Jennszoo
post-grad
United StatesOh I get the friend disappointment. Some friends have stepped up in amazing ways and friends that I expected to help and be supportive...crickets. Nothing. It's hurtful.
TKR VW's new joint venture
- Thread starter VW54
- Start date
I agree with others that the emotions in this recovery can go up and down. I've had my own meltdowns, that's for sure.
On top of the physical aspect of this recovery, I've found it's also very isolating. We have a break in the normal activities of life, and that's an adjustment. I don't know what I'd do without my hubby and dogs - they keep me sane.
While it's hard when some of our friends are silent during this recovery period, I have to remind myself that they are all busy with their own lives. And some people don't know what to do when someone is hurting or recovering, so they opt to do nothing.
Hang in there - like everything in our lives, this is a journey and a process. (I say that as a good reminder for myself too because I had a rough night / morning)
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
On top of the physical aspect of this recovery, I've found it's also very isolating. We have a break in the normal activities of life, and that's an adjustment. I don't know what I'd do without my hubby and dogs - they keep me sane.
While it's hard when some of our friends are silent during this recovery period, I have to remind myself that they are all busy with their own lives. And some people don't know what to do when someone is hurting or recovering, so they opt to do nothing.
Hang in there - like everything in our lives, this is a journey and a process. (I say that as a good reminder for myself too because I had a rough night / morning)
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
We are so blessed to have each other on this forum. I'd never seen as much empathy and caring as we all have for each other. During my recovery, all hours of the day and the night, I was on here and there was always someone to listen. I'm divorced and the vast majority I was alone. Physically and emotionally alone. But, there's always someone here! Come to us here, we will listen to you and will laugh and will cry with you!
Pheebs52
big-cheese
I like your idea of applying an ace bandage to hubby's knee; just saying!
Please, to anyone who even dares suggest you brought this on yourself, a pox on their houses. Yep, they know not of where they speak.
I'm black and blue with you if it helps? Probably not, but I wanted you to know you're not alone in being so colorful.
On the bright side, you did finally make it to the cafe! Congratulations!
Please, to anyone who even dares suggest you brought this on yourself, a pox on their houses. Yep, they know not of where they speak.
I'm black and blue with you if it helps? Probably not, but I wanted you to know you're not alone in being so colorful.
On the bright side, you did finally make it to the cafe! Congratulations!
knit2tog
senior
I am so sorry you had a rough time. 
I have had a couple of pity parties myself. It is hard to be positive all of the time especially when you want so badly what you cannot have yet. A functional knee is in my future and I remind myself of that daily? We can do this. 
I have had a couple of pity parties myself. It is hard to be positive all of the time especially when you want so badly what you cannot have yet. A functional knee is in my future and I remind myself of that daily? We can do this. 
Hi @VW54 - I've just read back and see that you are getting a lot of bruising in places other than your knee - such as on your arms from using crutches. I don't think you should be getting that, even when taking Rivaroxaban. I know that when my husband was taking it he was told to report such things, because it meant that the dose needed to be adjusted. Have you consulted your surgeon about this bruising? Although you probably only hav ea few more days on th Rivaroxaban, it's probably a good idea to tell him.
OP
OP
VW54
graduate
Thanks Celle.
I did mention in the pre-op sector that I bruise easily to begin with. In addition I often rush about and am a bit "klutzy" banging into things. (Since childhood) It's true I only have 8 more days to take the medication. Gosh you wouldn't believe what my tummy looked like when I was getting it in injection form. Gruesome. Friends and nurses even winced. Doc on duty at hospital on day 6 before release actually gasped when he saw the back of my operated leg: "Wow. "Asked me if I bruise easily. I showed him my tummy from the 6 days of injected I think it was warfarin?heparin?. He: "Oh well. But it has to be, unfortunately."
I think the OS doctor will just say:"just one more week" or refer me to an internist. A family friend who is an internist (lives elsewhere) is the one who suggested switching to tablet form because I couldn't take injections so well. Our GP agreed to suggestion. I could call him; but as above he's likely to say also: "just one more week." Will let you know.
I did mention in the pre-op sector that I bruise easily to begin with. In addition I often rush about and am a bit "klutzy" banging into things. (Since childhood) It's true I only have 8 more days to take the medication. Gosh you wouldn't believe what my tummy looked like when I was getting it in injection form. Gruesome. Friends and nurses even winced. Doc on duty at hospital on day 6 before release actually gasped when he saw the back of my operated leg: "Wow. "Asked me if I bruise easily. I showed him my tummy from the 6 days of injected I think it was warfarin?heparin?. He: "Oh well. But it has to be, unfortunately."
I think the OS doctor will just say:"just one more week" or refer me to an internist. A family friend who is an internist (lives elsewhere) is the one who suggested switching to tablet form because I couldn't take injections so well. Our GP agreed to suggestion. I could call him; but as above he's likely to say also: "just one more week." Will let you know.
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My OS let me take just an aspirin once a day. I was thrilled with that!
flyaway79
graduate
I really think many people think "oh it's just a knee replacement, lots of people have those" and don't feel the need to give it much thought about what we are going through.
Even one of my best friend's husband who had a replacement 9 years ago at 48 said "oh no big deal! I was back to work walking up and down stairs at 3 weeks. " Uh thanks :-( And I think she is now wondering why I'm not back flying trips with her yet. Kinda frustrating. BUT - he just found out he needs his other one done and he's now much older and not in such great shape anymore. We shall see how this one goes. Not hoping for anything bad for him but maybe a dose of reality??
