PKR Zab’s recovery thread.

[NavyGunns]

@zab, good update. Weird sensations in the knee? Yep, sounds like nerves reconnecting and learning how to fire off. Wait till you have the nights where your quads suddenly contract, almost like a Charlie horse, then start to quiver and won’t stop. That’s what I dealt with for weeks. Not every night, but most. Eventually went away.

 

[zab]

Week 3 - Times flies 3 weeks ago today since I had the OP.

All seems to be going OK, not in any real pain dropped Panadol down to 500mg every 6 hrs seems OK. Still icing for 30 minutes every couple of hours as knee does swell quite easily after being up and about but I was prepared for this as I have had issues with excessive swelling after previous OPs and injuries.

Taking it easy with the PT due to the swelling just do what I can trying not to stress the knee to much. Visited PT just the once he didn't feel I needed to see him again for 10 days and just continue with the prescribed exercises so back on Saturday.

Last day off work today head back tomorrow, fortunate to have a desk job so will get opportunities to elevate and ice, I have access to a gym at work so will be heading in early to avoid the traffic and get an upper body workout in, then will do a gentle 20 minute knee PT at lunchtime. Will be interesting to see if I can do a rotation on the static bike my flexion is still only around 95.

Overall I feel things are heading in the right direction just need to give things time to heal.

 

[NavyGunns]

@zab, good luck at work. Consider staggering your days the first week or so ( one on, one off) if possible.

 

[zab]

@zab, good luck at work. Consider staggering your days the first week or so ( one on, one off) if possible.

Cheer NG, not really an option unfortunately.

At work now and managing to elevate and ice when needed not to bad so far although to be expected the knee is swelling more than it has the last week or so.

As a precaution decided to put my Paracetamol back up to 1000mg every 6 hrs as I woke up a little uncomfortable this morning.

Tried the static bike this morning in the gym and as I suspected couldn't complete a full revolution which was a bit disheartening

 

[NavyGunns]

@zab, you have great awareness of what to expect which is good. I went back to work beginning week 5 (4 full weeks post op), but it was working from home. After one day at my home desk, I moved to my recliner. That was the only way I could make it tolerable. Energy level was still an issue the first few weeks. Actually had to cut a day or two short that first week as I caught myself dozing off.

I don’t know about your work situation, but you may find it necessary to bring a few days to an early close if the knee gets too swollen and painful.

 

[Celle]

@zab - You've gone back to work very early. We usually recommend taking about 12 weeks off and then doing a Phased return to work

So your knee is doing far more than most new knees at less than a month after major surgery. You're doing the right thing in elevating and icing it when you can, but don't stress it by doing any exercises. Work is more than enough exercise for it right now.

At less than a month post-op, very few people can do a full rotation on the bike. It will come, as time passes and your knee continues to heal.

 

[zab]

@NavyGunns @Celle thanks I have to admit yesterday was tough on my knee, the change from constant elevating at home to sitting at a desk took its toll. I popped into the chemist on the way home to get some tubigrip and have that from mid thigh to mid calf today in the hope a bit of compression will help keep the swelling down a little I've also bought my cyrocuff in rather than standard ice packs.

I was pretty fatigued by the time I got home last night and just had some food and then iced and elevated in bed. I do have a PT booked in for Saturday I may cancel or just advise him I want a massage rather than working on ROM again.

 

[zab]

Just got back from second PT session had a different physio as the first one I had was unwell, really liked her approach so have booked with her for next session on Thursday, she did a lot of massaging on quads, calf and knee cap, and sent me home with a couple of additional stretches aimed at hamstrings and calfs. ROM still isn't great 85 and +10 at the start of PT 100 and +5 by the end just through massage. Although she said she had no concerns with that ROM at less than 4 weeks post OP, guess it's just me being a little impatient.

First week back at work was OK fortunately i'm able to ice and elevate when I need to, got back in the gym a couple of mornings for a gentle upper body workout which was good. Strength is definately improving in my knee was taking the lift at the start of the week but now using the stairs as part of my rehab can go up slowly foot over foot with the help of the railing, but coming down its a very slow one stair at a time.

Still taking 1000mg of Paracetamol a day i'm going to half that from Monday and see how I go. Also going to be a bit more strict with my home PT which I have let slip this week due to being back at work can't use that as an excuse.

 

[bill 3/20]

As everyone else will tell you, rom isn’t an issue. It will come when the swelling is gone. You are doing great!

