I am 2 weeks from my TKR and was looking for info on dizziness post-op, so glad I came upon this forum, made me feel much less sorry for myself.
I had two pretty bad dizzy spells so I cut back the pain meds (Oxycodone and Tramodal) to just one a day. Seems to be working so far. I am already at 107 degrees of flexion, which appears to be pretty good for just two weeks out. Using a cane but I can walk some without it.
Glad to hear that eventually all this will be worth it - keep the faith!
The important part of using the cane is the security. Its n I t going to help or detract from the actual process of healing as you still have to do the basics. There have been some on here that have said the therapist is mandating removal of assistive devices based on time rather than ability. Personally, I have found the more secure I am the more likely I am to stride out properly. The basics of waling properly are to stand upright, stride as far as you're comfortable landing on your heel then transferring weight to toes and finishing off with as much of a bend as you can comfortably manage. Go slow because hurrying will just get you in a mode of fast and wrong. Granted, you'll look strange to others but that's unimportant. Your bend I s great but don't overlook straight. A leg that isnt as flat as possible will cause you to limp and promote hip and back pain
You are absolutely right with everything you said. Getting it right is more important than speed. I am at minus 5 degrees on the straightening so I've got some work yet to do on that one.
I did have one very bad dizzy spell within the first 4 weeks after my tkr. My son practically carried me to the couch. My visiting nurse came in as the spell was starting to fade. We decided it was probably a combination of things. A drop in BP, pain meds, not enough protein and/or fluids. I've been careful since and I haven't had another episode.
After some further research l figured it was the pain meds so I cut them way back to one a day. Seems to work so far.
It sounds like you're doing great! The oxycodone will definitely give you a lightheadedness but that passes. I take one an hour before physical therapy just to be able to get the maximum out of therapy with less pain. I'm at six weeks and was measured today at 115 degrees and my therapist thought that was awesome, so you're doing extremely well. Try taking something like Extra Stength Tylenol instead of oxycodone to see if that works for you. You won't get the side effects of 'dysphoria' or dizziness. I gave up my cane after about a week after surgery but my therapist told me to use it if I'm feeling a little unsteady. It's a long and arduous process but you will see some great results, it takes patience, time and some discomfort to get there, but you will.
107 degrees after 2 weeks you are joking?!!!
I struggled to get to 90 degrees for my 6 week appointment with surgeon but did just make it.
Sarah
welcome to the forum you are doing fantastic 107 deg at 2wks is great and your not finished yet . just a little advice dont get to cocky walking without the cane yet as your leg still will be a little weak ,not worth the risk might be ok briefly in the house as long as you are near something to grab hold of .keep up the great work
the dizzy spells may very well have been from the tramadol and oxycodone . . two pretty powerful drugs. Makes me think you are maybe in the States? We don't get that sort of medication here in Spain, however much we ask for it (horrible doctors!) However, I am still getting balance problems a year after the op, but really have no idea if it is connected or not. . .probably just another of those irritating little problems of getting old. And yes, it does finally get better, abnd you'll be glad ou had the TKR. Takes a while though. Your bend is excellent . .don't forget the extension which is equally, if not more, important!
Thanks, I will try the Tylenol. I was measured today at 110 so I'm common' for ya! Cheers
Glad to hear that. Those dizzy spells are not fun at all. Wiped me out for the rest of the day.
Made it to 110 today. Keep working at it!
Yeah I am not walking without the cane in my hand, just in case. Now and then a step feels rickety.
Yes I am in the USA. I reached 110 on the flexion and -4 on the straightening today. Got the staples out yesterday afternoon. More work to do!
Yes, but don't push yourself too hard! you are doing so well . .
Slow and steady. The things you will probably notice from time to time are minor set backs. You will notice certain muscles responsin g differently as nerve damage starts to mend. You'll swear you didn't do anything differently and you probably didnt. Its the body telling you Its in charge. There are certain messages to the brain that have been disrupted and are being more or less rerouted. These things just take time and as WE are all different, happen at different times and to different degrees. Where are you located. I'm in the KC area and the changing weather and barometer movement has bed driving me nuts the last couple of weeks. If it would just turn cold and get on with winter I'd be better off. Because of the type of problem that caused my original condition and subsequent problems I am sort of a lab rat. I get a little more time and space with the medical staff and much of my care is looked at by a number of disciplines. They are convinced that weather is really a part of my healing process.
Well I had TKR 3 and a half years ago.
I did exercises up until a year ago when I had bad pain with gallstones.
No excuse though I must get back to doing them.
Sarah
If the oxy is to strong try lowering doseage. I comes all the way from 5 to 20 mg. My Dr . wrote my scrip for 5mg and let me be the judge of pain level and doseage I needed. Also hydrocodone is a lower level med that is an opiate combined with Tylenol. It comes in 3 levels 5/325, 7.5/500, 10/500. You have to remember to eliminate Tylenol if you are taking. Hydrocodone as too much Tylenol can have an adverse effect on either liver or kidneys (memory isnt working real good this morning, the coffee hasn't fully navigated from stomach to brain.). Well, on to Christmas shopping and such. My wife is in advancing stages of Parkinson's which hasn't dampened her enthuiasim for Christmas but has left her unable to drive or shop anymore. So I'm out the door to fill the next of her needs. We weren't going to decorate, etc this year then got word our son in CA decided to come back and the frenzy has begun
You are right. I'll be careful.
Sage advice. I am in Virginia and so far it's been a very mild early winter. It gets pretty darn cold from here on out usually, so we'll see how that feels when it gets here.