Revision TKR Mamie's Recovery Thread

Mamie, as your surgeon friend and others have said, what you're experiencing is not normal for a post-op wound. I know you've been trying within your nearby clinical resources to find the answer with no luck. Your surgeon is not helping either. Sad as it is, this probably means what CricketHip was suggesting. You're going to need to go to an ER at a larger hospital where they can actually give you some answers. This may mean a trip to Tacoma or Seattle.

If you don't take this option, there really isn't anything anyone on BoneSmart can do to help you figure out what is going on. We cannot see the wound in person. We don't have access to all your medical information. Someone is going to have to do the analysis and diagnosis who can physically observe everything going on. You have many other health issues that probably factor into whatever is happening. All I can tell you is what you're experiencing is not normal and could be a sign of a serious problem. You do need to find someone who will get to the bottom of the problem and not ignore it.

As far as the Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel goes, you can put it on an open wound. Hospitals use it's main ingredient - hypochlorous solution - to clean burns and other open wounds, so that should not be a problem. It's benefits would be to fight infection and bacteria on the surface areas of the wound. Use sterile gauze to wipe the wound dry and then apply it.
 
Hello,
I just want you both to know I have been trying to get help. I discovered long ago how sometimes larger cities do not help. I’ll explain. My first knee was a mistake. The wrong size was placed and for 14 years I could not bend my leg or walk right without pain until it got so bad this revision was needed as loosening started a few years ago.

My point is, we thought we would just go to Seattle. It would only be an all day journey. But, we ran into this attitude they would not step on the toes of my doctor that had messed me up, It was like an old boys club, which I have encountered yet again. My husband and I are willing to go snywhere to get help. Again, we could go to Seattle but when I called this last week to find revision knowledge surgeons I was informed about it being rather close in time to be jumping ship to have another surgeon clean up another’s mess.

It leaves me caught in the middle trusting no one or having anywhere to go. I won’t give up. I have an appointment with my nephrologist and he plans to rerun blood test and though nowhere near his speciality perhaps he can determine why my leg is leaking sticky fluid and bleeding four weeks after surgery. It’s not normal but one theory is that 17 pounds of fluid puts so much pressure on the wound it spreads it apart enough to bleed and why the compression wrap helps but then keeps me Swollen when not wearing it and won’t bend either. I feel like a dog chasing its tail. He plans to get an ultra sound to look for clots.

I’m praying for an answer this week. Like my friend The surgeon said these problems are not normal but maybe there’s an easy fix or explanation so I can finally feel better. I’m keeping my mind busy with my work and I love it, so it helps pass the hours away. Today is my ultra sound.
 
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I see other comments and want to thank you all. Pumpkin thank you for that information. It helps a lot to understand what it is. It’s sticky and gets crusty so now I know.
Jamie we are traveling as we speak. I finally this morning found a specialist to gang an appointment. I know it has to be the beginning for my answers and a fix.

thank you
 
Great news. Keep us posted. :console2:
 
Mamie you are in my thoughts and prayers Having dealt with a wrong knee replacement for six years myself, I know the misery and pain you dealt with all this time. I’m so sorry your revision recovery is not going well, I agree you need to find someone who can help you, I once called my surgeon and asked him if he was a horse doctor, when I was having so much trouble with the first replacement and he said it was fine and it wasn’t I said to him I guess I should be put out to pasture! Keep going till you find a Dr who will listen, not every case is clear cut, you deserve to be treated better. Can your primary care physician help you? I am praying for you, to get an answer and recover from this surgery. God Bless You.
 
Hello Fellow Recovery Friends!
Well, I have some news to share. Some are wait and see and the others are answered. My doctor of nearly 30 years stepped up to help me. He always has.

Here is what is happening.
It was determined earlier tonight that my leg does not have a critical infection but just superficial. I will take Clindacyacin, and it should clear it up. So now it really is a watch carefully and wait some more. There are two areas where the fluid pressure was/is so great it caused those areas to re-open, but evidently, not too deeply. It appears it was caught at the beginning, and it should clear up. He was and remains concerned about the drainage so we are hoping the anti-biotic will stop everything before it can cause any more trouble.

A clot has yet to be determined but with any luck early next week we will have those answers as well. Eight pounds of fluid were relieved leaving 9 more left. This will be an issue for some time going back and forth but even if it comes and goes, the relief even if temporary is helpful for my mental and emotional ups and downs. Swelling behind my knee with swelling and charlie horses is why they want to rule out clots. I am thinking positive thanks to all of you.

Your prayers and support have given me the strength to keep fighting. Thank you all so very much. I hope next week I can return with a great report with hopes my rough healing is only because of the errors of slipping through the cracks but winning anyway.

GREAT NEWS! In spite of my swelling, when measured at PT (Yes, I pushed too hard) but, I got 80 degrees. NEVER GIVE UP!
BABY STEPS FOR US ALL.
HUGS AND THANKS TO ALL LEADERS WHO HELP US ALL.

