Hi
I am 8 days post op of tkr on R knee. Am currently receiving in home PT, which they tell me I have to be at 90 to go to regular outside home PT. My #'s have been 68, 70, And today at 73. I have 2 more PT in home sessions to make it to 90.
I heard that and burst into tears.
I excersize and it has emense amount of swelling. The cycle just doesn't quit. Moving is supposed to limber up the stiffness but it seems to only make it worse. I do practice the excersizes at home and cry from the pain. The inhome guy says to lean into this pain.?WHAT?
And they want me to reduce the amount of meds -I take 4 Norco every 24 hours
I need you all's advice as to where I'm supposed to be at for pain and movement numbers. Am 60.does that make a difference as to what numbers should be?
Man! I can't lift my stupid leg even up the width of a cotton ball! Humor and faith have gotten me along this far, but the tears have emerged today not to say anxiety now creeping into the mix.
I would really like to read peoole's experiences. Just to have reference points, and to identify with people. Help please?
Thanks in advance
Eight days? Sounds just about right to me...I was drooling all over my shirt at that point...
Click my picture and then "See All Discussions". Start with the "Kidney Stone" one...lots of stuff out there...
I was 2 days out the hospital and taking every pain pill I was allowed. Your knee will set the pace, nothing else. Keep reading here and you will understand that everyone is different and thus every recovery is different. Relax and just do your best.
Is the "inhome guy" the physical therapist?
....1st of all, movement is the key to a good recovery, so you do have to do your best to break thru those barriers. I am a PTA turned fitness trainer specializing in body movement, performance and mobility. With that being said it is sad to say that in my experience, you, the knee, the therapist nor the doctor is in charge. How long your recovery goes and the benchmarks you have to meet in order for them to keep paying is primarily set by the insurance companies. I would suggest contacting/clarifying that info with your insurance company. you can "gladly get more," if you are willing to pay out of pocket. Nowadays the insurance companies are practicing more medicine than the physicians are.
Hi Patty -- you sound just like I did at 8 days after my TKR. I did not have anyone come to the house. I had my surgery at the Mayo Clinic. I was discharged 2 days later and I stayed in a hotel so I can be close to the doctor and go there for PT for 2 weeks. I did terrible at PT. I could not move or lift my leg. The therapist kept pushing and the pain was so bad all I did was scream and cried. I was told that I had to do better to try harder and put up with the pain. But I could not do it. Every time the PT person will lift my leg, which was my right one, it would fall back down on the table. She was very upset with me. So I asked her to talk to my doctor since I was having the PT at the Mayo Clinic. The doctor has giving me some injections to numb the area for a couple of days, but it too much longer for me for the leg to start to move. I also had a lot of swelling because I can't take anti-inflammatories. I continued to go to PT and took things one day at a time. Came home 2 weeks later and went to PT at a hospital close to my house. However, it has taking me a long time to bend my knee. I am 9 months post TKR. I could walk straight, I could bend my knee but only to between 110-115. I am still exercising and like many of the patients in this forum say everyone is different and I will get to 120. My advise to you continue with exercise, ice as much as you need to, elevate your leg, take your pain killers. Remember we don't get a award to suffer with pain. You will get there everyone does not heal the same way. If you knee is very swollen is very hard to bend it. First swelling needs to be reduced. Continue to write and follow the forum. There are is an abundance of experience with good guidance in this patient forum. However, most important you knee to work and follow your surgeon advice. Good luck. J-21370
Hi Patty. You will definitely find this forum extremely helpful. It saddens me that such ridiculous expectations are placed on you by both your PT & doctor. You certainly have to work hard but it's not right to put a number on it. I had 2 weeks at home PT & regardless of where I was, went to outside PT. I was nowhere near 90 at 2 weeks. Plus, my doctor was/is a big advocate of taking whatever pain meds I needed in order to achieve that bend. I never even got Norco, which as far as I'm concerned does nothing. I was given different opioids until we found something that helped. I'm sure my doc was evaluating me to be sure that I wasn't abusing. Try to find a therapist that knows how to push you, but with some compassion & preferably humor. This is a much tougher road than I ever imagined & at 10 weeks I'm starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
BTW, I didn't get to 90 until about 7 weeks (everyone is different)!& I'm now at 115. I still have a way to go, but the pain is finally diminishing. Also, it's very important that you surround yourself with supportive, positive people and be good to yourself. Good luck.
Hi patty and welcome to the forum.
First things first-eight days out is so early. During these early days its all about being kind to yourself-gentle exercise with ice and elevation to help with pain and swelling. Ice, ice and more ice!!!! Yes -you do need to move that knee but dont go at it gunho!!
Heel slides, stretching, legs lifts( the leg may not respond to begin with but it will in time-and will surprise you!) This is about your recovery-your body will let you know when you are asking too much. Be giuded by your therapist but dont beat yourself up with numbers at this stage. Once the sutures are out work on the scar tissue with daily massage ( helps to break down scar tissue buildup)your pt will show you how its done. Use bio oil or similiar as many times daily as time allows. Every time I sat I would massage. Maybe I was one of the lucky ones but scar tissue was never an issue for me. There is some wonderful advice on this forum. Read up on chicos discussions-wonderful advice!!!but most of all, be gentle on yourself. The road ahead requires a strong mental outlook ( and lots of chocolate lol). Good luck and keep us posted.
Oh Patty you've just had major surgery 8 days ago, stick with it cry if you want to sometimes it releases the tension. I'm sure you'll get there in time. This is a great site to talk to people who understand. Good luck.
I am 5 months post RTKR. Left one will be done much later on. I cried and cried during PT. The pain WILL get less in time. This is a marathon not a sprint. After all, you've been sawed in half! Ice ice baby! Ice is your friend. Remember to elevate and ice as much as you can. For goodness sake, please take your pain meds every 4 hours for the first month. My husband was wonderful but I was so obsessed with the pain and lack of mobility I cried a lot. Chin up. You are skiing friend's/sympathizers here! We've all been there. Blessings.
Are among friends. NOT skiing. Lol. That's a real laugh there!!
No way you should reduce pain medication now. Are you icing your knee above your heart and elevating? Ñeed to reduce swelling. I could not lift my leg for a month. It is fine now. Are you in USA? Should is not a good word.
I got a bottle of morphine to take home. I did not crack it open in the end but it was a great comfortvto know it was there if needed...for that reason alone i would not have done without it! Had codeine and paracetamol combined tablets and anti inflammatories. Why on earth deprive people of adequate pain relief after what surely is one of the most painful major surgeries? It is insane. And then set targets which completely disrespect the individual healing process. Yes, keeping moving is essential. But there seems almost a paranoia about scar tissue in USA... rant over! Fear is not good!
Your comment about insurance is not and i can see how that would affect post operative physiotherapy in USA at times.
Thank you. I will keep moving
Thank you. Your words have made me feel better for tomorrow 😐