 

[zab]

As everyone else will tell you, rom isn’t an issue. It will come when the swelling is gone. You are doing great!

Absolutely agree, time is a great healer and all that. However the fact she could get 15 degress more flexion just through massage and releasing some of the tension in those muscles shows the importance of PT when done correctly.

Just using my TENS machine for the first time neat lttle bit of kit.

 

[Lindylee]

I can only do it carefully holding on to rails both sides and taking my time. I don't chance it first thing when I have a bag in one hand carrying necessities back downstairs. I'm still on 3000 to 4000 depending how things are. It's the 11.00 am I keep forgetting and take at lunchtime. Keep up the good work!

 

[zab]

Sorry meant to write still taking 1000mg 4 x a day

I actually ran out of Paracentamol after my dose at 6PM last night, slept OK without meds did have a couple of glasses of Shiraz though just completed my morning PT got the TENS machine on now for 30 mins, will then ice for 30 mins and see how things are pain wise. Got no issues what so ever going back on them if I feel I need to.

 

[Lindylee]

Maybe that's the answer? Ditch the pills and go for the wine!

Only joking folks!

 

[zab]

Have to say nothing but impressed with the TENS machine used it twice today for 30 minutes and in no pain at all (having stopped taking my Paracetamol) and swelling after activity doesn't seem as bad as it has been, coincidence? or just healing? Probably only get the chance to use it in the evening tomorrow after work will see how things go.

 

[zab]

Maybe that's the answer? Ditch the pills and go for the wine!

Only joking folks!

Sounds like a plan............darn I have work in the morning

 

[Lindylee]

Do you have any numbness on your knee? I've been toying with the idea of using my TENS equivalent, but still have a numb area on the outside of the knee and I'm sure I saw someone post that they were advised not to use it if there were any numb areas so I've held off, but thinking it might be worth trying.

 

[Didot]

I have the Shiraz to help with more than my knee! It’s a treat come evening time, to know that a glass or two signals the end of yet another day of being patient!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[zab]

Do you have any numbness on your knee? I've been toying with the idea of using my TENS equivalent, but still have a numb area on the outside of the knee and I'm sure I saw someone post that they were advised not to use it if there were any numb areas so I've held off, but thinking it might be worth trying.

Only the knee cap area and probably an inch below and above, according to the physio it's purely a result of the incision, she explained it really well to me yesterday in her words 'it's totally normal and totally superficial, they are nerves that serve the skin nothing else some people gain full feeling back some have numbness for life." is yours in the general area of your incision?

Physio actually advised me to start using my TENS as as I asked the question as to when I could, I had been holding off. I'm sure @NavyGunns and others PT used to finish off with the TENS during there sessions early on if i remember right from reading his recovery thread.

 

[Celle]

Do you have any numbness on your knee? I've been toying with the idea of using my TENS equivalent, but still have a numb area on the outside of the knee

Only the knee cap area and probably an inch below and above, according to the physio it's purely a result of the incision, she explained it really well to me yesterday in her words 'it's totally normal and totally superficial, they are nerves that serve the skin nothing else some people gain full feeling back some have numbness for life."

That numb area is normal and zab's physio explained it correctly.
Numb area after TKR: how long will it last?

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Tried the static bike this morning in the gym and as I suspected couldn't complete a full revolution which was a bit disheartening

You can still use one for mobility exercises - even if you can't make a single rotation!

• Set the bike to zero resistance
• Set the saddle as high as possible and rock the pedals back and forth as far as you can with discomfort but no pain
• Repeat several/many times a day, but don't go mad. Diminishing returns will apply; my guess is that half a dozen reps would be enough
• And if you get any pain or swelling in the 24 hours after doing this, cut it down until you don't

Here is a bit more chat and some pix and how 'healing' and 'training' are different


Then with rotation

• Set the bike to zero resistance
• Set the saddle low enough so that a single rotation is a challenge; difficult but not painful. When a rotation becomes easy right from the start, lower the saddle a max of 1cm.
• Gently turn the pedals, through discomfort but without pain.
• Continue until the knee is 'warmed up' and the rotation is now easy, or for 2 minutes, whichever is the shorter time.
• Repeat several/many times a day, but don't go mad. Diminishing returns will apply; my guess is that half a dozen reps would be enough
• Do not pedal fast or for more than 2 minutes, this is a stretching exercise, not training.
• And if you get any pain or swelling in the 24 hours after doing this, cut it down until you don't