Posted , 7 users are following.
This seems to be our most asked question. I just had a horrific experience that brought me to hysterical crying. I went to sit down and my knee felt like it was out of place and wouldn't bend. After I relaxed I was able to bed it and it feels better now.
I called the nurse at the Orthopedic Center and I just knew she would tell me to come I immediately. She said to ask my pt tomorrow but it didn't sound abnormal to her. Probably overdid it yesterday. I did lots of heel slides yesterday.
I have to say it scared me to death. I just knew the implant came loose and I would need another surgery. Weird, I thought I was tough. This is hammering me. It's been almost 4 weeks now and I was doing so well.
1 like, 15 replies
hope4cure Duckfan
Posted
terri59470 Duckfan
Posted
Hi there Duckfan, sounds like you've had a really scary moment and that's never easy.
If I can try to put your mind at rest at least a little, I've been told a number of times that it's extremely difficult (if not virtually impossible) to damage an implant. Once it's in, it's in. Yes they come loose, but that generally comes from mechanical failure or infection, NOT because the recipient of the knee has "damaged" it in some way. I've had to work hard to accept that myself, as it would have been easier to have a reason for my first knee loosening, but the truth is I was just unlucky.
I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine, but I'd ease off the exercise a bit till you've seen your PT, and if you're still worried after that then try and contact your Surgeon, for reassurance if nothing else.
And we're at a similar stage by the way, it'll be 4 weeks on Friday since my TKR Revision, so I'm with you all the way!
Take care and feel free to message me if you'd like to xx
Duckfan
Posted
Thanks for the encouragement. I Needed to hear that. My docs nurse called and said the same thing. Talk to PT tomorrow and yes it sounds normal. That's all I want to be normal.
hope4cure Duckfan
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Read your profile I thought you were from Oregon.... yeah...go Ducks...
Many many healing blessings sent your way!🐤🐣🐥
Duckfan
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Went to pt today and it wasn't good. Knee is very swollen and my rom was only 80. Just could've get the bend without pain. They were discouraged, I was discouraged. They wanted me to call my doctor and see if I could add ibprophen to the tramadol. Elevate more. Hopefully the swelling will come down.
On s good note Oregon Duck women and men are in the sweet 26 NCAA basketball.
hope4cure Duckfan
Posted
Sorry how PT went for you today. I agree that pain meds follospwed with NSAID can help along with icing.
it takes time to get thry all the ups and down of implant surgery. Beleive me been there a few times myself. It a lot of work and positive determination to get thru to a better ROM and walking without consent pain.
Peace and Healing sent your way.
Go Ducks. 🙌
Duckfan hope4cure
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hope4cure Duckfan
Posted
To ROM & prevent tscar tissue build up which can build up which is the cause of pain and rom issues. just movement enough forward and back under chair as much as comfortable. Sliding foot on towel on a
smooth floor. Just important to get some movement and blood flow in the area. And also to stretch the thigh muscle take the opposite foot and place in front of toe and push the op leg back to help keep rom.
Straight leg stretch. Sit on straight Back chair and place stool in front and place op leg on top of stool. The knee is usually bent at first PT stressed to allow gravity to help with the knee going down. Then after a few days an the knee will straighten out .
All this is done while on pain meds first days after TKR.
Another PT is sitting in a flat back chair lift leg up or use leg lift aide and then push leg straight out then pull back to almost under the chair. Start with these movements first. It's will be important to later get up and out of a chair stand and to break up scar tissue.
What are some you did?
Duckfan
Posted
My doctor stresses rom exercises for 5 weeks then add others. That and rest. He doesn't encourage big walks.
I do a knee bend on a ball laying flat. I put the ball under both legs and slowly bring it toward me bending the knees. I do this over and over until I can get a good Bend. I also used a chair and paper for heel slides and a rocker for the same. I do some thigh strengthening and glutes. I walk with a walker still. I'd like to try a cane but I feel so unstable on it.
How often did you do your exercises through the day?
bak7833 Duckfan
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Milla2017 Duckfan
Posted
Duck fan, it doesn't mean you're not tough. I don't cry. Never. 13 weeks in post op - cried buckets by now. This is medically speaking the most painful surgery you can get.
The recovery is rough. Sleep deprivation does not help either. Disappointed to hear your physical therapist was "disappointed". That is when a good therapist reassure you, calmly discuss options to deal with swelling. 4 Weeks is very early. Flexion WILL come. Slowly but surely. Ice every 2 hours. At 13 weeks I still do and if I don't the swelling increases. Don't do more than what you are instructed to do. We usually pay dearly for overdoing it - you are inflamed and swollen, might have more pain and that is counterproductive for your healing.
Don't be discouraged. It gets better. And the wonderful thing is that you can post every concern you have on here!
Hope your surgeon says anti-inflammatory is okay. Mine finally relented at 9 weeks. I know initially they do not recommend it because it can increase your risk of bleeding. Take care!
dolores84206 Duckfan
Posted
Dear Duckfan, that must of been a very scary experience! I think since it feels better now everything is all right. You could always put a call in to your surgeon so you have piece of mind. I am 8 weeks post op and have had 2 days of good sleeping.....thank God! My bend is 115 and the leg is almost straight, but when I walk I feel something digging into my knee. Hope it isn't an adhesion. I don't want manipulation under anesthesia.....so I hope it goes away as otherwise I am doing pretty good. Hope you feel better real soon!
Duckfan
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Thanks for all the good advice. It seems a little better now. Maybe the ibprophen is helping. I did almost feel like the pt's were overreacting.
Most of the time they're so encouraging. It seems like I have very little emotional reserve. The tank drains easily.
Guest Duckfan
Posted
Keep trying. It gets better. Nov 16 bilateral pkr now at 134/144 left and right leg bend. Consistent slow stretch. Scar tissue breakup ice a lot after. All the manipulation will make A LOT of swelling. Rest a good couple hours.
Keep up the good work! Week 14 was another positive turning point
:D
Milla2017 Guest
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Amen. 13 weeks in and I still haven't learned my lesson. My leg felt better yesterday so I walked more. Walking is the biggest problem right now for me personally. Still on walker and pt days long ways away from cane. I was diagnosed with femoral nerve and muscle damage (my foot was like a dead fish on the floor after surgery and an immense amount of nerve pain). So the leg felt better and I didn't get any "warning" signs yesterday. I was pretty conservative I thought. Only slept 2 1/2 hours last night, sore, swollen and hot knee today. I have pt tomorrow and the manipulation is going to half kill me. But one day at a time.
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