Feeling old and icing

Dear Shirley

Have you been resting your leg above your heart? Lay flat on bed or sofa and prop as many pillows as needed under calf of bad leg. Not under the knee, just the calf down to your ankle. Then, do the ankle stretches back and forth. That will help reduce. If you've been doing that, hopefully the next suggestion will help. That's all I got.

Four months is a long time to have swelling but swelling can last up to six months. elaine90714's suggestion to keep your leg highly elevated will certainly help reduce swelling. Using a NSAID such as Excedrin, Tylenol or Aleve with work on both the discomfort plus help the swelling. Do the ankle pumps and try using heat instead of ice, a heating pad for 20 minutes in between using the cold may also be beneficial. I hope it all helps. Take care.

How often do you put your foot above your heart a day?

The surgeon's office said to keep icing for 20 minutes after activities. I do it a lot of times after I wake up as the knees are stiff. Also do after shopping or walking and will do after the Exercycle.

I ice every time I use the leg extensively. When the pain kicks in 4th a ice goes on. Been doing this for years and through all of my rehabs. 15 to 20 mins gives a lot of relief. Pain is pain.......6 days or 6 months when it hurts, ice and rest. No, you're not a wud. You're an individual that's gone through one he'll of a traumatic surgery that has it's own mind regarding the healing process. I've been through rehab 5 x's and each time v the healing has been different but the pain is always there. A long time ago I made up my mind I was going to be pain free as possible regardless of the consequences. P a in meds and ice are my life and I don't even think twice about using them. I just use the meds carefully and not by the handful. My Dr's all know what I have been through and work to make me comfortable therefore I can only advise from experience

your certainly not a wus !!! 4mths is still early days remember they say when you get a tkr it takes 12mths to own it ,and it dose sometimes more for your body to feel comfortable with this metal !! ice after excersise if only for 20min it really helps .some days you might feel stiff and want to excersise before you do use a hot water bottle to warm it up so that the muscles are easier to stretch then do your excersises and ice after ..my leg swelling took a long time to reduce so dont worry about that the knee being warm is ok hot is not . sounds like your doing fine its hard to be patient but hang in there and tke meds when you need them OFG and myself would agree with this otherwise your making life too hard and thats when we cry and worry i like OFG have been through this a few times and we know how you feel

Keep your leg elevated as much as possible. I use heat as opposed to ice on my knees, even in the summer

I think when it comes to the science of whether to ice or use heat, we should listen to what our body tells us. Naturally, ice will reduce swelling and heat shouldn't be used in the first few weeks following knee surgery. But, heat will definitely be more helpful in the stage where there's more stiffness and soreness. (cold for swelling-warmth for soreness) I have always used the rule of thumb that if it feels good, then do that. I just wouldn't put any heating pads or warm compresses on a surgical site for at least a month after surgery. After that, then soaking in a hot bath, a warm cloth compress or heating pad is soothing.