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After knee replacement surgery
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Oct 27, 2021 | Replies (618)Comment receiving replies
Yesterday I had my 3 month post op visit for my TKR for my right knee. I have been really happy with the outcome (thanks Mayo Clinic!). I have no pain in my knee and my range of motion is 0 to ~130 degrees. The only issue I have and it's a big one, is the swelling in my right ankle due to lymphedema. I have been wearing my compression socks since about week 3 or 4 post op. Before surgery the compression socks would take care of the swelling overnight and I would start out each day good. Since the surgery, the socks really haven't helped a whole lot.
I got some additional instruction on the importance of icing and elevating from my surgeon and his assistant. I had really stopped icing and elevating when my knee started feeling better and I could ride my recumbent exercise bike for 30 minutes with no issues. They told me to take it easy for while and focus on the swelling. Best tip I received was putting a couple of pillows at the end of the bed and under the mattress so that you mattress is elevated at the bottom. Then use another pillow under your knee to support it and help with the bottom of the bed being higher. I did that last night and my ankle was considerably smaller this morning - YAY! Now I have to fine tune it a little. I also ordered something like a CryoCuff for the ankle only it has a small compression pump and you can insert a gel pack in it and wrap your ankle so that it gives you a compressed cold wrap to help with the swelling. I'm looking forward to trying that to make the icing and elevating a little easier during the daytime.
Hoping you all have success and if you are struggling, don't stop working on the problem - ask questions from your care team (or your Connect TKR friends!).
Replies to "Yesterday I had my 3 month post op visit for my TKR for my right knee...."
@johnbishop - Congratulations on 3 months. That's a real milestone. I bet you are the best patient that doctor ever had. You follow advice and incorporate it into your life. Wishing you the best! From here on out it will be a breeze.
@johnbishop I'm glad you're doing well, John. I don't know if this could help you for wrapping your ankle, but wraps for horses work pretty well and are inexpensive. I have some wrapping my foot right now because my horse stepped on me yesterday. It's not bad and I was able to pull my foot out before most of his weight was on it, and it bruised the top near my big toe. It was starting to swell a little, so I wrapped it with the stretchy horse wrap I had in my gear bag and still went for a ride, and it just aches a little bit. The rolls of wrap come in lots of colors and it sticks to itself without being sticky, and is easy to apply. You can get that were they sell horse supplies and probably find it locally.
@johnbishop good advice from @merpreb. If I don’t keep my sodium to under 1500mg a day I have puffy feet and sausage fingers. I am worried about our trip to Denver for my son’s wedding in August. We will be there for two days before the wedding and I know I won’t I won’t be able to be as careful about sodium. By the time of the wedding my shoes probably won’t fit.
I used to have a PCP who would prescribe 3 lasix for me when I went away but I doubt my current PCP will do that.
JK
What Mayo Clinic did you have your knee surgery? I need both knees replaced and have Lymphedema in both Legs. I am scheduled to have my first knee in February 2022 but after reading here all the pain, etc..plus I have LE I am thinking of cancelling,. I have full legs pump and it is pretty powerful..do you think that will help the swelling?
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@johnbishop- John, this sounds good! Maybe also cut down on your salt if you use it. It might help