Re: New TKR

[Guest guest]

Robbie,

I share many of the feelings that you have. I have been very disappointed with the information that was given to me about what to expect during my recovery from a hip replacement. And I too, had hopes of being on my feet quickly. I have talked to people who have thrown the walker and cane aside in the first couple of weeks and I want to be one of those. But apparently it isnt going to work for me. I am almost 6 weeks out, and I can walk with a cane at this point, but I get very tired after a while and that is when the sharp pain in the front of the joint gets worse.

I tend to be in a hurry with everything that I do and I cant stand to sit still for very long. I have a farm and livestock to take care of and I hate letting so much time go by during this time of year. I have been depressed and anxious a lot during this ordeal.

My doctor gave specific instructions to bear as much weight as I want to on the new joint. No restrictions on that at all. So naturally I assume that means that I should walk on the leg as much as I can. As a result I tend to over do it a lot. One day I will feel really good and will do a lot of walking or whatever. Then for 2 days following I am too sore to walk much at all.

Im terrible at moderation.

-colleen

Hi! I'm Robbie, age 57 female, and I had a TKR July 3rd. I wish there were some standards to go by for rehab & recovery, but nobody really gives you any expectations to go by, do they? My goal is to be more or less back on my feet by the end of July. Both my doc and the home PT are telling me not to push myself, that I'm going a little too fast trying to get back. Doc decided to keep my staples in until 26th in order to force me not to overdo the exercises. Gee, Thanks. I'm now at 85 degrees unaided, and now I'm forbidden to go beyond 90 degrees for at least 11 more days. Sorry to complain, I know that its petty of me when so many are having so much trouble. I really am grateful for the opportunity to have a pain-free knee, just bored to death with the slow pace of recovery & rehab.

My major difficulty at present is I'm having thigh and hamstring cramping that lasts for hours every day. Doc ordered a blood clot scan, it was negative. He had no solution or suggestions for me to deal with the cramping. It's painful, but the real problem is it goes on and on and on for hours. So far, that's the worse single part of TKR to deal with. If anyone has a trick or two for cramping, please let me know.

Glad to find the group!

Robbie

[Guest guest]

Perhaps we should ask the question another way.

Is there anyone who did not have some teary periods post op, or at least

feel like it.

I cry easily, just get afraid I will never stop once I start. Usually I am

fine until I get into my bolt hole, then all hell breaks loose.

Take it easy on yourself.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

New TKR

| Hi giuys its from Melbourne Aust

| Got home Sat am (surg was Mon am) Glad to be home but felt like I had

| a baby and cried for 4 days on and off like I did when I had my

| daughter. Over that now and just trying to get around at home as much

| as possible. Also have the pain in the butt like the rest of you

| which is almost worse that the knee itself.

| Did anybody else out there also feel very teary post op? Is it the

| drugs that do this to us or am I emotionally unstable again!

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

[Guest guest]

I havn't been crying, but very frustrated as I feel they sent me home with not enough information as to what I can or can not do......I'm 2 weeks post-op, and aside from 3 short visits last week with a PT, I don't start "real"PT till tomorrow.....They never really said what I can or can't do at home....should I walk as much as possible? Should I keep it elevated as much as possible?? I am driving now, but is it good to get out and drive around town or not?? And of course I forgot to ask the Dr all this last week when they took out my staples...and i don't go back to the Dr for another month.....

I just feel they don't prepare you enough for going home and what to expect....

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/4/2006 10:57:00 P.M. Central Standard Time, ashy@... writes:

Hi giuys its from Melbourne AustGot home Sat am (surg was Mon am) Glad to be home but felt like I had a baby and cried for 4 days on and off like I did when I had my daughter. Over that now and just trying to get around at home as much as possible. Also have the pain in the butt like the rest of you which is almost worse that the knee itself.Did anybody else out there also feel very teary post op? Is it the drugs that do this to us or am I emotionally unstable again!

