OMG - 14 days and you are feeling that chirper? This isn't your first so maybe that is the difference as you mentioned but the thought of a second knee is unthinkable right now. I have found that giving up most of the percocet and davorcet have helped my emotions calm down and accept the pain a bit better.
I'm 33 days post-op. I had a PT come to my house for 2 weeks after being released from the hospital. She finally told me that I would probably do well by myself since I have been active all my life. I taught step class, low and high impact aerobics (probably my downfall) and finally was certified to teach Pilates about ten years ago. With all that, I was not prepared with the pain and frustration of this surgery.
My workout is about 1 hour a day to very loud Disco music. I'm always flexing during the icing, about 5 times a day for 30-45 minutes. I also sleep with the ice machine on until the ice is gone. I'm afraid I'm going to be addicted to the sucking sound it makes. I limited myself to the pain meds in the beginning because I knew I would probably push myself with the PT. I take one pain pill a day about 30 minutes before my therapy. I hope they last until this mess is over.
I actually went out to our club on New Years Eve. My husband and I play golf,(one of the few activities recommended post surgery). I don't swim very well, so I guess I'll ride my cart into the sunset.
I appear to be the normal recovery. I don't use a cane or walker anymore, and I do drive to the store and back. Most of the time though, I have to go down after doing too much.
I also use a topical OTC gel called Arnica Montana. Even my doc was amazed when I went in for the staple removal. He wrote down the name. All the bruising was gone from the tourniquets they have to use in surgery. There were huge bruises on my thigh and calf, but they were gone in a week or so. It also helps with pain and swelling.
I'm 33 days post-op. I had a PT come to my house for 2 weeks after being released from the hospital. She finally told me that I would probably do well by myself since I have been active all my life. I taught step class, low and high impact aerobics (probably my downfall) and finally was certified to teach Pilates about ten years ago. With all that, I was not prepared with the pain and frustration of this surgery.
My workout is about 1 hour a day to very loud Disco music. I'm always flexing during the icing, about 5 times a day for 30-45 minutes. I also sleep with the ice machine on until the ice is gone. I'm afraid I'm going to be addicted to the sucking sound it makes. I limited myself to the pain meds in the beginning because I knew I would probably push myself with the PT. I take one pain pill a day about 30 minutes before my therapy. I hope they last until this mess is over.
I actually went out to our club on New Years Eve. My husband and I play golf,(one of the few activities recommended post surgery). I don't swim very well, so I guess I'll ride my cart into the sunset.
I appear to be the normal recovery. I don't use a cane or walker anymore, and I do drive to the store and back. Most of the time though, I have to go down after doing too much.
I also use a topical OTC gel called Arnica Montana. Even my doc was amazed when I went in for the staple removal. He wrote down the name. All the bruising was gone from the tourniquets they have to use in surgery. There were huge bruises on my thigh and calf, but they were gone in a week or so. It also helps with pain and swelling.
Let's keep everyone posted about our recovery.
Linda
I'm 16 days out of my second knee. First was a year ago. I was worried that recovery wouldn't go as well as last time, but am doing very well. The walker is on the patio and the cane is somewhere in the house. The "too" many inches of snow over Christmas makes it necessary to take the walker when going out, falling is not an option. Last year I was working hard to recoup to get back to the classroom and do student trips. I was back to teaching chem in less than 6 weeks. This year I want to get back to doing volunteering, being independent with driving, etc.
The best advice is to do exercises and stretches at least twice a day. Yes it hurts, but gets better. Make an effort to walk without a limp. Remember, this new knee is more secure than the one we have been walking on before. There is pain, but different from what it was before.
Last time after the wound healed,I was able, to do warm water pool therapy and was able to continue on my own at the facility after the weeks of therapy were completed. Doing personal water walking and stretching therapy for 3-4 months after the new knee really helped. Good luck to all.
I'm sorry to hear that some of you have had difficulty with conflicting information from doctors and therapist. The hospital sent a notebook with and a recommended exercise schedule. It has been extremely helpful. Therapist have added to these. The hospital I went to also had a JOINT CAMP, where those of us who had surgery on the same day went twice a day and did therapy together along with our own coach. It really helped to encourage one another and be able to see others in the same position. This time I went to the same hospital because of the joint camp and its positive nature.
Good Luck to all.
Frannyia
I had my second knee on Dec 16. The other was Dec 15, '08. I was lucky and am lucky this time also and rehab went very well. I attribute this to beginning therapy at the hospital and continuing at least twice a day thereafter. Everyone is different and so is every knee. Stretching, icing, and working through the discomfort are important.
