1. < Joint Replacements

After knee replacement surgery

Posted by beatricefay @beatricefay, Jun 16, 2016

Had left knee replaced 9 days ago. Right knee two years ago. Having a problem with inflammation so hard to bend knee and exercise. Trying to ice and raise knee above heart. Doctor suggested getting compression hose. Anybody have this experience and can offer suggestions. So tired all the time from pain interrupting my sleep and painkillers. My insurance refused to pay for the painkiller recommended by surgeon so have to take one with more opiates. That's frustrating. Two years ago it was covered but now too expensive for me to use. Seems the drug companies, not our doctors are determining what we use.

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Jul 16, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Yesterday I had my 3 month post op visit for my TKR for my right knee...." + (show)
@johnbishop

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!).

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@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.

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 16, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "@johnbishop - Congratulations on 3 months. That's a real milestone. I bet you are the best..." + (show)
@debbraw

@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.

Jump to this post

Thanks Debra. The surgeon was happy the surgery went well and the knee was doing great but he was a little concerned about the ankle swelling and the possibility of an infection if I didn't start elevating, icing and moisturizing my legs. I told him I had stopped elevating and icing when my knee was feeling good and I could exercise on my recumbent bike more. I thought just because I was wearing the compression socks that should take care of the swelling like it did before the surgery. Guess my thinking was wrong so I'm heading to the fridge to break out the ice pack and elevate my foot for awhile ☺

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Jul 16, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Thanks Debra. The surgeon was happy the surgery went well and the knee was doing great..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Thanks Debra. The surgeon was happy the surgery went well and the knee was doing great but he was a little concerned about the ankle swelling and the possibility of an infection if I didn't start elevating, icing and moisturizing my legs. I told him I had stopped elevating and icing when my knee was feeling good and I could exercise on my recumbent bike more. I thought just because I was wearing the compression socks that should take care of the swelling like it did before the surgery. Guess my thinking was wrong so I'm heading to the fridge to break out the ice pack and elevate my foot for awhile ☺

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@johnbishop - ok... keep those legs up and the ice on!

REPLY
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 17, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Yesterday I had my 3 month post op visit for my TKR for my right knee...." + (show)
@johnbishop

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!).

Jump to this post

@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.

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 17, 2019

@merpreb Thanks, Merry. All things considered, my foot feels pretty good, and sitting here now, I barely notice anything. I was picking up my horse's back hoof and he pulled it away and stepped down with that foot on my foot. He usually stands still for this and for farrier work. I did yell ouch, and after that, he stood completely still while I worked with all his feet and got him ready for our ride. Horses are pretty smart. But yes, ouch...but I'm OK.

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 17, 2019
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@johnbishop I'm glad you're doing well, John. I don't know if this could help you for..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@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.

Jump to this post

Big Ouch! @jenniferhunter. I did order an ankle wrap that includes a hot/cold gel pack and also has a small hand compression pump to make it tight around the ankle/foot. Hoping it arrives today! Until then I've been Icing & elevating it over the lunch hour and then in the evening. The swelling has been down a little the last two mornings which is good. Now all I have to do is find a Myofascial Release therapist that is in the Rochester, MN area. I've found a few wellness therapist that say they do it but I have no idea if they are certified. I have issues with lower back pain (more of an ache than sharp pain) that makes walking a little uncomfortable and difficult even though the feet work well now ☺

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jul 17, 2019
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@merpreb Thanks, Merry. All things considered, my foot feels pretty good, and sitting here now, I..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@merpreb Thanks, Merry. All things considered, my foot feels pretty good, and sitting here now, I barely notice anything. I was picking up my horse's back hoof and he pulled it away and stepped down with that foot on my foot. He usually stands still for this and for farrier work. I did yell ouch, and after that, he stood completely still while I worked with all his feet and got him ready for our ride. Horses are pretty smart. But yes, ouch...but I'm OK.

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@jenniferhunter- I use to ride. I love horses. They must be very therapeutic! How often do you ride?

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 17, 2019

@merpreb I try to go horseback riding about once a week, but hot weather and other commitments get in the way, so it's usually every couple weeks. Horses are more affected by heat than people, and sometimes, it's just too hot. I have wet the horse down before riding and then not gone out for too long. Riding has helped me with core strength and rehabbing after my neck spine surgery. I just walk, and my back has to compensate with the rhythm of the horse's steps and it makes my back and hips strong. It might be a little hard on the knees, so I will look into a pivot for the stirrups to ease that and wider stirrups so my feet feel better on long rides. Yesterday we rode about 8 miles, and I washed my horse when we got back to the farm. During the winter when there is ice, it isn't safe for a horse because they can easily slip and fall so I don't usually ride in winter and the trails are usually closed. Yes, it's great for the body and mind and being out in fresh air on trails through woods and meadows with wildflowers is very nice. I took a week long camping trip with my horse in June with a group from where he is boarded and that was wonderful. In a week, we rode a total of 50 miles through hills and woods in the Southern Kettle Moraine in WI and it was really nice to spend time with him and take care if him. He follows me around like a puppy and will steal carrots out of my pockets, and he is a good well trained horse who wants to please.

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 17, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Big Ouch! @jenniferhunter. I did order an ankle wrap that includes a hot/cold gel pack and..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Big Ouch! @jenniferhunter. I did order an ankle wrap that includes a hot/cold gel pack and also has a small hand compression pump to make it tight around the ankle/foot. Hoping it arrives today! Until then I've been Icing & elevating it over the lunch hour and then in the evening. The swelling has been down a little the last two mornings which is good. Now all I have to do is find a Myofascial Release therapist that is in the Rochester, MN area. I've found a few wellness therapist that say they do it but I have no idea if they are certified. I have issues with lower back pain (more of an ache than sharp pain) that makes walking a little uncomfortable and difficult even though the feet work well now ☺

Jump to this post

@johnbishop John, I can imagine that with the knee surgery, you might have back pain. Your legs might be tight which pulls on the hips and low back. The pelvis can go out of alignment too, and that affects everything. If it's off just a little bit, it puts pressure on one side of your knee joint adding to extra wear and tear because that goes out of alignment too. A physical therapist can help. My pelvis can shift, and I know some things from my PT to do to realign it. One of the problems is sitting too much, and the muscles in front of the pelvis get too tight, which then can pull on the lower spine. When all that gets too tight, your steps get too short. I'm picturing you laying in a hammock with your feet elevated and sipping some cool lemonade in the shade with your ice boot on your foot. That sounds like a good thing on a hot summer day. You can call Therapy on the Rocks in Sedona to ask for names of MFR therapists who have taken expert level courses and see if they have any in your area. http://therapyontherocks.net/ They don't all pay to be listed ob the MFR website. They would have more experience and can't take those expert courses without the prior course requirements.

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