36 hours to go

All brilliant news and so pleased for you to be home ! My PT said the quality of the exercise was better than the quantity, so don't stress about doing all the reps required....as long as you do all the types....

Take your recovery in your own time and do the three things Chico always mentions exercise, Ice and elevate...in fact elevate at every opportunity and as high as you can but don't forget - no pillow behind the knee, you must try to keep it straight and unsupported in the knee bend !. Oh and use a pillow between your knees at night if you sleep on your sides...that really helps as the sleepless nights can be a killer......

Keep up the good works and the updates....best wishes to you...x

 

Around the fifth, sixth day after TKR, I was in terrrible pain, the worst ever, I began to despair. However, I learned something very relevant! The deep bruising from inside the knee needs time to come out! When the surgery was ongoing I heard drillling and an electric saw! Makes sense that the deep bruising needs time to surface! Sure enough, after a couple of days it subsided and 3 weeks gone now and I am not in pain. Be encouraged by this! I believe this will soon pass as it did for me and then things will improve. MM 🙃

One week Post Op Update.

This time last week I was in theatre, seems ages ago. I have been recovering at home four days now and think that things are going ok. After the rough time that I had on the last day in hospital with the PT and CPM machine (mentioned in earlier posts) I struggled, particularly the first day, at home because of the extensive swelling and pain. 

I am now in control and intend to make his work. I am listening to all the good advice, and doing it, regarding resting, elevating, icing and controlling pain and exercise. The first day I just rested etc all day with absolutely no exercise or walking apart from to toilet or bed. From the second day at home I have done the bed/chair exercises but very lightly. Also the last couple of days I have gradually increased the amount that I am walking about. The swelling has gone down considerably and the bruising is coming through now.

Sleep has not been bad. I have managed about 5-6 hours each night in total with breaks for toilet and medication in that. Also getting a few small naps whilst elivating/icing in daytime. I was also cutting down on the strong medication but had to take an extra one this morning. I will keep an eye on things so that I don't step the exercise etc up too soon. 

The staples are due to be taken out in three days and my first visit to the PT is in six days so I will post again after these.

Thanks again and best wishes to all who have gone through or are about to go through TKR.

 

Two week PO Update

It's been a steady second week at home. I am still sleeping ok and just waking for meds and toilet once in night and getting about 6 hours sleep. Exercising steadily and trying not to push it or the knee soon tells me if I am doing too much. I have also been walking for ten minutes, three times per day.

 Had the staples removed on day 10, there were thirty-eight and can honestly say that I only felt three of them being taken out and they were not too painful. The incision seems to have healed well and the nurse decided to not dress it and that it did not need any SteriStrips or anything putting on it. I was still a bit "wary" when first doing any exercises after the staples were taken out in case the wound opened up but this all was ok. 

I still have quite a bit of soreness in the outside/underneath of thigh and the bruising is showing all over my leg now from thigh to toes.

I went back to hospital to see physio on day thirteen and he was very happy with extension (an easy 0) but Bend was only about 72. Did a few stretches etc with him and a few new exercises, including static bike ( just rocking) and we improved this to 78 which he said was better but not as much as he had hoped for. The physio was quite good in that he was encouraging without being overly forceful as he had been the week before in order to get me discharged.

I am to continue with the exercises, including the new ones and my static bike at home. I have to swap one of the daily walks for a five minute bike "stretching" session. I am going back to see him again on day twenty-one. 

I will post another update again next week.

 

Three week PO update

All going really well. Bruising has nearly gone. Pain not excessive. Sleeping really well. I seem to have got the hang of moderating the amount of exercise that I do, although there is still quite a bit of stiffness and swelling. I can comfortably walk with one crutch now and I am even walking around the house without any crutches at all. 

I had a bit of a rough day yesterday with shivering and sweating and upset stomach. I think that this may have been a reaction to all the pain meds etc that I have been taking. I cut down on those yesterday and had a rest from the exercises and things have definitely improved today. In fact today I have been for my second PT appointment at hospital and everything was fine. The physio was more than happy with the progress that I have made since last week and now ROM is 0-100. He has said that if if a continue with the exercises at home like I have been doing he does not need to see me till my six week appointment with him and surgeon.

 

Well miner Martin how did it go? Hope your ok and doing everything you should exercises etc! Hope you have your pain under control keep us in the loop

Good Luck to you!  You can get great information here- I have.  I am almost 6 months post op and feel wonderful- it will be work but greart rewards in the end.🙏