Posted , 7 users are following.
Its now 10 days since my TKR and would like to share what the past 10 days have been like as this will assist people who are either sitting on the fence or people like me who were and are desperately trying to find an alternative cure.
The first 3 days were quite serve and pain level was controlled by 800mg of Tramadol each day which believe you me does make you hallucinate, like the wall paper crawling up the wall, people coming to life if newspaper pictures but the heavy doses did help. I did have self administer Morphine when in Hospital but that was very short lived due to the addictive complications that the drug can cause.
I started mobility the second day using a mixture of crutches and zimmer frame, never thought I would use one if them, but needs must !!
I worked out a simple philosophy on the paid. The paid endured prior the operation being classed as the negative pain due to the fact that it was a pain that was always there with no hope of going away unless something drastic was done. The new paid, post op has been classed as the positive pain, and this is because this new pain will start to improve and subside over a period of time and hopefully be removed completely.
After day 6 I started to do my exercise in vain until it hurts ! that was the surgeon’s actual advice – to exercise every 20 minutes until it hurts !! talk is cheap I said to him as you don’t have to do it
He did give me a bit of good new though as he pointed out that my left leg was now straight and the bow had been removed by turning the leg to he left when using the cutting blocks. As he said that if they had left it as it was I would have been back in there 5 years time for a remedial op.
Days 8 and 9 noticed less paid and more movement now starting to load bear on the new knee this has been quite a mind over matter thing as just waiting for the pain to shoot up my keg when there is nothing, no pain. Today day 10 have started more walking totally un-aided for short periods with my wife by my side just in case but so far all looking very good and no regrets – perhaps the only regret I’ve got is that I did not have the operation years ago !!
Will post again with another progress report after I have my staples taken out next Monday. I hope my relating this experience will encourage others to bite the bullet and have the TKR done sooner rather than later
Best wishes Jude
2 likes, 13 replies
gillme1955_UK jude48
Posted
You have given something positive for people like me who face two TKR in the future. Thank you and very best wishes for your continued recovery.
Gill Ormskirk Lancashire UK
jude48
Posted
I live in the UK and thanks for your kind words
Best wishes Jude
Oldfatguy1 jude48
Posted
mary0606 jude48
Posted
can I just say that being on the morphine during your hospital stay, you won't become addicted in that short time.
i have been on the stuff at home sometimes up to a month, with absolutely no trouble coming off it when the time is right....Some people experience more pain than others, and if you need it then take....but never ever stop abruptly if you do take it for a period of time.
patsyrose jude48
Posted
Tramadol does seem the best for pain, but although I had real problems focussing once I'd taken it I luckily never had hallucinations. I can remember typing some very strange texts though!
Keep up the good work. The staple removal isn't at all bad, and they take out every other one to start with.
Let us know how you get on.
Patsy
sueisobel jude48
Posted
Hazel11111 jude48
Posted
Oldfatguy1 Hazel11111
Posted
sueisobel Hazel11111
Posted
john_04330 Hazel11111
Posted
Hazel11111 john_04330
Posted
I am still absolutley terrified, but hey ho, I've just got to grin and bear it.
I hope you make a good recovery and quickly get back to a fit and healthy life.
john_04330 Hazel11111
Posted
mary0606 jude48
Posted
Most anaesthetists here prefer to use a spinal block or epidural, as it's much better for pain control, waking up etc.
since I am pretty healthy I always opt for a general as I am never sick from it....But it is harder in the beginning to get pain under control..?
Even with spinal you can be out of it so you don't hear or see anything.
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