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TKR VW's new joint venture

Looks like you're figuring out all the little mechanical life and limb hacks for getting around. It's key to locate those stable surfaces and structures to brace ourselves with for moving those darn new knees around. My low sofa is still my nemesis.

As for twisting the new knee... I have the same implants as you and my OS didn't give me that warning about not twisting the knee. He did ask if I planned to be an NFL running back. Umm... no. Then you won't have a problem, he said. The knee right now will do anything you need it to do. Maybe not indestructible, but close to it. So I've been leveraging my body on my bed a bit, trying to turn onto my side. If my knee doesn't like a position or angle, it tells me and I give up that effort. So far, my knees show every sign of moving and functioning like normal knees. Maybe you could call your OS to ask for clarification of what was meant by the warning, just to put your mind at rest?
 
Every so often I'd notice my TKR would seem to get "stuck" when I turned in bed. It didn't really hurt, but was a surprise and I needed to move it gently to "unstick" it. This may be why your OS mentioned not twisting. When I did turn or twist I did it carefully, thus waking up every time I turned bed. But for the first month I spent most of my nights on my back with legs elevated. There's very little you can do to hurt the implant, just don't do anything that hurts your knee right now and it should be fine.
 
Here's what worked for me to *roll* out of bed. Make your bed flat (it's adjustable, right?) and position yourself on your back. Hook your *good* foot under your OP foot and drag the leg over until both legs and your entire torso are at the edge of the bed. Push torso up with arms until you are in a seated position. Slowly lower both legs over the side of the bed with your good leg still bracing your OP leg. Does that help? I will typically sit like that for a few minutes and let the legs dangle a bit before actually grabbing the walker and standing. Sitting for a few minutes before standing also helps prevent any blood pressure wooziness which can occur from sudden rising.

As you described, some minor twisting is inevitable, but what you want to avoid is any pivoting motion when standing. You are not ready to do the twist.:SUNsmile:

The very stiff tourniquet sensation above the knee is quite variable and individual. Everyone experiences it, but I can only speak to my own situation. It has taken me 16 days to feel a reduction in that sensation. It's not gone, but is reduced. In my case, it seems having the staples removed at Day 14, helped. My swelling went down a lot after the staples were removed. For the most part though, I think it's simply time and the healing process that make it fade.
 
Think what they mean is keeping your foot still and turning your knee only with your weight on it, believe you me the pain is horrendous as the implant can only go up and down and not sideways the way a human knee does. It's ok to turn your leg and knee out if you're elevating or in bed as long as it doesn't hurt
 
Thanks for replies and explanations.
What I noticed last night and this morning is a weird clunky sound/feeling as I stood up from bed. Quite disturbing and has me worried again.
Maybe VW should stand for Very Worried.
I don't remember having this sensation before.
(But I do have Schmerzheimer's)

Last night on city news there was a report of a new ceramic implant that has certain advantages over metal ones. 33 people thus far have them.
Why did my OS not tell me? ! Supposedly lighter in weight too. Things like this circle in my head and don't let me settle.
No change in *very* tight feeling and an increase of zingers. Wow some are real doozies!
I wish sitting down normally without elevating would be less painful; can only tolerate this for 20 minutes. I can't enjoy our balcony yet. Must find way to prop up leg.

ETA: took a blanket, stuffed it folded into pillowcase and that onto balcony chair. Works fine. Yay. Have apron draped over incision area.
 
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I've started this as a new thread on purpose because it is a general question as to the use of TENS *after* a knee operation.
Please advise what you know and what your experience has been with it.
To forum moderators: if you don't want this as a new thread then perhaps , eventually as a sticky thread with gathered info? Thanks!
 
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You figured out a solution! Where there's a will, there's a way!

I have the Depuy Attune also, and there will be a worry in the back of my mind for years about the metal. I was unable to wear earrings containing nickle. But, praise God, so far, no symptoms!
 
VW54,
There is an article in the library about TENS and where to place the electrodes. TENS machines for pain management
I found a TENS unit helpful. Be sure to keep the electrodes away from your incision until it is healed.
Everyone is different, some like it , some don't.
 
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Thanks. I did find it and read it. But there were no replies. Since this is a forum where we can share what helps, I am hoping to hear how others who used it fared with it. Am especially curious how having a metal implant affects the currents and vice versa. In my TENS booklet it specifically says not to use it near metal parts as with plates and screws in a leg/ arm. So, am a bit confused, can I or not try it for pain control? It helped me pre-op.
 
VW54,

You'll notice that I have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one recovery thread:
  • That way, we have all your information in one place. This makes it easier to go back and review your history before providing advice.
  • If you keep starting new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
  • Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.
So please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.
If you need an urgent response to a question, just tag a member of staff.
How to tag another member; how to answer when someone tags you

Here are the instructions on finding your thread, How can I find my threads and posts? . Many members bookmark their thread, so they can find it when they log on.
 
Thanks. But I would really rather like it if there were a separate discussion or thread for that specific pain relief method. Is that not possible on this forum ? Under "if you have pain" Library it just mentions it exists but not the experience patients have had.
 
Have you tried searching TENs unit in the search bar to find other's experiences?
 
Lots of people follow each others' threads, so I'm sure people will see your comments about TENS in your thread. The hashtag is a good idea.
 
I have a small Stim machine that my PT recommended. It has two setting. TENS setting is used for my aching muscles in my legs and thighs. Can really be used on any part of the body for pain relief. The EMS setting is used on my quad just like they used at the end of the PT session to help strengthen the quad.
 
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It's our policy to have one recovery thread One thread for your recovery please because people inevitably start discussing their recoveries in a topic thread and forget to keep their recovery thread updated. Then they ask me a specific question and I'm stuck because I don't have ready access to their history. Comparing one thing against the other, I'd really prefer you obliged me by sticking to our protocol if you don't mind.
 
Your posts and others who have posted here about the TENS machine are now part of a hashtag topic. You'll see it in the Trending block on the right side of the main forum index page. If you click on the hashtag link, all of the related posts about this topic come up. Actually this is a better way to compile information about a specific topic because when one starts a thread, you'll get comments for a while, but eventually the thread will fall back on later pages of the index when people don't respond as often. When that happens, it's usually lost for comments. Your TENS hashtag will remain active on the main index page and the staff now will be making sure any posts they review that make mention of using a TENS machine will be added to the hashtag list. You can opt to subscribe to this hashtag and will receive an email alert when new material is posted if you have that preference checked in your profile.
 
Ahh...ok, all is clear now. I've visited and participated in a few fora in the past decade on the internet but hadn't seen the hashtag concept before. A good alternative. Must keep up with technology eh?:smile2:
 
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