I survived my first two weeks back at work - weeks 8 and 9 I worked between 3.5 and 5 hours per day. My job keeps me on a chair, wearing a headset in front of a computer. I managed very well with taking breaks to stretch my legs and use ice during a break. Put a box under my desk to change my leg position now and then.
I was stiff when I got home - about a 20 minute drive which is hard on the right leg - and usually did an immediate PT session followed by ice, then another one before dinner. I found I was very tired and in bed early each night. I am still using Tylenol and Advil and, though I keep trying to skip it, still using the Percocet at bedtime - hopefully I'll be off that in the next week or so.
The only other complaint I have is continued incision pain/discomfort. The incision is healing really well and looks good but by the end of the day is so tender and sensitive I frequently go to bed early so I can leave my knees exposed - no clothing, sheet or nightgown touching them! Have not read about anyone else having this issue...
This week, week 10, I am up to 5.5 hours per day (at work 6 hours due to required lunch break) and plan to increase to 7 hours next week and back to full time on my 12th week following surgery.
My surgeon thought this was ambitious but I am feeling good, I still have time for at least 2 sessions of stretching and strengthening. I was concerned during week 9 because my right leg was not showing the same improvement and strength as my left, but it suddenly kicked in, they are getting more equal and my gait is much improved. I still get more stiffness in the right knee and work it harder during my PT sessions.
I am only up to about 20-25 minutes a session on the exercise bike - I do feel more pain following the longer sessions so I am trying not to cause a backwards slide - tho I really feel good when I am on the bike!!
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