It looks as if you're having a great recovery, Shelli. Don't get too carried away with the housework. It's so easy to overdo.
Revised PKR to TKR 12 months later but can’t find my thread
- Thread starter shelli22
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shelli22
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@Celle. I won't overdo it again lol. I've just been to see surgeon. Sciatic pain requiring MRI then see another specialist. This bothers me more than the knee surgery. Not cleared to return to work. How annoying. Oh well. Could be worse I guess. Will just have to wait and see.
@Nana moon 27. It has been a good recovery knee wise. It's the nerve issues that are the problem children. Another ten days and the MRI will tell all perhaps. Such a waiting game.
Oh forgot to add. I don't have stairs in the house so really haven't had the opportunity to attempt going up and down like a big girl. The surgeons office is up two flights so I thought I'd give it a go. I figured at least I was in the right place if there was a mishap lol. Well I made it up and down one foot alternating with the other with no issues. Yay me!
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@Nana moon 27. It has been a good recovery knee wise. It's the nerve issues that are the problem children. Another ten days and the MRI will tell all perhaps. Such a waiting game.
Oh forgot to add. I don't have stairs in the house so really haven't had the opportunity to attempt going up and down like a big girl. The surgeons office is up two flights so I thought I'd give it a go. I figured at least I was in the right place if there was a mishap lol. Well I made it up and down one foot alternating with the other with no issues. Yay me!
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Great news about managing the stairs like a grownup, Shelli! 
I hope the sciatica settles down soon. It's a horror, isn't it?
I hope the sciatica settles down soon. It's a horror, isn't it?
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shelli22
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Horror it is lol. It just won't settle @Celle
I forgot to mention my ROM measured by OS as I haven't bothered with it since the early weeks. I figured it had to be bad since I have so many nerve issues causing tightness but it was fine 120/0 and he thinks it's probably more but it won't bend more at the moment as it feels like a tight rubber band. I'm happy with that !!
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I forgot to mention my ROM measured by OS as I haven't bothered with it since the early weeks. I figured it had to be bad since I have so many nerve issues causing tightness but it was fine 120/0 and he thinks it's probably more but it won't bend more at the moment as it feels like a tight rubber band. I'm happy with that !!
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Have you tried a chiropractor, Shelli? It took about a month, but my chiropractor fixed my sciatica and (so far!) it hasn't returned.
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shelli22
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Hi all!
Well the last post on my thread was over a year ago. How time flies!! Just thought I would pop in and say hello and update you all on what has been going on in a house in Australia a long way from many of you lol. I finally got cleared to return to work end of May last year. Have had a roller coaster ride with the passing of two very close to me. Went back to work. Sciatic pain is always there but one day at work I tripped on a bag handle, fairy danced across the room and to stop myself falling on someone twisted in all sorts of ways to right myself. I now have swelling on the lateral side of my knee and lots of pain when weight bearing. But I'm not sure why. I have not lost ROM but it's still painful to bend. Who knows. Guess I just have to grin and bear it. At least I can still work.
Well the last post on my thread was over a year ago. How time flies!! Just thought I would pop in and say hello and update you all on what has been going on in a house in Australia a long way from many of you lol. I finally got cleared to return to work end of May last year. Have had a roller coaster ride with the passing of two very close to me. Went back to work. Sciatic pain is always there but one day at work I tripped on a bag handle, fairy danced across the room and to stop myself falling on someone twisted in all sorts of ways to right myself. I now have swelling on the lateral side of my knee and lots of pain when weight bearing. But I'm not sure why. I have not lost ROM but it's still painful to bend. Who knows. Guess I just have to grin and bear it. At least I can still work.
There's one way to find out - have the tests.
If you aren't allergic, you will at least have eliminated one possible reason for your continuing pain.
I'm putting my money on the almost-fall and the long and demanding hours you have to work.
If you are allergic, you could need to consider a revision.
Allergies: Metal allergy in joint replacement
Allergies: Metal allergies and knee replacements
Allergies: Nickel Allergy Concerns
If you aren't allergic, you will at least have eliminated one possible reason for your continuing pain.
I'm putting my money on the almost-fall and the long and demanding hours you have to work.
If you are allergic, you could need to consider a revision.
Allergies: Metal allergy in joint replacement
Allergies: Metal allergies and knee replacements
Allergies: Nickel Allergy Concerns
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shelli22
senior
Well its seventeen months since my ltkr. Honestly, I can't say I'm glad I had either surgery. I'm fed up with the constant pain following a couple of falls. Although I can walk, do stairs properly and work eight or ten hour shifts, I am still in heaps of pain at the end of the day. I haven't posted in ages as there is no change. Sciatica still haunts me. Very painful. Such is life.
