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TKR #2..... Lessons I am learning
Yesterday, I had a Total Knee Replacement on my right knee, 10 years after having a successful TKR on my left knee. 28 hours later I realize I have learned a lot with more hints, suggestions, mysteries, and solutions to be discovered along the way. I want to list these items for your review. Please let me know if you agree with my assessment and anything else you want to share that will help others making the same trip. What else should we be mindful about?
When was your TKR or when are you planning it? Thank you for sharing your creative and helpful ideas Here are my 24-hour learnings.
1. To be well prepared, do the pre-op exercises. I know it is 300 unique exercises held from 1-2, or 1-5 seconds in 2 sessions every day. And then there is that 5-10 minute one at the end. You will be so happy that your surgery leg is strong and sturdy.
2. Take the medications as prescribed or with approved substitutes if needed because of allergies. If you have any doubt about dosages or synergistic medications, please ask. Just because the pharmacy sheet or the internet describes a medication one way, know that there are good reasons for choosing the ones on your list. One antihistamine was kind of funky.....it just didn't fit. Then I found out that while it was listed for treatment of itchiness, it also dissipated my major pain medication, Dilaudid more quickly. Know that you must wait for anesthesia-related medications to disappear before you can move on to after-surgery dosages.
3. To prevent swelling, make sure your knee is kept above your heart. I sure didn't remember that one and it is so good to know. Use ice as directed. Just refrain from wrapping an ice pack too tightly around the surgery knee. I made that mistake .......oweee.
What assists will be most helpful? Do you need a walker....yes you do. And the worst thing that can happen is a fall. Walkers prevent falls. A raised toilet seat is a must to prevent strain and injury.
Be careful though.......we have only 21 inches in our commode room. Have you seen the stools for showers and the movable grab bars? Remember the goal is to prevent falling. As my surgeon said, "don't fall, I can't fix you."
And finally. Take time to heal......You cannot expect to be back on the volleyball court or in the swimming pool right away. Gold and tennis will have to wait. And you will be better off finding new and less rigorous activities to replace those that are no longer part of your activity itinerary.
What bothers you the most? What do you still not understand?
May you be free, protected and safe from inner and outer harm.
Chris
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Beautifully shared and so validating. Thank you. 🙏🏾
I am at day 16 of knee # 2. (1st one was six months ago). I started following these discussions last time and have continued to do so. My condolences to everyone for all the difficulties this surgery entails. After round 1, which went quite well, my non-surgical knee steadily got worse, having to shoulder too much of the load I surmised. Anyway, and I hope this can be encouraging to those navigating through all this, round two has gone surprisingly easier. First day after I was able to lift my knee onto an ottoman, something that took me 3+ weeks before. I just came back from a four block walk, something I didn't even attempt for several weeks last time. I got onto my stationary bike on day 14, it was day 35 first time around. (I will be 75 next month). For me the keys have been, religious compliance w/ PT, multiple icing sessions, and keeping a journal, a place to vent, despair about the pain and sleepless nights, document progress and celebrate every small triumph. My dressing came off yesterday, another stage behind me. Now I have to remember how to sleep again. No matter how exhausted I am, I wake up in a couple of hours and spend the rest of the night trying to get back to slumber town. Stay at it folks! It sure is not easy, it will be worth it.
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4 ReactionsHello @gregorymcg9, Welcome to Connect. It's great when a plan comes together and it certainly sounds like your second TKR is going quite well. You will notice that we merged your post with another discussion started by @artscaping on the same topic so that you can connect with @ddsack, @marymelba, @contentandwell, @anncgrl and others who have shared their experience on a second knee replacment. If you click the link below it will take you to the top of the discussion where you can read what others have shared:
-- TKR #2.....Lessons I am learning.: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tkr-2-lessons-i-am-learning/.
Did your surgeon recommend keeping a journal or was that good idea yours?
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4 Reactionsthe journal was my idea. It helped to keep track of meds, pain levels, therapy progress, sleep, appetite, intake and output and any other issue that seemed relevant and it is interesting to compare the knee 1 and knee 2 experiences.
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4 ReactionsI am 6 weeks out with my TKR on my right knee. After exercising I have a sharp pain that shoots up out from my knee. Is this normal?
I am 6 wks post op. I still have trouble getting my knee to bend. The therapist can it to 110 and that is her helping me. Why does it take so long for this particular exercise?
Thank you so much. I am a healthy 91 year old but my right knee feels as though it could give out at any moment. What kind of Dr should I see for an evaluation. Have you heard of anyone having successful surgery around this age. More problem with varicose veins. Past had surgery. Thank you
I don't think I was at 110 at 6 weeks, even with the therapist's help. Swelling had a lot to do with it, and my range of motion varied from session to session, depending on the swelling. I could use the stationary bicycle at PT, but not the one I had at home because of it. My cycle at home just didn't allow for my limited range of motion until I was nearly a year out! I have had mild lymphedema in that leg since long before the TKR, so my swelling is more persistent than some, but icing after PT seemed to move things along. For me, relaxing my leg while also bending it also seemed to help, and that was easier when I was lying on my side. I still loosen it up on my side in bed when it gets stiff.
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1 ReactionThank you for the reply.
I am 8 weeks out and I am experiencing the same kind of pain. My therapist tells me it is the nerves healing and will happen on and off for several months. It's irritating but it's good to know it's normal and healing.