TKR Twinkletoes' Recovery

[Cynthia07]

I hear ya. I almost fell thru the floor when my surgeon matter of factly talked about the Mua. Luckily my physician said it was way too early ... Luckily after awhile I got to 90 but it was no picnic. You have time, you really do.
Hang in there!

 

[Jamie]

No, but this word is ambiguous. broken link removed: https://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/bonk

Well, I'll be! You learn something every day! That's a frequently used word in my parts to mean whacking someone on the head and I'd never heard of the others! By coincidence, I saw the same word used in today comic strips in the news papers. In Dagwood and Blondie (a VERY G-rated comic strip), ol' Dagwood uses it. Now knowing the multiple meanings, I really had a chuckle.

 

[jerseychick]

I see a lot of you are focusing on the ROM numbers and you can drive yourself vary doing that. :rolleyespink: It's really all about function and what you CAN do.

While my ROM is not great from other people's standards(105-110) it's sure beats the 30 degrees of flexion that I had before my surgery. I can do everything that I want to do and more.

So next time you are stressing over the numbers, sit back and relax and think of all the things you CAN do and not the number.

 

[Twinkletoes]

I'm still getting lost in this forum, so I thought I'd post an update here... I went for PT yesterday (still stuck at 78 degrees ROM) but trying not to obsess about it. My physical therapist emailed this to me...

"It is only natural that you feel anxiety about not progressing quickly. I guarantee that you won't believe that you went through all of this in a year. It is sort of like childbirth. Your system is on it's own course and you cannot blame yourself and beat yourself up because you are not meeting someone else's expectations. We may take a little longer with you, but it will come along. I am not unhappy with your progress to date. If we try to fit you into the "tennis mold",* we will be sorry. Don't put such high expectations on yourself or you will go crazy! Just keep plugging along and you will be amazed that it will get better."

*I had told the therapist that my surgeon told me about an 85 year old patient who came for his two week post op appointment and asked when he could play tennis...then he said that he already did!

jerseychick ~ I am trying to remain positive and think of the things I CAN do, but it's really difficult when I used to have such an active life. Now, my entire life is about my KNEE.

I am having a very achy day so I've been icing, elevating, watching TV, taking my pain meds, and napping.

Tykey (don) ~ I absolutely love your signature..."I have the body of a God!!! Shame it's Buddha!!"

I had complained to some friends that I want to get back in shape...then I said, "Well, ROUND is a shape, right?"

Everyone talks about the light at the end of the tunnel. Where exactly IS the tunnel so I can look for the light?

 

[Ditzzeechick]

six weeks out...right knee 7.3/105.....left knee.....11/93....30 days ago....16/83.....my knees feel great, I'm walking with a cane, cut back the meds and expect to be moving even better in 30 more days. Don't focus on the number, focus on how you feel and how much more movement you get in each leg/knee as time goes by.

 

[PooShay]

Twink. Great email from your PT! Take heed (is that expression correct?).

Although I like to know what my ROM is, I don't keep track. I concentrate on doing the exercises that will help improve it as often as I should.

You ask where is the tunnel. You're in it! And you won't know where you are in the tunnel until you see the light! Just remember: we're all in a different tunnel. Some are short (hello, Uli), some are twisty, some are long but straight forward.

It is what it is!

 

[Phoenixgirl]

Hi Twinkletoes! MY ROM progressed slowly on my first TKR and wasn't very good when I stopped PT. However, I worked at home with gentle exercise, some stationery bicycling, and best of all, water walking in the warm pool. My ROM kept improving gradually for a whole year,without formal PT. It seemed to progress better on its own than with aggressive PT. I have ROM on that knee which is just fine (don't even know what number).

 

[Jamie]

Hey, Twink....that's a great therapist you have! I too think you're just fine. You'll get there.

And....you posted your update in just the right place, so you know more about navigating the forum than you realize!

 

[jerseychick]

Great email from you PT! I was also one of the "slow" ones to progress with ROM. I had 5 months of PT and then I finally had enough. Some of us just take longer than others.

You ask where the end of the tunnel is...well, there really is no end to improving..you can gain ROM and strength for a few years. Some people say that 9 months is a milestone and I can tell you that when I hit 9 months I didn't always think about my knee. At 1 year it was even better. Your time will come, I do remember those day when it was all about the knee. You are still early in your recovery.....please be patient and really take what your PT said to heart.

 

[referee54]

I was also one of those very frustrated types that didn't realize how long and how many ups and downs this recovery would have. I went back to teaching at eight weeks---I thought that by that time---that was my magic number---that i would be in pretty good shape. No such luck.

I also experienced the roller coaster ride---both physically and psychologically. I finally rid myself of the slight limp at about 5 months (I still had it when I was getting back into umpiring HS and college baseball.) At six months, I was feeling pretty good---at eight months, I was really close to normal. By the end of the summer, I was as good as new (which, I guess I was!)

Don't sweat the ROM numbers---the PT people are obsessed with that---just keep focused on what you are doing---gently work your knee, ice and elevate when you can, and understand that you are strapped into the very same roller coaster ride, too. You will reach your destination!

 

[Twinkletoes]

I am so grateful to each and every one of you! Ditzzeechick (Bev), PooShay, Phoenixgirl (Bridget), Jamie, jerseychick, referee54 (Tim C.) I’m the kind of person who needs constant reassurance. My hubby is very supportive and loving, but he hasn’t had knee replacement surgery, so he can’t possibly understand or FEEL my feelings. When I’m home, I come into the forum every couple hours and look around and read, read, read.