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skigirl
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It is so frustrating when things do not go as planned!! I know---I had to have a second surgery on my left knee at two years out. I was bitter and angry, I did NOT want to do another rehab!! I was tired and just wanted to move on with my life.
My knee was just a little lax---the spacer was too small. I ended up having a Lysis (removal) of adhesions and a spacer exchange. I am glad now that I did it---my knee is much more stable and the rehab was not as bad as I thought it would be---certainly the pain was a LOT less!!
If you still have pain, it is time to see a surgeon who specializes in revisions. They are the ones who can search out the problems with knees and see a solution. Many doctors are defensive about their work and won't admit problems---my doctor was quite open that he thought the spacer was just a little two small and that he thought it needed to be replaced.
It is depressing to start that whole cycle again, but perhaps it is something minor---like my spacer exchange and a surgery with a not so bad rehab might change your life. You deserve to find out what is happening with the knee. Don't be afraid to be negative here---not everyone has an easy or even satisfactory recovery. We are here for you---not to be entertained with stories of easy success.
My knee was just a little lax---the spacer was too small. I ended up having a Lysis (removal) of adhesions and a spacer exchange. I am glad now that I did it---my knee is much more stable and the rehab was not as bad as I thought it would be---certainly the pain was a LOT less!!
If you still have pain, it is time to see a surgeon who specializes in revisions. They are the ones who can search out the problems with knees and see a solution. Many doctors are defensive about their work and won't admit problems---my doctor was quite open that he thought the spacer was just a little two small and that he thought it needed to be replaced.
It is depressing to start that whole cycle again, but perhaps it is something minor---like my spacer exchange and a surgery with a not so bad rehab might change your life. You deserve to find out what is happening with the knee. Don't be afraid to be negative here---not everyone has an easy or even satisfactory recovery. We are here for you---not to be entertained with stories of easy success.
skigirl
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Well I totally understand your situation. I have a sick husband, so I am not free right now either. Do you use a brace? Many people here have been helped by a neoprene brace with metal on the sides. In the US we can buy a brace like that in a sporting goods store. I actually bought one that did not have neoprene, so it was not as hot to wear. I think I paid about $20 US. If you can find one that you can afford, it seems that a brace might help you for now, especially on the days where you will have to walk a lot.
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shelli22
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Hi @Celle. Good to see you're still here. How are you?
Actually yes I do have an update, however it's not as positive as you'd probably hope. I have been on and off here just reading others posts since my TKR in 2014. Since 2015, I was cleared to return to work but have constant pain in left knee, radiating to shin and thigh so that by the end of an eight hour shift I feel as though I'm dragging lead it's that heavy and painful.
Long story short, I have had a couple of falls at work, one over a bag where I fairy danced across the room to stop myself landing on a family member, the other up the stairs. Both of these caused minor injury to my left knee including a return of sciatica.
Eleven weeks ago I managed a fall down the stairs as I was leaving work. Slipped on wet leaves, totally missed the last four stairs and smacked my head on a concrete wall. Four hours in emergency and sent home in pain and with an egg on my head. Had days off.
Went back to work and almost vomited from pain in my left knee after only an hour at work.
Now I'm off work on work cover as I bruised the patella and have tendonitis they think. X-ray showed no issue with implant. The pain does not appear to be subsiding even with two physio sessions a week. We taped the knee to pull patella to the right but had to stop as I developed the most curious rash outside the taped area that itches like crazy. Have tried antihistamine and cortisone and anti fungal cream. So far no relief. Very odd as the rash is where the pain was originally on the inner knee, but outside the taped area.
So, this isn't the most positive of updates unfortunately and I have days where I wish I hadn't done it.
I have an appointment with the surgeon on the 23/10 where we will decide whether to do an arthroscopy to remove scar tissue and investigate and send off sample to determine if I have an allergy to nickel.
I asked the surgeon whether an allergy to metal would cause these issues (due to the fall recently) and he said it is possible but to do a metal test is not going to determine whether I have a reaction. He said research has shown the jury is out on the value of metal testing. Long story short lol I am none the wiser.
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Actually yes I do have an update, however it's not as positive as you'd probably hope. I have been on and off here just reading others posts since my TKR in 2014. Since 2015, I was cleared to return to work but have constant pain in left knee, radiating to shin and thigh so that by the end of an eight hour shift I feel as though I'm dragging lead it's that heavy and painful.
Long story short, I have had a couple of falls at work, one over a bag where I fairy danced across the room to stop myself landing on a family member, the other up the stairs. Both of these caused minor injury to my left knee including a return of sciatica.
Eleven weeks ago I managed a fall down the stairs as I was leaving work. Slipped on wet leaves, totally missed the last four stairs and smacked my head on a concrete wall. Four hours in emergency and sent home in pain and with an egg on my head. Had days off.
