Uni (half knee replacement)

[lgobrien]

Am I crazy to think I can take a trip next week? (will be 3+ weeks PO)...

I've been lurking for a week now and you don't know (oh, maybe you do) how thrilled I was to find out everthing I am going thru is normal. Although, I don't think I'm any further ahead of most of you in recovery with my uni.

I am 13 DAYS POST OP today! 54 year old female and first major surgery of my life. When I've had arthroscopy and other "procedures" I've been back at work within a day or two, so I wasn't prepared for this rigorous of a PT routine. My doctor said I could probably be back at work in two weeks because I have a desk job. That would be tomorrow and I am so glad I decided to take 5 weeks off work (short term disability) and top it off with two weeks vacation and return to work 7 weeks PO.

This is not necessarily going to be a "vacation". We are gathering a group of cousins together for a probably last time gathering. One of the cousins has an inoperable cancer and we have not gathererd for years. We are getting together for a Thurs - Sunday. I am flying out with my sisters (two short "jags" on the plane each being about an hour) to our location. We are going to get a wheelchair for me for the airport and we do not have a rigorous itinerary planned (that I have to participate in). I hate to miss this last bittersweet reunion with my sibs and cousins.

The doctor said he thought I'd be able to make the trip, but he also thought I'd be going back to work right now. I have not seen the doctor since before the surgery, but he knows about the trip and is leaving it up to me.

I have a very difficult time sitting in a chair yet for any length of time. Most of my time is spent religiously doing my inhome PT three times a day. I am making real good progress, but I'm so exhausted when I'm done with each 25 minute routine that I head right to my recliner with my icepack and end up dozing for awhile (because I am not sleeping well at night). I can get up and do laundry or dishes, go outside for a very short walk, but sitting at a table or desk has been very difficult for me without pain.

I learned from all of you that I needed to keep on the pain meds and I do that faithfully every 4-5 hours (1 Norco and 1 Xtra Strength Tylenol) probably 5 times a day.

I'd love to hear some of your "what you would do if this were you" ideas...

Laurie

 

[beachcomber]

Laurie,
I also had a "uni". Mine was in December and I found that my recovery was nowhere near as quick as I expected it to be.

You are the only one who can make this decision. You can't actually HURT your knee by taking the trip and if you make some accommodations you should be okay. The exhaustion will be a problem and you will need to be able to have someplace to rest--- and then do it! You will need a seat on the plane with some extra leg room..... I don't know what your ROM is, but keeping my knee bent to fit in an airplane seat for even an hour would have been impossible for me at 3 1/2 weeks.

Take ziploc bags so you can ice your knee and elevate it whenever possible.
Allow extra time to get through security. You will set off the alarms and have to be searched.

Good luck! There are some things that are just worth doing---- you will make the right decision for you.

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Enjoy your vacation - I am heading out twice before my tkr in July. OS thought it best to wait till after both trips (me too.) Even though I am dreading the long flights. Both trips were planned last year. Sitting is no picnic. My only suggestion is to make sure you get up and walk to the bathroom a few times. Keep that blood flowing! I love the siplock idea as well. Keep healing. Have a wonderful time with your family!
Marianne

 

[lgobrien]

Thanks for your replies about my trip!

Just had another in-home PT session today. Tomorrow, I will be 2 weeks PO and I'm at 87 ROM and 4 for straightening my leg... Not sure if these numbers are explained correctly...

I discussed the plane trip to my PT again and she is concerned that my ROM is not adequate for sitting on a plane for any length of time (although, she knew that I knew that).

I am hoping we can get some sort of "accommodations" on the plane so I can have a place to extend my leg. And like you said if I make time for my naps, PT and ziplock bags for ice, I may just be able to pull this thing off. Will start with a call to our airline (as soon as I find out which airline my sister booked us on).

Got to look back and see some of the suggestions you guys had awhile ago for increasing ROM, because my PT too said it gets more painful after the six week time to get your ROM much higher. I feel like I'm pushing myself as much as I can.

I take one Hydrocodone and one Extra Strength Tylenol every 4-5 hours so I can do my PT three times a day. Do you think if I took the original 2 Hydrocodone three times a day prior to by PT I'd be able to increase my ROM? I hate taking the meds, but if it gets harder later, would I be better off upping my pain med for a short time now?

Laurie

 

[Josephine]

My sister in law took a week's holiday in Florida about 4 weeks after her unicompartmental knee! I told her she was crazy but when she came back she told ME I was a pessimist!

However, from what my brother told me, it wasn't much of a picnic for her.

 

[lgobrien]

Well, I know it's not going to be a picnic, but the opportunity to be with my sisters and cousins will probably be our last time together. Luckily, my sister's and cousins are willing to help out with my needs. I did discuss with my PT today and like you, knows it can be done, but it's definitly not going to be a "vacation" the whole time.

Will keep you posted on how this trip goes. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Josephine]

Well, I wish you all the best anyway - family reunions are important at any time but this one seems all the more. It'll be worth it whatever happens, I'm sure.

 

[Rowdy66]

Laurie, I really admire your spunk, that alone should get you half way there. Have you called the airline to see if they can accomodate your need for extra leg room for the flight? I sure would give it a try, could make all the difference in the whole trip. Like I said I really admire you, there is no way I could do it, but I hate to fly and don't have the siblings and cousins that I am close to that could give a person the incentive to go on such a jaunt. I just hope you have a really good time and enjoy every minute you are with your family. Sounds like a trip you would always regret if you didn't go and there is nothing worse than regrets for what we haven't done. I will keep you in my prayers. Rowdy

 

[lgobrien]

Rowdy -

My sister that made the airline reservations (and also works for an orthopedic surgeon) is going to pave the way for my "accommodations". We are all very close - sisters and cousins. I am very blessed to have all of them - we have such a great time together. Wish this was a trip our mom's could go on because they are so much fun when they get together with us too, but it would be a very difficult trip for them.

I am really working hard on my PT and will post something soon under a new heading that has to do with that all elusive "accepable ROM!"

Time for my PT right now!
Laurie

 

[edk]

I have a couple of comments:

How long is the flight? Even if you can bend for the trip, I would expect
you do get some swelling just from sitting with your knee lower than your
heart on the trip. You might consider (I know it sounds gross but I used to
have back problems). While you are waiting for your flight lay on the floor
at the airport with you feet on the chair and your back on the floor.

If you've only had one knee done, you might get an aisle seat with your
operated knee on the aisle side so occasionally you can extend it fully.

If there is time you might consider walking rather than taking the wheelchair
after siting for a while actually moving might be more healthful with the threat
of DVT.

 

[lgobrien]

We have two short flights - around an hour, change planes in between. My sister was able to make accommodations so I will have adequate room to raise my leg. We got the wheelchair so we can get across the other side of the airport for the second flight. I'm pretty much set with zip lock bags (for ice packs) and a good book!

I think we're pretty set for our trip next Thursday (June 19). Thanks everyone for all your suggestions...

 

[AlaskanTKR]

I hope your travel is successful and your visit a good one. Family is sooooo important. Sounds like you are ready to go. I will be thinking of you. One last suggestion - If you have extra frequent flyer miles you may be able to get an upgrade to first clss - way more leg room! I am flying coach Sunday night and had to fly 1st on the way back on 6/20 due to no coach seats coming in to AK at this time of year - I borrowed miles from my husband to make up the difference. I have never flown 1st class - I am a true blue coach flyer - but I am looking forward to the return trip now - something like 20 hours between there and home! UGHHHHH (9 hour layover in Seattle!)

Safe flying!

Marianne