What is the first week like?

[referee54]

I have had surprisingly little pain

Many people are afraid of the pain that they believe is to follow, but any pain that I felt was due to my own dumb fault.

In the hospital, the nurses and other care-givers were adamant about me keeping them informed of any pain or discomfort. My OS gave me clear instructions to take the pain meds on time all of the time---and that is where I slipped up.

My OS also was not worried about me becoming addicted to the pain meds and did not hesitate to tell me so.

 

[Angel1978]

I was home most time by my self while my hub was working,and kids was at school. Used Walker and advances to crutches.
I was not in a lot of pain,but when it hit I got medicine. Try take medicine on time and it won't be unbearable.

To me it's more scary if your alone.

Just follow bone smart and you will do fine. I'ce/rest/elevate don't do it if it hurts.

The Meds I take don't make me fill sleepy or out of it.

Good luck xxx

 

[PolarBear60]

I'm two weeks out tomorrow, and have experienced remarkably little pain. Almost immediately, I cut one OxyContin dose, because my doctor asked me to wean myself from it as soon as possible. I take everything else on schedule (hydrocodone and aspirin). I use the highly recommended MedCoach app on my phone to help with it.

I wind up doing most of what my physical therapist team asks of me, but my knee almost guides me to do it because it's what feels good for the knee. Really strange.

The first week, I experienced some swelling from the thigh to the ankle. This week, swelling has "pulled back" to closer around the knee. Bruising is fading. I noticed it was easier to go more slowly with my exercises (as the PT will ask you to do) after the first couple days. Do this, because it will make the muscles supporting your joint stronger, and will help the knee recover faster during those times when it thinks about buckling later on.

My PTs measure ROM, but they haven't pressured me about it. They are happy with my progress. Today's PT did a little gentle massaging along the outside of the knee. I'm feeling a lot of tightness there, so I was happy for that.

I mostly use the walker at night when I'm going to the bathroom ( I figure that’s when my joint is most tired, I'm less attentive, and I just do not want to fall). I use crutches when I go out, because I trust them on the stairs, and in the house, I use a cane "just in case."

This has been my experience for the first two weeks. Oh, yeah, I sleep when I'm tired. I do small household chores that are easily broken into short tasks -- loading and unloading the dishwasher, loading and switching the washer and dryer, and folding clothes. The second week, I added downstairs litter boxes and medicating my cat (because I got tired of reminding my husband to do it). Most other things will wait. My husband will do the things I absolutely cannot do. While he's been wonderful for me in many unexpected ways, helping with the household stuff I usually do has not been one of those things. I can live with that.


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[TC15]

Thank you for the information. I am really scared of having this surgery. I was scheduled for both knees last April and I backed out a few weeks before. I am trying to stay positive. The information of what to expect helps a great deal.

 

[Angel1978]

You will do just fine. I was scared to. I ask a thousand questions and probley drove the staff crazy. But that is to be expected.

Stay positive. Think of this after your recovered. You will be able to do the things you could never do before. You will enjoy your life pain free.

((((Hugs)))). I'm praying for you. Xxx

 

[KarriB]

@TC15, I had never been in a patient in a hospital or had any type of surgery and had my RTKR 17 months ago. I was petrified. The only day of real pain occurred during the first 24 hours and it was just because the meds were not working for me. After a shot of toradol in my IV I was fine and stayed ahead of the pain from that point on. I was very fortunate to be able to go to the hospital rehab for seven days. I had wonderful PTs and OTs who helped me with the transition to my home because I was so scared I did no reading or research before the surgery. Most Important is to only do what feels good for your knee, take your pain meds, and don't worry about how long it's going to take to get to "normal". It will happen when your knee is ready.

It took me 3 1/2 weeks before I could make a meal in a crock pot. Friends and family brought meals by, did laundry (stairs to my laundry room), drove me to PT and did grocery shopping. I can't tell you when that stopped, as I had a complication that required a 2nd emergency surgery, but at week 4 I was beginning to think of going to the drug store or out to eat. But read the BoneSmart mantras because they are spot on. Elevating, icing, sitting, are really the best things you can do for yourself. Learn to let others help you. I was always the care giver and positions were reversed for a while, but I learned a lot about myself and my faith.

 

[skigirl]

I was in bed about 80% of the time during the first week. My pain was controlled by meds. I had my leg propped up with three pillows

Elevating your leg to control swelling and pain
Using ice

so that I could get the swelling down. My leg was fairly swollen and I could get up to go to the bathroom or take a walk around the house, but no cooking or cleaning. I was up a little more the second week, but really those two weeks are times for your soft tissues which have been disturbed by surgery need so that they can heal.

I did not try to do anything during the first two weeks. by three weeks, I could drive and go to PT, I could cook simple meals.---but standing up for an hour?? about 5 weeks.

 

[referee54]

I think the important factors are the swelling and the pain meds---if you follow the Bonesmart guidelines and ice/elevate/rest and to take your pain meds as necessary (do not be a "hero"), you will be fine.

