6 Week Checkup and Good News

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hello Everyone,

Well, It's really 5 weeks and 3 days but close enough.

Went to see my surgeon today and the outcome was quite favourable.

Their practice is to try and get people to a 120 degree bend in 6 weeks,

Of course they realize this is an ideal case and not everyone recovers at the same rate.

It's simply a target they shoot for.

My bend is currently at 95 and they were well pleased. During the examination, they didn't only look at the bend but also the flex in the Knee (don't ask me how they determine that). They said my knee still had good flex and as long as that some flex is present, there is more ROM to be had. I see them in another 6 weeks and if I keep doing as I am, they figure I should be at 120 or pretty close at that time.

As far as the exercises go, it's their practice to do them 3X per day and as hard as possible. I understand there's tremendous controversy in this area but that’s how they approach it.

I was also approved for driving. I figure short trips for now are probably in order but don’t think I could handle long trips right yet.

I also believe now that much of the anxiety I had was based on certain comments that his secretary made. Maybe her warped sense of humour or some misunderstanding, who knows. As far as I'm concerned it's water under the bridge and all is on track now.

Over the first three weeks, this op is tough, tough, tough.

From there to this point has been a real mixed bag. Some good days and some real low ones. Times when I figured I'll never be able to do the thing I used to, but if your in this boat now, I want to assure folks that things DO GET BETTER! Never Give Up.

However hard, stay faithful to the exercises, Ice, elevate and take meds an hr or so before your workout. Now, only if could get some sleep! haha

2

Hello Peter

that is great news well done. I cant believe they wanted 120! I am 6 weeks and have just hit 80. Still so much stiffness and discomfort. Perseverence is the key i guess. Are you walking without aids now? Do you exercise 3x daily? I do twice. Glad it is going well for you!

Sleep? Whats that?

3

Hi Sally,

yes I use a cane and still limp but have to learn to walk properly again.

Don't worry about that 80 at all. The 120 they aim for is the ideal textbook recovery and while I suppose some folks do attain that, I dont think they represent the norm. I try and exercise 3X a day but many days I have only done it twice. If I'm watching TV or anything, I always try and stretch in between as well as much as I can. I figure your right on whe you say perserverance is the key. I know it gets discouraging but keep on going with the exercises as much as you can and the knee will bend in time.

If Im not mistaken, I think Caz posted 1 time taht she was at 80 after 6 weeks but she is 127 or so I think she said in a recent post. Correct me if Im wrong but I think thats accurate.

 

4

Good for you Peter! I saw my surgeon yesterday at 12 weeks. I have 98 degrees bend and 5 degrees from straight now with slow steady improvement. He would have liked a faster recovery but is happy with what has already been achieved given that this knee has been rebuilt 4 times. He thinks I will eventually get to the 125 degrees (the limit of the hardware) that I have with the 11 month old knee but it will take a lot of effort. I am able to push this knee hard in the pool 5 mornings a week, plus walking 2-3 kms each afternoon. My walking is smooth and I only limp when it is tired . I am determined! I will be tested by my physio monthly but do not need to see the surgeon now until it is 6 months. He told me that the soft tissue is still recovering as the knee is still quite hot. All in all there were no surprises. Xrays show all is perfect inside so I just have to keep on doing what I am doing. All is good. :-)

5

Hi MCanada! Nice to hear from you and also glad that you are recovering well.perserverance is the key I think. We just keep on doing what we are doing and progress keeps being made. I'm also in the pool but only twice per week. Next tues they want to a promotional video with the class I'm in. Told them Id get a hair cut and wear a tie. Ha!

6

Well done Peter. It's great news and you are well on track. All that worry for nothing . It's my turn on the 2 feb. Tomorrow I am 5 weeks. Working hard on my sore quads. I can now walk upstairs and slowly down stairs . Thankfully sleeping better now. Take care.

Regards

Robert

7

Ha ha! Woohoo, I know a celebrity online!

