Have YOU had a total knee replacement?

[General E. Speaking, RN]

Wanting to talk to other nurses that had to have a TKR?

I am a 43 yo that is 8 weeks post op and on medical leave until January. I am still having stiffness, swelling and some pain. Not as much pain as after surgery but enough that I am taking Vicodin in the morning and again in the evening (plus one prior to physical therapy appt on Mon, Wed, Fri). Wondering how others did with their surgeries.

Just wanting to exchange experiences...

Thanks,

Kris

[BanditNurse]

I had a knee replacement 81/2 weeks ago and I have since gone back to work light duty. I sit at the desk and answer phones and call lights. I do a few discharges as well. After working about 6 hours, I'm in excruciating pain and it's hard to walk back to my car. If all goes as planned, I'm suppose to be back on the floor doing 12 hour shifts in January as that will be the end of my FMLA. That's one month from now and I'm just worried that this pain will be an issue. When I'm in pain, I limp horribly.

I'm wondering if I will be able to tolerate 12 hour day shifts this soon. That's only a month away and I work on a VERY busy medsurg floor. I'm wondering if anybody here at allnurses has gone back to medsurg after 3 months of TKA surgery. I work days so it's very very busy. I'm not trying to think negative or anything cause I'm doing very well. My mobility is AWESOME. I'm at 140 flexion already. It's just the pain and swelling and I sit a lot, I can only imagine what it will be like in one month of standing 12 hours.

I was thinking of asking my manager if I can go to night shift as it's a little slower paced until I completely heal.

I hope I get some responses from some people that have known nurses that have had TKAs and how they tolerated going back to work after 3 months.

Thank you.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I know this is an old thread, but I've just had a left TKR six weeks ago, and Monday go in for the right. I still have pain and swelling on the left, and I'm not sure how my new left knee is going to do everything that the right leg has been doing for the past six weeks. But my FMLA runs out in eight weeks, so have to get the new knee now. Eight weeks of recovery then, back to work. Is this doable?

[BanditNurse]

I know this is an old thread, but I've just had a left TKR six weeks ago, and Monday go in for the right. I still have pain and swelling on the left, and I'm not sure how my new left knee is going to do everything that the right leg has been doing for the past six weeks. But my FMLA runs out in eight weeks, so have to get the new knee now. Eight weeks of recovery then, back to work. Is this doable?

Wishing you a speedy recovery Ruby Vee. I'm so glad I'm at 9 weeks post op, the difference between 6 and 9 weeks post op has been like day and night. I was hardly even hurting or swelling in my Rt TKA but once I went back to work, BAM the pain and swelling came back.

I've been reading other stories of people having TKAs and going back to work too early and impeding their healing, so I don't know. I'm hoping to get some responses from allnurses because I sure don't want to make myself worse. I'm thinking of trying to go nightshift but I know that shift has it's own problems and can be almost as busy at times due to staffing issues.

[BanditNurse]

Wanting to talk to other nurses that had to have a TKR?

I am a 43 yo that is 8 weeks post op and on medical leave until January. I am still having stiffness, swelling and some pain. Not as much pain as after surgery but enough that I am taking Vicodin in the morning and again in the evening (plus one prior to physical therapy appt on Mon, Wed, Fri). Wondering how others did with their surgeries.

Just wanting to exchange experiences...

Thanks,

Kris

Kris,

How has your knee replacement been? How soon did you go to work?

[she244]

I just had knee replacement in December 2019. Had home care Physical Therapy for 2 weeks. Had a setback when I pulled a muscle in my calf. I found that trying to rush was not helping me at all. I slowed down. At my 8 week post op, the doctor was very pleased with my flexibility and extension, said I could go back to work part time for 2 weeks. Then start full time after that. I should not have rushed back into full time as I am on my feet all day and would be in a lot of pain by the afternoon with a lot of swelling. I start each morning on the bike for 10-15 minutes to loosen my knee up. I am taking Ibuprofen and alternate with Tylenol which has helped a lot. I ice and elevate my knee at lunch now with my door shut. They know it is either that or I start back part time. So far it is working out. I am continuing outpatient PT since I had stopped when the doctor said I could come back to work. Not everyone is the same. So take your time and reach out to your Physical Therapist if you do not feel you are advancing as you should. They can help you work on what is holding you back and give you suggestions on what can help you. Good luck!

[ItalianRN, BSN, RN]

I'm PO 2 months total knee replacement. Wondering if any nurses were able to go back to 12 hour positions on the floor or did you go to desk jobs. I'm still having tolerable pain during the day but the pain every night is unbearable. I barely sleep. I scream most of the night. I stopped the narcs a week ago. I really don't want to take narcs at this point. 

If you went to a new job, off the floor, what type of job did you get? Any input or suggestions are appreciated. Thank you so much!!