I forgot to mention an important point about rehab. My surgeon advised
me that I could (without guilt) easily skip the formal rehab procedures
in the hospital's physical therapy department. The reason is that the
therapist's first mobililty measurements following surgery showed that I
was already well exceeding the minimum goals required to exit rehab. On
the first day (and with some considerable pain) I achieved 120 degrees
bend on the knee. The next day I had a hard time getting to 103 degrees
but the minimum to exit therapy was only 90 degrees.
But he did caution me severely that I should not slack off on formal
therapy and a daily exercise routine. Yesterday was a day during which
it was hard to keep that in mind. Today I'm much more amenable. :-)
Chuck Norcutt
Fernando Gonzalez Gentile wrote:
> Fact is, pain will reside when the muscles (cuadriceps esp.) grow up
> to the volume they were before ... :-( - that's why rehab is _so much_
> important. The knee is not only the joint itself but what maintain the
> joint into contact. I learned that when fell at the Penitente fall -
> not a knee replacement but could have been. Only a lost OM 2.
>
> Weight gain is water, but not only that one at the knee: lots of water
> was poured to clean the bone residues and was not isotonic - therefore
> it went into the bloodstream and thus you can piss it off - no wonder
> you lost 3 pounds in a short time: good kidneys, Chuck. And good heart
> too.
>
> Aspirin, good. Don't worry too much about swelling per se, blood
> thinning should prevent trombosis (sp?) - but stay away from sitting
> in front of the computer! - old habits ... :-) Don't abuse aspirin,
> ask your doctor - is it buffer-aspirin? nevermind.
>
> Fernando.
> ---------------- yes, it seems I remember some medicine ;-)
>
> 2009/10/11 Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
>
>> I think the pain will reside when the swelling resides and it's not hard
>> to tell where that comes from. I note that, despite eating almost
>> nothing in the hospital (no appetite) and having good (suppository
>> assisted) outgo on the day of discharge (pun not intended) I managed to
>> gain 12 pounds over the 4 days I was in the hospital. Clearly, the
>> weight is water and, from looking at my leg, it's easy to tell where
>> it's being stored. Fortunately, I lost 3 pounds between my first two
>> weighings at home. If I can continue to lose anywhere near that much
>> water weight in the days ahead I should be in much better shape very soon.
>>
>> I discontinued coumadin on leaving the hospital on Friday and am to add
>> two aspirin/day starting today (Sunday) for a continued blood thinning
>> effect. Perhaps the anti-inflammatory effect of the aspirin will also
>> help reduce the swelling. As it is I can only spend about 20 minutes at
>> the computer before I have to leave and elevate my leg to hold the
>> swelling down. That's a real pain but at least keeps me moving.. on my
>> walker. :-)
>>
>> Chuck Norcutt
>>
>>
>>
>> Andrew Fildes wrote:
>>> They do indeed. You didn't go to rehab?
>>> As a nurse said to me - let the pain chase the meds - not vice versa.
>>> Oxycontin works.
>>> Andrew Fildes
>>> afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 11/10/2009, at 9:38 AM, Chuck Norcutt wrote:
>>>
>>>> I enjoyed them but am just too worn out to comment tonight. I am home
>>>> after only 4 days in the hospital but having had only one knee
>>>> replaced.
>>>> My right leg from the knee down is very grossly swollen and bruised.
>>>> Pain and tiredness make it difficult to concentrate.
--
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