TKR day 8 post op

SteveBurns

Hi all,

I promised to keep you all in touch so here it is.

TKR done last Tuesday and two nights in hospital. Two hours after returning up to the ward the physio had me up on my feet and walking with the wheely zimmer. Not so bad really. Another go with the wheely zimmer same day then to bed in absolute agony.

I couldn't believe the pain. I has an epidural and was taking Tramadol and Paracetamol both six hourly. As we all know pain relief never lasts that long so every couple of hours It really hurt.

Next day really tired after a night without sleep and whenever I dropped off there was either the Physio or the OT wanting me out of bed and walking.

Two sticks appeared first, the metal adjustable type then wooden canes cut to size. I was told they are mine.

Walk to the stairs and up the first flight - really knackered and had to sit on the chair they had waiting. Then down the flight and walk back to bed. Foot up with towel roll under heel. Just as I thought I was comfortable the OT arrived to teach me how to use the loo, then how to get into bed on my own. Once in bed I fell asleep almost right away only to be woken by the Physio for another walk upstairs.

Very intense work but always in the back of my mind was "it must be doing me some good."

Second night I was ready for a fight - the pain was so intense and the staff were waiting for the six hours for pain relief I was shouting for my tablets, kept pushing the call button, they silenced it and I pushed again, they silenced it and I pushed again.......... Everyone in the ward were on my side supporting me but the staff did not give in. Eventually I got what I needed and slept a bit.

Day three and a final walk with the Physio and OT - both said I could go home Thank God I could get out of there at last.

Status now is still in pain but not so bad. Still can't sleep 'cos I have to lie on my back and I sleep on the side.

I can stand up by myself and only need help with socks and shorts. I shower with help from the missus God bless her, she really is an angel for me.

I see the nurse tomorrow for a dressing check, it may come off for good if OK.

Thursday I have Physio and not looking forward to that. I do the exercises as far as I can but cannot raise the leg when on my back. I'm told that's normal?

Ice for 20 minutes every three hours and a walk every hour, otherwise sit with foot up so the swelling doesn't go down to the foot.

That's all folks

tjt6768

I believe physios are the spawn of satan with a bit of hitler thrown in, BUT they do serve a purpose.. It's just the way a lot of them seem to get pleasure from our pain..

Anyway, I really hope this does the trick for you.. There have been plenty on here that have had great success with them..
Wishing you the very best of luck with the recovery, keep us up to date matey...

Be well

fowls48

Hi Steve


Glad op went well , sorry you were in so much pain , and up and down like a yoyo .
Bet you are glad to be home just for the rest .
Keep up the good work well done too mrs steve .
Hope you have a good physio session on thursday .

karen xx

JuliaHod12

Hi Steve

Great to hear your progress.......... but sorry to hear of your experience with the pain relief :-(

Its only 20 days now untilI have my Op and can hinestly say I am feelig a tad nervous already!

Keep up the good work and Ihope the recovery continues to go well now you are home xxx

hileena111

Hi Steve,
Havent had a TKR just a THR but the same sleeping thingey.....on my back for 6 weeks....I found that the worse bit of it when I got home.
Hope your pain eases soon and the physio sessions work
Love
Hileena

dreamdaisy

You have been through the mill somewhat, haven't you? I think the thought to hold on to is that it is for the long-term good. When you think about what has been done it's no wonder that things are painful but that will pass, as will the time spent sleeping in the 'wrong' position. Your future promises much less pain and greater mobility but like alll the good things in life they will be the reward after a period of trial and tribulation. Good luck with it Steve, I am sure things will ease as the time passes. DD

Folara

Hi Steve,

Hoping to get my left knee done soon so good to hear about others experiences.

Don't be too hard on yourself after such a massive op, sounds like you are doing good. Physios are the spawn of Satan as Tony says but again I agree that they are a necessary evil. Hope you get some better pain relief sorted as that's not good at all. Keep on at the physio about it, tell them you seriously think its impacting on your progress.

Keep up the good work and keep us updated, I for one am very interested.

