TKR Right TKR March 19, 2024

[Timoarroz]

I had TKA on my right knee on March 19. My ROM is progressing nicely but I’m struggling with consistent sleep and pain management. I had ACL reconstruction in 2000 and the subsequent osteoarthritis precipitated my surgery. I think my body has a different recovery timeline than my brain. I’m grateful to have found this blog.

 

[Jockette]

@Timoarroz Hi and Welcome!

Many of us have trouble with sleep and pain control. Read through the articles below, each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary

2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

​

If you want to use something to help heal the incision, ​

BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

​

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

​

​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

​

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity Progression for TKRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

​

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[benne68]

I think my body has a different recovery timeline than my brain.

This is true for all of us! And it's definitely a situate where we cannot put "mind over matter"! We just have to accept that the Knee is in charge and it will recover in its own time.

Everyone is different. But, for what it's worth, I'm coming up on my four-month mark and still deal with swelling, stiffness and discomfort from time to time.

Try to be patient -- you are still very early days in this year-long recovery.

 

[Timoarroz]

Struggling today with pretty severe pain on the outside of my knee on the midline of the joint. Feels like it did pre-operation where I was bone on bone. Might have over done it a bit yesterday and I didn’t sleep well last night.

 

[Jockette]

@Timoarroz Pain is pretty much par for the course in these early days, especially when we over do. Rest today, ice and elevate and let it all settle down.

I‘ve moved your post above out of the Monthly team thread as we reserve that thread for surgery date information, and so members can see who else has surgery the same month. We prefer all other comments and discussion to take place in a pre op or recovery thread, such as this one. Enjoy interacting with others who are on the same journey, here in this thread.

 

[sistersinhim]

This recovery in the early days is a cause and effect recovery. If you do more than your knee is healed enough to do, then it will react with extra pain and swelling. Doing less = more healing and less pain. If you have pain and swelling after doing something, then the knee probably isn't ready to do that yet.

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary, Timoarroz!
Hopefully you're feeling better than you were the last time you posted.
Please let us know when you have the time. We love updates!
Have a great weekend...hope it's a sunny one in your neck of the woods!
@Timoarroz