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Week 3 post TKR

Posted by amytro @amytro, Feb 24, 2019

Good morning! I am looking for folks to share their experience of the third week post-TKR. The first two weeks were very hard but I feel like I've turned a corner in week 3. Flexion is 113 and extension is 0. Still using pain meds on a regular schedule. PT is getting less excruciating, sleeping positions easier, etc. I'm now pretty much on the cane only, using the walker only to get me out of the shower. Does this sound right to others? Are you about in the same place? Mostly I'm interested in if you are still using the meds. I still need them!

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JK | @contentandwell | Aug 16, 2020
In reply to @chickenhaslips "Dear Amytro, sounds like flexion and extension are excellent. Also, your use of the cane and..." + (show)
@chickenhaslips

Dear Amytro, sounds like flexion and extension
are excellent. Also, your use of the cane and walker
were about where I was .I didn’t use “meds “
during the day. I used a combination of Tylenol
And Motrin during the day.I reserved the hydrocodone only at night in addition to Tylenol and
Motrin .I also took 5 mg Ambien . It’s so critical to
get a good nights sleep. Overall sounds like you’re right on track

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@chickenhaslips I too reserved the “big guns” for bedtime. My ortho was very stingy with prescription pain relievers. Unfortunately the only OTC pain reliever I can take is acetaminophen which is not very effective.
JK

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stp258 | @stp258 | Aug 18, 2020
In reply to @nancyjw "I am now almost 13 weeks TKR. I too struggled with stiffness, swelling and lack of..." + (show)
@nancyjw

I am now almost 13 weeks TKR. I too struggled with stiffness, swelling and lack of sleep. I can tell you it does get better. Keep icing and moving. Do your exercises and you will be amazed that all of a sudden you are able to do things without thinking about them. I was discouraged at times especially with the stiffness. It still gets stiff but not as often and once I get going the stiffness lessens. I know 3 months seems like forever but you will be surprised. I know I am! Good luck and keep moving!

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Hi Nancy, thanks for your reply. My issue at beginning week 4. Post, is something called tight band syndrome. I read the comments under that blog and got very discouraged. My PT told me to increase stretching exercises and don’t give up. My knee has never been stiff as you described yours, but tight, like a band around it. Just curious, did you ever have that? Thanks again. This is tough emotionally, physically and mentally, since I chose this route.

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klarnold | @klarnold | Aug 20, 2020
In reply to @lucbeau "Hi I had knee replacement 6 days ago. Been managing pain fairly well except when I..." + (show)
@lucbeau

Hi I had knee replacement 6 days ago. Been managing pain fairly well except when I go from a lying position to try to stand. Once I start to lower my leg to floor i start to get extreme pain below knee on front of leg. If I can hold out and stand for 1-2 min I can start to walk and pain seems to subside. It feels like leg is going to explode. I have tried several different things but not much success don’t know what to do. Anyone had any similar issues

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Yes l feel your pain with standing & moving your leg, time & self nurturing is essence. I'm post opp 8wks can stand for 7mins idle while ironing, my leg does manage ok for 20mins moving walking. I had beening going hydro pool x3 wkly but feels good while I'm exercising but pay for it later leg swells up pain heightens. Wkly massages to brake up scare tissue. My range of movement approx 93% very swollen, painful & stiff leg. Been off crutches wk 2, pain relief is Ostio Panadol & ice packs. I find self massaging regular moving & Physio exercises x3 daily help. But I'm staying postive & looking forward to full range of movement nil pain as we all want to achieve. Hopefully we can support each other in saying in due time, as we are all different. But biggest question l seek is a Computer navigatied knee replacement better than non- navigated, what's everyone's thoughts & feedback please.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 20, 2020
In reply to @klarnold "Yes l feel your pain with standing & moving your leg, time & self nurturing is..." + (show)
@klarnold

Yes l feel your pain with standing & moving your leg, time & self nurturing is essence. I'm post opp 8wks can stand for 7mins idle while ironing, my leg does manage ok for 20mins moving walking. I had beening going hydro pool x3 wkly but feels good while I'm exercising but pay for it later leg swells up pain heightens. Wkly massages to brake up scare tissue. My range of movement approx 93% very swollen, painful & stiff leg. Been off crutches wk 2, pain relief is Ostio Panadol & ice packs. I find self massaging regular moving & Physio exercises x3 daily help. But I'm staying postive & looking forward to full range of movement nil pain as we all want to achieve. Hopefully we can support each other in saying in due time, as we are all different. But biggest question l seek is a Computer navigatied knee replacement better than non- navigated, what's everyone's thoughts & feedback please.