Fols x

P.s. I am actually trying to convince them to do a partial kr on my other knee at same time as both are knackered.

elnafinn

Hi Steve

I am sure I slept on my side after my 2 tkrs. I placed an extra pillow between my knees and you can put one between your ankles as well if need be. This provides the support and cushion that your sore knee will need to remain comfortable in this position. You will of course wake up if you need to move positions unless you stay like that all night!

Having an extra blanket on your bed to cover your knees can be a good idea because as the body temperature lowers during sleep the cold can "get into" the joint and cause it to ache so keeping it warm is quite important.

You were indeed on a conveyor belt in the hospital and to my way of thinking and my experience of having had both done separately, it was all too rushed in your case for it is a major operation. I bet you were relieved to be home to be able to do things at your pace rather than theirs. I also could not raise my leg in the hospital but the wonderful physio there gently helped me the first time, hardly touching me and I did it. I could have kissed her. Before that the whole leg felt like a ton of concrete.

I hope your physio appt goes ok. I did not attend physio until 10 days after my ops and in the meantime did the physio exercises given me by the physio in the hospital.

I wish you well, it is most definitely worth it in the end.

Elna x

stickywicket

Mm, a bit of a curate’s egg, there, Steve, but everyone’s experience of these things differs slightly, including pain levels. The good thing is, it’s over and done with, you’re back home (And doesn’t that feel good!!) and the pain is a bit better. All pluses.

Like Elna, I don’t quite get the sleeping on your back thing. I had it (and loathed it) after my THRs but not after my TKRs. What was their explanation for this?

The rest, ice and elevation is all good and necessary. The walking, too, is good but I was always told to put a lot of emphasis on the exercises ie 10 repetitions of each every hour if possible (No I didn't :oops: , but I aimed at 6 times a day at least) and, if that meant the walking didn’t happen so often, that was OK as the exercises were more important at that stage.

I would ask the physio about the straight leg raises. They are very hard graft at first and, as Elna said, it might help if they gave you ‘an assist’ at first. But I think it would be better to do them with help than not at all.

I hope all goes well with the nurse today and the physio tomorrow.

dreamdaisy

I was told to sleep on my back after both open synovectomies on the left knee. I couldn't have slept on my side even if I'd wanted to (and I did!) but the wound was so long (and deep) I guess that was why I couldn't. Maybe it's just another way in which the advice varies from hospital to hospital. DD

frogmorton

Hi Steve

well done YOU!!!



extra well done for standing up to the all-powerful nurses :roll: There IS pain-relief available.

Love

Toni xxx

[Deleted User]

Hi Steve,
Fortunately I am nowhere near having a TKR done (yet) but it was really interesting reading your post. One day I will probably have it done so it is good to know what to expect. And my mum is waiting for 2 TKRs so now I can tell her about your experiences.
I hope you will keep improving fast and that the pain stops soon. I know exactly how you feel not being able to sleep on your side! I can't sleep in any other position myself. I hope the dressing came off today and good luck with physio tomorrow.
Take care,

babytiger

Sorry to hear your in so much pain,the doc should be able to sort out some suitable meds. for you, Just keep up the exercises the physio gave you, they are painful but are essential for recovery. All the best for thursday . another thing a pillow between your knees actually helps, I still use mine
Eileen

SteveBurns

Hi and thanks for all the kind words of support.

Please don't think that anybody else's TKR will be the same as mine, we are all different. In the next bed to me was a fitness fanatic whose recover from theatre was a little slower than mine but he coped better with mobilising. He left hospital with just one stick. He had a half knee by the way.

My dressing was off for a short time today, the wound is healing nicely but just one small area not closed up. Sterystrips and new dressing until Monday next.

I had quite a long walk this afternoon, my daughter played wheelchair tennis and I went along for the ride. (First outing). I walked more than the length of a tennis court and back, and some stair climbing up and down. No problems from that - yet?

My left knee has started to remind me it is still there. OA very similar to the right. Not sure if I should press on for that knee op yet.

Take care all

babytiger

Steve you sound like your doing good after just 1 week ,especially with the walking

SteveBurns

Hi,

I met the Devil himself today - he was wearing the uniform of a Physiotherapist.

