Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
BigBob, hate to say this but it will be different for every knee and situation. As a rule of thumb my doctor and therapist always tell me to be prepared for swelling and warmth in the joint for up to a year. I have a tendency towards swelling so always get my mind around trying to be patient as I usually end up being the patient with the year plus for swelling. But the good news is that over time, the swelling is smaller in intensity and frequency. Just listen to your body and try to avoid the things that generate the swelling and when you get the swelling listen to your body and give your joint a break. Hardest part is being patient, another poster gave some good insight when she said don't expect to be the athlete of your youth but rather rejoice in the fact that you avoid the wheelchair (my version of her words, same message).
PiedPiper, you are so right, positive attitude is so huge in recovery. I used to fight having spinal anesthesia because I had such a negative reaction to it. Once I wrapped my mind around the fact that it was the better anesthesia choice and stopped fighting the doctors, I found that although I still don't like it, I no longer have all the negative side effects. Key to your therapy is a therapist who understands you are an individual and helps you regain your joints to a place that is right for you. The therapists who practice the "one routine is best for all" are the ones that can do you harm. It is important to know what your goal in recovery is and to communicate that to whoever is helping you so that they work toward achieving your goal and not theirs. The hardest part of rehab from a total knee, other than the pain, is being patient for it does take time and in being calm and positive as each day even if it is only a tiny bit of progress is progress and is the fuel to get you to the next step. Good luck, my last surgery was my 9th orthopedic surgery and I hope my last for a very long time.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Dear I will survive,
I definitely also agree that finding a PT that treats every patient as an indivitual
is crucial in recovery.After my knee replacement my PT thought along with therapy
on knee I should also workout other side because of needing knee and hip replaced
in future.This concept was good but I tolerated this for one day and could'nt walk the next.She had never asked my surgeon and made this decision on her own.
It greatly slowed my knee progress down and has left me in severe pain awaiting
next replacement.I did change therapist after this.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
You are a very brave person, and thank you so much for the detailed info. I need a tkr as well but was told I am too young 49, but now I can't stand the pain it ruins my whole day, sounds odd to look forward to getting older LOL. God Bless you
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Hi All
I'm recovering from my TKR of March 9th, 2009. Everything is going good except for the PT. I'm a big man but I've never experienced so much pain from such a small person administering the PT. I know that in the end I will thank my PT for the torture of moving my new knee to such great extents. What I've found is that I can hardly walk for a day or so until the next PT appointment. It's only been a month since surgery and I think PT should be slower and less pain but I can walk on the new knee without pain so it's a definite gain. I've experienced some dizziness after some of my workouts. The swelling is almost all gone now. This is major surgery so I recommend that steady but slow is the key to recovery. i'll be able to ride my Harley in a couple of months at this pace. take care.
Boss Hog
Last edited by Boss Hog; 04-08-2009 at 09:38 PM.
Reason: spelling
The following user gives a hug of support to Boss Hog: loisu (10-09-2011)
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Hi everyone. I am 40 yr. old female. I am new to the board. I am scheduled for TKR RIGHT April 30,2009. I really appreciate all the information that you all have given. It will be very helpful to me.
I was just wondering if anyone has had the cementless tkr? My dr. says it is the one that he would have if he was my age. He says as long as the bone fuses with the metal all should be good to go. I am praying that it does.
Any and all information, and experiences are truely appreciated.
Thanks,
Lana
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
I am a 52 yr old female and I had my TKR on March 17, 2009...making it almost 6 weeks as of this post. I was not prepared for this surgery...even though I thought I was. I have found it very difficult both mentally and physically. I have been told I am doing great in PT and better than most in some areas. I too find myself crying for no reason...figuring it's the drugs. I still have lots of pain. I've gone back to work part time ..working around my PT. I get tired very quickly and deal with swelling also. I do have a desk job...so I try to keep my leg elevated when I can. I am doing what my therapist tells me to do...working hard...but still having problems with my bend..I can only do 100 to 105 at this point. I only have a week left with PT ... since insurance won't pay for anymore..I'll do what I need to at home.
