PKR Kinamed patelofemoral PKR of left knee

[myownlady]

Hello everyone!

I had a kinamed patelofemoral PKR on my left knee 4/24/24. They also scoped a piece of cartilage that had made its way to the back of my meniscus. They did a nerve block and that controlled my pain for the first 43 hours. Early yesterday morning I woke up in quite a bit of pain. It was definitely the worst day so far. Today I am slightly better than yesterday. Any movement is painful but especially if I bend my knee even a little. I start PT on April 30. Have been flexing my feet back and forth and moving foot around in circles at the ankle to try and keep blood flow moving. I did not anticipate this much pain to be honest. I am icing, elevating, and taking my meds on time. How long did it take everyone's else to move around with little to no pain? Any tips, tricks, or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Jockette]

Hi and Welcome!

I also have a Patellofemoral PKR and what shock my recovery was! Not the quick recovery I’d read about beforehand.

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

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If you want to use something to help heal the incision, ​

BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

​

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

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4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

​

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity Progression for TKRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

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Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[myownlady]

Thank you! The info & guidelines you sent will be very helpful. I appreciate the warm welcome and the advice. How long ago was your PKR?

 

[Jockette]

How long ago was your PKR?

My PKR was 7 years ago.

 

[lrj]

I've had 2 patella femural PKR, 4&7 months ago. Yes, the first few days are quite painful. We go in thinking partial means less pain / easier. Nope
Day 2-5, I had to have someone help raise and lower my leg so I could keep it straight getting in and out of bed.
Small, slow movements and don't push too much. Lay in bed and see if/how far you can bend. Don't push to pain. And there will be fluctuation in what you can do, so if it's a step back, don't worry about it. Don't fret over range of motion or any other milestones anyone sets. My first PT visit was 42° flexion and . Celebrate any and all progress you make.
Standing up from low chairs and low toilets is still a challenge for me, but getting better all the time. Had a tall toilet seat with handles. Also had to stack couch cushions to raise me up to stand.

 

[myownlady]

How long ago was your PKR?

My PKR was 7 years ago.

Goodness. I assume you are doing well now? How long was it until you could drive and walk without a cane or walker?

 

[Jockette]

I didn’t drive until I was 11 weeks, but I didn’t have to any sooner, my husband was retired.

I used a cane longer than some, probably close to 4 months. I had balance issues for quite a while after my surgery. I used it even longer when I was on uneven ground.

 

[lrj]

How long have as it until you could drive and walk without a cane or walker?

Left knee, I drove a short distance 2 weeks after surgery, when I could bend my knee enough to get in the car. 6 hour drives on 2 consecutive days at 6 weeks was brutal.
I used a walker regularly for about 2 weeks. Then walker when out of the house, and cane in the house for another 2-3 weeks. Then transitioned to nothing at home, but cane when out. I was still using a cane when out of the house through about week 6-7 because we had snow and rain then.
Can't compare my right knee because I also had a distal femoral osteotomy. I couldn't even be full weight bearing for 6 weeks, but then was walking unassisted after another 2 weeks.
I have gone out on some hikes and use hiking poles. That may just be my normal now.