TKR Whimsy's Recovery Thread.......

[Dulcimer Diva]

In my 9th week and am once again battling the carb equivalent of the Lorelei on that rock in the Rhine. (Praying my weight loss doesn't suffer the same fate of those boats that crashed into the cliffs). I'm down to fewer than 10mg. per day of Norco so my brain is once again seeking solace from sugar and starch. I have gained 3 lbs. since plateauing, so the buck (and the BBQ) stops here.

So those of you still on greater doses of opioids--enjoy those sweets while you can without adverse consequences. Your appetites WILL return, and so must your vigilance. Remember that any weight loss that seems too effortless will be ephemeral unless the effort eventually resumes. (Your mileage may vary--in fact, I sure hope it does).

 

[Whimsy3]

Week 6: went to the 6 week checkup yesterday, OS was quite pleased with my progress. I walked in with out a cane . Flexion hit 110 and extension is 0. I get to go down to 2 days of PT . I got to go back on my arthritis meds so my other knee and shoulder feel great again. I walked up and down the stairs like a regular person today too. Slowly but done.

I am going to try water aerobics tomorrow. Well at least I am going to get in the heated pool and see how it goes. I am sure I will not be able to do everything, but I know my well being is gonna be great. I LOVE the water and just to be in it will be wonderful. The weather here has been too cool and my neighbors pool is way too chilly.

Cooked dinner for my son and his family tonight and actually cleaned the kitchen. We then went out to play, play play as our 21 month old grandson says. Rode him all over the yard on the Rollator.

I am so thankful and blessed I had this surgery. This time next year hope to have number 2.

 

[Whimsy3]

Received great news yesterday, I will be released from PT at the end of next week. That is 3 weeks earlier than normal. I have already surpassed all projected goals and they felt I would continue to excel on my own. She laughed and said we haven't had many knee replacements start water aerobics at week 6. That in itself has helped me more than anything, it has helped my core muscles and that helps me walk straighter.

 

[Whimsy3]

What wonderful news I received last week. I will be released from PT on this Friday!! That is 3weeks earlier than most people. My flex still only about 118, but they know me and they know I will continue my home exercises and become more active daily. I do think Water Aerobics has helped, if nothing else it has made me get up and go somewhere. I will go back to work the beginning of October (I do have a great boss). I only work 3 days but work 9 1/2 hours a day with not a lot of sitting down time. I know I will be ready to go back, as much as I love my hubby and dogs I miss the social activity of work!! I work in a busy Florist shop, and I love talking with customers and helping them choose the best arrangements, I just miss the excitement.

 

[kneeper]

Great report.

 

[Whimsy3]

It is week 10 since my surgery and I wanted to give you all a report on my progress.

First let me start off saying what a wonderful Blessing this surgery has been.

Yesterday at the grocery an older gentleman asked me to get some butter for him because he couldn't bend down to get it. I squatted down and reached in to get the butter after I had straighten up I realized what I had done. Made my whole day.

I sleep all night now (when I do need to answer natures call I use the walker, not because of my surgery knee but because my other has been such a bother lately). I actually have weaned myself from naps this week. That was a task in itself.

I take a Tramadol once a day, most days

I still have trouble on the stairs, but am getting better. My thigh muscles still ache a little at times and I beleive that some of the nerves are awakening. (or possibly their are little elves sticking me with needles)

I go back to work the first week in October. I work 3 days a week at a florist, so it is on my feet most of the 9 1/2 hours. Hopefully my wonderful boss will let me work up to the whole day gradually.

I just wanted to let all of you who have just had surgery know that their is a beautiful light at the end.

 

[Whimsy3]

Just got back from my 12 week check-up the OS was so pleased with my progress. He was totally amazed that I can kneel and squat and for all practical purposes off any pain meds. Wants me to be his poster child for TKR. He told me not to tell anyone I could kneel, then all his patients would want to . Said stairs would come eventually it was a matter of strength.

He did suggest I go to a Message Therapist to help with the pain I have in my quad. He thinks that just like my shoulder surgery I have some muscle issues. I don't remember what got built up in my shoulder/neck muscles. but he thinks it is the same thing.

 

[Whimsy3]

I went to see my Medical Massage Therapist today and she felt I would be better to see a PT. After a little bit of pushing on my quads ( boy could she hit the right spot) and when I told her my bursitis in my hip had flared up since TKR, she felt like the issue was muscle weakness rather than scar tissue or build up in my muscles. She suggested a new PT, one that worked on her after a surgery. Said I needed a little bit of TLC and one on one which is how this PT works. She was amazed at my ROM and that I could kneel.

My first appointment is this coming Wednesday and I feel like great things.

