Become an Insider

TKR Veronica's TKR Recovery

Well, you should always stay ahead of the pain. That's why we recommend taking your medications on a strict schedule. It's no fun at all if you have to play catch-up with the pain.

I can't emphasize too strongly that you must not allow PT to hurt. Discomfort is OK. Pain is not, because doing something that causes pain irritates and inflames the injured tissues that are trying to heal.

If you take your meds on schedule, you will be able to do all the exercises you need to do. Exercises that hurt are too severe for a newly operated knee.
 
Generally people gradually spread out the hours between doses. If you are doing fine at 4 hours you can try to go to 5 hours and see how it goes. But there's no need to arbitrarily take fewer doses.
 
I have had two tkrs and have not done painful therapy with either of them. My pt never pushed my knee--ever. I was able to bend it gently to my own comfort. discomfort, yes, but pain---no.

Remember too if you tell him not to push on your knee, he cannot do it!!! It is then an assault on your person. so, really be firm. I cannot understand this attitude---it is so silly and macho.

Think about it---you just had major surgery and your knee is painful and stiff and swollen. If you had a broken hand would you ask the pt to push it in all directions? If he does push on it , that action will cause swelling to increase. You will end up with a mess and it is not necessary.

I had gentle pt until I was 8 weeks out and then began to really train my leg---I am a ski instructor. With no pain and no extra swelling, my rom? 145.
 
If you used CPM machine, how long did you use it? I have one and have been using it since surgery. Will be returning it on Friday when I get my staples out. Is it beneficial to continue using until that time?
 
I'm glad you've enjoyed using the CPM, Veronica. However, you should progress just as well without it.
Many people don't use a CPM at all and studies have shown that they make no difference to the long-term results.
 
I read the articles was just wondering about people's experiences. Statistics make me You never know which side you will fall on.
 
I didn't use a CPM post op. They didn't use them at all for any patients that had their surgery done in the same hospital I did. I will add my voice to the others that you shouldn't let PT push on your knee. I had two arthroscopies before and PT afterwards. This is a much different surgery and recovery. This recovery has ups and downs.
 
I had the cpm for 2 weeks.
 
I had a CPM only while I was in the hospital. I didn't mind using it there but I don't know if it was necessary.
 
Thanks for the replies. Awake as usual at 3 a.m. Oh and haven't had to say anything to PT; he hasnt tried to bend the knee and when I expressed my relief. He said that there was still a lot of healing with tissues, etc taking place.
 
I'm glad to hear your PT sounds sensible. :)
 
@vonjpo, you asked about who used CPM machine and I am using one three times a day and actually like it - knee feels better after stretching on it and it feels more ready for other movement. But my OS says no reason to use it if you get near 90 flexion as you said you were. My surgery was same day as you but only started with 40 degrees due to traumatic accident several months ago. So that's my experience with it.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
vonjpo said:
If you used CPM machine, how long did you use it? I have one and have been using it since surgery. Will be returning it on Friday when I get my staples out. Is it beneficial to continue using until that time?
Click to expand...
The jury is out on CPM's. My OS did not believe in them, so I did not use on at all after my BTKR. When my dad had his two TKR's, his OS had him use one in the hospital only.
 
Although a CPM can make you feel good because it can help with stiffness, the ROM you achieve with it is immaterial, because it's a passive ROM. The ROM that counts is the one you achieve by your own efforts, using your muscles.
 
Thanks for the responses. In mine as I type this very moment. It does feel good. Charmed-life do you have a thread would really like to keep up with you and your progress? Prayers for your recovery. Staples will be removed in the a.m. First time traveling this far since surgery; as doc is in Houston approx 3 hours from home. Any ideas on how my knee will handle this trip?
 
For the car journey, try to ice and elevate your knee. If you can, sit on the back seat, with your legs across the seat.
You'll probably get quite stiff, so try to stop a couple of times, so that you can get out and walk around a little.
Don't forget to take your pain medications with you, and a drink so that you can take a dose along the way, to keep your schedule on time.

Charmed-life's thread is here:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/so-glad-the-knee-is-in.34666/#post-878861
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel
Corganics CBD

Staff online

Members online

Total: 2,616 (members: 2, guests: 2,614)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom