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Check with your surgeon re wearing the stockings, if you're on heparin injections there may be no need to use them. I was told to paddle my ankles as vigourously as I could manage for 5 mins every hour when I was wakened to get the blood moving and prevent clots forming. I was on the heparin injections for two weeks when I got home and no problems once they stopped. You're doing well if you can get a AT stocking on your operated leg, I struggled trying to get a sock on for first few weeks and remember well the bother I had putting AT stockings on after I had a hysterectomy a few years ago and that was when I had functioning knees!!
 
@Lilli215... That made me laugh in empathy!
My DH helped get the fresh pair on this morning.
I did ask OS re stockings on day3 and he raised his shoulders, said it was part of the protocoll with patients w my risk (what risk?*) profile and best I ask the nurses because : "they know so much more about these things of aftercare"
It made a VeryGood Impression that he admitted not knowing and deferred to nursing experience!

*I have a tendency to retain water in my lower half, and this since teenage years. My granny had this too. Lymphoedema ? My ankles swell up a lot if I've walked a lot.
 
@VW54 that's just great that the surgeon couldn't advise you, how reassuring!!! When do you see the physio again, perhaps they could advise you? Personally if it was me I would go without them for a few days and see what happens, you're on heparin so you're not going to develop a clot and if you develop severe swelling you could then start using them again. Did you have to wear them routinely for lympoedema before your op?
 
Lilli asked : did I have to wear the stockings routinely for lympoedema before the op.

Hmm. About 20 years ago it was recommended I wear such stockings if going on long flights or for any time (after op) I would be less active. I did, to and from USA 8 hr flight. Was ok.
4 years ago after meniscus tear, the GP doc said I ought to wear them for a while. I didn't. ( it was summer. ) The idea alone made me rebel.
I'm going to try to "deal with them" now. At least this week until stitches come off. They aren't uncomfortable. Only the putting on and off part.:whistle:
 
I still buckle at 7w. Definitely less often than earlier on but it's disconcerting. I always feel,like I'm about to go down. I'm still on a cane out to the house.
 
Speaking strictly for myself, I just used crutches on a real, outdoor trip the other day and found walking with them more natural than walking with the walker. It allowed me straight posture and my back thanked me for that as well. However, I did practice with them in the house first after I'd been home for about a week. At this point, I alternate between the two. I get the impression that many people just graduate from the walker to a cane and though I can walk with a cane, it aggravates my back, so I prefer the crutches for now.
 
I came home with two canes which I used for four weeks ( you had to be able to use canes before you were discharged) then moved to one cane and used that in the house till about week 6 then kept using it outside until about week 13. Personally I much preferred the canes to the walker, I found that I could walk more naturally with them.
 
I went from walker to crutches to two canes and now a single cane most of the time. I have even walked a few steps without anything. My progression has been based on how secure I felt and if I had the support needed. I definitely would not go for a walk without any support, but I do when I am doing things like fixing my breakfast because I can support myself with the counter if needed.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
I thought of getting those stockings on as part of my PT.:loll:That and getting dressed every day. My recovery uniform was: T-shirt, shorts and socks.
 
The day started out well but after several times getting out of bed without the use of that dangling triangle (is there a name for that?) one sees/has on hospital beds, my behind and hip are ever so achy! Feels like sciatica pain. ( had it last over 10 years ago) It shoots down all the way to my toes, comes in waves.
I couldn't do slides- hardly at all...barely to 35° and pressing knee towards mattress hurt more this afternoon.

Moreover, now with stockings off for the night, I realise its not the stockings that made my knee feel so incredibly stiff and tight but the knee itself feels this way. As if I had 100 wide elastic bands tied tight around my knee. Ow ow ow!
So this evening I could bend my knee less than what I could yesterday or 2 days ago at hospital.
Why did it get worse?
Frustrated.

Believe me. I've tried different ways to get out of bed. ok ok it's my first day at home. I'll figure out something, however maybe someone here has some ideas?
Normally, when I sit at edge of bed, my knees would be at 90°. I thought this is the height to aim for.
 
My buckling increased again today because I think I did too much yesterday. I just felt so darn good that I just knew I was over the proverbial hump. Guess again. Icing again ..........
 
VW54 said:
So this evening I could bend my knee less than what I could yesterday or 2 days ago at hospital.
Why did it get worse?
Frustrated.
Click to expand...
It's quite common for this to happen, so don't worry about it.

What happens is, no matter how you try not to be, you are a bit more active at home and that results in a bit of additional swelling, which then prevents your knee from bending. Concentrate on getting plenty of rest, ice and elevation and your bend will start to improve again.
 
My bend was worse at my first PT appointment a week after surgery than I was the day I left the hospital.
 
Not sure what your home setup is @VW54 but if there is a recliner anywhere in your house you may want to try sleeping and resting in that, it's much easier to get up and out of than a bed. I bought a big ugly recliner before surgery and it has been one of the best purchases I've ever made. It plugs in so the motion is controlled with a button all I have to do is sit down! It has made icing and elevating very easy for me which is paying off in decreased swelling and pain. Here's hoping for some relief from your pain (7 is yikes territory to me)!
 
Try not to panic @VW54, you will feel extremely vulnerable being home from hospital as you have no medical support to hand, I was terrified for first few days.. You will find as you go along and I'm sure you have already read that this recovery isn't a smooth one. It goes up, down, round a corner, backwards forwards and generally drives you round the bend. What you can do one day you may find you then can't do for another week!!! Just take it easy, ice , elevate and ice ice ice. There is plenty of time to start doing heel slides etc. When you do start them sit up in a chair with your heel to the floor- so much easier than doing them with your legs up on the bed.
 
@kneeper, impressed that you could manage socks, i went barefoot for first few weeks unless I was going out as getting on socks was such a struggle!!:nah:
 
@VW54, like you, I couldn't wait to be rid of those awful support stockings and felt crushing disappointment when they came off and my leg still felt like it was stuck in a tourniquet; pffft! Now that I have entered post-op week3, that sensation is beginning to diminish somewhat. It's not all gone, but much more tolerable than it was just last week.

I found that elevating too high caused me sciatica like pain (still does) but I can get my toes above my hip with the right two pillow combo. Perhaps you could try that as well. @keefsmom suggestion for sleeping in the recliner was a lifesaver for me because my normally comfortable bed just felt awful on my back. Unless you naturally sleep on your back, it's tough to maintain that posture all night and we tend to roll during the night as well. I had a few nights where my leg came crashing down off the pillows and that was a very rude awakening.

Hopefully, you'll get better sleep tonight than any you had in the hospital.:sleeep:
 
Do you have a leg-lifter, dog leash or something similar that you can use to slowly lower your leg out of bed? Even a bathrobe tie or a long scarf would do. I placed an ottoman next to my bed, so initially, I would raise and lower the leg in stages using that. The other trick you can use is bracing your OP leg with your good leg. You can drag the OP leg across the bed this way without causing pain and also lower it to the floor.
 
Hi bonesmarties
Am elevating and icing as I write. 2nd time in 5 hours.BTW, The 15 tramadol drops helped me get sleep...and I used acupressure on myself to find *the* spot or two on my lower back which was source of the horrid ischias pain. TG for internet helpful ideas. 10 minutes and pain dissipated. Phew!
I do have leg lifts. 2 in fact. One for sofa one for bed. I even took photo of it and posted it here.
And Tada! I finally found a leverage anchor to help me lift my upper half up! Just hope furniture drawer (the top drawer of night stand) is well built. So far, so good.
We have a recliner in the living /dining room. Unfortunately no curtains in that room and the sun shines in at 5 a.m. I can't sleep w shades.
In addition that room shares wall w neighbours and is above garages and there's a rain drain pipe which has constant drip. In sum, Ok for naps but not for the night.
My bed does have a mechanical leg and torso riser. It's the rolling out and getting out of the bed part I struggle with.

Went through lots of threads to see how many are affected by the very, VERY tight stiff feeling we have these first weeks. Ayayay! some say a few weeks some say a few months. It's blinkety awful. It feels like my skin will pop open when I bend my knee.
Aghhh!

I have a question: At patient info we were told not to twist our knees. But I cannot remember what they meant with "don't twist" .......and when I turn to sleep on my side I twist the leg out . When I sit on the loo, the operated leg is also slightly twisted out ... (you know... so I can wipe...) is that bad? Any explanation here would be helpful.Also, how long for?
 
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