It's been awhile since I have written. Not sure why, because I've been enjoying and benefitting from reading others' posts. I am 3 1/2 weeks post LTKR done on Jan. 31, and will be having a RTKR in 4 1/2 weeks (March 28). Yikes! Not sure if I should be writing about my progress on the left knee or my jitters on getting the right done in a month. But I'll just post for now on how I'm doing on my baby knee.
After having that awful reaction to the adhesive strip placed over my incision, getting it removed, and dealing with painful open sores, my physical therapist thought I would be a "Train wreck" after missing 2 sessions and not doing any exercises at home for that week. Instead, I am doing very very well. I was off the crutches, walker, cane before 2 weeks, and walking with a decent gait. At 2 1/2 weeks I sat at the recumbent bike at PT thinking I would just rock back and forth a couple of times, when I suddenly made the effort to push it on around. Wow...it worked. They had me seated far enough back that it was easier to extend the leg and not quite so flexed, which would have caused more pain. I rode for 3 1/2 minutes with some discomfort, but not pain. I could stop at any time. Since that time, I have ridden for 4 minutes (stopped when I reached a pain level), and now usually will ride for 5 minutes....long as I am sitting far enough away, it works.
Two sessions ago, my PT took me out behind to the back of the building where there were 5 steps with a railing going up from the parking lot to a level entrance area. It was a beautiful 70 degree day in Kansas (unbelievably nice for February). She wanted me to go down the steps. I said "You mean, step down a step and bring the other foot down to that step?" She said, "No....one foot per step." Having not attempted that, I really didn't think I could do it. Surprise...I did those 5 steps with no difficulty, going down AND up. Totally surprised and amazed myself. My legs did the work, and I really didn't have to push on the handrail to give me the strength.
I have appreciated the PT sessions, and they are challenging without being pushy. I asked them to get some numbers yesterday. They don't put too much emphasis on that, but I wanted to know. My flexion was 117, but my extension was still a four, and that was with some passive help. That concerned me a bit. Should I be concerned much about still being a four??? At 3 1/2 weeks? I spend a lot of time sitting in my recliner elevating my leg and icing. I'm using 2 pillows going left-right at the end of the recliner, and then I put a pretty solid pillow going at a right angle to that...that's what I lay my operated leg on, keeping it as straight as I can. But there is still a slight bend, and that's why I'm concerned that I'm not getting to less than a four. Any suggestions?
Meds: I had been on Oxycodone the first 3 weeks, and changed to Hydrocodone for this fourth week. I go in to see my OS's nurse for my 4 week check up this coming Wednesday (today is Saturday). It is my plan to go off of the heavy duty pain meds by that appointment and start some other regimen that will provide pain relief, but allow me to drive. Thinking of Tramdol + Tylenol, while continuing my Meloxicam for anti-inflammatory help. Will see what is recommended. I continue to have some discomfort, which I wish would all go away. But I'm improving. Just impatient, and hoping to be at a really good place with this knee before I go back into the really painful time with another new knee on March 28. I have resigned....actually, taken early retirement from my Speech Therapist position in an Elementary school...so no rush to get better so I can get back to work. But my life had been active and involved, and sitting around is sooooo against my nature. But I will do whatever it takes to get both knees working again and then will decide what my next life goals will be as I enter retirement healthy and whole.
Thanks for all the responses to my threads as well as comments you all have encouraged others with. I feel like I know many of you. Such great people. I wish I lived down the block from each of you. This is a great family of new friends. Hugs to all!
United States