Some folks try to jump back into their life too fast and do too much around the home, and they pay the price for it.

 

[Angel1978]

Lol he is right. I learned the hard way. If u follow bone smart. Ask questions to people on here u will do great. Don't be a goof like me and set down when your in agony. Lesion learned for me. Don't make same mistake I did.

See I had a partial in Dec it was messed up. Well I did a nonono. I was on it often. And doing way to much. Cause me more trouble. Yes i did set down in chair. But I paid for it.. And was in agony and grouchy.

If u can't do it. Don't do it. And don't let no one hurt you or to where u can't stand or.
Rest/Ice/Elevate. As as everyone says take your medicane. It's not fare for you to suffer.

Think of it this way. A vacation or a pamper time for you. Let the family do it for you.. Gradually work you way up to what u can do. And set some goals for your own self.

Praying for you. Xxx

 

[TC15]

I was wondering where you get the iceman machines? Also, does anyone know how soon after surgery can a massage of the knee area be done? A friend said that massage can help keep scar tissue down.

 

[referee54]

I would wait some time to massage---you will either have staples or steri-strips or glue to close the incision---and it should be good and healed before you start to massage around it.

AS for the ice machines---why don't you put a call into your surgeon's office and see what their protocol is---what they have you use after surgery---they can tell you what machine, etc, they get for you from insurance. Some folks' insurnace pays for an ice machine, while some insurances rent it.

 

[Kansas Teacher]

@TC15 , I agree with referee that it's going to probably be a bit before a massage is indicated. I am 6 days post-surgery and I'm sure I couldn't have a massage yet -- staples are still in, still bandaged up, and the whole area is bruised rainbow colors.

As far as the ice machine goes, I called ahead and found out that my insurance doesn't pay for one, either to rent or buy -- so I asked around and found one that a friend had sitting around that she'd used in the past. The hospital told me to bring it to surgery with me and they put a new pad on it. I'll just give it back to her when I'm completely done with it. Check with your surgeon and insurance first then, if you need to come up with one, ask friends if anyone has one (I found mine via Facebook, believe it or not!) or try Craig's List. I've seen them on Craig's List but would be very cautious if I used that -- too many weird things happening lately. Another option would be a local medical supply which might have one to rent to you. I do think it's worth getting though -- it has absolutely been a lifesaver for me and I think it really works better than the pain pills.

Roxie

 

[referee54]

As far as the ice machine goes, I called ahead and found out that my insurance doesn't pay for one, either to rent or buy -- so I asked around and found one that a friend had sitting around that she'd used in the past.

Very wise thing to do!!

Some have found these ice machines on Craig's List, too.

 

[referee54]

I just used these:

12" X18"---and I still have them in my freezer---bumps, bruises, strains, or when I get hit by a stray foul ball (I have the best umpire equipment you can get, but baseballs always seem to hit you where you are not protected.) I got mine from the hospital pharmacy, but you can get them on Amazon now.

 

[Angel1978]

Insurance is tricky and they don't pay for them.

But the ice packs preview above is awesome. I bought one off amazon. Then i went to a big pharmacy and got one. Medical arts pharmacy has them. So good luck. As far massage I was advised not to. Then I got to out patient therapy and she does it.
And I ask surgeon it was ok. They said usually after 4 weeks.
Best luck.

 

[KarriB]

My PT waited until the wound was completely healed and I could handle the touching and Palmer's etc. that goes with a massage. It was wonderful and totally helped me to relax my knee and get a better ROM. My dad and friend went to PT group that pushed down on their knee to get it straight as well as sitting weights on it. I left that group before they could try it on my new knee!

 

[Angel1978]

Wow. That is what they do to me. But it's just kinda playing around move around knee. But don't bother me. When on bike it's fills good.

 

[KarriB]

@Angel1978 the massage also helped the knee to straighten, but the PTs were so gentle, often straightening my knee while they had it over head! (I'm very flexible much to the surprise of my docs and pts) My new knee is just as straight as my natural knee. They also did the trick you've mentioned, letting the leg hang over the side of the bed and stretching back as much as possible. That's great for stretching out the quad muscle, too.

 

[referee54]

Learn to let others help you. I was always the care giver and positions were reversed for a while, but I learned a lot about myself and my faith.

This is an very valid point---many of us have been the ones who have cared for others and have been very unselfish; after a TKR, for a few weeks, at least, you will need to be a little bit "selfish." It is "me time" for you---you are to rest, heal, ice, and elevate---and then repeat.

People have had, at times, a little bit of a rough time reversing roles---understand that it is only temporary, but there is no way that you can successfully begin your recovery if you are still trying to help others, when it is you that is in strong need of assistance.

 

[Kansas Teacher]

I think for many of us , yours truly included, it requires a paradigm shift. For some reason, it's so dang hard for me to sit and watch my husband fixed that grilled cheese sandwich for me even though I've done it for him a thousand times a thousand in the years we've been married! Not that we eat grilled cheese all the time either.