Nope, I was teary for sure, and it still happens a bit when I'm feeling down. I'm 8 months post op on one of my knees.

[Guest guest]

On Sep 5, 2006, at 4:01 AM, Margaret wrote:

> Perhaps we should ask the question another way.

>

> Is there anyone who did not have some teary periods post op, or at

> least

> feel like it.

>

> I cry easily, just get afraid I will never stop once I start. Usually

> I am

> fine until I get into my bolt hole, then all hell breaks loose.

>

> Take it easy on yourself.

>

> Aussie Margaret

> RTHR 1990 revised 2004

>

> New TKR

>

>

> | Hi giuys its from Melbourne Aust

> | Got home Sat am (surg was Mon am) Glad to be home but felt like I had

> | a baby and cried for 4 days on and off like I did when I had my

> | daughter. Over that now and just trying to get around at home as

> much

> | as possible. Also have the pain in the butt like the rest of you

> | which is almost worse that the knee itself.

> | Did anybody else out there also feel very teary post op? Is it the

> | drugs that do this to us or am I emotionally unstable again!

> |

> |

> |

> |

> |

> |

> |

[Guest guest]

With my second THR, all I did was cry. I just could not stop. The

one nurse was going to call a mental health person. So weird to be

laughing about the crying!

Finally got over the crying, but emotionally I was always on a roller

coaster after surgeries.

Sue

>

> Hi giuys its from Melbourne Aust

> Got home Sat am (surg was Mon am) Glad to be home but felt like I

had

> a baby and cried for 4 days on and off like I did when I had my

> daughter. Over that now and just trying to get around at home as

much

> as possible. Also have the pain in the butt like the rest of you

> which is almost worse that the knee itself.

> Did anybody else out there also feel very teary post op? Is it the

> drugs that do this to us or am I emotionally unstable again!

>

[Guest guest]

I have been crying a lot because I feel that the right

prosthesis has not worked and my doctor isn't listening

to me. Like most doctors they treat the symptoms and

not the cause. I want an MRI of the right knee and if

nothing shows up there I want it replaced again.

I am 95% sure the cement didn't bond like it should

have.

you seem to be doing fine. Don't overdo it

on exercise. You should have had 6 weeks of

PT 3 times wkly for an hour each time. Standard

operating procedure. When your body says enough

REST the leg.

Sherry

Re: New TKR

I havn't been crying, but very frustrated as I feel they sent me home with not enough information as to what I can or can not do......I'm 2 weeks post-op, and aside from 3 short visits last week with a PT, I don't start "real"PT till tomorrow.....They never really said what I can or can't do at home....should I walk as much as possible? Should I keep it elevated as much as possible?? I am driving now, but is it good to get out and drive around town or not?? And of course I forgot to ask the Dr all this last week when they took out my staples...and i don't go back to the Dr for another month.....

I just feel they don't prepare you enough for going home and what to expect....

[Guest guest]

Maybe it's the drugs?

Ann

Re: New TKR

With my second THR, all I did was cry. I just could not stop. The one nurse was going to call a mental health person. So weird to be laughing about the crying!Finally got over the crying, but emotionally I was always on a roller coaster after surgeries.Sue>> Hi giuys its from Melbourne Aust> Got home Sat am (surg was Mon am) Glad to be home but felt like I had > a baby and cried for 4 days on and off like I did when I had my > daughter. Over that now and just trying to get around at home as much > as possible. Also have the pain in the butt like the rest of you > which is almost worse that the knee itself.> Did anybody else out there also feel very teary post op? Is it the > drugs that do this to us or am I emotionally unstable again!>

[Guest guest]

Seems like your doc should have gone out of his way to tell you what you can & can't do & when. I'd say if you feel that other people are safe with you driving, then drive. For the other stuff, since I haven't been through it, someone else here could no doubt answer that better. I did find a place on the Web that shows post-op exercises: http://www.hipsandknees.com/knee/postkneereplacement.htm, click on the link at the bottom that says "Home exercises for the first 8 weeks".

