I had my knee replaced 2 weeks ago. Doing Physical Therapy. Rode my stationary bike 10 minutes. And walk maybe 30 minutes a day in total. Does this sound like I'm on track? Also quit the opiates at 1 week. I'd rather deal with pain than risk addiction and the consequences? Anyone else drop the opiates that soon?
I was on bike at 2 weeks. I dropped the opiates at 5 weeks. You are doing fine
I am at 16 weeks. I'm on the bike and treadmill 40 minutes a day. I am pushing 300# on the quad machine. I'm ahead of the power curve.
I would guess the majority of TKR patients would kill for that type of progress. Keep it up! Although I think too many people worry about opiate addiction from the short time they would be taking them. Good for you to be off of them, but you really didn't ned to.
Sounds great to me, I'm 17 days in with about 95 bend so not quite ready for the exercise bike. That's my 1st goal. Off painkillers but still continuing with ice packs every hour to get the swelling down further, looks like this the reason for only being at 95 degrees. Hobbling without the sticks so getting there too
Omg i haven't walk that far and long and I just start riding the bike and im 4 months out almost 5. You are doing great. Ice
You're ahead of the curve. How's your ROM? PS: You can't get addicted to opioids that quickly. Most TKR patients are on them a few months and then taper off. No one gets addicted.
Sounds as if you are doing very well . . I didn't even get any opiates until day 18 . . . and I certainly didn't stop taking them until about five weeks. Better to be able to do all the exercises and bend the knee as much as possible than go without the medication . . . but it's a matter of choice! I came off them slowly, as I tried the 'cold turkey' and it was no fun. . .. all the best for the future. You seem to be doing well!
"What's Normal Recovery?"
There is none. Everyone recovers at their own pace. Very few are pain free and have 0 / +120 ROM in a month...really rare. For most, it's decreasing pain for 3-6 months (really bad the first 30 days...off opioids by three months...OTC painkillers or Tramadol after that), getting your ROM back (8-16 weeks of hard PT work), losing all the walking aids (3-9 months) and getting your quads, glutes and core rebuilt in the gym (6-12 months...comes after the PT...this takes a lot of work...not easy and cannot be skipped). Some lingering effects like tightness, clicking/popping sounds, minor pain and more can last 12-18 months.
Some people on the other side of the spectrum need more time, manual maipulations, revisions and more. Again, not common but there are people who have a real tough time recovering.
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
Addiction is the least of your problems if you take as prescribed. Unfortunately all of the negativity concerning opiates is making recovery difficult in certain surgeries, namely joint replacement. This of course is just my opinion but I've been through 11 surgeries on my leg/knee and 5 complete rehabs. I'm now on my 3rd prosthesis and have been on pain meds for some time. According to my surgeon ill probably need them to some degree.
If you are indeed able to do the prescribed exercises without, great but don't live in misery out of fear.
Slow hand steady is the best route to recovery. Too many people think by pushing themselves past the limits of common sense they are speeding up recovery only to hit the wall and having a setback.....then comes the teal horror of having to come back. Do your exercises and make sure you are including working on the quads. Everyone gets concerned about the bend when in reality, getting to zero is more important. Listen to your body and never push yourself into real pain. Hurt and ache are part of the process but pain isn't. One important factor that's often times missed.....hydration. Water and what it does to your soft tissue is extremely important for The process.
Scroll through the posts and find the rules of the road for rehab by Chico Marx. He's been through the grind for years and his wisdom is well worth the time.
You're doing absolutely brilliantly! Be very happy about it and keep the positive attitude. I love hearing about recoveries that are going well.
I'm at 6 weeks tomorrow and was confirmed at a 0 /+ 120 ROM by my Consultant last week. Positive attitude and determination really help. And all those exercises too.
Well done to you Charles - feel proud of yourself!
Hi Charles!
You are ahead of where I was.
It took me six weeks to finally be able to pedal normally on a stationary bike.
At two weeks I was walking around the house because I was still considered "homebound" according to my insurance which paid for my home health care nurse and my PT.
I quit the opiates after week two. They were making me VERY LOOPY! After the two weeks of blood thinner shots, I was able to go back to Ibuprofen and get off the opiates. Glad when I was done with the blood thinners and those opiates!
Sounds like you are doing well!😁
Keep up the good work!
Be sure to let us know how the weeks go for you as you move forward in your recovery.
Listen to da man!!! He's one of our Master Gurus!!!
charles45802 you are doin great do not over do it or you will do it over again after a revision, my concern is doig well but to well gives you a false sense of good healing and the tend to overdo everthing as the tkr bible say meds ice elevate exersize and physio, what is your age? i would like to know go well danie61
Turning 60 on the 28th!
Hey CC, glad to hear you are doing so well. Had total left knee replacement on Monday, November 21, 2016. By the ensuing Friday, I began walking without any assistive devices. On December 8, the stiches were removed and I celebrated by walking a mile in 18 minutes. Beginning on the third week post-surgery, I have returned to the gym to usevery little pain the statioonary bike and lift weights to regain lost muscle mass. I have had very little pain post surgery, and give full credit to the outstanding surgeon performing the procedure. at n the day
Sorry for the incomplete post. To continue: at 68 years old, I am blessed to have recovered so well in less than four weeks. My ROM today, during PT was 126. I am looking forward to replacing my right knee in Spring 2017. Best wishes and the Lord's blessings to all. BTW, I reside in Florida, USA.