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Ace Bandage or Not?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Milla2017
Milla2017

Almost 3 weeks post TKR left leg. Staples was removed yesterday. Can I still keep using the ace bandage 80% of the time? Medical assistant says stop using but could not give me a reason why? I believe it helps with swelling. Plus my leg is hyper sensitive and the ace helps?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • johnny17592
    johnny17592 Milla2017

    Posted

    Hi Milla

    By the ace bandage do you mean the stocking they give you to help circulation my nurse told me i could use them but physio said no i just wore mine on the tkr leg at night swelling is not strange its a sign that your body is aiding your healing process now is the time to start using ice packs and elevating your leg plus some gentle exercise and plenty of rest keep us informed

    good luck .Johnny.

    • Milla2017
      Milla2017 johnny17592

      Posted

      Johnny I guess I will use it at night, if only to minimize pain from the leg touching sheets and blankets. It is hyper sensitive all over and burns. Thanks I have been icing right from the start, could not do without it. I should be elevating more I suppose than once a day.
    • johnny17592
      johnny17592 Milla2017

      Posted

      Elevate as much as you can i know its a pain at night witth it being so sensitive i used a large tubigrip bandage at night it helped me a lot

      good luck .

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX Milla2017

    Posted

    Yup.  Loose ACE or a knee sleeve helps with the sensitivity.  Don't know if it has any effect on the swelling.  Push the knee too hard and it swells...period.  Back off, heal and reduce your activity before building it up again...slowly...

    • Milla2017
      Milla2017 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thanks. I have got to learn more patience. I am really glad I found this forum! It has been a wealth of information and most importantly hearing from people who actually had the surgery. One of my bosses at work told me she had a family member who went back to work after 2 weeks and I anticipate a lot of pressure to go back before I am remotely ready. I am scared of losing my job but I need to start solely focusing on healing properly.
    • johnny17592
      johnny17592 Milla2017

      Posted

      If they went back to work in two weeks i very much doubt they had a tkr i went back after six weeks and i am fortunate enough to have a great boss who is a very close friend take your time as long as you have sick notes from your GP you should be ok .
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo Milla2017

      Posted

      There's always a smart ass around who tells you things like this.  Mostly, I am sure it is a load of nonsense . . and if he DOES have a relative who went back to work after two weeks, then that relative is one in a hundred thousand. Most of us are only just about beginning to feel infinitesimally human again after two weeks. . . 

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX martinarvelo

      Posted

      Absolutely true.  Most people return to work in the 3-6 month range (with the majority closer to the 6 mark) based on recovery and occupation.  Two weeks is delusional.  At that point, I was either unconscious or writhing in pain.  At seven months, I was working retail at Best Buy putting 8,000 to 11,000 steps a day on my FitBit rebuilding my leg strength.  At 9 months, I got a new job in my IT field...very lucky that it's on a virtual team so I work almost exclusively at home.  Great for the gas costs but I have to make myself keep moving.  So I continue to work at BB 2 nights a week plus a weekend day.  Gotta keep moving or you die.

      For Martin and myself...

      "So says the Oracles...the Oracles have spoken..."

    • johnny17592
      johnny17592 Milla2017

      Posted

      This stinks of someone trying to put undue pressure on you and its not right do you have a union if so i would report it to them i dont know what country your in but here in the UK if your GP says you are not fit for work thats an end to it the surgeon who did my tkr and is very highly regarded told me 3 months but i couldnt stay at home any longer the boredom was killing me lol so i went back but took it very easy.
  • mark03598
    mark03598 Milla2017

    Posted

    Milla

    just approaching 6 weeks post TKR and the hyper sensitivity you mention has been my biggest problem. I'm taking 2 Amitriptyline before bed and still wake up. It's easing off now but not a comfortable experience with bed sheets, quilts, trousers, etc. 

    As regards overall recovery though things are looking up. As well as the routine exercises for bending and straightening I've already progressed onto the exercise bike. Building up over the last 1.5 weeks today I hit the 5 mile mark in 22 minutes, really happy considering I'm a keen cyclist. The walk to the pub in the half an hour will also see me hit the 10,000 step for the day. 

    I know this wouldn't be for everybody but fortunate that I was very active before the OP and pushing myself to the limit on the exercises has reaped the benefits. I'm also only 51 and 176 pounds and recognise that a lot of people who have this operation are normally more mature and less active. Perseverance is the key

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