Ann

Re: New TKR

I havn't been crying, but very frustrated as I feel they sent me home with not enough information as to what I can or can not do......I'm 2 weeks post-op, and aside from 3 short visits last week with a PT, I don't start "real"PT till tomorrow.....They never really said what I can or can't do at home....should I walk as much as possible? Should I keep it elevated as much as possible?? I am driving now, but is it good to get out and drive around town or not?? And of course I forgot to ask the Dr all this last week when they took out my staples...and i don't go back to the Dr for another month.....

I just feel they don't prepare you enough for going home and what to expect....

[Guest guest]

Thanks Magaret

feel better now that i am not alone with all of this crying on and off for what appears to be no real reason

Any suggestions on how to get rid of or minimize the pain that is in my lower back above my right hip on the same side as the R TKR

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this Ann

As I am a nurse and been there done that before I think Drs and PT get a little complacent

-- Re: New TKR

Seems like your doc should have gone out of his way to tell you what you can & can't do & when. I'd say if you feel that other people are safe with you driving, then drive. For the other stuff, since I haven't been through it, someone else here could no doubt answer that better. I did find a place on the Web that shows post-op exercises: http://www.hipsandknees.com/knee/postkneereplacement.htm, click on the link at the bottom that says "Home exercises for the first 8 weeks".

Ann

Re: New TKR

I havn't been crying, but very frustrated as I feel they sent me home with not enough information as to what I can or can not do......I'm 2 weeks post-op, and aside from 3 short visits last week with a PT, I don't start "real"PT till tomorrow.....They never really said what I can or can't do at home....should I walk as much as possible? Should I keep it elevated as much as possible?? I am driving now, but is it good to get out and drive around town or not?? And of course I forgot to ask the Dr all this last week when they took out my staples...and i don't go back to the Dr for another month.....

I just feel they don't prepare you enough for going home and what to expect....

__________ NOD32 1.1740 (20060905) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com__________ NOD32 1.1740 (20060905) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I also had the pain that you describe. I finally went to my family

doctor and she prescribed Flexeril. Once I was on the Flexeril for a

couple of days the pain subsided.

Carol

Vaux wrote:

> Thanks Magaret

> feel better now that i am not alone with all of this crying on and off

> for what appears to be no real reason

> Any suggestions on how to get rid of or minimize the pain that is in

> my lower back above my right hip on the same side as the R TKR

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm glad Carol knows because I didn't understand where you were talking

about.

It is wonderful how none of us are exactly the same, but someone on the list

seems to have experienced exactly what you are experiencing at the time.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

Re: New TKR

| Hi ,

| I also had the pain that you describe. I finally went to my family

| doctor and she prescribed Flexeril. Once I was on the Flexeril for a

| couple of days the pain subsided.

| Carol

|

| Vaux wrote:

|

| > Thanks Magaret

| > feel better now that i am not alone with all of this crying on and off

| > for what appears to be no real reason

| > Any suggestions on how to get rid of or minimize the pain that is in

| > my lower back above my right hip on the same side as the R TKR

| >

| >

| >

| >

| >

| >

|

|

|

|

|

[Guest guest]

Ann:

Your link did not work. Below is the corrected one;

http://www.hipsandknees.com/knee/index.html

The excercises are at the link below, but the above link has a lot of

valuable information, Thanks.

http://www.hipsandknees.com/knee/kneeexercises.htm

Don

>

> Seems like your doc should have gone out of his way to tell you

what you can & can't do & when. I'd say if you feel that other

people are safe with you driving, then drive. For the other stuff,

since I haven't been through it, someone else here could no doubt

answer that better. I did find a place on the Web that shows post-op

exercises: http://www.hipsandknees.com/knee/postkneereplacement.htm,

click on the link at the bottom that says " Home exercises for the

first 8 weeks " .

