It's Day 8 today...just arrived back home from the GP. I have Norspan 5mg patches for the next 2 weeks. Pain was initially well managed due to Norspan patch from surgery but I removed it on Day 7 as instructed. I was doing well post-op considering I had a Norspan femoral nerve block, fentynal PCA, and Norspan patch. Apparently 1 of the previous surgery screws was hard to remove during my TKR. I was black & blue with bruising all over my leg from my groin to the sole of my foot. The surgeon stated to all staff involved with my care...NO BENDING. Well, they were as confused as was I. Apparently I was Very Difficult to close!
So after 3 days I was ok to leave the hospital. I did everything I could to speed up my hospital departure because my mum was ill at home. I wanted all lines out asap after surgery and I wanted to get out of the bed. I do not make a good patient. I was walking with 1 crutch and getting my own ice up the other end of the corridor on Day 3 anyway. All I had to do was the stairs with the physio and I could leave to go home & help my mum. After doing physio, taking paracetamol and occasional 5mg endone to sleep, (I also had ppl bring 4 bags of ice for my esky -2 ice packs daily), I managed to get on my exercise bike to push & pull my knee. Day 6 of got to 110 degrees. Day 8 -I went down hill! I figured the patch must have been what was hiding the pain. I could barely move my leg all of a sudden. The pain was intense. No sleep and consistent 8/10 pain. Doc says- must stay on it longer--wean off and get function going again.
Hope he's right. It's only been 3 hrs and I do feel better!
My mum has improved and is coping better but I'm glad I only have a TKR rather than her Lung, heart & kidney issues! I'll update again later.
NursePeta
So after 3 days I was ok to leave the hospital. I did everything I could to speed up my hospital departure because my mum was ill at home. I wanted all lines out asap after surgery and I wanted to get out of the bed. I do not make a good patient. I was walking with 1 crutch and getting my own ice up the other end of the corridor on Day 3 anyway. All I had to do was the stairs with the physio and I could leave to go home & help my mum. After doing physio, taking paracetamol and occasional 5mg endone to sleep, (I also had ppl bring 4 bags of ice for my esky -2 ice packs daily), I managed to get on my exercise bike to push & pull my knee. Day 6 of got to 110 degrees. Day 8 -I went down hill! I figured the patch must have been what was hiding the pain. I could barely move my leg all of a sudden. The pain was intense. No sleep and consistent 8/10 pain. Doc says- must stay on it longer--wean off and get function going again.
Hope he's right. It's only been 3 hrs and I do feel better!
My mum has improved and is coping better but I'm glad I only have a TKR rather than her Lung, heart & kidney issues! I'll update again later.
NursePeta
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no wonder I couldn't lift my leg because the thigh muscle can feel weak...