Were you in pain after PT sessions?

[Sandy R]

I'm at 5 weeks now and my recovery has been going very well. My extension is 1 degree from "0". My flexion is at 110. The only complaint I have is that frequently after PT, the whole next day I'm dragging in pain. That said, after the pain, my ROM seems better. I asked the PT about the pain but she said she's not really doing anything extreme. Am I just a wimp?

Also, the area to the left of my RTKR, is really, really sensitive. How long before that goes away. Presently, I can only wear 2 of my long pants, the rest rub against the area. Sandy

 

[Doug]

Sandy,
Yes you're a wimp!!
Just kidding..At your stage of recovery, I would be surprised if you weren't having pain...Think of all the trauma your body went through during the surgery. Secondly, most all of us had limited use of our leg prior to the surgery. The muscles atrophied, and all of the supportive structure relaxed. Third, I know my leg was bowed out. It is now straightened out which cause more discomfort until I worked through it in the rehab process.
Hang in there. Work hard, and take your pain meds.

As for the sensitivity, I hate to say it but it may hang around for awhile..Rub the area down with aquaphor(sp) lotion. That keeps the incision soft, and I think it helps desensitize the area to touch. I finally got my feeling back in the area at about 5-6months post op.
You may get a feeling like something is crawling around the knee. That's your nerves saying "hi".

 

[Josephine]

What are your pain meds? How often are you taking them? Are you trying to cut down because it's 5 weeks and you think they should no longer be necessary now? tss tss!!

 

[edk]

If I had PT I would take a Naproxen in the morning (its more effective at preventing
inflamation than reducing inflamation) and I would take a Vicodin with me to PT.
Half way through PT at water break I would take the Vicodin. That gave me time
to finish PT, drive home, elevate my leg, and ice it just in time for the narcotics to
kick in. Ya gotta do what you gotta do. If someone drove me to PT I would take
the Vicodin when they called me to the torture room.

Feelings south of the incision are an issue which you'll have to deal with for the
next year. At about 3 months I started feeling this burning below the incision then
it turns into some feeling.

 

[beachcomber]

Or better yet--- take the pain meds 45 minutes BEFORE they call your name for the torture chamber!

 

[JudyS]

That's what I was thinking!!
Judy

 

[Gretchendz]

Hi Sandy--yes PT hurts! I usually hurt for at least a day after a session. Count me as one who took pain meds before the session. I found I could tolerate more pushing that way and made better progress than when I did not.

As to sensitivity, I'm on my second new knee and both times I could not stand any fabric (even sheets) on the knee at all. I literally sleep and live in shorts regardless of weather--and hang my knee out from the sheets. Eventually, it goes away.

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Sandy

I am over 3 months out and PTstill kills me. I usually now go first thing in the am and by 4 pm after pt and a full day of school my but is dragging and I just eat and go to bed. I get through the next day but am totally exhausted - then turn around and do it all again!

I gave up on being stylish this year - i live in Alaska - we have snow and day time temps in the teens right now and today I was in shorts - Had PT - went straight to school and iced on and off all day due to the swelling. Taught left school at 4:30 - still in shorts - I hate the way the sweats pull if I swell bad - and forget jeans - I can't stand the tightness in my calf knee and thigh after about 5 minutes!!!! Yikes -

So - no worries - If I can pull off shorts up here I am sure you can to!
Marianne

 

[Sandy R]

You guys are great! You've made me feel less isolated. Gretchen, I also sleep with my knee outside the covers. And yes, Marianne, if you can wear shorts in Alaska. I definitely can wear white long pants in SoCal! My first priority is comfort. I can't even take advantage of my after surgery weight loss... all my smaller size clothes fit now but I'm only able to look at them longingly.

Right after my surgery, medication was a problem for me. I'm not used to taking heavy dose pain meds. I felt loopy, groggy and just plain awful. Both my OS and internist suggested I cut down the meds as soon as I felt I could. I feel so much better without the meds... except after a PT session.

During a PT session, I don't hurt much but afterward and the following day, I take 1/2 a Vicodin 5/500 every 4 to 6 hours... which makes me feel yucky. If I take more than that, I go to sleep and then have a terrific hangover. Between the PT hurting, all I need for pain is one Ultram 500mg + a tylenol extra strength about every 10 hours. And each day, I take a Mobic.

Yeah, I'm probably a wimp. Or mayb it's that I'm 69 years old. Oh, a big stresser is that I'll be having Thanksgiving dinner here (son and daughter will be doing the cooking) and the next evening is son's and new wife's wedding reception (50-60 people coming and it'll be catered). Wish me luck that I get through it!
Sandy

 

[Josephine]

Indeed we do wish you luck - just do NOT get sucked into helping in the kitchen. You're far too early to do that. Well, small jobs will be okay but be careful of anything more.

Other than that, hope you have a great time!

 

[JudyS]

Sandy I will be thinking about you trying to get through that Thanksgiving weekend!!!
Judy

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Sandy-
I managed sweats today - the wind was howling and I was freezing and I found the loosest pair I owned -and I made it!!! The knee swelled to max range and I threw some ice on it at lunch and made it home - but I digress..... PT - omg - My pt guy is trying to kill me this week.. I am in agony again tonight. We tried something new and my hip, back and but are killing me tonight!!! ohhhhhh the pain of it all!!!!!!!!!!! I am sure I will survive - but wait till I see him.... i think the next time he tries to bend my knee I may have to have the other leg pop out and nail him - just for the fun of it!!!! - strange thing is the knee is just swollen - no pain!!

Anyway - just wanted you to know you weren't alone!

Marianne

 

[Gretchendz]

Hey Sandy, here's another "you're not alone" post...

Had my first outpatient PT today with my second new knee. I know these guys well as they worked on my first knee about 5 months.

Overall, I'm doing better with the new one, and my PT was quite gentle today...guess what? I came home and fell asleep immediately for a couple hours and all night I have felt like I was hit by a fairly large truck.

Got another session tomorrow (yikes!). Only good news is I'll have therapy in the 95 degree pool. I expect I won't feel better till Sunday.

So, you're in company (not sure if we're always "good" company or not *grins*). But at least this time, since I've been through it before, I know the results are worth it!

Hey--and on Thanksgiving, I say if you get tired, you just announce to family-"I love you all, have fun, I'm going to take a nap"

If anyone gives you grief, cue up some of those YouTube videos of TKR surgery and make them watch while you rest