>

> Ann

[Guest guest]

After my first knee op (lateral release), the doc came in while I was very high on pain drugs and gave me some verbal instructions. They didn't write them down. Of course I didn't remember them. Duh?

Ann

Re: New TKR

I havn't been crying, but very frustrated as I feel they sent me home with not enough information as to what I can or can not do......I'm 2 weeks post-op, and aside from 3 short visits last week with a PT, I don't start "real"PT till tomorrow.....They never really said what I can or can't do at home....should I walk as much as possible? Should I keep it elevated as much as possible?? I am driving now, but is it good to get out and drive around town or not?? And of course I forgot to ask the Dr all this last week when they took out my staples...and i don't go back to the Dr for another month.....

I just feel they don't prepare you enough for going home and what to expect....

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[Guest guest]

I guess I was lucky. I attended a joint replacement class before I had

my surgery. At the class I was able to meet with OT, PT, and the

anesthesiology dept. I was given all kinds of literature such as

exercises to do before and after surgery as well as a booklet as to what

to expect after surgery.

Carol

Ann wrote:

> *After my first knee op (lateral release), the doc came in while I was

> very high on pain drugs and gave me some verbal instructions. They

> didn't write them down. Of course I didn't remember them. Duh?*

> **

> *Ann *

>

> * Re: New TKR

>

> I havn't been crying, but very frustrated as I feel they sent me

> home with not enough information as to what I can or can not

> do......I'm 2 weeks post-op, and aside from 3 short visits last

> week with a PT, I don't start " real " PT till tomorrow.....They

> never really said what I can or can't do at home....should I walk

> as much as possible? Should I keep it elevated as much as

> possible?? I am driving now, but is it good to get out and drive

> around town or not?? And of course I forgot to ask the Dr all this

> last week when they took out my staples...and i don't go back to

> the Dr for another month.....

>

> I just feel they don't prepare you enough for going home and what

> to expect....

>

>

>

>

>

> __________ NOD32 1.1740 (20060905) Information __________

>

> This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.

> http://www.eset.com <http://www.eset.com>

>

>

> __________ NOD32 1.1740 (20060905) Information __________

>

> This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.

> http://www.eset.com <http://www.eset.com>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

You need to call your doctor about driving If it was your right leg I

had to wait at least 6 weeks. As far as excessive walking my doc

didn't recommend it. I don't know why your PT didn't start you right

off with the exercises. Elevating your foot is helpful to keep

swelling down also use ice pack on knee.

On Sep 5, 2006, at 6:24 PM, Ann wrote:

> Seems like your doc should have gone out of his way to tell you what

> you can & can't do & when.  I'd say if you feel that other people are

> safe with you driving, then drive.  For the other stuff, since I

> haven't been through it, someone else here could no doubt answer that

> better.  I did find a place on the Web that shows post-op exercises: 

> http://www.hipsandknees.com/knee/postkneereplacement.htm, click on the

> link at the bottom that says " Home exercises for the first 8 weeks " .

>  

> Ann

>> Re: New TKR

>>

>>

>>

>> I havn't been crying, but very frustrated as I feel they sent me home

>> with not enough information as to what I can or can not do......I'm 2

>> weeks post-op, and aside from 3 short visits last week with a PT, I

>> don't start " real " PT till tomorrow.....They never really said what I

>> can or can't do at home....should I walk as much as possible? Should

>> I keep it elevated as much as possible??  I am driving now, but is it

>> good to get out and drive around town or not?? And of course I forgot

>> to ask the Dr all this last week when they took out my staples...and

>> i don't go back to the Dr for another month.....

>>  

>> I just feel they don't prepare you enough for going home and what to

>> expect....

>>  

>>

>>

>>

>

The Bible is the only book in which the Author is always present.

[Guest guest]

1. It will be a terrible amount of pain for the first few weeks. Stay

on top of it with the pain meds. Don't wait for it to hurt. Take dosses

as close together as possible for the first few weeks. Even set an

alarm clock to wake up and take meds - if not you'll wake up on your own

later in a lot of pain.

