Revision TKR Complicated RTKR revision 2015, considering LTKR

[Pumpkin]

Randi,
My pes ansernus was inflamed, causing a lot of pain in and around my knee. When it resolved the pain was so much better. Ice works well.

 

[Randi]

@pumpkin - did that get in the way of walking? I can barely walk with the walker now

 

[Pumpkin]

Yes, I was further out from my revision so my walking was not impacted like yours. Don't forget it is inflamed, on top of your already swollen and inflamed knee. It will get better!

 

[Randi]

I sure hope so. Just woke from a lovely 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep but I am so sore I just hobbled to the bathroom with my cane. The thought of getting to PT right now is overwhelming. Just took maximum pain killers + Tylenol extra strength and I'll see if I can even get down the stairs in 1/2 hour or so. I'm going to talk to Physio folks but I may call the OS. He likely won't be impressed, as Josephine suggested but I need reassurance I'm not going backwards.

 

[KneeAware]

Good morning Randi, I hope today you have less pain and it's a good day for you to get out to vote! Lol

I remember with my first pkr I had a similar experience that you are are having now. I had/have a funny lump bump thing in the same place and @Josephine gave me the same advice, it turns out she was correct. It will take a while for that lumpy thing to calm down, just try to not do anything to aggravate it. Easier said than done I know.

I agree with you, who suggested that a revision is easier? I don't think so, but then again, I only had two pkrs to go on, lol!

 

[Randi]

Hi @JustmeT . thanks for your good wishes but this pain does not want to go down easily.

Just got back from physio and after examining my knee the PT feels I have "strained the quad " . He said if it was feasible he'd have me in a wheelchair with absolutely no weight bearing for 72 hours.,so you, Josephine and the PT are all in agreement and I'm back home reclining, elevating and icing - and nothing else. Not what I wanted to hear but at least I'm hearing a consistent message and even im not stubborn enough to not listen !

Thanks all for your support. It helps. This recovery is certainly not going as I had hoped but I shall overcome!

 

[Randi]

Does anybody think massage is a good idea for quad issues?

 

[Clipless]

I say NO! Other members will jump in and rave about their massages, ultrasonic treatments, and ems therapies, but I am here to assert (from personal experience) that I don't like ANY of that, and don't plan to allow it with my new right knee.

In October 2014 I had LTKR on a knee with longstanding pre-existing quad atrophy. After surgery the quadriceps muscles did not wake up for a long time. My physical therapist seemed obsessed with rubbing the heck out of it, and trying the other therapies mentioned above, all of which hurt badly and yielded no results. In fact my quad did not wake up, and hence my recovery did not progress, until I quit PT and allowed everything to heal naturally. By the time I was ready to replace my other knee I was mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding... and loving it!

I am taking an entirely different approach with my new right knee- I warm the sore muscles first with a heating pad, then reach down and massage gently to my tolerance. I will begin outpatient PT eventually, but I plan to be much more protective.

 

[Celle]

I think that just rest and time will heal your quads.

 

[Randi]

I've tried everything else so I'll give this a try.

Funny, today is our Federal (national) election. Usually no one rings my doorbell all day but since the vote is expected to be very close I have had a rep of every party at my door today. It is taking all my strength to not get up and answer. Then my sister called and asked why I wasn't answering the door for her.

 

[wberry]

I remember how great it was at three months for me, all before the issue that caused me to need a revision appeared. I am not going to be a good reference source. Like. Skigirl I go a new spacer, but I fidget patella repair alignment and release done. I know where I could be if I had a good original replacement. Seems like I'm back on the train again. I had a really bad recovery the first time, so once I got past the healing issues, which took forever, things turned around. Well until this issue at least. Yea, this is probably little help, but these knees seem to have a mind of their own. No matter how much we want they do it at their pace.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[KneeAware]

I hope your sister wasn't put out because you didn't answer the door...lol! Funny how something like that happens...that's like the phone doesn't ring all day until I fall asleep then everyone comes out of the wood work wanting to chat.

 

[Randi]

@wberry. I do hope it goes easier for you this time. Seems like some of us are just lucky .

 

[Randi]

My sister sort of understood. The way most people who've had a TKR sort of understand. Apparently I'm confusing everybody because last time I recovered relatively easily and quickly and this time I'm not doing things in a nice straight line..they keep asking me.." But what's wrong with your knee now !?" Grrr...

 

[KneeAware]

....ummmm it's like healing!

I get that too, lots of peeps who haven't had a knee replacement don't really understand how painful and long this recovery can be.

 

[Randi]

Second day of my non weight bearing attempt. I'm sad , worried and frustrated. I do feel slightly less pain when I do get up for the washroom. Not much appetite - of course I'm barely moving and yes a little depressed - but at least I'm not having to get up for that much. I've decided that if I really don't feel much better by Thursday I will call the Os's office. I need reassurance that this pain will eventually go away and I will be able to walk
Again. Very discouraged right now

 

[Pumpkin]

You might want to try ice massage over the sore area, just freeze water in a paper cup or a styrofoam cup, then peel back the cup, and gently rub the area with the ice, you will feel stinging , burning, aching, then numbness, now you are done. Put a towel to soak up the drips under your knee.

 

[Randi]

Thanks. I read that somewhere and it sounds like a good idea. Now all I have to do is force myself to get out of this bed and downstairs to make the ice cups...

 

[Josephine]

Does anybody think massage is a good idea for quad issues?

Not after a TKR much less a revision.

but I am so sore I just hobbled to the bathroom with my cane.

Can you tell me the exact site of your pain using this chart?
Please note the instructions in the smaller image

 

[Randi]

@Josephine. As I noted earlier the pain is at DRf2. I have some discomfort at times behind my knee as well but that is manageable.