If someone falls and breaks a leg or hip or something they get all the sympathy in the world but since we "did this on purpose" - not so much. I'm done trying to educate people about it. I just say, it's a long recovery and leave it at that.
Even one of my best friend's husband who had a replacement 9 years ago at 48 said "oh no big deal! I was back to work walking up and down stairs at 3 weeks. " Uh thanks :-( And I think she is now wondering why I'm not back flying trips with her yet. Kinda frustrating. BUT - he just found out he needs his other one done and he's now much older and not in such great shape anymore. We shall see how this one goes. Not hoping for anything bad for him but maybe a dose of reality??
If someone falls and breaks a leg or hip or something they get all the sympathy in the world but since we "did this on purpose" - not so much. I'm done trying to educate people about it. I just say, it's a long recovery and leave it at that.
Pheebs52
big-cheese
@flyaway79, but...but...who actually *chooses* to have bone-on-bone arthritis? Aaarrggh, these people with their *miracle* recovery stories just rot my socks. Next time I hear one, I'm just going to raise my hand and say "Stop." I don't feel I need to explain my recovery to anyone, nor do I want to hear nonsense from anyone who hasn't walked a mile in my knee. Or shoes.
OP
OP
VW54
graduate
Day 27 post op...almost 4 weeks.
I have good news (and some not so good)
Physiotherapist was here today and we tried 3 new things and I did well.
Used bouncy ball. ( to help thigh muscles)
But must get DH to get it inflated a bit more.
Went for a few rounds using trekking sticks. She said my gait was even better with them than with crutches.
Tried going up the 15 steps foot over foot. I managed albeit slowly and w a pause midway. I'm to do this every other day but always w DH next to me.
Going down still baby steps. That'll take longer.
My calf feels stronger. I should continue with 2x day 1 hr. TENS.
She estimated I'm at 95, maybe 100 and 0.
Hurray! And I hardly struggle getting up. Even from low sofa. Sitting down still has me groaning.
Not so good news is I should stay on anti-coagulant meds till next week.
Other not so good was waking up around 4 a.m. (It's always 4. a.m. huh?) very bad pain despite medication. But I was ok again this morning.
Going to take a nap, then try to walk to shop which is 350m away.
I have good news (and some not so good)
Physiotherapist was here today and we tried 3 new things and I did well.
Used bouncy ball. ( to help thigh muscles)
But must get DH to get it inflated a bit more.
Went for a few rounds using trekking sticks. She said my gait was even better with them than with crutches.
Tried going up the 15 steps foot over foot. I managed albeit slowly and w a pause midway. I'm to do this every other day but always w DH next to me.
Going down still baby steps. That'll take longer.
My calf feels stronger. I should continue with 2x day 1 hr. TENS.
She estimated I'm at 95, maybe 100 and 0.
Hurray! And I hardly struggle getting up. Even from low sofa. Sitting down still has me groaning.
Not so good news is I should stay on anti-coagulant meds till next week.
Other not so good was waking up around 4 a.m. (It's always 4. a.m. huh?) very bad pain despite medication. But I was ok again this morning.
Going to take a nap, then try to walk to shop which is 350m away.
It sounds like you're doing very well for a little over a month!
dvannie
member
Awesome progress!
It sounds as if you're making great progress.
Don't worry about going upstairs one foot at a time yet - it's not even a month since your surgery, so it's really too early for that. Doing it for one step is probably OK, but 15 is overkill.
Don't worry about going upstairs one foot at a time yet - it's not even a month since your surgery, so it's really too early for that. Doing it for one step is probably OK, but 15 is overkill.
knit2tog
senior
Great report! Good for you
OP
OP
VW54
graduate
Day 29 post op
Walked to the local grocery store which is about 350 m away to get my blueberries and cherries supply
Not sure if I overdid it. I felt quite Ok but my knee swelling is up again and now the ankle has joined in.
I used to have my ankle swell up at the end of a day pre op. So is this "returning to normal" or just one more thing TKR associated.
I mean to say that for a whole month now my ankle didn't swell, just the knee! a bit...about 4 inches more than other leg.
I wrote about the horrible clunkity-clunk-clonk feeling on bland9's thread, so need to repeat it here.
The bad thing is, in order to avoid it, I find I'm stiffening my leg while I walk, similar to pre-op times, and therefore limp. That can't be good.
I'm doing ok w reduced meds. 5x per day 400 mg paracetamol covers most pain...and ice packs help too.
Walked to the local grocery store which is about 350 m away to get my blueberries and cherries supply
Not sure if I overdid it. I felt quite Ok but my knee swelling is up again and now the ankle has joined in.
I used to have my ankle swell up at the end of a day pre op. So is this "returning to normal" or just one more thing TKR associated.
I mean to say that for a whole month now my ankle didn't swell, just the knee! a bit...about 4 inches more than other leg.
I wrote about the horrible clunkity-clunk-clonk feeling on bland9's thread, so need to repeat it here.
The bad thing is, in order to avoid it, I find I'm stiffening my leg while I walk, similar to pre-op times, and therefore limp. That can't be good.
I'm doing ok w reduced meds. 5x per day 400 mg paracetamol covers most pain...and ice packs help too.
The clunking is normal. As your muscles strengthen the noise gets less and less. Don't walk stiff-legged. You need to walk normally to rehab normally.
