Things to do while recovering from surgery

[peanutgallery]

Broke my 5th metatarsal last winter, too... on the stairs. Tripped over the dog. Was warned by the doctor about a Jones fracture if I did it again or didn't wear the boot. Not as bad as you, but it was painful.

For your downtime, treat yourself to The Wire

[AngryScientist]

i've always wanted to really hone my game of chess. with that kind of down time on your hands, you could play online a ton and get really good.

just a thought.

[Kobe]

Another recommendation for Ozark on Netflix. Very well done.

[Bruce K]

Thanks for all the warnings. I hate the idea of the stuff but it does do the job.

Already down to 1 painkiller per day at bedtime - I started cutting down in less than 48 hours post-op.

Looking at alternatives to deal with swelling and ache - Alleve doesn’t quite do it to get through the night yet

Trying to be med free ASAP

I will be opting for a cast in 2 weeks - I had the boot for 2+ weeks pre-op and it was awkward, heavy, and annoying. Since it should be only 2 weeks for the cast I think it is the best option.

I AM trying to figure out ways to trick/pimp out my knee scooter.

BK

[SoCalSteve]

Originally Posted by Bruce K

Thanks for all the warnings. I hate the idea of the stuff but it does do the job.

Already down to 1 painkiller per day at bedtime - I started cutting down in less than 48 hours post-op.

Looking at alternatives to deal with swelling and ache - Alleve doesn’t quite do it to get through the night yet

Trying to be med free ASAP

I will be opting for a cast in 2 weeks - I had the boot for 2+ weeks pre-op and it was awkward, heavy, and annoying. Since it should be only 2 weeks for the cast I think it is the best option.

I AM trying to figure out ways to trick/pimp out my knee scooter.

BK

Not sure this will work for you, but you can try ice instead of big pharma pain killers. After my knee replacement surgery, I couldn’t stand the very powerful painkillers and what they did to my body. So I turned to ice. It really did help.

Oh, you may want to try CBD for the pain as well.

[metalheart]

I am having shoulder surgery tomorrow --- second time for repair of torn bicep tendon -- and after my first shoulder surgery and two knee replacements I can echo the comments about ice. And, the "cold therapy" machines make it even easier to keep ice applied.

I have some books to read and a list of things I needs to put on ebay, catching up with correspondence, and just taking the space to heal are on my list of things to do while recovering.

[Mikej]

Originally Posted by Bruce K

So you missed that I am stuck with no weight bearing and limited mobility for the next 2 weeks?

Field/Road Trips are definitely out

BK

https://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/S...ender_Room_F4/

[Bruce K]

Thanks for the link.

When I looked up Lavender Room it was either a salon/spa or a reference to Catcher In The Rye

Not going to get a massage but I might reread the book

It’s weird but I am pain free all day. It is only around bedtime that it feels like the foot swells up. Ice has not really helped that phenomenon. At least with one pill I can sleep through the night discomfort free.

It has only been 3+ days but I would like to stop the meds ASAP

BK

[cmg]

watch some samurai movies. the Japanese film series based on the Zatochi character is a great time killer. 26 films in all. IFC used to show them on Saturday.

[Drmojo]

I suppose no one reads anymore??!!
2 hip surgeries here--read, and re-read a LOT of books--not Kindle either
good luck and heal up soon!

[MattTuck]

That seems pretty crazy. Usually they want people up and moving as soon as possible. Guess they know what they're doing!

meditation, planning cycling trips, listening to music and audiobooks, or reading, watching bike races, etc.

[Bruce K]

They gave it 2 weeks but it wasn’t healing - the gap was too wide

They put a screw in along the center of the bone to pull it back together

They want no weight no n it as that will put pressure on both the break and the screw and could cause the screw to tear out or refractive the bone.

I can be patient for a bit

BK

[gasman]

Bruce probably has too much padding on his dressing for ice to do much. Elevation is the best thing to keep the swelling down.

You could try 800 mg (not a typo) of ibuprofen 3 times a day as some people respond to different NSAIDs better than others. You might try just taking the Aleve twice a day instead of just at night, you'll have more constant blood levels.

I've been watching Ozark during an informal Kickr spin class three times/week.

There are some twisted people in that show. It is really well done, I've got to give it that.

[Drmojo]

Originally Posted by gasman

Bruce probably has too much padding on his dressing for ice to do much. Elevation is the best thing to keep the swelling down.

You could try 800 mg (not a typo) of ibuprofen 3 times a day as some people respond to different NSAIDs better than others. You might try just taking the Aleve twice a day instead of just at night, you'll have more constant blood levels.

I've been watching Ozark during an informal Kickr spin class three times/week.

There are some twisted people in that show. It is really well done, I've got to give it that.

I believe Ibuprofen is not recommended for use if over 50 years old--HIGH risk of gastritis bleeding ulcer etc
I have two "older" pals who suffered thusly.
Just sayin'

[gasman]

Originally Posted by Drmojo

I believe Ibuprofen is not recommended for use if over 50 years old--HIGH risk of gastritis bleeding ulcer etc
I have two "older" pals who suffered thusly.
Just sayin'

Your risk does go up as you age but it's not contraindicated for recovery from surgery. NSAIDs are a mainstay of what's called multi-modal pain relief to decrease the use of narcotics . You can run into problems with prolonged use of any NSAID. I know several docs in their 80's that take NSAIDs daily for their arthritis.
Ibuprofen is one of the safer ones in terms of gastritis and GI bleeding.