Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi all, just joined this forum and looking for some advice, encouragement, support... Had my TKR a week ago May 27th and dont really know how I should be feeling at this stage, I know I have stiffness which is worse obviously after sleeping but the pain is sometimes like toothache, is that right? I am getting up and down stairs ok but finding some of the exercises really tough due to the pain, I am taking my medication at the prescribes times .any advise please?
1 like, 47 replies
melinda11457 Susie54
Posted
Ggod luck to you. Sounds like you're off to a pretty good start. Just don't overdo...but then you'll know that next day. As far as icing goes, I had an ice machine at home that straps on with Velcro and tubes connecting to the unit. I never did anything other than lay it over top of knee and wrap securely. But once I quit that and started with the refreezable cold packs from the drug store, I found I used it mostly on top of knee as that was where the swelling mainly was. But then if the back of knee was uncomfortable, I'd use it there awhile. So mainly top of knee but whatever works at the moment. And...elevate!
Susie54 melinda11457
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terri59470 Susie54
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You seem to have received some excellent pieces of advice from our little group, all I will add is the TKR Recovery Mantra : "If you can sit, then don't stand. If you can lie down, then don't sit. And if you can sleep, then don't be awake!" As much as your exercises are vital to your recovery, you will heal much quicker if you are well-rested.
Good luck with your recovery xx
terri59470 Susie54
Posted
You seem to have received some excellent pieces of advice from our little group, all I will add is the TKR Recovery Mantra : "If you can sit, then don't stand. If you can lie down, then don't sit. And if you can sleep, then don't be awake!" As much as your exercises are vital to your recovery, you will heal much quicker if you are well-rested.
Good luck with your recovery xx
Susie54 terri59470
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lucie47312 Susie54
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i am so thankful I found this forum, it has helped immensely, and goodness knows how I stumbled on it!!
Susie54 lucie47312
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Irish_Al lucie47312
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My surgeon was exactly tge sane, no measuring etc. just expert and pragmatic.
But I must add none of the physios I have seen have pushed me too hard, they push very gently, but always remind me when leaving that without pushing a little bit it won't improve.
My surgeon also said he has done his part, now I must do mine.
Best wishes,
Alan
Susie54 Irish_Al
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jeanne_06699 Susie54
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Irish_Al Susie54
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I didn't mean to tell you what to do, Sorry if my last message came across wrong.
Take care,
Alan
Susie54 Irish_Al
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Irish_Al Susie54
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Irish_Al jeanne_06699
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Maybe if it's not getting better get in touch with your doctor or change some of your routine, maybe reduce to two sets per day. Maybe you don't need to ice. Sometimes I ice and think it makes no difference, sometimes.
Do you find them hard to do?
cheryl90571 jeanne_06699
Posted
I got bored with "Doing my Exercises" pretty much from the get-go! (Repetition is NOT my forte!)😏
I KNEW I needed to keep moving, though, SO I looked at ways to do those same movements around the house as I was going about my day. Of course at first just getting up out of a chair and standing straight was a Sometimes our DEAL! Lifting my TOES was a challenge on Day Two post op!
I would walk to the kitchen to make some tea and do toe lifts as I held onto my counter by the sink as my tea was steeping. Looking out the window to watch the snowfall was a LOT more interesting than being just in my living room "doing my exercises". Sometimes our squirrels would entertain me, and I would get a longer toe lift session! Each time I would head to the bathroom (and you KNOW that was OFTEN!), I would do stretches to get a better bend by putting my foot onto the first step, holding onto the railing and one crutch and leaning into the stretch.
You get the idea. Exercise sessions can be monotonous, but finding creative ways to do them throughout the day as you are doing normal things you would typically do is MUCH more interesting.
I still do stretches as I shop for groceries. My uneven grass (Thanks Mole Family!) offers HREAT balance opportunities. At first I used my walker, moved to my cane and then when I noticed I kept misplacing walker and/or cane, I went solo.
Of course I was doing two sessions a week at PT for nearly SIX MONTHS because I had my left knee done in June last year and my right knee done just three and a half months after the left knee. My last session with my left knee was the day before surgery on my right knee.
Yes, I DO think we can overdo exercise just as we can definitely overdo cleaning the garage (ME GUILTY!) or cutting grass/ trimming/weeding (ME GUILTY!) and even SHOPPING (ME VERY GUILTY!) If we DO overdo it, then we REST and take it easy until we overdo it the NEXT time!😊
Just know that things will be OK if you listen to your body. After all, it has been through A LOT lately, and although it needs exercise, it also needs PLENTY of TLC.
Wishing you a speedy INTERESTING recovery filled with many successes!🙌
Nextoneplease cheryl90571
Posted
Thanks, and apologies for feeling sorry for myself
jeanne_06699 Irish_Al
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jeanne_06699 cheryl90571
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Irish_Al jeanne_06699
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I find the same bending is harder.
I do my heel slides, they're very slow to start. I usually do about 10 'warm ups', just sliding nice n easy no pressure, only as far as I can go. Then I go for it. If I don't take the meds 30 mins before hand I haven't a hope. Usually by the end of the 15 the last couple are easiest and the best.
I also sit on end of kitchen table and swing my leg gently, I then cross my my good foot over my op leg an help bend as far as I can.
I find this helps.
cheryl90571 Nextoneplease
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I work my quad muscles when I am seated watching TV or reading and when I lay in bed. Those quad muscles in the thighs REALLY help with standing up, sitting down, and walking. For several weeks after surgery I couldn't even FEEL THEM! My PT had me work on putting my hands on my thighs and pressing as I tried to contract them. It finally WORKED!
Wishing you continued success!
Come back here often, OK?😁
Nextoneplease cheryl90571
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You're right, I am venting! I have my post op check up tomorrow and am feeling very low about my progress ( or lack of it). None of the information I was given was accurate about how difficult all this is. And I hate feeling so useless D unable to get things done. Perhaps if tomorrow they agree I can drive, I will feel a bit more independent. I hope so! Meanwhile I will continue with the exercises, quads above all, and perhaps try to think of some ways of getting out and about.
Thanks again x
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