2. Keep your eye on the prize of healing. It sucks at first, but gets

better very quickly. I'm only at 6 weeks post op from my TKR, and can't

remember feeling this good in a looooooonnnnnngggggg time. I'm so

anxious to see what I'll feel like in a few more months! Patience is

the key here. There's no such thing as a quick recovery. It's slow and

steady to win the race here. And the only way to win it is with

patience and physical therapy exercises.

3. Have someone to help with everything for the first two weeks at

least. Even things like getting in and out of bed, a chair, the potty,

are overwhelmingly hard the first few weeks. I can't imagine how I

would have gotten through the first month without my husband and older

kids.

Hope this helps.

Lori from Fort Worth

>

> Im posting for my sister who is about to have knee replacement.My

question is what the top 3 things to know about this before surgery?

>

[Guest guest]

Excellent replies so far!

I'd just add -

Don't try to be too independent too soon - accept help, and take little

steps when starting to do things for yourself.

At the first sign of a problem that worries you, call the doctor, especially

if you think you might have an infection.

Hope the op is a great success.

Lin

5 months on and I am line dancing again :-)

[Guest guest]

All great replies so far. I would just add the importance of using ice every few

hours and elevating the leg as much as possible. It's most important to do your

exercises religiously and don't be afraid of pain meds. For most they are

extremely important in the healing process.

Jeff

________________________________

From: Jeff Tibbs <trimman4133@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Thu, January 13, 2011 2:44:27 PM

Subject: New TKR

Im posting for my sister who is about to have knee replacement.My question is

what the top 3 things to know about this before surgery?

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I'm a ski patroller who just had two partial knee replacements (on 29 Nov and 3

January), as well as simultaneous ACL replacements. No treat.

In ski patrol we talk about ICE therapy...That's Ice, Compression, and

Elevation. Now I have a new one...add " D " for drugs! And the DICE therapy is

working.

I was sent home with an " ICEMAN " water coolant device (actually, 2 of them...one

each trip) manufactured by Donjoy. It's an electric six-pack cooler sized water

cavity and pump that circulates water through a " Y " shaped plastic sleeve you

wind around your knee. It works well, and you can adjust the temperature of the

water that goes through the " Y " . It also has an elastic cuff which keeps the

unit on the leg and works as a compression bandage. I keep 9 1/2 liter bottles

of water frozen and rotate them through the cooler,

In patrol we recommend the frozen peas a lot. Problem is you need at least 3-4

bags, since they melt fast.

>

> Agreed, Jeff - I didnt have that much ice so used a bag of frozen peas -

> they moulded round the knee very well!

>

> Lin

>

>

> All great replies so far. I would just add the importance of using ice every

> few

> hours and elevating the leg as much as possible. It's most important to do

> your

> exercises religiously and don't be afraid of pain meds. For most they are

> extremely important in the healing process.

> Jeff

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joan,

I don't think I've heard of ice increasing pain. As a very wise man said very

often " very interesting "

Amen to that.

Stay warm,

Jeff

________________________________

From: Joan Kell <kell_joan@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Fri, January 14, 2011 3:04:04 PM

Subject: Re: New TKR

I agree with everyone except for one major, I think, thing.  I found that ice,

whether in expensive covered form or frozen peas, made my pain worse.  I used

heat to get relief.  This is something that a person has to work out for

themselves.  I think the one thing we will all agree on is that we are all

different and reacted in many different ways to the pain, confinement and

therapy.

Joan, NYC, TKR 12/09

________________________________

From: Scharff <zinsdad@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Fri, January 14, 2011 11:13:20 AM

Subject: Re: New TKR

 

All great replies so far. I would just add the importance of using ice every few

hours and elevating the leg as much as possible. It's most important to do your

exercises religiously and don't be afraid of pain meds. For most they are

extremely important in the healing process.