Last year, one of the best part of therapy was the warm water therapy pool. I did about 2 weeks of that before going back to the classroom last year (5.5 weeks after surgery). After that I was able to go workout in the pool at least twice a week, doing my own therapy for about 3 more months.
I am walking without walker or cane. When going outside in the snow, I will continue to take the walker for stability for a few more weeks. I also am doing stairs using the handrails.
Good luck to you. Don't be afraid to take your pain meds, just don't overdo them.
I had my second knee on Dec 16. The other was Dec 15, '08. I was lucky and am lucky this time also and rehab went very well. I attribute this to beginning therapy at the hospital and continuing at least twice a day thereafter. Everyone is different and so is every knee. Stretching, icing, and working through the discomfort are important.
Last year, one of the best part of therapy was the warm water therapy pool. I did about 2 weeks of that before going back to the classroom last year (5.5 weeks after surgery). After that I was able to go workout in the pool at least twice a week, doing my own therapy for about 3 more months.
I am walking without walker or cane. When going outside in the snow, I will continue to take the walker for stability for a few more weeks. I also am doing stairs using the handrails.
Good luck to you. Don't be afraid to take your pain meds, just don't overdo them.
I really hate the pain meds. I really don't see how anyone could get addicted to them. Did you have a excessive amount of fluid on your knee? Sometimes it swells with fluid, mainly on the right side, and the only thing that helps is ice. How long does this last? Are you on any anti-inflammatory drugs? Aleve, celebrex, etc. After doing the blood thinning shots for 21 days, (my husband was the shot giver, and he was shaking with every shot. Thank God they're over!), I wonder if I should take an anti-inflammatory drug. I called my on call doctor today with no answer.
I walked about a mile yesterday with my sweet dog, and my hip and back are screaming at me today. Is it normal to have such hip pain? Please don't tell me I may need hip replacement!
I took the full 12 weeks I could off work and I am so glad I did. I also sit at a desk most of the day...people think it will be easy for you because you sit...but it isn't so...sitting is hard...I still have a lot of swelling at the end of the day. Patience is the key work I think with the healing process.
My therapist last year said hip and back pain are because we aren't walking correctly, such as heel toe, or favoring the new knee although we don't realize it. I'm sorry you took shots for 21 days. My doctor only had me take the shots for 7 days total. (I did the shots myself. Not fun.)
The six weeks off work last year was fine for me. As a teacher I wasn't at a desk very much. On lab days, sit down time is rare. The hardest part was riding in a bus for 20 hrs. overnight with students for a NASA competition. I wore the ted hose a lot during work and on the trip. This really helped with the swelling. Yes they are not the most fun, but they were well worth the effort. I have now found some support hose that are like pantyhose, which minimizes that 'roll down' problem with ted hose.
The back and hip pain that someone mentioned, my therapist has told me comes from not walking quite correctly yet. Maybe they can give you some suggestions.
For swelling, have you continued to use the ted hose part of the time? I found they really helped. They aren't fun, but certainly make the legs feel better. I had used them prior to surgery to give my knee more support when teaching and on my feet a lot.
I also used them when traveling to keep swelling down. (I have had trouble with swelling prior, its hereditary.)
I have found some support hose that are like panty hose. They minimize that 'roll down' effect and are much more comfortable. I Googled them.
As to what I use for swelling now, Advil is the choice.
My biggest problem yesterday and today is that the steri-strips that replaced the staples are all coming off too rapidly. I have replaced them with butterfly closures for now. The surgical site just looks like it needs more time to heal and more support.
The back and hip pain that someone mentioned, my therapist has told me comes from not walking quite correctly yet. Maybe they can give you some suggestions.
For swelling, have you continued to use the ted hose part of the time? I found they really helped. They aren't fun, but certainly make the legs feel better. I had used them prior to surgery to give my knee more support when teaching and on my feet a lot.
I also used them when traveling to keep swelling down. (I have had trouble with swelling prior, its hereditary.)
I have found some support hose that are like panty hose. They minimize that 'roll down' effect and are much more comfortable. I Googled them.
As to what I use for swelling now, Advil is the choice.
My biggest problem yesterday and today is that the steri-strips that replaced the staples are all coming off too rapidly. I have replaced them with butterfly closures for now. The surgical site just looks like it needs more time to heal and more support.
My staples were out in 2 weeks and although red it had closed properly. I used the Arnica Montana and it looks pretty good today. What are the Ted hose? I was not told about them. Will the advil also help with the fluid?
I had shots to prevent blood clots for 10 days but after I got home from the nursing facility I just couldn't do it and stopped at 7 days. Figured I'd stay more active on my own - it worked - I'm alive.