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@klarnold, I had my right TKR done in April 2019 and when I first looked into TKR I was hoping to have the computer assisted surgery but my Mayo surgeon was not one who uses it for knee replacement surgery. I am extremely happy with my results though. I had a friend who just had her knee replaced at the same Mayo location using the computer assisted surgery and it went really well also. She is excited to have her other knee done soon. Here's some information on the topic from 2018 that you might find interesting.

If Computer-Assisted Surgery Is More Accurate, Why Isn’t It More Prevalent?:
-- https://www.exac.com/if-computer-assisted-surgery-is-more-accurate-why-isnt-it-more-prevalent/

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1 reply
klarnold | @klarnold | Aug 21, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "@klarnold, I had my right TKR done in April 2019 and when I first looked into..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@klarnold, I had my right TKR done in April 2019 and when I first looked into TKR I was hoping to have the computer assisted surgery but my Mayo surgeon was not one who uses it for knee replacement surgery. I am extremely happy with my results though. I had a friend who just had her knee replaced at the same Mayo location using the computer assisted surgery and it went really well also. She is excited to have her other knee done soon. Here's some information on the topic from 2018 that you might find interesting.

If Computer-Assisted Surgery Is More Accurate, Why Isn’t It More Prevalent?:
-- https://www.exac.com/if-computer-assisted-surgery-is-more-accurate-why-isnt-it-more-prevalent/

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Thanks John really appreciated the information sent, will be my bedtime read tonight. It's a wonderful group & very informative and great supporting each other

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bushy | @bushy | Aug 22, 2020

Hi Good for you!!! That sounds about right-although I was with the walker longer because my other knee is just as bad if not more so-very unstable on moving around at first. (Getting that one replaced in a couple of weeks). Your recovery will not necessarily be in a straight line. You will be improving then hit a wall of pain and stiffness. Don't let it get you down. This chat group will be very helpful to let you know the full gambit of what you can expect.

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captjamesh | @captjamesh | Sep 11, 2020

I Hit 3 weeks on Wednesday and pain wise it’s getting better but my ROM is 0/80 degrees and going over that hurts like hell

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Sep 12, 2020
In reply to @captjamesh "I Hit 3 weeks on Wednesday and pain wise it’s getting better but my ROM is..." + (show)
@captjamesh

I Hit 3 weeks on Wednesday and pain wise it’s getting better but my ROM is 0/80 degrees and going over that hurts like hell

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@captjamesh Unless your doctor or physical therapist doesn't feel it's right for you, push yourself as much as you can. I regret now not pushing myself harder. My flex is right around 120°, give or take a degree or two. I really cannot kneel upright without something to lean on. I wish I could. My orthopedic surgeon said he could do lysis on me but I really don't want to go through another surgery no matter how minimal it is so I have resisted.
JK

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laureenaugust | @laureenaugust | Sep 26, 2020
In reply to @ellerbracke "@amytro : it’s been a while, but I do remember some specifics about my TKR recovery...." + (show)
@ellerbracke

@amytro : it’s been a while, but I do remember some specifics about my TKR recovery. I was off opioids totally within 9 days (5 days as scheduled every 4 to 5 hours, then tapering off). Also added some XS tylenol in the beginning. Another 6 days of tylenol (which unfortunately does not seem to help) since I was still ordered to take aspirin for 14 days after surgery, then aleve and ice. I probably did get off the oxycodone too soon, but I simply can’t deal with the constipation..... In-home PT 3 times, every 3rd day, then outpatient PT, about every 7 to 10 days, 3 sets of 20+ minute exercises on my own each day for 5 weeks, then reducing to twice a day until 8 weeks, now still some basic stretches etc. every day. Off walker 4th day, off cane within 8 days. Since I did not get full extension for a long time, my PT limited my outside walking in order not to cause back/hip problems, but I was able to walk 1/2 mile (with cane handy, but not using) on the 8th day after surgery. Lots of strength and flexibility exercises in an indoor pool at week 4, major factor in reducing pain and increasing ROM in knee. Highly recommend that, if you have access!. Your progress sounds really good, and I am glad that your pain is subsiding. Time is a good healer!

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I am curious how you were able to get in the pool at 4 weeks. I am at week three and had my staples removed at 2 1/2 weeks. I still have steri scripts and scabs on the incision. This is what happened with my first knee which my doctor thought was healing on schedule like this one. I know my incision will not be completely healed by 4 weeks. Did you cover your incision when swimming?

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