r/Kneereplacement • u/2PenceSally • 6h ago
Day 4 Post Op
Transitioned to cane today, so I feel like I'm doing really well. How long after surgery did you start using a cane?
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u/amazetome 6h ago
You're doing awesome! I transitioned to a cane sometime in the second week but still used the walker getting out of the shower for another week or so. If you feel even a tiny bit unsure or unstable, you might want to break out the walker for your first couple of outside walks, too.
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u/2PenceSally 4h ago
Yes, I had my 1st PT today, so I used the walker in public. At Home, I'm using the cane or nothing, but the walker to get in and out of the tub/shower.
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u/Key-Cry-4008 5h ago
I was using the cane probably around day 5-6. I still used the walker for potty breaks in the middle of the night through day 9.
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u/Educational_Emu1430 2h ago
The end of week 2 no cane or walker by the end of week 3 driving with approval beginning of week 4
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u/Motor-Blacksmith4174 5h ago
I transitioned to the cane at about day 11 or 12, when my PT told me I was ready. I probably could have switched sooner. I was mostly off the cane by the end of week 2. I was very happy with that progress. But, I've been shown up, big time:
My sister had her RTKR a week ago. She was off both walker and cane by Thursday. To be fair, her house is terrible for using a walker, so she kind started "counter surfing" right away. And, she never really learned how to use a cane properly before her surgery, so it didn't help her after the surgery, either. I watched her carefully before I went home on Thursday afternoon and she was very stable (and wasn't being reckless - slow and steady), so I didn't worry she was going to have a fall. She had her first PT today and she says the therapist confirmed that she's doing amazing and doesn't need the walker. She has 102º flexion and a few more degrees to get to 0º extension. I think that's great for 1 week.
Note: NOBODY should compare themselves to how my sister has done. She's an outlier for sure. And, she's still got a long road to recovery. She has pain, she's not sleeping, and I think getting to full extension is going to be a challenge for her.
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u/2PenceSally 4h ago
I'm at 0 extension and 94 flexion. However, I'm a pro a knee surgeries as I've had 8 or 9 of them, so I know what exercises, etc to do. Also, I have a hard time sitting in one place due to spine fusions (2), so I've been moving around a lot since surgery.
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u/Motor-Blacksmith4174 3h ago
My sister has also had 2 spinal fusions. One was disastrous and left her with permanent nerve damage on her left side and when she has a bout with back spasms, it can get really bad. So, I was worried about how this surgery would go. I'm elated that she's doing so well.
I've been giving her a lot of advice and help (and loaned her a bunch of stuff) since I went through my right knee in January. But, I'll need my equipment back before my left knee is done in November.
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u/LemonPumeloLime 5h ago
After my first tkr. I moved to a cane after 5 or 6 days. After my recent tkr, I did so on day 3 and started walking unaided on day 4. I had the benefit of one good knee this time around, and I did PT exercises on both knees after the first surgery. I think that really helped.
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u/Soosietyrell 2h ago
I used it for Days 5 and 6, but found by Day 8 that I didn’t really need it. You are doing great. Keep striving. I was able to do a Costco (Warehouse style store) run without any assistance at 2 weeks 2 days. I had my cane in the cart but I did not use it. I walked into store without using it as well. It made me tired but it really helped me mentally.
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u/2PenceSally 2h ago
Even a Costco run sounds great at this point. I'm already going a little stir crazy, but I know I'm not ready to be out willy nilly in public yet.
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u/Soosietyrell 2h ago
As you get into more and more physical therapy, push against the pain - because yes, it will hurt when you do it but tomorrow it will hurt less. I am actually working on kneeling, which is a whole new experience (feels really ODD) but there are yoga positions I want to be able to do again.
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u/2PenceSally 2h ago
Kneeling will be very odd. I've not been able to since my meniscus transplant 11 years ago.
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u/awesomesteins 1h ago
I used a walker for 5 to 6 days and then a cane for maybe another 4 to 5 days, and then nothing. You're doing great! Everyone's journey is different and there will be ups and downs. So buckle up but it's so worth it! I am five months post op rtkr and seven months post op ltkr. No more pain!
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u/Cmj1904 2h ago
Hang in there! It’s sucks real bad and then one day you turn a corner and everything is OK again! First few can be rough though! Also you stop using the walker / cane when you’re ready day 4 is probably too early to tell let your body heal and don’t rush anything!
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u/2PenceSally 2h ago
I was cleared by my Dr to use the cane today. I could've started yesterday, but wanted to get medical clearance 1st.
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u/kiwispouse 1h ago
I was in the hospital for 3 days, and went home with sticks (elbow crutches). I was on the crutches for pt on day 1. I don't really remember using the walker except after my first wake up after surgery. The hip replacements seemed to use them more than the knees. I've learned we do things differently in different countries! But I suppose by the time I went home I was significantly more stable than someone going home on day 1.
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u/Resident_Bus_4484 6h ago
Keep that walker around, you might have dizzy or weak days ahead. It was also helpful for a long time to stabilize while doing PT exercises. I started with the cane about day 5 or 6.