6 months TKR increasing stiffness

[patfinch]

Help JO.
I'm 6 months out now......how quick did that go? and the last few weeks are taking their toll....I seem to be going backwards the knee's getting stiffer with occasional pain over the front and inner aspects of the knee.
I feel like I need to oil the blinking thing to get it moving...lolol
No seriously I am concerned at this apparent setback....the knee seems to be doing a lot of clumking and grinding...I did get some upto xmas but thought it would have settled down by now?
Altho I can't measure it, my ROM seems to be decreasing as getting in and out of my car , bed covers etc seems to be more difficult...
Also I've not managed to do the stairs normally yet and still have to do it the careful immediate post op way......when I try to go up normally it's just too uncomfortable when i put all my weight over that joint.......coming down isnt too bad and i can mostly do that the normal way unless i'm tired....
I'm hoping to go back to work soon and as you know it's not going to be easy with the nature of my job..i've also heard that a lot of nurses have left over the last few months...and not been replaced thus putting more pressure on the ones who are left.....so i'm quite scared about going back if my knee isn't upto it.
i do see my consultant next week...hopefully I will see the great man himself , not the twit I saw last time who was insistannt that I had to go back to work at 6 weeks ( despite having to be on crutches for at least 12)
I'm just concerned that all is not well at the minute and need a bit of advice.
I know that you lot on here will help me out...

Love and hugs Pat xxxx

ps Jo hope the toe is getting better xxxx

 

[Josephine]

Hello, Pat, my dear. I'm so sorry to hear your knee isn't behaving itself. Sounds almost like you need an MUA.

How has you physio been? Are you still doing it? And are you still taking pain pills? Is there any swelling? Also are you still icing?

I can't believe that doc tried to get you back to work in 6 weeks! He should have a TKR and see what it's like!

You know, you could have a word with the sister in clinic the day before your appointment and ask her if she can make sure you to see the consultant as all is not well and you're worried. I've often done that! And then, if 'the twit' or his clone approaches, just ver firmly and sweetly say "Oh, thank you, but I'm seeing Mr X!"

 

[patfinch]

Hi JO
Yet again you come up trumps........the thought of an MUA had crossed my mind..but who knows what is and what isn't normal at each stage of recovery? Not having been down this road before we don't know do we?
I was discharged from physio before christmas but it was a class thing rather than being intensive....a lot of stretches etc...most of the stuff I incorporate in daily life and when needs must I do a few more ad hoc....
I havn't used any pain relief since Oct/Nov...the discomfort I am getting now does not really warrant it compared to what I was putting up with before..It's not that bad but does seem to be increasing with the tightness.
I still have some swelling but that resolves with elevation.When I get up from sitting my knee is really stiff and it takes a couple of steps to get moving and I seem to be limping slightly where I thought I had got rid of that before xmas......
I know its not a big thing but I have got a niggling doubt at the back of my mind that alls not right.....I think that because the components are cementless adds to my worries that its not all secured yet. Also I have noticed that my op knee is always warmer than my other...some degree of healing still? or a sign that all is not well?
I think I will phone Wrightington next week and ask to be seen by my surgeon cause the other guy would not even look at my notes last time....and my x rays were not on the computer despite me remembering that i did have one done post op......
probrably I'm over imagining stuff but willl wait and see what he says next week.......fingers crossed....
hows the toe? you will just about have that sorted when you go for your knee done....it never rains and all that......
Take care and thanks for the speedy reply
Us post -oppers only seem to come back on here when something don't seem quite right....but where else do we get the best advice?????

lots of love and hugs Pat xx

 

[Nursepair]

Pat, sorry to hear about your knee problem. I had that stiffness and swelling, had an MUA at about 7 months. Did better with the ROM. Still not enough ROM, still stiff and some swelling. My OS said some patients take 2 years. He also said I might need another MUA down the road if need be.

Hope you get to see your OS, not the Registrar or Houseman. That's the beuty of the health system in Canada, you always see the top dog!! (((HUGS)))) Sue

 

[patfinch]

Hi Sue
Thanks for the support.. I felt really cheeky posting on here today as I.ve not been on since the new years eve party....

But my doubts and fears are almost confirmed by yourself and Jo.....
I really feel that i could do with a grease nipple on my knee so that I can oil it ...its quite depressing to watch the stiffness increase and the rom decrease....
I'm back to struggling when sit to stand and then walking...I feel like an old woman again, and I don't want to go back down that road..lolol
I hope Mr M thinks the same way next weds .

I was intending on return to work in 3 weeks but an MUA is giong to put me back further........how long do you think if I need it doing ?

I don't worry about rushing back as I NEED my knee to be right as for the reasons mentioned in my first post .......the managers at work will agree a phased return with restrictions and limitations, but as soon as they are in the dirty stuff...they will expect me to do the stuff that I am not able to

Hence I am still waiting for the meeting with them AND MY UNION OFFICERS in order to make sure we all know whats expected...

Lovely to chat to you again..not seen you on F/B for a while hows the snow?

Love and hugs Pat xx

 

[Nursepair]

Hey Pat, I still struggle up from sofa, getting in and out of car and going downstairs. (No pian though) I also still use the disabled toilets here as the normal ones are really low, like the ones in the infant schools in UK. Disabled ones are only the height of normal ones in UK. I use a seat riser at night in my bathroom still too.

Because of pushing up so much I have a lot of muscle strain in shoulder and neck. So, yes I feel like an old woman too I think I will be getting that MUA done after I get back from UK. Having the last MUA wasn't bad, only hurt a bit after and gave me a bit more ROM. Have to go to physio though the next day to get it moving.

