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Bilateral TKR and getting in and out of bed

Posted by gobigorgohome @gobigorgohome, Apr 4, 2019

I’m scheduled for Bilateral TKR in 2 weeks. Perhaps I’m slightly insane. I have seen a number of videos that talk about a lot of after surgery activities for one knee in which they always talk about using the good knee. How do I get in and out of bed with two TKR knees. Anyone have experience or videos they can refer me to?

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auntb1947 | @auntb1947 | Apr 7, 2019

I just called Oncall Dr. and he called me in a Meddrol pack for the pain. He said if I was rejecting the cement I would have a rash. Evedently it is inflamation. He told me if I am still in pain to come in tomorrow morning.

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1 reply
gobigorgohome | @gobigorgohome | Apr 7, 2019
In reply to @doodles418 "Answer to #1: I use a cane in public still to let others know why I..." + (show)
@doodles418

Answer to #1: I use a cane in public still to let others know why I am walking slower, at home I have been unassisted since 8 weeks, but I also had MUA at 7 weeks because my ROM got stuck at 90 degrees by week 5. I am an aggressive creator of scar tissue that ended up with adhesion's to the implant. It does not mean I didn't do PT enough or that I was not doing my home exercises. I was very committed to both, it just happens to some, so be aware of that also if you feel your PT progress is plateauing. 2: In the hospital I was offered to go to a rehab facility after discharge on day 3. We pushed the Dr to sign off on another day and left in the morning Friday of day 5 to go home. My first outside PT was Mon , 2nd was Thursday, this was the schedule for the next 6 weeks. Had I known better, I would have pushed for 3 days because of bilateral. Instead they give each knee 40 minutes, so I was there 80 minutes. 3: I'm still in PT because of the MUA and hard time walking naturally. I have 2 different types of PT. One concentrates on ROM ONLY. The other is for gaining better movement through soft tissue manipulation. And I just started pool therapy for the walking problems. It's not a limp, it's a stiffness from the hips down. It's coming around slowly. I do become frustrated and depressed at how long this is taking ME, but without my continued faith and prayers I think I would be worse off.

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Doodles418, Thanks for the reply. I understand that despite doing everything right scar tissue builds, ROM isn’t always what we want and so many things dependent on a combination of physiology and PT. It sounds like you’ve done everything right so I’m hoping things work out better for you. I will push for more and sooner PT. Surgery is the 18th of April, but will not be surprised if they send me home since Saturday since it’s Easter weekend it’s Easter weekend and I won’t get my first PT until Monday. But I’ll see what I can talk them into. Being at 8 weeks and moving independently sounds pretty good. I imagine I’ll still be doing PT for months after the surgery. We have a once in a lifetime European river cruise paid for in mid-September and I sure hope to be ready for it by then.
Please let me know how the pool therapy is going. Keep up the good work. Donna

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2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Apr 7, 2019
In reply to @dkapustin "@contentandwell I'm still in severe pain on most days 10 weeks PO. I envy you having..." + (show)
@dkapustin

@contentandwell I'm still in severe pain on most days 10 weeks PO. I envy you having an ortho who keeps a close eye on you. Mine saw me 1 and 2 weeks PO and then 6 weeks after that. He examined my knee and told me to continue PT and he would see me in 3 months.

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@dkapustin I really have to say, he was great. He really kept on top of things when I was in pain. I think he was as relieved as I was when the pain lifted. This was my second TKR. The doctor I had for the first one was not nearly as attentive, but then I wasn't in as much pain either. Ironically, that one hurts now after exercise, the one that had more pain initially very rarely hurts at all. The second one is a custom made knee, the Conformis, and my doctor was one of the developers of that knee.
JK

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auntb1947 | @auntb1947 | Apr 8, 2019
In reply to @auntb1947 "I just called Oncall Dr. and he called me in a Meddrol pack for the pain...." + (show)
@auntb1947

I just called Oncall Dr. and he called me in a Meddrol pack for the pain. He said if I was rejecting the cement I would have a rash. Evedently it is inflamation. He told me if I am still in pain to come in tomorrow morning.

Jump to this post

Went into the Dr. today and I had developed bursitis just below the knee. The on call Dr. gave me a shot and more pain meds. He also did 3 x-rays and I will see my surgeon tomorrow. Heres hoping I am healing. The pain is still intense. I am about 7 weeks from surgery.