 

[Whimsy3]

So this week I went to my first consult with the new PT, she is amazing. It seems I have no muscles in my quad area which then wraps up our hips. She had me do lots of exercises to see exactly what I could do. When she had me see how many times I could get out of a chair without using my hands I really did think I would cry. It was so humbling to realize how out of shape I had become since my shoulder accident. ( I use to be able to pick up full mail sacks and pitch them onto the truck).

The great news, this is all fixable. She has me on a pretty rigorous at home program and is I will see her twice a week. She was very pleased with the ROM in my knee, but said I needed to work on this problem to make me a strong walker.

On an even better note, I went back to work today for the first time. Gosh was it nice to be back. I made it a full 5 hours being on my feet most of the time so I am pleased.

 

[kneewords]

Hi Whimsey i wanted to ask you about kneeling. how did they get you to do it. My PT had me kneel on a roller about a week ago and i have regretted it but not sure if it has caused my pain. it is on the outside of my knee. But glad to hear you are kneeling so maybe i didnt mess anything up. Glad you are doing so good it gives us all hope!

 

[Whimsy3]

Kneewords, From the very start that was one thing I said I would do because it was important to me. At 60 I still kneel at my bedside to say my prayers at night, it was something I wasn't willing to stop. I started with using a pillow on the floor next to my bed and knelt next to my bed. Oh my goodness it was not pretty watching me get up or down and hurt like the dickens at first. Now I kneel without the pillow on carpet, but when I wash the dog in the tub I need a pillow on the tile surface.

My OS was so surprised I could kneel at all, I don't think a lot of us can, I know everyone I know with TKR can't. My OS laughed and said "It's a God thing"
Have a blessed weekend
Mari

 

[Dulcimer Diva]

Hmmm, Mari--maybe that explains how last month I was able to get out of that Tennessee motel room hot tub with no grab bars: as I steeled myself to get up from it without injury, I think I prayed for a minor miracle to be able to kneel (however briefly, in order to stand) so soon post-op. Guess it really IS "a God thing" after all (whether kneeling to pray or praying to kneel)!

 

[VancouverUSAgal]

So wonderful to read about how great your recovery has gone! It's helped keep my spirits up as I wait for my surgery next year.

 

[kneewords]

whimsey that is so great! im glad to hear its possible. i have a friend 2 weeks behind me whose OS said NEVER kneel on the knee. my OS is impossible to get to until my 3 mo check up in 2 weeks. i really thought kneeling messed me up but its just my crazy TKR mind right now thanks for the reply

 

[Whimsy3]

I am 6 months out from RTKR and really finding my own groove. I'm back out walking the fields taking pictures, working 3 9 1/2 hours day mostly standing, actually forget to think about the knee. Last Thursday I went to take a step left sideways and my heel caught on the carpet. I teetered and tottered about 5 feet but didn't fall. When I got home I iced the left knee down and went to bed. I woke up with some of the most extreme pain (made TKR a walk in the park!) in my left lower back above my butt. I preserved through working two more days then Christmas thinking I would get better. The day after Christmas I got up and could not pick my left leg up to walk!!

For the first time in my adult life I went to a chiropractor only because I could not get in with a MD. He told me I hurt my SI joint (who knew I had one?) That is the join that is on the inside of our hip bones holding the spine together. I feel some better after two treatments, but honestly still miserable. I am only supposed to sit for 15 minutes at a time!

It has really been a tough 6 months and I was just starting to see the end and now this happened, I am a little discouraged to say the least.

Has anyone else had any experience with this SI joint injury.

 

[kneeper]

Oh bummer. I have a feeling this is one of those things that will take time to heal. :(

 

[VancouverUSAgal]

Whimsy, so sorry you had to have this happen after all your hard work at recovery from the RTRK. I have had several bouts with similar back issues. The first time my leg slipped sideways out from under me and the result was severe back cramping. I couldn't put on pants or shoes without help. I went to a chiropractor and several treatments later it was all better. Another couple of times I developed sciatica without recalling any cause. The first time it cleared up with chiropractic treatment but the next time it continued without letup despite treatment. After 3 mos and tingling in my foot, I finally went back to the medical doctor. I waited so long because with previous problems the MDs had just said bed rest and offered no treatment. The results of an MRI showed nerve inflammation and I was given cortisone which completely took care of it within a week. So, I guess, I want to say that chiropractic often seems to help with these issues but if you have any tingling then it can indicate nerves being pinched or inflamed or something and you might need medical care. I sincerely hope your issues resolve soon and you can get on with your life!

 

[bottomshollow]

Hope you and yours have had a wonderful Christmas holiday with lots of family fellowship and sharing of gifts and lots of good food to eat.


I’ll be looking for you at the BoneSmart annual New Year’s Party. It’s been a very eventful year for most of us---and will be a very eventful year coming up for others of us looking forward to surgery in the new year.


Remember to bring food and drink to share---and pictures are always appreciated and loads of fun to share.


SEE YOU AT THE PARTY!!!!!

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