Good night my friends.

Mamie
 
Good Afternoon All!! :happyfeet:

This crazy character is reflecting the way I feel today from the relief of having a few questions answered. I thought I would share this dancing penguin with you so maybe you could feel good too.

I have been reading about how many of you at about my stage (4 weeks) have been not exercising but going about your normal routines. After being in bed most of the time to ice and elevate, the condition of my home has bothered me. My husband tries but has run out of hours in a day. Caregiving is not easy. So, I got up and grabbed my coffee and dust rag/polish, and got my exercises.

We live in a two-story home so I dusted the railings and the baseboard they are anchored to. I found that bending the knee to bend over was not so bad but it just won't bend too far yet due to the swelling. After polishing all of these, it was time to tackle our sleigh bed with so much to dust. Well, I feel good...pain, yes but now resting with elevation and ice. I must admit I am happy that I had my pain meds before starting. There is much left to do but the pacing is best. For all of you who have used daily routines for your exercise, could you please tell me what you found was not a good idea. I want to vacuum and mop/treat my hardwood floors. My husband feels that is too much. I am still hugely swollen with a hot leg and issues but want to be productive. Any suggestions on what is good and what is too far, please?

Let your hearts keep dancing
Mamie!
 
I want to vacuum and mop/treat my hardwood floors. My husband feels that is too much. I am still hugely swollen with a hot leg and issues but want to be productive. Any suggestions on what is good and what is too far, please?
All of that is still too much for your leg, Mamie.
Don't spoil the good that's happened to your knee so recently.

Check you activity against this article:
Activity progression for TKRs
 
@Mamie Glad to hear you're doing better. Don't worry about the dust or the floors...Will be there when you ready. Concentrate on getting better!
 
Mamie,
Our new knees are funny things, they make us feel like we can do more, then they wait until the next day to let us know loud and clear we did way too much.
"Just because you can does not mean you should."

Your hard work right now is taking care of your knee, resting, elevating, icing, and a little walk around the house, then repeat.
 
I’m so happy your Dr is helping you! Slow and steady wins the race, just do a little something each day. I’m convinced the Bonesmart way is the only way to go, so check the list they have recommending in what order to do things. I’ve been so much better, since following their protocol. Keep up the good work, prayers for you my friend.
 
Mamie, dusting is one thing, but vacuuming and mopping are quite another. The pushing/pulling movement torques your knee and it is likely to set you back. Please avoid anything that needs that type of motion or anything where you twist your body. Dusting....or maybe some light cooking, putting dishes in the dishwasher, tidying counters....where you basically stand still and use your upper body are best right now. Even those must be done in moderation until you get all the swelling gone.
 
Thanks, Jamie!

I let my body tell me when to stop. My head helped too. I decided that our steam mop and vacuum were too heavy to use while still using the walker and my knee is still hot and swollen. Dusting lower areas helped me bend my knee to where it did not hurt. I felt it pull but not horrible pain. I am not sure where the chart is located of when certain activities can be added back.

Peace Be With You,
Mamie
 
Greetings Revision Lefty,

How are you doing? Thank you for your continued prayers as you are also in mine. Funny how we both continue to remind one another about following the routine from Bone Smart. I follow it closely for exercise but after a month of just doing very little, I had an itch sort of speak, to get our home back to where it was. I am aware that it won't happen all at one time or even a week. We just bought our home in March and finally got settled before surgery so it bothered me to see dust collecting. I was somewhat surprised at how tired I was and how long it took to dust stair railings and one bed. So, I quit. I have not seen the chart here where you should be and when. Thank you for caring but my good sense kicked in. I just felt so good from finding some answers that had me scared. I woke up with such great spirits for the first time in weeks.
Your Friend,
Mamie
 
Hey There Dizzy!
You are very kind and sharing of prayers. Without them, I doubt I would get by. I will keep you posted as time goes and also keep you in my prayers.
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Thanks, Celle!
I do not want to spoil anything. I woke with hope in my heart for the first time but also saw my sweet husband's tired eyes. I wanted to help him and feel good about it but I did not last. Tomorrow I want to try two new exercises I was given by PT. They seemed harmless enough and they are not pushing me. One they had me buy a 55cm ball and you place your legs on top. Then using your good leg, and pull the ball with the heel towards the hips allowing the new knee to help if possible. It gently bends the knee, stopping when you feel any discomfort. The other exercise is on the stair, a box, or a stack of books. Not too high but surgery leg steps up to the upsidedown box, rest, and then you lean forward with the knee in a rocking motion again to quit if pain occurs. Thank you for the link too. What do you think?

Mamie
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Hello Lovetocookandsew!

I've missed you and love to read your comments all around. Thank you for your support as always.
Your support is always so appreciated. You too are in my prayers. Stay safe, please.

Mamie
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Goodnight, Kneeper,

Headed to bed and hope the body decides to sleep. I do wonder why sleep is so difficult since surgery. I will keep you posted.

Goodnight!
Mamie
 

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