Posted , 12 users are following.
I still use a walker, hard to walk. What time frame should I be looking at to walk normal? Any advice?
1 like, 26 replies
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Oldfatguy1 rob09
Posted
nancybone64 Oldfatguy1
Posted
Hello Oldfatguy1, just wondering how you are doing? I am 10 1/2 months out and have been struggling with instability. Dr says it is not very loose but it is definitely loose. (I could have told him that)
. He is going to put a thicker plate in the replacement in order to tighten the ligaments. If he doesn't like how that works he will do a complete revision at that time.
Your comments in the beginning of my PO were very helpful. I know you are going through a lot yourself. I sure hope you are healing fine.
Oldfatguy1 nancybone64
Posted
Sorry to hear you are having that kind of throuble. When I had my 1st go around with staph infection they completely got rid of the disc or plate as they are notorious for holding onto infection. The replacement worked fine. Unfortunately later on they had to do a complete revision beca7we of the infection. That was the 2nd revision in 2cyears. You just have to plan on starting all over but better that than pain.
After my fall a couple weeks ago and ripping all that scar tissue plus hurting my hip during the fall coupled with the blasted heat is making for a miserable summer. Going to see my surgeon tomorrow. Hope he can figure out what I did and I need to do to get better. I have 5 big flower beds plus a dozen planters that I have to take care of daily. I do have a company mow for me do that's no problem. Some day things will finally get better and stay that way.
Hope things go well for you
rob09 Oldfatguy1
Posted
Thanks man... I'm 7 weeks out and seem to be doing a lot better.
Cookiefl2003 rob09
Posted
Hi rob how r u feeling? I can only tell u from experience it took me almost a month til I started walking with my cane. If u r still doing pt ask them to work with u into transitioning to the cane that's what I did.
christineuk62 rob09
Posted
10 days is very very early to think about walking normally. Use crutches/frame whatever you have been given to build muscle and strength back up in your leg.
Reading some of the messages here are a great help.
Also if you are in pain, take your meds
You may need them for quite a while yet
Christine TKR Nov 2014, awaiting revision
rob09 christineuk62
Posted
. Thank you.
CHICO_MARX rob09
Posted
Forgot two things...
1. For simple discomfort that doesn't need painkillers... Suggestion: Voltaren Gel (diclofenac) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Diclofenac works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.Voltaren is used to treat mild to moderate pain, or signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. I use this almost every night; just rub it in. Works in 10-15 minutes. RX only.
2. Post-Op Depression... No one..NO ONE...talks about this, not even the docs. Found out the hard way when I had my hip replaced in 2009. Hospital, rehab facility then home. Started crying and couldn't stop for three days. Called my MD cousin. Told me that it was Post Operative Depression. This is a KNOWN condition that occurs frequently in people who have had an operation that revoved an original part of their body. Not so bad for appendix, gallbladder, etc. Moderate to severe for hips, knees, shoulders, etc. Reallly bad for heart transplants, traumatic brain injury, etc. For us, it's a definite possibility so be prepared. Blown away for three days with the hip until I knew what it was. Gone in 24 hours because I was now aware of it. For the knee, I was totally prepared. Kicked its butt. Remember...this is a definite possibility so be prepared. If you start feeling really sad and you're crying all the time post-op...now you know. Get out of the house into some sunshine. Take extra Vitamin D. Eat healthy; hydrate. Do not let this get to you and do not start anti-depressants. This is a temporary condition. Concentrate on pain management and rehab...PT and gym...endorphins do wonders in combatting depression. Get on top of it, wrestle it to the ground and beat the crap out of it.
marilyn22260 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Yes, I had a pity party for myself for a day. Since I have had surgery before (kidney and thyroid removal), I knew it was temporary. I decided to eat something I usually stay away from..candy. So I asked my granddaughter to get me a small bag of Skittles. I do take D3 and realized I wasn't drinking enough water. I also did some guided imagery and saw myself walking 3 miles with my new knee!
Thanks again
moandrieu CHICO_MARX
Posted
Another thing they don't mention is the possibility of surgical stress that can cause you to lose a lot of hair 3 - 6 months after your surgery. Three months after my surgery I was back in the hospital for an umbilical hernia that happened (I think it was a result of all the stess on my abdomen as I moved around after having a bilateral TKR). When getting up from my bed, the aides saw hair on my pillow - lots of hair. I thought I'd been losing more than normal, but their concern gave me something to think about. I saw hairloss doctor and we figured out it was most likely from surgical stress. I started taking biotin and after about 6 months it was back to normal. That on top of some depression and the pain from surgery is enough to make a person wonder what the heck they did. Knowledge and awareness can make a big difference.