Those people really know how to inflict pain and suffering - with a smile.

I was made to bend and straighten my leg further than I ever wanted to, but I have to say I understand the reasons why and will try to do what they say in an effort to get my knee working properly.

My leg has a 60 degree bend, but he wanted 90 degrees. (Never satisfied are they?)

I'm booked in to the "early total new knee club" next Thursday, I wonder what will be inflicted upon me then :x

Take care y'all

dreamdaisy

Wow, that's a pretty good bend Steve, it took me yonks to achieve that after the first synovectomy so good on you! Physios are essential people and they generally do far more good than harm but I remember cursing mine in the very early days! Keep at it mate, the success of the TKR depends on doing the exercises as well as resting and eating a good diet. Please keep in touch. DD

barbara12

Hi Steve
Sorry Im late seeing this
You seem to be doing really well, and I am sure it is helping others that are going to have a TKR, I am sure they dont want all the good news.
Its good to be prepared and if you sale through it all well and good.
Poor you with the physio, but like you say they always want more.
Wishing you well with it all,

SteveBurns

I sat in the waiting room this morning and chatted to a very nice lady who is three weeks post op TKR and we obviously compared our notes.

She has the same problems as me but is unable to bend her knee as far as mine. I suspect the more you put in the more you will get out.

I'm determined to get my leg straight and bent as it should be but the pain is the barrier at present.

I'm very happy to see the nice comments from you all and, yes it is good to get the bad feedback as well as the good. Say it as it is.

My leg is much better today than yesterday, I can sit at the PC with legs out in front of me for the first time.

Now I just wonder is that a direct affect of this morning's torture (sorry I meant Physio)

One difference between us was she had staples whereas I had a dissolving thread. She said her staples were counted as they were removed and there were 36

I showed her a photo of my wound and she was amazed how good it looked

It is improving and I am aware its not two weeks yet so I should be happy

diamond

Glad the op is over for you Steve,the physio is a trial but necessary.Ihad to sleep on settee for first four weeks as i could not get comfy in bed.Second TkR over nine weeks ago decided i was going to my bed at night and managed to sleep on my back.Surprised you were not given stronger pain relieve for first couple days but maybe you have other health problems.i had about twenty eight staples in both ops,they were removed fourteen days later.physio where i live look for 90 degree bend and 0 straight leg,then they will discharge you.Every leg is different and recovery varies due to how bad knee was before op,skill of surgeon,how quickly scar tissue forms and of course the dreaded exercise regime.Remember to use icepacks it does help.Wishing you a speedy recovery.

SteveBurns

Morning all,

Just a quickie to say I had a decent night's sleep last night, well a couple of two hour burst and guess what? I even managed to sleep on my side

Don't wish to get too confident but I think the worst may be over, I can raise the leg a little now but the knee cap is still very painful when I do.

There is hope for us all so do not despair it does get better with a little patience, time and effort.

Isn't the weather awful. :x

Take care you all.

Cheery Steve

fowls48

Well Done Steve


I 'm pleased all is going well for you ,Wheel chair tennis thats great .
Hopefully you will have a quick recovery .


karen xx

loovechocolate

Hi I am 10 weeks yesterday, please please do the bnd exercise I may need a manipulation physio said because i didn't push myself and ony did the excersises I found easy I thought I was doing it right

SteveBurns

Sorry to hear that lovechocolate but thank you for your guidance.

I tend not to exercise due to the pain I get afterwards. I did too much yesterday, exercises and walking and had a terrible night.

I hear what you say and will get cracking on that knee bend.

Thanks

Steve

elnafinn

Hi Steve

I too can add that please work at that knee bend. Perhaps a little less walking at the moment but more knee bending It does hurt but is worth it in the end. Afterwards RICE, (rest, ice, compression and elevate). I was given a plastic disc thingy to place under the foot and this makes sliding the foot, hence the knee backwards and forwards easier.

Elna x

tjt6768

ey up cheery steve lol.

Glad things are slowly easing for you.
Keep the exercises up matey.