Been busy refurbishing basement with hubby so not been on FB a lot, just quick spurts usually and only lurking here too. In fact I should be finishing my housework before Kevin gets in from work.

Have a great weekend. Enjoying all that snow now? You did wish for it you know, remember? LOL... (((HUGS))) Sue

 

[patfinch]

what snow Sue?????
Seriously we must be the only area in the UK that only saw a tiny bit at the beginning of the week...it lasted less than a day before it went never to be seen again.....it's been lovely and sunny here most of the week..we did get a few tiny flakes yesterday , but they were only passing...
apart from the cold you would think its been summer here this week...
Les really upset as he wanted to take Korben out sledging.....think he would have had to travel to see any snow...
cant say I was bothered really as altho it looks pretty its a real pain to try and get about either walking or driving...not my thing..

Love and hugs Pat xx

 

[Josephine]

I doubt these problems indicate anything wrong with the seating of your knee, Pat. I think the stiffness and swelling is a soft tissue thing; which tells me that an MUA is indicated. 6 months is still in 'the stage' but I don't think you should be struggling like this.


I had to chuckled when you said 'what snow?'. We here in the North East are also pretty much snowless! A weatherman on TV last Sunday, when forcasting the impending 'doom' said "Of course, they'll get this worst in the NE - they always get it worse in the NE.'! We've had 3 odd days waking up to a 'powdering' of snow but most - nowt at all!

 

[patfinch]

Yippeeeeeeee
Just seen the great man hmself, and was well reassured that all was well. The stiffness that I have been having is quite normal, I just need to step up the exercises a bit to strengthen the muscles around the knee, this will improve the tightness and stop the clunking......
He was a bit miffed that he could not access the post op x rays tho......after a few hours searching through hard drives, and re x ray, they were eventually found under someone elses name....I have NEVER been known as Wendy Pamela !!!!!! lolol
At least its sorted now, and I finally havd a peep at my metal work.......
When I asked Mr M what system he had used..he said The LCS of course..........like I knew what he was on about...but I do now as I have seen it and looked at the website.
He is quite happy for me to return back to work soon as long as they take care of me...his words not mine.....and don't put me in any compromising situations....lets let the RCN take care of that one......
Just the occupational health Doc to see next week and get his approval then I will be back in the land of living again.....
Watch this space...
ps I keep mentioning this site to anyone who will listen when I am at the hospital....yhink I got a few more recruits today...lolol

Love and hugs Pat xxxx

 

[Doug]

Pat,
Sorry I didn't see this thread until today. I was off line for two weeks with a sick computer..
I am now at 13 months post op. My rom is great. However, I work out five days a week. I really think if you just spend a little time on a stationary bike with the seat at different levels you will be well surprised after just one month.
I do have days where I may get a little stiffness but for the most part am so satisfied with the knee.
I went on an 8 mile hike yesterday over hilly terrain. Definite stiffness today but so is the rest of my body.

 

[patfinch]

Hi Doug thanks for that, so nice to see you online again and I just noticed you are on F/B at the minute too.
I suppose that I got a bit lazy over last few months...as I walked more the exercise bike was forgotten especially as it was moved upstairs over the christmas period.
I got on it today and was surprised that I could get the pedals round at my first attempt.
when I go back to work I will be on my feet from 7.30 to 6.00pm with little chance of sitting so I can see that I'm going to be vary stiff for a good while until I get used to it again. I should be having a phased return but lets see how that goes? the last time when I went back after my arthroscopy, my 2 week ''phased return'' turned into 2 days as they were short...A lot of staff have left this year and not been replaced so I can see them trying it on again but NO WAY HOSE........

 

[gayle]

Hi Pat nice to se another UK nurse on here, I know how you feel with the NHS... my contract never took into account other roles within my hospital so only had 2 months full sick pay so been back at work from week 10!! Although they have tried to be supportive with light duties, it has been impossible with the winter bed shortages and extreme weather, so I have just got on with it to be honest (although two awful shifts non stop nearly killed me!!) I do sympathise with you during this time... In a strange way jumping back in the deep end made me ditch the crutch, walk better and has lifted my spirits as at 30 this was a massive op for me. Good luck with your return to work

 

[Josephine]

Blimey! Talk about 'who cares for the carers'! How come you got short changed like that? I thought the standard was 6 months on full pay followed by 6 months on half pay. Did you not get the RCN (or union) involved as I don't think that's legal - well, not in NHS terms, anyway.

And I take it you're working on a ward? That should have been taken into consideration too.

 

[Weezy]

Blimey! Talk about 'who cares for the carers'!

I don't know about the UK, but nursing self-care is becoming a more common topic here in the states. A good friend of mine did her PhD dissertation on just that. She's been a nurse for about 30 years, with 20 of it in pediatric psychiatry at a state hospital.

Burn out is a real problem, and its making the nursing shortage even worse; one of her findings was that there are very few to no opportunities for nurses to care for themselves, whether emotionally or physically, and this is a major problem for the field (among many other major problems!).

On the bright side, she's been asked to teach a course on self care at one of the area's largest and best nursing programs, so at least one school is looking at those issues and trying to prepare and help their students.

Weezy

 

[Joanie]

Excuse my ignorance but what is an MUA?

 

[Josephine]

So sorry - medical parlance! Manipulation Under Anaesthetic.

 

[gayle]

it is abit odd, didn't investigate it panic'd and got back to work pronto!! But as I said it has done me some good I think! If I need more time off will definately plan and check it all out better!!