Jeff

________________________________

From: Jeff Tibbs <trimman4133@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Thu, January 13, 2011 2:44:27 PM

Subject: New TKR

Im posting for my sister who is about to have knee replacement.My question is

what the top 3 things to know about this before surgery?

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I think the " dead " area was made worse by the ice. My nerves never joined up

again, so the ice was exacerbating that issue. Inside, it healed much faster.

Ice and cold still bother me! I told a firend who has also has TKR that

standing at the dairy section of a supermarket was difficult because the cold

area is lower and that hurt! He nearly fell down with laughter. I almost

kicked him on the other knee.

Be well

Joan in very, very cold NYC, but better than being flooded out!

________________________________

From: Scharff <zinsdad@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Fri, January 14, 2011 8:32:09 PM

Subject: Re: New TKR

Hi Joan,

I don't think I've heard of ice increasing pain. As a very wise man said very

often " very interesting "

Amen to that.

Stay warm,

Jeff

________________________________

From: Joan Kell <kell_joan@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Fri, January 14, 2011 3:04:04 PM

Subject: Re: New TKR

I agree with everyone except for one major, I think, thing. I found that ice,

whether in expensive covered form or frozen peas, made my pain worse. I used

heat to get relief. This is something that a person has to work out for

themselves. I think the one thing we will all agree on is that we are all

different and reacted in many different ways to the pain, confinement and

therapy.

Joan, NYC, TKR 12/09

________________________________

From: Scharff <zinsdad@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Fri, January 14, 2011 11:13:20 AM

Subject: Re: New TKR

All great replies so far. I would just add the importance of using ice every few

hours and elevating the leg as much as possible. It's most important to do your

exercises religiously and don't be afraid of pain meds. For most they are

extremely important in the healing process.

Jeff

________________________________

From: Jeff Tibbs <trimman4133@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Thu, January 13, 2011 2:44:27 PM

Subject: New TKR

Im posting for my sister who is about to have knee replacement.My question is

what the top 3 things to know about this before surgery?

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Joan

When the really cold weather started up here, both my knees became more

painful. You've now given me an explanation for why the new metal one with

no arthritis hurt so much! Thanks.

Lin

I think the " dead " area was made worse by the ice. My nerves never joined

up

again, so the ice was exacerbating that issue. Inside, it healed much

faster.

Ice and cold still bother me! I told a firend who has also has TKR that

standing at the dairy section of a supermarket was difficult because the

cold

area is lower and that hurt! He nearly fell down with laughter. I almost

kicked him on the other knee.

Be well

Joan in very, very cold NYC, but better than being flooded out!

[Guest guest]

I've had a spot stay dead too. 6 weeks out, and I still have a dead

spot about the size of a tea cup. Heat has been about as helpfull as

ice. If it's swollen - ice. If it's sore and cramping - especially

with shin pain - heat.

The cold here is nothing like in NYC, but have put off going anywhere

all week because of it. I totally agree with the dairy case issue! Me

too! Although it has had a " good " side effect. It's kept me away from

the ice cream freezers at the grocery store!

My 11 year old made me a rice buddy with an old sock and regular white

rice. She filled up the sock 3/4 of the way and then tied a knot at the

top. You microwave it for a few minutes and then enjoy the moist heat.

Don't use instant rice though, only regular. My 4 year old has taken

apon herself to cover it with funny face drawings. I think the drawings

help almost as much as the heating pad!

Lori

>

> I think the " dead " area was made worse by the ice. My nerves never

joined up

> again, so the ice was exacerbating that issue. Inside, it healed much

faster.

> Ice and cold still bother me! I told a firend who has also has TKR

that

> standing at the dairy section of a supermarket was difficult because

the cold

> area is lower and that hurt! He nearly fell down with laughter. I

almost

> kicked him on the other knee.

> Be well

> Joan in very, very cold NYC, but better than being flooded out!

>

>

>