Went back to work and almost vomited from pain in my left knee after only an hour at work.
Now I'm off work on work cover as I bruised the patella and have tendonitis they think. X-ray showed no issue with implant. The pain does not appear to be subsiding even with two physio sessions a week. We taped the knee to pull patella to the right but had to stop as I developed the most curious rash outside the taped area that itches like crazy. Have tried antihistamine and cortisone and anti fungal cream. So far no relief. Very odd as the rash is where the pain was originally on the inner knee, but outside the taped area.
So, this isn't the most positive of updates unfortunately and I have days where I wish I hadn't done it.
I have an appointment with the surgeon on the 23/10 where we will decide whether to do an arthroscopy to remove scar tissue and investigate and send off sample to determine if I have an allergy to nickel.
I asked the surgeon whether an allergy to metal would cause these issues (due to the fall recently) and he said it is possible but to do a metal test is not going to determine whether I have a reaction. He said research has shown the jury is out on the value of metal testing. Long story short lol I am none the wiser.
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I'm very sorry to hear what a bad time you've been having, @shelli22 .
That last fall sounds very frightening.
It is worthwhile getting the full blood test for metal allergies, even though I believe that can be expensive. The skin tests aren't specific enough.
And your surgeon is misinformed. It is worth while to get these tests. Some surgeons are slow to accept that allergy to some of the metal in the implant can cause long-term problems.
Here are a few articles about metal allergies:
Allergy Testing (thread)
Allergies and MoM articles
An allergy-free new hip...made from the world's toughest plastic
Metal allergy in joint replacement
Metal allergies and knee replacements
Metal Allergy Screening Prior to Joint Arthroplasty
Metal allergies investigations AAOS 2013
Nickel Allergy Concerns
Orthopaedic Surgery in a Patient with Metal Sensitivity
That last fall sounds very frightening.
I'm inclined to think that physio won't help much. Rest, ice and elevation could be more helpful - but I'm sure you're doing that as well. Usually, when you fall, it's mostly soft tissue damage and that can heal itself, given time.
Yes, allergy to metal could cause many of the symptoms you've had.
It is worthwhile getting the full blood test for metal allergies, even though I believe that can be expensive. The skin tests aren't specific enough.
And your surgeon is misinformed. It is worth while to get these tests. Some surgeons are slow to accept that allergy to some of the metal in the implant can cause long-term problems.
Here are a few articles about metal allergies:
Allergy Testing (thread)
Allergies and MoM articles
An allergy-free new hip...made from the world's toughest plastic
Metal allergy in joint replacement
Metal allergies and knee replacements
Metal Allergy Screening Prior to Joint Arthroplasty
Metal allergies investigations AAOS 2013
Nickel Allergy Concerns
Orthopaedic Surgery in a Patient with Metal Sensitivity
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shelli22
senior
@Celle thanks for finding my thread. I read all those articles and I think there may be a possibility that I am sensitive to the knee replacement but I wish it was more definitive. What are the symptoms specifically of sensitivity or allergy? Can you slowly get worse over time? Can a fall trigger a response (can't see how myself) or is the rash just coincidental?
I'm seeing the surgeon next week, not that that's going to help as he just keeps saying it's scar tissue and the next step is arthroscopy. Alternatively I could try being tested to return to work but even if I pass I would still be in pain throughout my shift as the pain starts to get worse after just 10 minutes of walking.
At the moment the most comfortable position is taped under the kneecap and then taped to pull the patella to the right, then not doing much or if I have to do anything then doing it in short bursts of half an hour so that I can tolerate the pain. If I do this then night time is a nightmare just like before the original surgery. The same sickening bone pain.
I'm trying the taping again for 24 hours to see if the rash reappears. If it doesn't then what is the cause of that - the only thing that helped that was taking phenergan. The creams didn't help much at all. So once again I've written a whole paragraph or six which really states I have achieved nothing lol
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I'm seeing the surgeon next week, not that that's going to help as he just keeps saying it's scar tissue and the next step is arthroscopy. Alternatively I could try being tested to return to work but even if I pass I would still be in pain throughout my shift as the pain starts to get worse after just 10 minutes of walking.
At the moment the most comfortable position is taped under the kneecap and then taped to pull the patella to the right, then not doing much or if I have to do anything then doing it in short bursts of half an hour so that I can tolerate the pain. If I do this then night time is a nightmare just like before the original surgery. The same sickening bone pain.
I'm trying the taping again for 24 hours to see if the rash reappears. If it doesn't then what is the cause of that - the only thing that helped that was taking phenergan. The creams didn't help much at all. So once again I've written a whole paragraph or six which really states I have achieved nothing lol
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