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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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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Aug 28, 2022
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @amytro - I am 3 1/2 weeks post surgery for a left TKR. Surgery was..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @amytro - I am 3 1/2 weeks post surgery for a left TKR. Surgery was 1/29. I had in-home PT the first 2 weeks and did my first week of out patient PT last week. I have full extension of my knee and was at 128 degrees flexion when I started outpatient PT. (Both of my physical therapists think I'm a little ahead of schedule on reaching that level in 2 weeks and I'm happy with it!) I have been using a cane since the 2nd week. This week I was able to do a 1 mile walk outside in my neighborhood. I do PT twice a week with the therapist and on my own every other day.

You mentioned that you still need pain meds. When do you need them most? I am still taking 4 oxycodone tablets a day - 1 in the morning since I wake up stiff, 1 before PT, one about dinnertime and one before bed. I need every one. In the next week or two I will try to cut out the dinnertime pill. I wish there was another option but the Extra Strength Tylenol does nothing for me and they won't let me take any NSAIDs. I had a bad reaction with some internal bleeding so I can't even take the Celebrex I was on to start with. My therapists have always said it takes 8 weeks for tissue to heal and 12 weeks for bone to heal so I was thinking I was about average there, although I applaud @emb123 for getting off of the opiods so quickly.

Oh... in terms of sleeping, it's still a little awkward for me. I sleep best if I elevate my surgery leg. My sleep preference is on my side and I can't do that comfortably yet.

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128 degrees of flexion at week 2 is outstanding! Good for you. If Tylenol isn't working and NSAIDs are out and you can't tolerate Celebrex, the oxygen will work but is overkill. You can ice more but that's just hard to do, don't know why. Just be careful with oxy, please. Congrats on a great recovery!

Joe

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swimmergirl | @swimmergirl | Aug 28, 2022

I am 3-1/2 weeks post op. Pain is definitely decreasing, am mostly just taking acetaminophen occasionally a Tramadol. My intestines don’t like the narcotics. Walking relatively slowly without a cane. Still sleeping on a wedge to elevate my legs and wearing compression hose during the day and frequently icing to try and control swelling. ROM 0-123 during PT after stretching and mobilization but more like 115-118 on my own at home. Can pedal an exercise bike, backwards first then forward with no resistance. But, after I sit in one position for >20 minutes feel so stiff and have to March in place so I don’t peg leg walk. Counting the days until I can get in the water and take advantage of the gravity free environment and let the water work it’s magic.
I think so much influences rate of progress: physical conditioning and any movement contractions prior to surgery, whether your patella needed to be resurfaced, correction of a varus or valgus deformity. and pain tolerance in general. Listen to your body, your PT and surgeon and hope your rehab goes well.

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sandya4746 | @sandya4746 | Jun 30, 2023

I am on day 2 of week 3. Of all pain meds. Walking with a cane although I don’t really need it. I still have problems with sleep. My appetite is improving. I have been doing in home PT since day 1 and can flex at 100. I still can’t fully straighten my knee. Although due to the arthritis, I haven’t been able to in 3 years. I am almost there. I will return to work next week on a modified schedule. Overall, doing better than I expected.

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2 replies
jokjo | @jokjo | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @sandya4746 "I am on day 2 of week 3. Of all pain meds. Walking with a cane..." + (show)
@sandya4746

I am on day 2 of week 3. Of all pain meds. Walking with a cane although I don’t really need it. I still have problems with sleep. My appetite is improving. I have been doing in home PT since day 1 and can flex at 100. I still can’t fully straighten my knee. Although due to the arthritis, I haven’t been able to in 3 years. I am almost there. I will return to work next week on a modified schedule. Overall, doing better than I expected.

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That is good news. I hope you continue to improve.

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debbie5413 | @debbie5413 | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @amytro "Wow, Hoover, you've had a tough time and I'm sorry that you're stuck right now. It..." + (show)
@amytro

Wow, Hoover, you've had a tough time and I'm sorry that you're stuck right now. It makes me feel very lucky to be where I am in Week 3. I wish you solid answers to your questions and pain relief! Thanks for your reply.

