PKR Zab’s recovery thread.

[zab]

Day 3 - Slept fine again went to bed at 10.30 PM and got up at 6.15 AM stirred a couple of times but no lying awake sure those nights will come at some point, a little more pain this morning but still managed OK with panadol, swelling still huge.

Breakfast smoothie done, time for a cup of tea, elevate and ice for an hour, then get the home PT done.

 

[maryo52]

Nice to have some decent sleep, isn't it? TKR makes one realize how important the simple stuff is. Hopefully you are icing most of the day. That will do wonders on the swelling.

 

[zab]

If i'm not doing something on my feet I'm pretty much icing all day long i'm sure its reducing the need for stronger pain killers, whilst icing I will elevate 75% of the time and sit in a high backed chair with my knee at 90° for the other 25% of the time.

 

[zab]

Real loss of appetite today having to force myself to eat, managed a trip to the bathroom though so another box ticked.

 

[sistersinhim]

Bathroom trips are a huge relief!

 

[zab]

Bathroom trips are a huge relief!

It was trust me

Day - 4 Another decent sleep went to bed at 11pm up just before 7am which is actually a bit of a lie in for me, no discomfort during the night was up at 3am for a toilet trip apart from that slept well, did fight the naps yesterday though.

Morning smoothie, cup of tea and some Panadol lets see what today brings.

 

[zab]

Been out for dinner took both crutches but only needed one, knee suffering a bit now as no ice for a couple of hours. Time for the Cyro-cuff.

 

[sistersinhim]

Getting out is such a mood up-lifter! Great that you got to get out.

 

[maryo52]

Hope you had an enjoyable dinner out. I know that the cryocuff is kind of a cocktail for the knee, nice to look forward to!!

 

[zab]

Day 5 - Slept well again enjoyed an evening away from the sofa and Netflix but a little sore today but not unbearable, total rest day with lots of ice.

 

[zab]

Day 6 - Slept well again however woke at 6am had a cup of tea and some Panadol and went back to sleep until 11am I never ever do that! Must just be my body and mind telling me to rest up. Even now after a shower and some food feeling a bit tired, have an offer of spending the afternoon at a friends place but would probably mean a bit of time on my feet and a couple of beers so think I will stick to the sofa, sparkling water and Netflix.

 

[Lindylee]

It's best to listen to our bodies and rest when it tells us too. I had a day when I dozed on and off all day after a good night's sleep. Our bodies are using a lot of energy repairing the damage done. Enjoy your duvet day.

 

[zab]

Had a duvet day but got took out for dinner again, needed the rest but equally needed the time out from the sofa

 

[Lindylee]

Sounds like a good balance to me

 

[Kctsh2019]

Sounds like your doing great! I will be on the same journey starting Wednesday. Everyone's post has given me some positive hope. I enjoy following the ones that have already been through it. Prayers are with you for a speedy recovery!

 

[zab]

Week 2 - OK 7 days in and don't see the need to bore you with daily updates so will try and just put a weekly updates on from now on unless I have any issues along the way and seek some advice.

I seem so far to be tracking nicely I'm about where I expected/hoped to be a week in, I used a single crutch the first 5 days but have been full weight bearing the last couple of days I have a trip planned to the local Bunnings (hardware store) this afternoon and may take a crutch as I will be on my feet walking about for probably 20-30 minutes.

Dare I say it but I have completed by home PT religiously each day, I complete it to the point of discomfort (not pain) I don't really agree with the bonesmart attitude to PT as it is pretty single minded and think it is a very individual thing. What is right for a very inactive person in there 60's and 70's who just wants to walk again without pain is completely different to what is needed for a very active person in there 40's/50's/60's who wants to be very active again after surgery and I intend to be very active again in time I'm in my 40's.

Ice really has been my friend this first week and has helped so much in controlling the pain, as far as meds go I have been taking Panadol, Celebrex and aspirin, I have been prescribed some others but haven't felt the pain justifies taking them.

One area I really looked into prior to surgery because I already had an interest was nutrition and there is a wealth of knowledge out on the internet. You need to be eating the right things to aid recovery and the standard western diet of processed rubbish just doesn't cut it!

I have my first follow up with my OS this Friday (Day 10) so will put an update on after that, I'm guessing he will want me to start out patient PT at some point after that, I intend to take another week after that so 3 weeks in total off work but will see how things are going.

 

[NavyGunns]

@zab, your approach to pt (in home or out patient) is just fine. It’s the same approach that I took with my PKR recovery. My OS would not allow out patient pt until after my first follow up which was at 2 weeks post op. I did not have in home pt but did have stretches and such that I did on my own every day. Like you, I did them to the point of discomfort but not pain.

When you do start out patient pt, be sure to have a very direct discussion with your OS and therapist letting them know what your expectations and goals are. I made it clear that I did not want pt to cause pain or swelling but to focus on just the opposite, reducing swelling which will allow for increased rom and greater flexibility. They both were on board and everything went exactly the way I expected.

Good luck with your follow up, looking forward to seeing the update.

 

[zab]

OK I said weekly updates unless I have an issue and need advice and normally I would call or email my surgeons office however it's a public holiday today here in sunny WA (hot one too at 36c) so need some advice please.

Today whilst getting out of a friends car I had the slightest of itches on my knee, when I looked at the area of the itch I have a small sore, half in half out of my waterproof dressing it's small about the size of the average mans small finger nail it looks to be full of fluid, normally I would pierce it drain it and get on with things but seeing as I have recently had a foreign body/bodies left inside me I figured I had better not.

I really don't quite know why it has formed just wondering on the best course of action? My GP isn't local (40 min drive) I know it's not going to kill me and the proximity to the wound apparently doesn't matter. I guess leave it alone and seek guidance off my OS's office tomorrow?

 

[NavyGunns]

@zab, I’m going tag @Josephine and @Celle as they have more experience in that area. If there is any chance you could take a picture and post it, that might help. If you have trouble posting, it’s probably because the photo size is too large. Resale it to a smaller file size and it will post just fine.

 

[zab]

And on another note not sure why but 7 days post OP I have some fantastic colourful bruising coming out.....a lot away from the OP site.