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Week 3 post TKR
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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Hello @dlou72, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Pain and swelling are pretty common for the first few weeks or month. I had my right knee replaced a year ago in April and if I remember right I had some pain and swelling for the first 4 to 6 weeks. I found out from my surgeon and care team I was not icing and elevating my leg as much as I should have been doing it. Here's an excerpt from the article listed below - "Ice and elevation of the leg will help reduce swelling. People should apply a cloth-wrapped ice pack to the swollen area for 20 minutes every 3–4 hours when possible. Gentle ankle and foot exercises after surgery may also help reduce swelling and the risk of blood clots."
Knee replacement pain: Management and when to see a doctor: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/knee-replacement-pain
Have you discussed the pain and swelling with your surgeon or care team?
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2 Reactionssounds like you are doing very well. I have been thru 3 TKR in the past 2yrs. and feel like I have experienced both good and bad. you could see some swelling for a year ,your range of motion is great. Keep working and give it time.
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1 ReactionI always remember what my second ortho surgeon told me when I was impatient at the slow pace of healing - "We cut you and insulted your body - it takes time to heal each muscle, bone and nerve. And remember, your [ ] didn't go bad overnight, so don't expect it to heal overnight." At 2 1/2 weeks, only your incision has really begun to heal - your body is working very hard to repair the rest.
As John pointed out - ICE, Ice, ice... I had hand surgery in June and September, and yesterday after some hours of heavy use, I found myself reaching for the ice again. After ACL/MCL surgery some years ago, I regularly used ice 3-4 times a day for at least 2 months to keep the swelling down.
So please, be patient and gentle with yourself, keep up the great rehab, and keep the ice handy!
Sue
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5 ReactionsI’m curious how you are doing now. Your situation sounds similar to mine even tho I’m only about 4 weeks post op but my pain and burning around knee cap is terrible especially at night and right after therapy. I have LOTS of swelling, too, and even pain in the foot. Seems like lots of nerve involvement anc possibly scar tissue.
How are you doing after 2 years?
i am at two and a half weeks since TKR - right knee. I have been walking with a cane for a week now , and probably no longer need it.
I am able to walk for probably 15-20 MIN before I get tired. Knee and foot still swollen although that is getting better each day. FINALLY ,
have slept an entire night last night - without jumping from the bed to the couch to the recliner. That's been the toughest part for me, just
could not get in a comfortable position to sleep '- hopefully the sleepless nights are behind me. I was prescribed oxi and tylenol but have stopped both about a week ago - not taking any pain meds now, I do take tylenol PM to help sleep before bed. I have lost a good bit of weight since my appetite is not what it was , not sure if that is common or not. If I lose enough weight I am hoping that it will not be necessary to do the second knee ... we will see , I don't even want to think about that now. Anyway , I have PT every day coming to the house , and will start out patient PT next week . I have 95 degrees bend as of right now .
What a great report. The only thing I would be doing differently would be to continue to ice regularly for a few more weeks - it will help with the swelling, especially at the end of the day.
I love success stories.
Sue
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1 ReactionHi Sue - I am trying ice at least two three times a day . I have the ice machine they sent me home with , but find the good old fashioned ice bags to be colder and can move it around better . Thanks
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1 ReactionHi. Sounds like you are doing well. I'm scheduled for knee replacement on December 21st. I just received a packet of information about what to do before and after surgery. It says I will have PT twice a week. I'm wondering why you have PT every day at home. I will be going to a therapy place about 20 miles from where I live. It would be nice to have someone come here especially in the winter. I live in western Minnesota and we're getting our first snow tonight into tomorrow. 😟.
Hi there ... and good luck with the surgery . Actually the home PT is every other day now, and that will be over in a few days , I will then do outpatient PT twice a week . I would be surprised if you are only having PT twice a week right after surgery , I bet that is after the first couple of weeks . The PT the first two weeks require much more than twice a week , as far as I know. Good luck !!
I'll have to look at it again. There is so much info to look at. I hope I can recover ok. I'm kind of anxious and nervous about it. Thanks for responding.