knee update

bertyboy

i have had my steri strips removed this morning there were two district nurses came through the door so i thought grit my teeth and one will hold me down while the other one whips them of she said it was the first time she had seen just steri strips and no stables its a bit scabby but is nice and dry x and didnt pull at all x :shock:

elnafinn

Hi Berty

Now you should give your new knee TLC with lots of massage at least morning and night with anything greasy like olive oil, bio oil, body lotion, E45 cream, vaseline, cocoa butter so in the end the scar is becomes beautifully smooth and nearly invisible. but I expect you knew that already. :roll:

Lyuv
Elna x

frogmorton

So glad it is healing nicely Berty

As Elna says you need to keep on top of it....

me/? I owuld prefer steri-strips :shock:

Dont like stitches - all that tugging and pulling :shock: :oops:

Love

Toni xx

skezier

Hi Berty,

really glad it didn't hurt and you weren't held down Its all going in the right direction and really pleased for you ((( ))) Cris xx

dachshund

Hi Berty.
i'm pleased you have had that done.
i had staples
joan xx

sharmaine

Hi Bertyboy

I was relieved when they removed the staples from my TKR wound - it meant I could sleep a bit better.

Were the steri strips comfortable? Like Elna said rub lots of cream on the scar tissue I used Vaseline and Cocoa Butter.

How are you feeling? It takes time to get used to the new knee - mine felt very strange for about a month!

Take care.
Sharmaine

bertyboy wrote:

i have had my steri strips removed this morning there were two district nurses came through the door so i thought grit my teeth and one will hold me down while the other one whips them of she said it was the first time she had seen just steri strips and no stables its a bit scabby but is nice and dry x and didnt pull at all x :shock:

speedalong

Hi Berty

- so that's another step completed. Glad it wasn't painful. Good to hear it is healing well. Does it itch?

Have you started physio yet?

Speedalong

bertyboy

sharmaine wrote:

Hi Bertyboy

I was relieved when they removed the staples from my TKR wound - it meant I could sleep a bit better.

Were the steri strips comfortable? Like Elna said rub lots of cream on the scar tissue I used Vaseline and Cocoa Butter.

How are you feeling? It takes time to get used to the new knee - mine felt very strange for about a month!

Take care.
Sharmaine


hi Sharmaine thanks for the tip i am feeling ok still keeps swelling a fair bit after being up trying to keep up with excersises the only one i cant do is the straight leg lift so any tips for that ,

no bubbles i am only doing the physio on the sheets at the moment xx

bertyboy wrote:

i have had my steri strips removed this morning there were two district nurses came through the door so i thought grit my teeth and one will hold me down while the other one whips them of she said it was the first time she had seen just steri strips and no stables its a bit scabby but is nice and dry x and didnt pull at all x :shock:

bertyboy

speedalong wrote:

Hi Berty

- so that's another step completed. Glad it wasn't painful. Good to hear it is healing well. Does it itch?

Have you started physio yet?

Speedalong

sorry got names muddled up :oops: no itch waiting for an appointment

sharmaine

Hi Bertyboy

For the leg raises I practiced using the belt of OH's bathrobe as I couldn't raise my leg either. Leg was too swollen to do it on my on. It does come - just do little bits each day. I would recommend that you use your ice packs 2/3 times a day. I was pretty useless those first few weeks!! Was your ankle swollen?

Keep up the good work. You'll find you will get stronger with each passing day.

Sharmaine

bertyboy wrote:

sharmaine wrote:

Hi Bertyboy

I was relieved when they removed the staples from my TKR wound - it meant I could sleep a bit better.

Were the steri strips comfortable? Like Elna said rub lots of cream on the scar tissue I used Vaseline and Cocoa Butter.

How are you feeling? It takes time to get used to the new knee - mine felt very strange for about a month!

Take care.
Sharmaine


hi Sharmaine thanks for the tip i am feeling ok still keeps swelling a fair bit after being up trying to keep up with excersises the only one i cant do is the straight leg lift so any tips for that ,

no bubbles i am only doing the physio on the sheets at the moment xx

bertyboy wrote:

i have had my steri strips removed this morning there were two district nurses came through the door so i thought grit my teeth and one will hold me down while the other one whips them of she said it was the first time she had seen just steri strips and no stables its a bit scabby but is nice and dry x and didnt pull at all x :shock:

bertyboy

yes Sharmaine my ankle does swell and the sides of my knee are very hard , and it seems to jump from the inside i think its the whole thing knitting together x


Hi Bertyboy

For the leg raises I practiced using the belt of OH's bathrobe as I couldn't raise my leg either. Leg was too swollen to do it on my on. It does come - just do little bits each day. I would recommend that you use your ice packs 2/3 times a day. I was pretty useless those first few weeks!! Was your ankle swollen?