I guess what I would like to ask ...see if anyone else had this problem and if there are any suggestions...my muscles are still so tight...they cramp horribly...I had no cuts into muscles or tendons. I know each TKR and each person is different. What can I do to help the muscles relax? Will they ever feel "normal" again? I am supposed to have my other knee done...but at this rate...I need to know this knee is past this point of pain before doing the other one.
I have enjoyed reading these posts.. it's been very informative. I've needed a support group! Thanks
Patti
The Following User Says Thank You to pattisa2j For This Useful Post: adubose4 (02-08-2012)
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Hi Patti,
I am not sure if this will help but I had a THR on Mar 25 so am recovering from that myself. In the beginning I had so much muscle stiffness and all in my leg. I used one of those little massage roller things(about 4 wooden balls on the end of plastic arms used to run over neck, back, anywhere as a self massage). I found it really helped with the tightness and keep the circulation moving. Maybe a hot tub/jacuzzi would be good to sit in also to work on the aching muscles. Good luck, I know it is not fun and thank goodness for this forum, has helped me so much and so many more I am sure.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Dear Patti,
Hang in there. It does get better. I had TKR Feb 20 and at 9 weeks am pretty much back to normal, just not as much energy. Holly was right about the massage for you leg. Do it every night and morning and throughout the day whenever it gets tight. My PT benefits ran out after 6 weeks and so the last time I went I asked for him to show me everything I could do at home to help me. I did it well for a couple of weeks and then the yard work started keeping me busy. I have to listen to my body and learn to stop trying to conqure it all in one day. If I don't, it will ache all night. The bike is my best friend. Ride it forwards and backwards because it uses different muscles for each. It helps with your flex and builds your muscles back up. Doing stairs is helpful too. Sitting for long periods of time is difficult, if you start to cramp up, get up and walk around for a bit and loosen every thing up. Yesterday I was on it way to long and suffered leg cramps all up my leg and even my butt. I will be more careful and not to that again. Every week something seems to improve almost overnight. I am not running any races...but I can walk and ususally no one can tell a difference. Keep up your excercises and it will get easier. Good luck.
Lori
PS. I finally threw away all of my homemade ice packs yesterday. Milestone moment!
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Patti, I am a 57 year old woman and have had three knee replacements. Yup I said three (one had to be replaced within 6 months because it failed, translated in my mind to be defective). Best advice I can give is that it takes time, give yourself a full year. If you can do things like walk, get in and out of chairs and cars then in time you will get the bend you need. Forget what degree you are at. For my second TKR I was at 109 degrees after 3 months when I stopped therapy. Then I went back to my therapist at the 7 month mark and asked if they would measure me just as a favor and I was at 126 degrees. If you just do normal activities as you feel better you will get the range of motion, just try not to avoid bending your knee while sitting. For the tightness my doc gave me muslce relaxers that helped with the pain. I found that ice was my best friend. Ice reduced the swelling which also helped with the tightness and muscle spasms. I also used my TED stocking (cut the lower leg and foot part off) as a compression sleeve when on my feet and active, even doing exercising. The compression helped in keeping the swelling down as well. Hope this helps and have faith, it will get better. Best advice I ever got was to expect a "year for full recovery". Good luck.
The Following User Says Thank You to IWillSurvive For This Useful Post: loisu (10-09-2011)
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Mostly I wish I knew what a big deal it is and how much you have to adapt your life. I am lucky that my husband took a week off work to help me. I am only 12 days out.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boss Hog
Hi All
I'm recovering from my TKR of March 9th, 2009. Everything is going good except for the PT. I'm a big man but I've never experienced so much pain from such a small person administering the PT. I know that in the end I will thank my PT for the torture of moving my new knee to such great extents. What I've found is that I can hardly walk for a day or so until the next PT appointment. It's only been a month since surgery and I think PT should be slower and less pain but I can walk on the new knee without pain so it's a definite gain. I've experienced some dizziness after some of my workouts. The swelling is almost all gone now. This is major surgery so I recommend that steady but slow is the key to recovery. i'll be able to ride my Harley in a couple of months at this pace. take care.
