Celle:
I do think there is some inflammation in the area. I am now 11 weeks out and have noticed that from time to time it seems warmer there than anywhere else on that knee or my other knee. I ended up not going to my GP. I have an appointment with my OS on Friday the 26th and will just wait to see what he says about it. Funny thing happened though when I was telling my therapist about it he put his hand on my knee when it happens. I kept breathing in and out but to no avail. I could not get it to hurt. So, now, when I take a deep breath I press on the painful area and it doesn't hurt nearly as bad. Strange, huh? I don't tense up when I breath out. I have actually paid more attention to making sure I am relaxed as I breath out.
All this along with so many other things are really getting to me. About 17 years ago I got a torn lateral meniscus in that knee. My poor right knee has had to bear the weight of stairs and favoring that knee for a long time. In addition, when I was about 20 I was thrown from a horse who then stepped on my lower back, so I have had back trouble and seen a chiropractor for over 40 years.
I have always been active but since that initial problem with my knee, I can hardly walk long enough to get groceries or buy Christmas presents without extreme pain. I have three grandchildren who live nearby. Ages 10, 7 and 3 and I can't get out in the yard and play with them like I want to.
Once of the saddest things is that this was a revision on my left knee. So that's two operations already and when my left knee has healed enough, I have to have my right knee done. I just don't know if I can stand to do it again, but I almost have no other choice.
My doctor doesn't seem to want to give me any more Vicodin, so with no really good pain medicine I don't even want to go to therapy. It HURTS!!! Additionally, I don't want to do my exercises at home. It HURTS!!! I don't know if I am being a baby or what?
I have fairly good days, but mostly very painful days. I am not sleeping well at night so I don't have a very good outlook on life most of the time.
I hope that someone out there has some suggestions for my problems. I am listening.