Keep up the good work. You'll find you will get stronger with each passing day.

Sharmaine

speedalong

For the leg raises I practiced using the belt of OH's bathrobe

Sharmaine you are very ingenius ...

Speedalong

sharmaine

Hi Bertyboy

After my TKR my whole leg felt as if they had poured a bag of cement in - it felt alien and heavy. I later discovered that they do use cement! I understand what you mean re things knitting together. You may find in these early weeks that you feel tired after doing the simplest task. During the first 2 weeks just getting myself washed/dressed and downstairs was an achievement!

I went shopping for the first time on my own this week - I even packed the shopping myself (OH normally has to do that job). I went to 4 shops and was absolutely shattered afterwards. I was tired (but happy) that I couldn't move the following day!

I love my new knee and wouldn't be without it. I know I have to go through it all again on the other leg but I'm preparing myself for it and getting things sorted in the home. We've raised the settee (new 4 inch sofa legs) and what a difference - much easier for me when sitting and getting up.

Take care and rest lots.

Sharmaine

bertyboy wrote:

yes Sharmaine my ankle does swell and the sides of my knee are very hard , and it seems to jump from the inside i think its the whole thing knitting together x


Hi Bertyboy

For the leg raises I practiced using the belt of OH's bathrobe as I couldn't raise my leg either. Leg was too swollen to do it on my on. It does come - just do little bits each day. I would recommend that you use your ice packs 2/3 times a day. I was pretty useless those first few weeks!! Was your ankle swollen?

Keep up the good work. You'll find you will get stronger with each passing day.

Sharmaine

bertyboy

just a little update on my knee i think all ok at the front just not sure about the back as it seems very tight no matter how many times i do my exercises should i be concerned or will it ease of with more exercise x

dreamdaisy

If it is feeling different, or not right, ease up on the exercises and consult your surgeon/surgeon's secretary. If it was me I would be wary of causing damage (never had a TKR, know not what I am talking about but I have had major knee surgery and I remember the recuperation - and how long it took!)

Someone with more knowledge will be along soon. DD

angel1

Berty, if something really doesn`t feel right to you, then check it
out. Usually a `phone call is all it needs, to be re-assured that it`s quite normal. I did this several times during the first few weeks.

I remember you saying a few days ago that you had done a lot of walking. Perhaps overdone it a bit? Do your exercises, but perhaps rest a bit more.

You are doing so well.......Ange.

sharmaine

Hi Bertyboy

How's the swelling now? Keep using the ice packs. What are you taking for the pain? My GP put me on Tramadol for the first six weeks post op and that made life so much easier for me. If you are in discomfort contact your GP (by phone if you can't get out). I also take tramadol when I get a flare up (OA still present in other joints).

It does take time to heal after a TKR. If I overdo it I notice my ankle swells and I have to resort to ice packs again. I found I tired very easily (some days I still do).

Take care.
Sharmaine

bertyboy wrote:

yes Sharmaine my ankle does swell and the sides of my knee are very hard , and it seems to jump from the inside i think its the whole thing knitting together x


Hi Bertyboy

For the leg raises I practiced using the belt of OH's bathrobe as I couldn't raise my leg either. Leg was too swollen to do it on my on. It does come - just do little bits each day. I would recommend that you use your ice packs 2/3 times a day. I was pretty useless those first few weeks!! Was your ankle swollen?

Keep up the good work. You'll find you will get stronger with each passing day.

Sharmaine

elnafinn

Hi Berty
Are you having physio sessions yet? Your question would be a good one for the physio. She would be able to help you with that.

Have you been given the exercise where you roll a towel up, and place it under the back of your knee. You then bring your toes/foot up towards you and lift the foot and lower leg up, leaving the back of the knee on the towel. A little difficult to explain but I know what I mean!! I liked this exercise and it stretches the back of the knee quite pleasantly.

Luv
Elna x

dreamdaisy

I know the exercise you mean Elna. I had to do this after my first synovectomy and they said they wouldn't allow me out of the hospital until I could do it. That was early in 2002. I first achieved it late in 2005. Longest stay in hospital ever! (No, not really, they did let me go after a week.) Even now, sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. Dreamdaisy