Boss Hog
I am only 12 days out, but my home PT is nice. She makes me work but doesn't try to kill me. I am just starting with a CPM and so far it is good. Not too uncomfortable.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
My doctor had me in PT every day for the first 2 weeks, then I was on my own. They pushed me to do as much as I could, but I could set the limits. It was just the right balance, and I continued to do exercises after they quit coming.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Had my TKR in March and have reached a range of 155 degrees and 0 flat. Have worked so hard and couldn't have done it without my stationary bike and physio. However was on my feet for 3-4 hours one day in the weekend and hello!!! have a whole heap of fluid around my knee and pain. Feel have taken a big step backwards after making great progress. My physio has said not to stand for more than an hour at a time for now and have just returned to my job as a preschool teacher this week! Feel so frustrated to have come so far and now to go backwards. Had only just managed to sleep through the night (yaaay!!) and now back to no sleep, pain and rest again. Thank you to everyone for their posts on here as it has really helped me keep up my morale over the past 8 weeks and also to know that what I was feeling was normal.
When I had the surgery, had an epidural and wore my IPod on to help keep my mind off things - highly recommended. Was up later that day and walking on crutches from day 1 with hours on the CPU machine on the bed as well. Was in hospital for 5 days. The crutches went out the window after three weeks and have just continued to get stronger over time, making sure to fit in all the exercises religiously daily, especially the exercycle. My home is full of stairs and am sure having to get up and down them has helped heaps in my rehab. My biggest problem was pain relief as I reacted to everything except paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory twice daily.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Does anyone have any idea how long it might be before I can drive a stick shift? I had my TKR on 4/21 on my right knee and am now at a 86% ROM. I need to go back to work on 7/20 and be able to drive myself.
The following user gives a hug of support to junebea: llarita (06-23-2011)
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Quote:
Originally Posted by junebea
Does anyone have any idea how long it might be before I can drive a stick shift? I had my TKR on 4/21 on my right knee and am now at a 86% ROM. I need to go back to work on 7/20 and be able to drive myself.
You should be able to drive as soon as you are off of you meds in the day, or at least while you drive. Getting picked up for DUI is not encouraged. Stick shift shouldn't be any harder that an automatic as you do the shifting with the left leg anyway. Good Luck and God bless.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Went to my specialist today and he said I have bursitis (housemaids knee!) Have to slow down, cut down on my exercise and wear a compression bandage for the next few weeks. Cannot believe it after coming so far. Hope that this does not become an ongoing problem. Was so concerned I had an infection and at least that worry now been reassured. He said it is only 9 weeks and I need to give my body time, have a fantastically well healed scar and although the external healing is good, range of motion good, my body is still working hard to heal internally. All good sense really but just want to get on with my life with mobility again after three years of being restricted since the accident that placed me in this position.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
You should be able to drive now. I was fine at the five week mark with my right knee. Basically as long as you are off the narcotic meds and you feel confident in the speed of your reflexes to be able to break hard if need be you will be fine. My PT at home had me in the car in the second week post op just to be comfortable getting in and out. I would just back the car in and out of the garage to be comfortable with using my right leg for break and gas peddle. Then I took a spin around the block at the third week. By the fifth week I felt fine to do highways, rush hour, stop and go any type of traffic. Good luck.
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew!
Had my TKR on 22nd May, very very pleased withit. Like you I've had trouble bending the knee after six weeks (upto about 110degs), thanks for info of you getting 155deg, will try harder, as I still can't ride my bike. I think the floor cycle machine may get me there!! Still troubled at night, but only do a 500mg Co-dydracodeine at morning and night. Hip still painful in bed, but getting better now I do not pull my hip, when doing the loads of different exercises. Thanks for info.
Re: total knee and total hip replacement............ 
Re: Total Knee Replacement: Recovery - Things I wish I knew! 