I'm 7 weeks post-op. I go the PT, out-patient, 3 x's a week and to my gym the other days to ride the bike and get into the hot tub and exercise. I'm also having a heck of a time walking right. It's like learning all over again and my hip, back, neck are in so much pain. I'm still waking up, moving, stretching every hour of the night. I have been driving, carefully, and getting to the store (the cart is like a big walker!) and that lifts my spirits.
Hope it's warmer where you are. Ice is our problem and it won't go away anytime soon, so I will allow my husband to take me places for awhile since its not quite 3 weeks.
My therapist today looked at the scar and said it in very good shape, only one spot looked like it needed a butterfly closure for a while longer.
The TED HOSE are those wonderful support stockings they give you at the hospital that are such a pain. As stated before, I got some better ones and wore them after returning to work last year. They really helped with the swelling.
If you can find somewhere with a warm water (about 89 degree) pool and do exercises and water walking for a few months, I believe it will help you. It allows you to do the exercises to build your muscles without as much active stress on your new knee.
Keep up the exercises a couple times a day at home but don't overdo it. There is a point of diminishing benefits. Icing and Advil are good.
Last edited by Frannyia; 01-04-2010 at 11:11 AM.
Reason: need to add info
My staples were out in 2 weeks and although red it had closed properly. I used the Arnica Montana and it looks pretty good today. What are the Ted hose? I was not told about them. Will the advil also help with the fluid?
Linda
Advil won't help with the fluid. Keeping your leg elevated when possible will help some. The Ted hose are those support stockings they put on you in the hospital. I just got some better ones on line and wore them when working after surgery.
Hope it's warmer where you are. Ice is our problem and it won't go away anytime soon, so I will allow my husband to take me places for awhile since its not quite 3 weeks.
My therapist today looked at the scar and said it in very good shape, only one spot looked like it needed a butterfly closure for a while longer.
The TED HOSE are those wonderful support stockings they give you at the hospital that are such a pain. As stated before, I got some better ones and wore them after returning to work last year. They really helped with the swelling.
If you can find somewhere with a warm water (about 89 degree) pool and do exercises and water walking for a few months, I believe it will help you. It allows you to do the exercises to build your muscles without as much active stress on your new knee.
Keep up the exercises a couple times a day at home but don't overdo it. There is a point of diminishing benefits. Icing and Advil are good.
It's cold here, but nothing like Iowa. Central Texas has a few cold days when a deep cold front comes in, but it's mainly in the 60's this time of the year. I drive short distances, but would never attempt more.
I'll try and find an indoor heated pool. I now get in a warm bath and do bending exercises, it's a 6 ft. whirlpool, so it's very comforting after my 1 hour workout. I'm starting out-patient PT on Wednesday, I'll ask them about the TED hose.
I had shots to prevent blood clots for 10 days but after I got home from the nursing facility I just couldn't do it and stopped at 7 days. Figured I'd stay more active on my own - it worked - I'm alive.
I'm 7 weeks post-op. I go the PT, out-patient, 3 x's a week and to my gym the other days to ride the bike and get into the hot tub and exercise. I'm also having a heck of a time walking right. It's like learning all over again and my hip, back, neck are in so much pain. I'm still waking up, moving, stretching every hour of the night. I have been driving, carefully, and getting to the store (the cart is like a big walker!) and that lifts my spirits.
When I go to the store, I use one of the electric carts. You're right though, even going to the store is uplifting.
I walk alright, it's just painful. This surgery is no cakewalk, and most of us were really active before. We just have to get over the idea that we're in this mess.
I'm three weeks out today. Last night it wasn't snowing, so made my first trip out except for physical therapy. My husband took me too a movie and dinner with another couple. It was GREAT to be OUT!!! The piles of snow looked like mountains in the parking lots. (No exaggeration.)
I'm walking fine, but took the cane because of the ice. I was ready to get home and put the feet up after the 4 hours. The knee was starting to ache. Plus, we wanted to see the rest of the Iowa/Georgia Orange Bowl Game. Way to Go Hawkeyes.
I've gone through two TKR's and the sleeping issues didn't resolve until about 6-8 weeks out. When I couldn't sleep, I listened to music with my mp3 player. It was a God-send. I also went to Joint Camp at my hospital and did quite well as long as I followed the plan. Still have the notebooks.
The back and hip issues were similar for me as well and resolved as my gait improved. It is a process but I remember that each time I began to turn the corner by 6 weeks and was able to say I was glad I did it by 8. Actually, I was glad much sooner because the pain was different but it was hard to remember that during the process. I also discovered that I really enjoyed walking more than sitting! Sitting does get very tiring for the leg.