Ditzzeechick (Bev) ~ I didn’t understand your numbers, but I did get the gist of what you were saying. Am I reading correctly, that you had your right knee done just seven days before doing the left knee??? That’s what I call Brave!

PooShay ~ Yes, take heed to my PT! So, I’m IN the tunnel? I must be in a very long tunnel then, because I cannot see any light…

Phoenixgirl (Bridget) ~ I guess I don’t really need the number, but I do know that I cannot bend my right knee anywhere near my left knee and I need to in order to get back into my dancing and my “normal life”!

Jamie ~ Thanks! I think I click on a link and keep my fingers crossed that I’ll end up in the right place. I see my therapist two or three times a week, and I think she’d be happy to email me every day to give me pep talks.

Jerseychick ~ I think I’d like that…to find myself NOT thinking about my knee 24/7! Ah yes, Patience! Where can I get some of that?

Referee54 (Tim C.) ~ I’ll be at 8 weeks on Monday (April 2nd) and I have been walking without assistance for a while now. I do take a cane when I go out, just for security. I think my roller coaster is all the high parts where I’m white-knuckling the handle and screaming at the top of my lungs! I’m going back to the sofa and elevate and ice!

 

[Jamie]

Glad you feel better. Remember, that's what we're here for...to provide support and encouragement to you any day any time! Don't hesitate to post.....even if it's just to report how your day is going. We love hearing from you.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Thanks Jamie! I seem to be stuck in the "Cranky Stage"! I really ache. I guess I'll be spending another day on the sofa with my toes above my nose and ice...watching more movies! You know the movies that you start to watch and then wake up when it's at the middle or end.:th_heehee:

 

[bottomshollow]

Just love "Miss Cranky Pants"! She's my chuckle for the day :th_heehee:. Hope you've had a good one. :cat-kittyandsmiley: Judy

 

[Twinkletoes]

Bottomshollow (Judy) ~ I'm glad that I could give you a chuckle with my "Miss Cranky Pants"! :th_heehee: I think I'm regressing and have been having such a terrible time these past few days, that the name certainly fits...unfortunately.

Has anyone else felt that they were regressing instead of progressing??? I have been so achy that I have skipped the gentle exercises and gone straight to the elevating, icing and napping. I'm really, really frustrated!

 

[bottomshollow]

Ofcourse you're cranky if you're hurting. Who wouldn't be?

Well, here I am 5 months out from surgery and guess I been overdoing for the last 2 or 3 days because both knees are slightly swollen and feel really tight when I bend past 90 degrees.:DOH:

And last night I had to elevate and ice my left knee for a couple of hours because it was aching. I'm also taking the Bonesmart cocktail again (Tylenol and ibuprofen).

And the truth is that no two people or knees heal the same. Some folks have taken much longer than others----but still got there.

You need to rest, elevate, ice, and take meds, if necessary, and go very light on the stretching and bending until you are no longer in pain. Then you can slowly----note I said slowly----start to increase activity---but expect to elevate and ice often.

Take care of yourself and keep us posted. We care.:cat-kittyandsmiley: Judy

 

[Twinkletoes]

Tomorrow (April 2nd) I will be at 8 weeks...and I'm still stuck at 78 degrees. Everyone here has told me that it takes some people longer, but that they do eventually get there!

I really am trying not to stress over the ROM, but I'm so uncomfortable and feel like I'm going backwards!

I'm still so achy and had a terrible night again last night, but I am going to go downstairs and try to do a little stretching and bending. But, only for a few minutes. I will most likely spend yet another day on the sofa resting, elevating and icing. The only pain meds that I can take are Tramadol and Tylenol (not together of course). I cannot take any anti-inflammatory meds because they upset my stomach. Also, anything with aspirin upsets my stomach. And, I am allergic to anything with Codeine.

OK, off to [home] PT (Pain and Torture)

:dev-godseesaw:

 

[karmigirl]

Twink,

You do know that you can take your Tramadol and Tylenol together. I can tellyou are getting very frustrated.

I also read that your are very against an MUA, which you really shouldn't be, there is no shame in having to have one, and it just may be the kick you need to get things moving again. Try to read EDITOR 98 thread from the beginning and see what an MUA has done for her.

 

[Guitaristmom]

Re: I am at 6 weeks & 4 days after RTKR

I had my right knee total knee replacement surgery on February 6, 2012. I'm at 6 weeks and 4 days. I have been told by the surgeon that if I do not obtain 90 degrees flexion by my next appointment with him (March 30th) he will put me in the hospital for an MUA (Manipulation Under Anesthesia). I am terrified! I do the exercises, am still swollen and very tight. My therapist told me that I have an Angry Knee - I told her that that matches my MOOD! I keep on doing the exercises, raise my leg above my heart when I feel and/or notice swelling, and keep on doing the exercises. I am exhausted and discouraged. Is anyone else out there feeling what I'm feeling?

Check with your doctor first but I was cleared to use my hot tub and I really think it helped with range of motion. I am six weeks post op and went from 108 to 110 after one hot tub soak. We also bought a recumbent bike so that might have helped.

 

[Jamie]

Twink.....have you checked with your doctor to see if there is something you can take besides the Tramadol for pain? It really sounds like you need it right now. You should not be aching all the time.