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I am at 3 wk TKR my left knee, the first two we egg is were rough. I stopped all narcotics at 3 days. Too much constipation. I take extra strength Tylenol and turmeric for pain. My flexion is 103. They need to come up with a better way to treat knee arthritis

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debbie5413 | @debbie5413 | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @stp258 "Hi! I am not quite three weeks post-TKR. I’ve been fortunate to not suffer with extreme..." + (show)
@stp258

Hi! I am not quite three weeks post-TKR. I’ve been fortunate to not suffer with extreme pain, mostly manageable with four 325 Tylenol daily. I did take a small amount of Tramadol at nighttime the first week. While my PT has been progressing well, (full flexion and 111 degree ROM), I struggle with staying positive about long term outcomes. I have such stiffness and of course swelling. I know it will take time, but quite anxious. My best to all of you!

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I understand the struggle to stay positive, this is such a long recovery it’s hard to believe you will get back to normal. I am 3 weeks out and wanting this to be over

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jazzy155 | @jazzy155 | Jul 1, 2023
In reply to @sandya4746 "I am on day 2 of week 3. Of all pain meds. Walking with a cane..." + (show)
@sandya4746

I am on day 2 of week 3. Of all pain meds. Walking with a cane although I don’t really need it. I still have problems with sleep. My appetite is improving. I have been doing in home PT since day 1 and can flex at 100. I still can’t fully straighten my knee. Although due to the arthritis, I haven’t been able to in 3 years. I am almost there. I will return to work next week on a modified schedule. Overall, doing better than I expected.

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Sounds like you are way ahead of schedule!!

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missbea | @missbea | Jul 23, 2023

I’m slightly past my third week post surgery. Surgery was beautiful and afterwards 2nd day I went home and basically took care of myself, which was very difficult the first week. After the first week each day, there is much improvement. For the past week or so I’ve been just using the cane to ambulate and really don’t even need a cane at this point. I couldn’t wait to be off all medication. I am now only on Aspirin 81 mg twice daily for a total of the first month and Celebrex, the surgeon wanted me on it twice a day, but I could not tolerate that so I’m only on it once a day no later than 12 noon or it will keep me awake at night. Took pain med for the first week as needed now only taking the Oxycodone 5 mg before physical therapy. I am doing outpatient therapy three times a week and after the third week I’m going to be doing aqua therapy which im very much looking forward to.

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3 replies
ezas123 | @ezas123 | Jul 24, 2023
In reply to @missbea "I’m slightly past my third week post surgery. Surgery was beautiful and afterwards 2nd day I..." + (show)
@missbea

I’m slightly past my third week post surgery. Surgery was beautiful and afterwards 2nd day I went home and basically took care of myself, which was very difficult the first week. After the first week each day, there is much improvement. For the past week or so I’ve been just using the cane to ambulate and really don’t even need a cane at this point. I couldn’t wait to be off all medication. I am now only on Aspirin 81 mg twice daily for a total of the first month and Celebrex, the surgeon wanted me on it twice a day, but I could not tolerate that so I’m only on it once a day no later than 12 noon or it will keep me awake at night. Took pain med for the first week as needed now only taking the Oxycodone 5 mg before physical therapy. I am doing outpatient therapy three times a week and after the third week I’m going to be doing aqua therapy which im very much looking forward to.

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It is truly nice to hear good tkr story …let’s face on this site most of us have our issues …. But that is awesome I am so happy going well keep up the good work ….

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1 reply
bunnybear | @bunnybear | Jul 24, 2023

I had a great experience too. Knee surgery has been my least problematic issue: just positive results. I have other severe pain issues with non-operative arthritis of the lower back. So I am so thankful I got that knee surgery. At least I can stay mobile. My doctor did robotic surgery and I have a bed that remotely raises and lowers head and feet. That helped a whole lot, but if you don’t have one just keep your feet elevated till the swelling is gone. Also really, really helpful was a continuous flow ice machine that can be purchased online.

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