6 months on and new pain

[carolward]

Hi to everyone,
I haven't been on for a while as my daughter also had knee surgery (with complications) and her family including three kids under 6 moved in. Helping to look after them and her has kept me very busy.
I am just over 6 months post op with a left patellofemerol replacement. Lately I have been experiencing shin pain as well as what I can only describe as a cold burning feeling (very contradictory I know) as well as a stinging and throbbing pain which comes and goes. I am still very swollen as well. I haven't had much time for elevating or icing and have been on my feet nearly all the time. Could this have caused the pain?
I am leaving for a holiday to the States in two weeks and am abit concerned.
Has anyone else had anything like this.
Thanks
Carol

 

[Texas]

Hi Carol, you have to find time for yourself. Take sometime and go ice. Just let everyone know you need a lil time. Take some advil that will help with swelling. It can take up to 1 yr to recover. So I would take time Ice, put your feet up. You have to have time for you. And if you are coming to the US that gives you 2 weeks to ice and get some swelling down, so you can have a better holiday...take care of yourself. Hope you feel better. And have a great time.....Kim

 

[Jamie]

Carol, I'm sorry to hear you are still having pain and swelling at 6 months out. It can happen that way....especially if you stopped taking time for yourself to heal when your daughter (and THREE kids under the age of SIX???!!!!) moved in. Your recovery needs didn't magically stop when that happened and if you want the pain and swelling to improve, you'll need to shift some attention back to yourself. Icing, elevating and rest are critical....although if it's just you and your daughter (who is recovering also), I'm not sure who is going to run after those kids!

 

[ship4]

Carol,
You surely have your hands full! I am wondering if the hot burning pain could possibly be some of your nerves trying to connect together again. This does cause a "knife like" hot poker feeling when the nerves regenerate. You also have gone from pacing yourself during your recovery to overdoing it with the children since you are not used to getting down to their level of activity. My advice is to keep a short stool handy on the main floor of the house you can take with you when doing activities with the children. It will give you a break and you are still at their level.
I hope your daughter appreciates you!
Best,

 

[Josephine]

Can you just define your op for me a little? Did you just have a patella resurfaced or was there some work done on your femur as well?

You also don't tell me what you are taking in the way of pain meds. This is a long time to be having such a lot of pain if you only had a patellar button.

On the other hand, I do agree with the others that you seem to be doing a lot with such a houseful. How long have they been staying with you? 5 months, I'll bet!

 

[carolward]

Hi, my daughter and her family moved out two weeks ago.
The operation I had was a patellofemerol joint replacement in my left knee. My OS said that my knee was in a really bad way - alot worse than he had expected. My rheumatologist has put me on norspan pain patches 5mg for the arthritis in the rest of my body to try and control the pain. He has also put me on cortesone 10mg and is doing blood tests as I have inflammation in other joints.
I do have digesic on hand but I have not taken them.
My knee is tender to the touch and when I get up from sitting there is pain in my shin as well as just general soreness.
Any feedback is most appreciated
Thanks

 

[Josephine]

Is it this one, Carol?

Your symptoms are puzzling and my only thoughts are that either it's a tendonitis or something similar, or have you had your hip checked out? Often pain from a hip can refer all the way down to the ankle. Just a thought.

 

[Rowdy66]

It is no wonder you hurt, just reading your posting made me hurt. Taking care of your daughter and her three children under age six almost surely means there is a husband who came with them, that is five people you have been caring for besides yourself. No wonder you hurt.

My best advice is listen to Jo and Jamie, they won't steer you wrong, that and leave the country for a much needed rest.

Take care of yourself. Good luck. Janet