PKR in 6 weeks ... any advice on how to get body ready?
Posted , 8 users are following.
On January 17, 2017 I had a meniscus tear. PT and aquatic therapy did nothing to relieve pain. Finally on May 25 I had arthroscopic meniscus surgery which showed a large tear and arthritis in the medial compartment of my knee. I didn't realize I had any arthritis because I was asymptomatic ... walking 4 to 5 miles several days a weeks.
Started back on PT. On Day 5 post surgery, I could walk without pain! It was a miracle! Day 8, after an aggressive PT visit, I had excruciating pain that hydrocodone didn't touch, which lasted for a several days.
Now, 2.5 months later, pain is greatly diminished, but I can't walk more than four or five blocks without aggravating my knee and experiencing increased pain. Knee is always swollen but not necessarily painful, unless I aggravate by walking too much. I get fatigued when I have to stand for any length of time.
I'm scheduled for partial knee replacement on September 14. Is there any advice you can give me that would prepare me for surgery? I've been losing weight and I just started doing more exercises to increase quad strength.
Anyone care to share your partial knee replacement story ... of recovery, I hope. :-)
1 like, 23 replies
CHICO_MARX BarbaraL
Posted
My advice is in the picture!!!
No really... I had four knee scopes many years ago and then started on SynVisc which took away the pain for years and years. Moved to Texas from Jersey; the warm weather really helped. Finally needed a TKR in '16.
Recovering from a partial is just as painful and long as recovering from a full TKR. Consider that. You don't want to do this twice.
Recovery, again, is painful and long. Gotta be prepared for all of it, especially when PTs break down the forming scar tissue...not fun. Click my picture and then "See All Discussions". Start with the "...Kidney Stone" post and check out the rest. You'll get an idea of what you're facing. Also see posts by OldFatGuy1, WaffaloBill and other #6 Oracles who are pretty active on the Forum. Jenny has a great off-site blog. Lots of great information out there.
BarbaraL CHICO_MARX
Posted
Did I see Errol Flynn in that photo? LOL! I had a really good day today and am thinking, hmmm, maybe I don't need that surgery after all ... and then there will be a revelation a coupla days from now ... "I really need that surgery!" :-) I haven't had any joint surgery below the waist yet, but had two rotator cuff surgeries and a frozen shoulder. PT said it was the worse frozen shoulder they had ever had so while they were working on me, I started swimming. I made a two-hr round trip drive, but it paid off. You always have to do at least as much for yourself as the other guy is doing! Recovery really did take a year. I remember one day, near my year anniversary of surgery, realizing that I wasn't feeling any pain. I keep telling myself if I could handle the shoulder deal, I could handle this ... but I'm really pretty terrified!
Thank you for sharing your story. I'll check out the discussions you reference. Have a great weekend!
tricia1954 BarbaraL
Posted
Hi Barbara
?Your story is a mirror of mine. I am 62 and had anthroscopy on the knee for a torn meniscus in February 2015 it was painful and didnt really work. I was walking 5 to 7 miles at a time but gradually I could only manage 1 mile. Eventually it was bone on bone and although like you when you are resting or not putting too much stress on it I thought I wouldnt take it any further. But, I was beggining to look bow legged (not a good look!) and sleeping became an issue so 20th June 2017 I had a partial knee replacement right medial.
?Today at just over 6 weeks I can't say I did the right thing yet (being totally honest here) the pain is worse than before but I am hoping that with time it will get better. The surgeon admired his handiwork at my 6 week visit but was surprised I was still in pain. I couldnt get to grips with pain meds right from the start they made me very sick and boy do you need them. I too have had a torn rotator cuff and that was awful, unfortunately this is as bad. That said some people dont experience too much pain at all. I have a friend who was off meds in four days and went skiing after 8 months. You do ned to exercise right from the start it is a race against scar tissue. I have religiously done my exercises and have got a good range I can completely straighten my leg and bend to 125 degrees but I have no strength and stairs are an issue (I have 17 very steep stairs to negotiate to bed and any other time I need upstairs so I get plenty of practice)
?Its probably not helped you at all but I will keep you informed of my situation in the next few weeks. I have been told to walk half a mile a day and swim and walk in the pool to build up stamina, eventually getting to one mile a day. (LOL) there will be no time for anything else, its a good thing I no longer work this recovery is a full time job.
?I am determined to be as fit as I can be and wait for this - my goal is to wear high heels again. I have more than two dozen pairs and just dont like flats!!! I think because i am not very tall. (Hope that makes you smile) I am in the uk and have a holiday booked in September to go to the states so I need to be able to walk miles by then. I have everything crossed for that.
Good luck with your decision, one only you can make. I am still on the fence.
BarbaraL tricia1954
Posted
Hi Tricia, Thanks so much for all of the good information! I do hope you'll keep me posted on your progress and that your recovery continues to improve. The recovery stories are so varied. At least the pain you experience is while you're heading in a positive direction.
I think wearing high heels again is a worthy goal! I've never been able to wear them. :-( Felt like someone was stabbing me in the ball of my foot! You'll be leaving for your trip to the states knowing that your metal knee can withstand the walking! I'm crossing my fingers for you too! BTW, where are you headed?
tricia1954 BarbaraL
Posted
It's a bit of a trip! Fly to New York for five days the go on a cruise through New England up to Quebec. Then the work really starts, we are taking the train to Toronto staying two night each in Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa , Niagara Falls, ending in Toronto. I planned all this when more able bodied😊
BarbaraL tricia1954
Posted
It sounds fantastic! Depending on what time in September, you might be seeing some beautiful fall leaves! I was in Maine in early October last year and really enjoyed the changing leaves. I used to live in Maryland where there are four distinct seasons. Living in Florida, I sometimes have trouble figuring out what month I'm in! From November through April it's beautiful here but the rest of the year is pretty miserable ... hot and humid ... so essentially we have two seasons!
RangerJack BarbaraL
Posted
Hey Barbara, l'm 9 months post TKR (11/2016) & your neighbor, residing in Brandon, FL. My suggestions for pre-op activities are: proper nutrition to attain a healthy weight; intense use of stationary bike; weight lifting both upper & lower body; rest; and, positive attitude. That was my plan, which enabled me to walk, without a cane, and exercise pain free in less than a week post surgery. Used Tylenol 500mg rather than opiates for pain/discomfort. Hop to it neighbor, hope this helps. BTW, I used Florida Orthopaedic Assoc., Dr Garlick. Best wishes for a successful surgery & speedy recovery. RJ
BarbaraL RangerJack
Posted
Your message was just the thing I needed to hear! My surgery is with Dr. Hirshorn at All Florida ... he did torn meniscus surgery on May 25. He was able to see near bone-on-bone arthritis in the medial compartment of my knee, but saw the rest of my knee was in great condition.
I had been doing a lot of walking (4-5 miles three to four times a week) prior to the tear, but since then, my activity has been really curtailed. Five blocks is the most I can walk without pain that causes me to turn around and head for home. Thank you for your concrete suggestions on how to prepare. I, too, would love to avoid opiates! I just got off the floor from doing exercises for quads, hamstrings, and gluts. It's amazing how quickly the body responds. :-)
Thank you for sharing your story of success! I really needed to hear it! Barb