8

Hi Robert. You are so right, all that worry for nothing. I'm just glad it all got straightened out. Its certainly a big relief. I have pain on the inside of my knee and just above the ankle. Also still kind of numb but I suppose it takes a while. Sounds like you are making some great progress and are well on track. Keep up the good work and keep us posted

9

Hi Peter, good news I am 5 weeks post Left TKR and have 90 degree bend but also have scleroderma complicating my recovery, you are doing well

10

Congratulations!  Sounds like everyone thinks you're doing well and that's a great feeling.  I am now at 8 weeks post op and doing better every day.  At my 6week checkup I had a bend of 127 with zero.  The doc was very pleased with my progress and advised he wouldn't have to see me for a full year from the date of the operation.  At 6 weeks the doc fully released me, including PT.  Sleep is still difficult, but sure hoping it improves with time.  Ya'all keep up the good work!

11

Hi Tracy,

I had no idea what scleroderma was until you posted it and I looked it up. I understand its a hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. Can you relieve that through any sort of medication? Sure hope that doesnt complicate things too badly for you. I have had psoriasis (about 6-8 months per year) for most of my life.  Not sure why but for the past 2 years I have been virtually free of it. As odd as it sounds, In the past whenever I cut myself, the wound turned into a psoriatic lesion as it attempted to heal. I was afraid it would attack this op both inside and out but it never did. Thank God.

Sounds like you are on the right track however and are also doing quite well.

12

Hi Yorkrebel, you are doing FANTASTIC! your flexion and extension are at 6 weeks are what we all dream about! It's great to hear cases that recover so quickly. You are so right about the sleep. That has to be 1 of the toughest parts of this op. I'm totally exhausted. Had a couple of good nights earlier this week and then fell right backwards again. I'm taking a sleeping pill tonight.

Hears to getting stronger and moving towards a full out recovery!

 

13

Hi Peter

I am 6 weeks and 3 days post op. Bend is 113 degrees and i started back at work Monday just past. I am 58 and a sales rep and delivery driver jumping in and out of a Hyundai ILoad Van all day.

I was a bit tired first few days and sore too, mostly soft tissue. Nothing that an ice pack and Panadol couldnt fix. I also find I am so tired I sleep like a log now. I have weeks of sleepless nights before. Hopefully back on track now and loving my pain free new knee!

Cheers Timo

14

Hi Tim, thats Great! your recovery is doing quite well and it's impressive you can get back to work that soon.

I drive for a living as well but don't think I could handle going back right now. I drive a transit bus 10 hours a day with no breaks and think I'll need another 6 weeks before I'm ready for a full day.

Thats the limit my insurance will cover anyway so I will have to ready by then. A bit more bend and keep on getting stronger and stronger.

It's good to hear you finally sleeping now as well. I can't wait for a nights sleep!

 

15

Totally agree Peter.  Onward, stronger!

16

How you doing today Robert? So glad to hear sleep is improving for you.  I had another lousy nights sleep last night but I'm sure this too will improve. Sure hope its soon though. haha

Ive also had a bad sore throat the past 4 or 5 days but it appears to be improving today so maybe that will help as well. Have a Great Day!

17

Hi Peter, hopefully as your throat improves so will your sleep. At the moment  I'm in a pattern of 1.30 to 7.00 with a bathroom break. But, it could all change!! I start on back then move to side with pillow wedged between knee. I'm sure your the same. It's my 5 week anniversary. Working on my quads as they are sore especially in morning and a little outer knee soreness. Got physio on Monday so will see how bend is doing. It's i guess  work in progress. How are things with you? Each day is progress for us all. Have a good weekend and hopefully better sleep nights. Are you on  Skype?

Robert

18

Hi Robert, how right you are, things do change suddenly sometimes.

All part of the strengthening I suppose and moving towards full recovery.

Im also trying to sleep on side using pillow. Cant stay there for to long but its also improving. My physio is on tues. hopefully we make some good progress.

We don't have a skye account here at the moment. Never had a webcam so never set it up. 

Have a great weekend!