Well it all went ahead and came home Friday 5th Feb.
It is hard as you all say and nothing can prepare you for it.
Pain is quite bad (codeine 60mg and paracetamol) which is what I've been prescribed for a while now but because of anticoagulant therapy am not allowed my naproxen which makes it feel worse. Taking 4 hourly on the dot.
Hard to sleep for long because of the pain and cant get comfy. Some people advise to sleep on side - but which side? The opposite side to the op site? Leg feels like lead and been using a belt with loop to lift onto bed until I get a Loop leg lifter from Amazon (ordered) First physio tomorrow.
Managed 90 degree bend 1st day post op.
Taking each day as it comes and reminding myself that this is "good" pain not the old bone on bone pain!
So if anyone has any advice how best to get through the first two weeks I would be really grateful.
Icing 5 times a day, trying to walk for 5 mins hourly, donut exercises, managing stairs OK.
You guys have already been really helpful and I found a lot of the advice given before (how to prepare for the op) was really spot on!
Daisy may, I'm almost 5 weeks out from my second TKR and my biggest advice is rest and ice! Some people feel bad being seen lying down all the time but your body needs it. I still can't sleep on my side very long (nor could I with the last one at this point). Find the couch or bed that works the best for you, wrap your ice on and relax the best you can on your back.
Doing the stairs is great but only do them once or twice a day. It's more strain on your leg than you think. Walking for 5 minutes each time I got up is what my therapist suggested. Lifting your leg is perfect as you probably have very little strength.
Drink plenty of fluids and take your pain meds before you get too uncomfortable. You'll be up and around in no time but remember, rest!
well done daisymay 90 at first day brillant!!!! ,use a pillow between the knees when on your side probably lie on the god one but use the pillow it really helps your doing great
I had my left tkr on Jan 4, and I will have my right done on Tuesday... I have found that icing a lot is beneficial. I sleep on my side with a pillow between my knees and ice as well. That seems to help me. Continue with your medication, and be patient. It is a long process. Good luck.
Congrats! It's a huge step (pun intended). For two weeks after I came home I had to wear inflatable thingies on my lower legs at night, attached to a machine that contually inflated and deflated, in order to avoid blood clots. So, I had to sleep flat on my back for those two weeks and I found that the bed was no good. The recliner worked much better. Even after finally getting to sleep in the bed it was impossible to sleep more than 3 hours at a time and forget sleeping on the side, still had to do flat on the back for about 2 more weeks. You'll get there!
Perhaps you could ask for some stronger painkillers,maybe Tramadol,for a while? I agree with the others about ice,rest and using a cushion between your knees.
Sounds like you are doing really well for this stage of the game, DaisyMay!
I had not achieved a bend of 90° for WEEKS into my recovery!
My best advice is keep a positive attitude. Look for small victories. Your 90° bend at this stage is a HUGE victory!
When you are tired, rest.
Keep hydrated even though it means more potty visits.
Each week you will be stronger.
Read all of our posts here describing OUR first couple of weeks. Misery DOES love company, and they will help you see that you are not alone with your experience.
Keep us posted on your progress. Since so many here share your experience, we are quite interested in YOUR story!
Be patient, and before you know it you will feel better and better!
Sending prayers of confidence, strength, and courage to you tonight!
Your doing great Daisy May and appear to be doing everything right so far.
Same mantra as before - gently gently softly softly is better than trying too hard. I learned that the hard way. Whilst your waiting for your painkillers to kick in stick ice on your knee and drink water.
I am only 11 day post op tkr. So for me I am only new to this too. Everyone on this forum has great advice. It's been my life line when it comes to this surgery.
Sleeping on your back constantly becomes a nightmare. Last night I got the hubby to help me. I placed my good knee to the mattress first than a comfortable pillow between. Hubby helped me position the knee slowly into a comfortable position. I slept a few hours like this before moving. The change was fantastic.
I even slept on the right knee which has been operated on. Not as comfortable.
I think having someone help place you on this position is a lot more helpful and less painful.
I am only 11 day post op tkr. So for me I am only new to this too. Everyone on this forum has great advice. It's been my life line when it comes to this surgery.
Sleeping on your back constantly becomes a nightmare. Last night I got the hubby to help me. I placed my good knee to the mattress first than a comfortable pillow between. Hubby helped me position the knee slowly into a comfortable position. I slept a few hours like this before moving. The change was fantastic.
I even slept on the right knee which has been operated on. Not as comfortable.
I think having someone help place you on this position is a lot more helpful and less painful.
if you find that you cant settle with that side lie on the side your leg was done but either put the good leg forward or backward of the tkr therefore your not leanng on the tkr i did both ways but what ever way you sleep dont ever put the pillow under the knee a complete nono !! and yes my first post should say good one senior moment ha!
Oh, the not being able to even get close to my glorious "sleeping on my tummy" position nearly drove me to tears! With my first surgery it was NINE WEEKS until I accomplished it! (Never even THOUGHT about asking for help! I guess I can be pretty stubborn!)
With my second surgery I was able to wiggle to my left side and inch my toes along the mattress until I could inch my toes along my left leg and O-V-E-R !!! Ahhhhhhh! Sleeping on my side wasn't TUMMY, but it sure did help! I later accomplished TUMMY in another week.
Sounds like you are WAAAAY ahead of the game!
Good for you!
Feels SO GOOD to have some control again, too, doesn't it?!!