One last thing - the prescription meds are necessary but there comes a day when you realize that they are part of what's dragging you down emotionally. It was a bit of a withdrawal the first time but the second time I was able to switch to Ibuprofen and Tylenol arthritis sooner and was much happier.
Linda in Vermillion SD
Linda, we obviously went to the same hospital, possibly had the same great Dr. from SF.
Perhaps the terrible pain prior to surgery is why I felt such a difference post-op. Being very sensitive to the meds, and being able to get away from them asap did help emotionally. When back to work, moving and walking was wonderful. The stability of the new knee was a relief. My family, friends and students were so happy to observe the lack of pain and stability with which I was able to move.
I went to therapy yesterday. Rather than feeling like extreme discomfort, it feels more like when I have overexercised in the past and was just stiff. Things are improviing.
This week I had appointments with my surgeon and one with my PCP -- who was the one who urged me to have the surgery. I was able to tell both of them that having the surgery was the best thing I could have done!
Sure, it was difficult at first, and even after the immediate surgery and the PT, it was difficult with the back pain and with my shoulders from lifting myself up from low positions. Also the extreme tiredness. But over the weeks, everything came together. I never took pain meds for more than 5 or 6 weeks, and even then only before PT --- as I hated the way medications made me feel .
I am now 3 months/1 week post op, and altho I gave up the walker after 1 week, I began using my rolling cane less and less. It was about 2 to 3 weeks ago that I realized that I wasn't using it at all! AND -- today, in the supermarket parking lot, there were no carts halfway down the lot, so I walked by myself up to the store. First time in a long time I did that, as I was using my rolling cane about a year before the surgery.
My knee still feels like a block of wood, but my ROM keeps improving with daily exercise.
Would I do the other knee? Yes! But I wouldn't wait so long. Also, I would keep a log to track my progress. Quite an experience!
I've gone through two TKR's and the sleeping issues didn't resolve until about 6-8 weeks out. When I couldn't sleep, I listened to music with my mp3 player. It was a God-send. I also went to Joint Camp at my hospital and did quite well as long as I followed the plan. Still have the notebooks.
The back and hip issues were similar for me as well and resolved as my gait improved. It is a process but I remember that each time I began to turn the corner by 6 weeks and was able to say I was glad I did it by 8. Actually, I was glad much sooner because the pain was different but it was hard to remember that during the process. I also discovered that I really enjoyed walking more than sitting! Sitting does get very tiring for the leg.
One last thing - the prescription meds are necessary but there comes a day when you realize that they are part of what's dragging you down emotionally. It was a bit of a withdrawal the first time but the second time I was able to switch to Ibuprofen and Tylenol arthritis sooner and was much happier.
Linda in Vermillion SD
I went to my first out patient therapy yesterday and was told I'm off the chart in recovery. I guess those funky 70's songs and Pilates are kicking in. I actually worked with a friend today who has had a hard time recovering from TKR. She says on a scale of 1-10, I'm a 10 and she's a 2. I hate that. I don't know why I'm so ahead of her. My hope is that I can help her in her efforts.
I'm doing 30 minutes on level 2 on the bike and another hour with PT recommended exercises as well as my beloved Pilates. They are so adapted to knee injuries.
I'm a Texan so I'm watching Texas/Bama tonight. My husband was born in Bama, so I can't yell to loud for Texas. We lost our QB, so it's anybody's game.
[QUOTE=jmlm4245;4158349] I actually worked with a friend today who has had a hard time recovering from TKR. She says on a scale of 1-10, I'm a 10 and she's a 2. I hate that. I don't know why I'm so ahead of her. My hope is that I can help her in her efforts.
Wow, how great to have a friend to work out with going through the same thing. At times felt a bit isolated and had to find the motivation to get into it - always so much easier with someone else.
I spent the whole hour of PT this last Wed. crying! I have never worked so hard and been through so much pain for so little return - in my opinion. I did a 600 mile, 6 day, bike ride two yrs. ago from San Francisco to L.A. I trained for it and did it at 62. This TKR has kicked my butt! I'm on anti-inflamatories now, told I need to cut back on my work-outs and be patient! Yesterday I took the day - bought a pair of shoes, went to lunch with a bike friend and went to the movies. Today I have to leave in a couple minutes for PT and I hate to go. I'll be in pain - again. I'm not doing so well with straightening the leg. God I wish I was done with this! Just fenting - maybe I'll be less teary at PT.
