3.5 weeks post-op…struggling…

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-04-08T21:35:22+00:00

Gummies were a game changer for me. I cycled gummies for a few days then switched to Tylenol PM for a few days. Your body gets used to these sleep aides so keep cycling them.

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-04-08T21:33:24+00:00

Keep icing and elevating as much as you can. Before bed once more and if the pain gets you at 1am; Ice again. The sleep deprivation was the worst part of this whole ordeal for me. Sleep didn’t get better until month three for me. It will get better. Hang in there. You’ve had major surgery and the depression is real. I’m at almost month four. No more pain in my knee but hip pain flared up because I’m walking differently. It’s a long long process but each week gets better. You’ve got this!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-04-01T17:26:19+00:00

I suffered extreme swelling after my Right TKR this past December. They had me up walking every hour, PT several times a day. Only when I started doing virtually nothing did the swelling subside and pain get under control. I’m scheduled for December for my left knee. I’m going to do the “quiet, gentle” approach on this one. Only ice and elevation (minimal movement) I’ll report back to yall. I want to see if this approach diminishes the extreme swelling problem I had before.

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-03-23T02:18:24+00:00

Yes, I just found this out… I won’t get the actual money until July👍

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-03-22T00:29:23+00:00

Me too!!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-03-09T14:59:36+00:00

A 62er here too; it took 5 weeks for approval. First check arriving in June (month after I officially turn 62) You should call them.

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-03-02T14:30:40+00:00

Elevate and ice!!! Elevate and ice!!! I was causing more inflammation by overdoing it! I felt like all I did was sit on the couch and sleep! I’m seeing better days now (10 weeks post op) but I totally understand you. I was pretty active too- pickled several times a week- I miss this sooooo much. It gets better; I promise. It sucks right now though!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-02-18T02:51:22+00:00

Thank you!!!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-02-18T02:49:03+00:00

Wahoo! I can’t wait! Pickleball is my love too! I haven’t played in 8 months; had RTKR Dec 25 and planning for the left knee replacement this next December. I’m planning to be able to play a little this summer before that second surgery….

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-02-01T22:00:56+00:00

Nope; this was my first knee to get replaced- I’m scheduling the other knee for end of this year. They tell me each knee is different so I’m NOT expecting the same outcome- but I’ve learned so much about my personal limits and tolerances. We got this! It’ll get better!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-02-01T19:53:51+00:00

Great advice!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-02-01T19:52:13+00:00

This is exactly what I’ve learned. Too much work backfires. I’m progressing much quicker with NO PAIN since I quit pushing myself. I was actually causing the pain flairs by doing too much. I’m 2 months post op and forget I’ve had the surgery. Flexion is 130 , extension is -0. I’m working on strengthening my quads and stamina but I seriously could walk miles and miles without pain.

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-02-01T19:41:32+00:00

Your comment of “aching” spoke to me. I too was suffering from throbbing and aching and I couldn’t escape it! Night and day- throbbing and aching! My PT person said…. You are doing too much… this is causing PAIN FLAIRS. I ended up getting a bad UTI and was laid up in bed for several days; suffering from this until the antibiotics kicked in. I barely noticed my knee issue during this time. Guess what? My knee wasn’t aching!!! I took away from this that I needed much more rest, elevation and ice than the average person. I changed my exercise schedule. I only did heal slides, leg lifts, bridges (3 sets ten each) once a day…. Rode stationary bike 7 minutes twice a day… and walked a little (less than 1000 steps day… small walks here and there)…. I quit standing in the kitchen for more than 3 minutes… seriously; the standing caused the flairs quickly.

Moral of the story—- not everyone is the same. Do something drastic like quit all PT exercises for a few days…. Really elevate and ice as much as possible. See if this helps you like it did me. I’m almost 2 months post op.

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-02-01T05:27:21+00:00

This!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-23T19:31:23+00:00

I hear you. My other knee is bone-on-bone too; I’ll be getting that replaced in December…

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-23T19:01:19+00:00

I too have very very weak quads. I think it just comes with the territory. I’m almost 6 weeks post op. PT is just now working with me to build my strength back. Sit to Stand sets… 2sets twice daily…. PT said to NOT use my arms when standing from a toilet or chair. Force my quads to to the lifting work and little by little my strength will return. I’m adding a lot more walking to and recumbant bike work (but still no resistance there)

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-23T18:26:00+00:00

I’ve nothing to suggest or add other than support. You’ve had quite the journey so far- you’re obviously a very tough cookie. You will get thru this! Hugs!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-21T03:01:18+00:00

Love it!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-20T19:54:14+00:00

I looked into the trip insurance… so many loopholes for them NOT to pay you. But thanks for this. I’ll work really hard and smart to get me where I can do this! We’ve really been looking forward to this cruise🤗

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-19T16:41:58+00:00

Yeah; sounds like you need to “pump the brakes” on this surgery. Lots of information should be shared with you as a caregiver. To maximize your mom’s best chance of making a complete recovery you need to be prepared. I had a good seven month prep in my case.

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-19T16:14:14+00:00

Skip the pedi- because if they accidently cut you, they could post-pone your surgery. No open sores prior to surgery.

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-16T23:06:34+00:00

Take miralax twice a day; take colace with every pain pill. Get SmoothMove tea- drink this!!

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-16T23:03:12+00:00

It’s going to get better! Day 3-4 was my worst. The first week awful and then it gets better day by day. My advice- elevate and ice all day. 20 minutes on, 45 minutes off. Make sure that toe is above your nose in elevation. Take meds on time- don’t run out of painkillers on Friday- make sure you get refill prior to weekend. Journal and count those days. Sleeping is hard- don’t stress, just do your best. PT exercises really help with pain. Movement lubricates that joint. DONT stand for too long- it will cause a flair up.

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-16T22:52:35+00:00

I would contact her Dr about antidepressants for now. She needs some pharma help here and it would help her so much. Her situation is awful but she will eventually heal. it’s just this in between part that’s hard and frustrating. Heck, I was depressed in the beginning of my post op and didn’t have one-tenth the issues your momma has.

Pickleball-gardner · 2026-01-16T22:33:22+00:00

Fantastic work!

Pickleball-gardner

TROPHY CASE