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2 replies
jmjlove | @jmjlove | Apr 8, 2019
In reply to @gobigorgohome "Doodles418, Thanks for the reply. I understand that despite doing everything right scar tissue builds, ROM..." + (show)
@gobigorgohome

Doodles418, Thanks for the reply. I understand that despite doing everything right scar tissue builds, ROM isn’t always what we want and so many things dependent on a combination of physiology and PT. It sounds like you’ve done everything right so I’m hoping things work out better for you. I will push for more and sooner PT. Surgery is the 18th of April, but will not be surprised if they send me home since Saturday since it’s Easter weekend it’s Easter weekend and I won’t get my first PT until Monday. But I’ll see what I can talk them into. Being at 8 weeks and moving independently sounds pretty good. I imagine I’ll still be doing PT for months after the surgery. We have a once in a lifetime European river cruise paid for in mid-September and I sure hope to be ready for it by then.
Please let me know how the pool therapy is going. Keep up the good work. Donna

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@gobigorgohome ....European river cruise????? Sounds like a very effective push to work hard on knee! Therapy is your best friend right now. You have a great goal. Plus it will work towards your everyday quality of life.

For my first TKR, my kids were my push. Still had a few littles, being 42 at the time. First replacement was most painfull, due to severity of need and bad conformation after so many years of a bum knee. Glad, at the time I hadn't a clue I'd be going through that again in my 50s.

Second replacement, my kids were self sufficient. I was 55, I think. The farm, the animals, my garden, my grandkids...all were the drive I needed to work hard on the knee. We can be very determined can't we?....when we have great reason to be!

Blessings to you.. Hope your recovery is speedy and complete, with no complications.

Edited to add: Oh my, Going back to read first post I see you had BOTH knees done! Brave of you. Now that took some courage! God bless.

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auntb1947 | @auntb1947 | Apr 9, 2019
In reply to @auntb1947 "Went into the Dr. today and I had developed bursitis just below the knee. The on..." + (show)
@auntb1947

Went into the Dr. today and I had developed bursitis just below the knee. The on call Dr. gave me a shot and more pain meds. He also did 3 x-rays and I will see my surgeon tomorrow. Heres hoping I am healing. The pain is still intense. I am about 7 weeks from surgery.

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I have a vacation planned on Mexico for June 2. Hope the pain is gone by then. The pain works on your emotions. I want to have some r and r without pain. PLEASE

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JK | @contentandwell | Apr 9, 2019
In reply to @auntb1947 "Went into the Dr. today and I had developed bursitis just below the knee. The on..." + (show)
@auntb1947

Went into the Dr. today and I had developed bursitis just below the knee. The on call Dr. gave me a shot and more pain meds. He also did 3 x-rays and I will see my surgeon tomorrow. Heres hoping I am healing. The pain is still intense. I am about 7 weeks from surgery.

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Hi @auntb1947 I hope your appointment goes well today. I have never heard of developing bursitis after a TKR but I guess anything is possible. I am sure that was the last thing you needed while recovering.
Let us know how the appointment goes.
JK

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Apr 9, 2019
In reply to @gobigorgohome "Doodles418, Thanks for the reply. I understand that despite doing everything right scar tissue builds, ROM..." + (show)
@gobigorgohome

Doodles418, Thanks for the reply. I understand that despite doing everything right scar tissue builds, ROM isn’t always what we want and so many things dependent on a combination of physiology and PT. It sounds like you’ve done everything right so I’m hoping things work out better for you. I will push for more and sooner PT. Surgery is the 18th of April, but will not be surprised if they send me home since Saturday since it’s Easter weekend it’s Easter weekend and I won’t get my first PT until Monday. But I’ll see what I can talk them into. Being at 8 weeks and moving independently sounds pretty good. I imagine I’ll still be doing PT for months after the surgery. We have a once in a lifetime European river cruise paid for in mid-September and I sure hope to be ready for it by then.
Please let me know how the pool therapy is going. Keep up the good work. Donna

Jump to this post

Hi @gobigorgohome - I had my first TKR on 4/18/17 - 2 years ago. I was 66 years old. I did try to do a decent amount of "pre-hab" but trust me, I'm no athlete! By 12 weeks - mid July - I was pretty much normal. I was back to walking a couple of miles every morning and I felt strong. I think you will be all over that European River Cruise in September. Can you share what is most difficult for you right now - stairs? constant pain? bending? I would try to keep up with those thoughts so you can tell your physical therapist. Also, just FYI - I actually asked my orthopedic surgeon for a prescription for "pre-hab" . He was happy to write it and my insurance covered it. I think it made a world of difference. Hope all goes well.

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