passion. I forget my knee completely when I am doing it.

 

[referee54]

I also teach; I teach English AP, English IV Honors, College Prep English, and a class called "Contemporary Cinema"---we are now watching The Shawshank Redemption; we just finished Scent of a Woman. I really enjoy waching the kids' writing mature and become clear and specific as well as carefully and craftily worded.

 

[juniper]

For those of you dealing with slow recovery/numb areas near the scar: I had my left knee reconstructed when I was in my teens, over 45 years ago. I still have a patch that is numb over that area. It's gotten less numb over the years, and if it gets knocked, it's hugely painful, but truly, I have just gotten used to it. I don't kneel. Not a big deal. I can walk fine on that leg. I am almost ten months post op and, yes, there are little patches of numbness, on my TKR knee, but not as bad as the other.

For me, the hardest thing is how stiff and tight my knee still is. If I'm standing for a half hour it swells and hurts. The other day, one of my fifth grade students said excitedly, "Jane, you're walking so well." I realized I was. Almost no limp at all. Returning to work too early and then balancing work, exercise, icing and rest has been a huge challenge for me. And my knee is just taking a long time to heal. But it IS healing. Sometimes, the healing feels so slow that you don't realize it. It takes someone else to notice and comment. Thank you, Raina...my observant student.