First Physical Therapy Session: Some Pain. Some Gain. Lots of Work to Come.

[@darlymh]

You did very well!!! Give yourself GRACE! It is a process. Praying for your total healing and recovery! ✝️💕

[@PaulEstep]

I have to keep reminding myself that it is a long process. Thanks.

[@tonipayne2194]

I am going to have my left knee done on March the 12th!I appreciate your Positive Attitude about having yours done!I am willing to put the work in to get my Knee working and where it should be!,Thanks forSharing😊

[@PaulEstep]

Thanks for the comment. I’ll keep you in my prayers for March 12th.

[@steverduffer]

I'm 4 weeks out from TKR on right knee from arthritis. PT 3 times a week. Pain still but manageable. Sleep is still difficult mostly due to constant urination. Side effect of pain meds. I keep a 5 gallon bucket close because you can't run to the bathroom. I do my own physical therapy at home as well with stretches and I'm using a CPM machine from Kinex Medical. Using a cold compression machine at home as well. Wearing compression socks on both legs to reduce risk of blood clots and taking 10 m xeralto once a day. It has been a grueling battle from the week before surgery till now with having to take the surgical soap baths, iron supplement and the stuff you have to put up your nose twice a day for 7 days prior to surgery to eliminate risk of infection. Don't do what I did. I kept going every 3 months getting shots in the knee putting it off over and over. It got to the point it was just bone on bone and I could barely walk. I wish now I had the surgery 3 years ago instead of suffering all that time.

[@PaulEstep]

Sorry to hear of your struggles. Even with going through all you have had to do pre and post surgery it is good to hear that you wish you would’ve done it sooner. Way too many people put off the surgery and suffer greatly as a result. So many I’ve talked to question why they put it off for so long. In the long run, to achieve normalcy in life, it’s well worth it. I’ll keep you in my prayers. Hang in there.

[@kevinpowers9024]

What's your age? And, how are you doing now? I had the Synvisc One Gel shot and it didn't work for me. This was the first time I trying a gel shot. I won't try again. I'm typing this with a swollen knee and ice bag on it.

[@PaulEstep]

@kevinpowers9024 I’m in my 60s. The gel didn’t work for me either, neither did removal of most of my meniscus. I was bone on bone when they finally did the robotic surgery and totally replaced my knee. Five months out and I’m doing great. I still have stiffness and stretches I do every day, but I’ve been out hiking and enjoying life. Sure, it still swells after I’m in it a lot, or if I sit for long periods. But my physical therapist said it takes a year to fully recover. So I think I’m doing good for 5 months.

[@kevinpowers9024]

@@PaulEstep How far can you hike? When it swells, does it swell up bad? How about golf , have you tried playing?

[@PaulEstep]

@kevinpowers9024 I haven’t tried golf - yet. That’s on my list. I have hiked over 5 miles, but had swelling and stiffness the next day. But, it goes away in a day or so. I just rest it and use ice. The big thing is no pain.

[@thomasrogowski9152]

Good job! I am 10 days out from my tkr and understand your pain.

[@PaulEstep]

Thanks. I’m now 5 month out and doing great. Hiked almost 6 miles the other day. Hang in there.

[@LJHoosier]

Did you have a “robotic surgery? Curious your thought process either way. I’m approximately 6 months out.

[@PaulEstep]

Yes, I had robotic. From what I understand it’s a much easier surgery on the patient with less bone loss and a margin of error of only 1 mm. Plus there’s less likelihood of damaging tendons and nerves since the robot won’t let the surgeon cut more than is necessary. My knee was actually custom built for me. That’s another beauty of robotic surgery. It’s custom surgery just for you.

[@theoremzero]

I had my L knee done 2/7. Man, does it hurt. Mine is still numb in a certain spot. Finding a sleep position is a challenge. I'm only 43 and it's been one of the most painful things I have been through so far.

[@PaulEstep]

My right knee on 2/23. Yes, it’s been painful, but I was already in a lot of pain beforehand. I was told it was 8 to 12 weeks for recovery. So you’re only 4 weeks into it. It’ll get better. Work through the pain knowing that you’re halfway through it. Yes, a sleep position is a challenge. Someone said it was 2 months before they were able to get comfortable. It’s coming for you. Hang in there. It’ll get better.

[@kevinpowers9024]

Why did you have a TKR so young? And, how are you doing now?

[@theoremzero]

@@kevinpowers9024 Injuries mostly. My left knee is because of compensating for my right knee.

[@PaulEstep]

I injured my knee at work and it deteriorated rapidly. It was either have the replacement or walk with a limp and in pain. I was having to so much pain med just to go to sleep.

[@PaulEstep]

That’s what they were afraid was going to happen to me. If it wasn’t fixed it would affect other parts of my body.

[@x2malandy]

Wondering what kind of job you worked that may have wore your knee out.

[@PaulEstep]

Mine was the result of an accident on the job. I missed the bottom steps of a flight of stairs and jammed my leg. This caused my body to twist, but my foot didn’t twist. So all the torque was on my knee. I had torn meniscus, micro fractures, you name it. They tried to fix it with a scope-type surgery and removed most of the meniscus, but it didn’t last. Then they tried those lubricant jell injections but that also didn’t help. So, 2 1/2 years after I fell I was finally approved for the knee replacement.

[@x2malandy]

I am 74 and stood up on my job. I think that is what wore all the cartilage off. Thanks.@@PaulEstep

[@PaulEstep]

@x2malandy That’ll do it. Those floors are so unforgiving, no matter what shoes you wear.