TKR Everything Comes to She Who Waits

[patient 99]

We play open and shut windows too.

Really!!!!!!!!! Tell me more. Who does the shutting and WHY. Mike never tells me why he wants the window shut. You could possibly save my marriage <chuckle>.

 

[Dabber]

I open the window, Dh closes it, just like you and yours, but at night or maybe in the day too.

 

[Judlepip]

@patient 99. Sorry, but I'm confused. I saw your 'header' that you were a year post op, then I read that you were 12 weeks on. Now I don't know if you're a year or 12 weeks! I know I've come in the middle of something else, but if you ARE a year on, I'd be very glad to read if your experience thus far.


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[patient 99]

I'd be very glad to read if your experience thus far.

Hi Judlepip, haven't seen you around before. Pleased to meet you. My TKR was 22 February 2013, which makes me 16 months post op. now (will have to update my header). I can't really condense 16 months into one post, but I'll give you a brief overview.

Nothing out of the ordinary before the op. I was bone on bone and started to get some pain so I had the TKR. Again op was straightforward. I was doing quite well with a ROM of 90/0. This increased to around 120/0 (its now 100-110/0). From the outset I always had this tight band feeling which was supposed to go away in time, but it never did. It makes walking uncomfortable. I wear an elastic sleeve just below my knee which helps.

I went to see my OS but he didn't advise further surgery, and said my ROM was too good for an MUA. He suggested more physio. I went to my GP and said I wanted a second opinion. I am now waiting for that second opinion. The waiting list is about 13 weeks. In the meantime I manage OK. I don't get any discomfort when I am off my feet. I just wish I could get rid of the tourniquet effect so that walking was more comfortable and that I could manage without the elastic support.

That's about it. What about you? Are you having problems? You are only 7 months post op so loads of time to recover.

I see you live in Kent. I had my TKR at the Horder Centre, just a short distance from Tunbridge Wells. Carol

 

[patient 99]

I open the window, Dh closes it,

Sue, don't keep me in suspense. Why, Oh Why does Dh close the window.

 

[patient 99]

@bottomshollow Please could you change my header to ` More than a year post op - Still got the tight band feeling'

 

[Dabber]

Because he doesn't like a draught
I call it a nice fresh breeze and I like it.

 

[Judlepip]

Well Carol. Thanks for your reply. I am having troubles, yes. I have, what I call, 'a lump of cement' that I drag around with me! Tight band is it I suppose! I fear my leg may be crooked since the op and am waiting for Josephine's view of it. I can't walk comfortably at all and walking was the one healthy exercise I took, and enjoyed. So I suppose I'd say my lifestyle is limited now. Fairly fed up with it all. I'm sorry to hear of your troubles.


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[Mutley]

Evening Carol!

I know, your thinking, "Who the hell are you?"!!!
I was just reading through your thread...100's & 100's of posts! Unfortunately it didn't make happy reading in the respect of what you've been going through

Just to say I had an MRI recently & my knee is metal and let's not forget the metal plate & screws in my toe! The letter your surgeon sent to your Doctor was well, almost rude. The way he kept referring to you as "She" really incensed me. He sounds as much use as a wet paper hanky in my opinion. I'm glad your Dr is prepared to refer you, however, another 3 + months is a pain & rather disappointing that you can't get a referral to one of the recommended surgeons. However, it will still be good to hear what someone else has to say, but more importantly hope they can make a good recommendation to help you. My fingers are firmly crossed for you.....

Glad to hear your head is 'on the mend'! Sorry your not impressed with the scar they've left on the back of your neck in the process of the skin graft. At least it's done now & hopefully the scars will fade and the hair will grow back!

Just to add I'm now 18 months post op & I saw the head guy at the Musculoskeletal Assessment Treatment Team in Bognor Hospital today. This is for the nerve problems in the other leg which I believe was a result of the spinal epidural while having the TKR. He's suggested a course of treatment including physio, acupuncture & tissue massage, all of which I'm happy to try. This problem has been getting steadily worse for the last 14 months! He said he can't guarantee we can get rid of the problem but hopefully make it more manageable, which HOPEFULLY will be the same result for your knee. What was interesting was when he asked me how I was getting on with my knee. I said it still frustrates me on a day to basis and the lack of bend was the worst. Today the ROM was around 100. This guy seems to think this figure is pretty much the norm nowadays and anything more you were pretty damn lucky......Uummmmmm, not so sure about that one. I know for a fact that this reduced ROM definitely affects my walking especially if I'm trying to climb over things or through things like farmers fields & wet crops! I still have shin bone pain as well as thigh & groin pain but generally I've just learnt to put up with it as there doesn't appear to be any answers or treatments. I think if I can get the other leg pain sorted I'd be almost ready to put this whole horrible TKR tedium to bed!

Anyway, just thought I'd say "Hi" and hang in there & really hope you get something constructive sorted soon x

 

[new knee in June]

@patient 99
Hi Carol
Sorry I've been M.I.A.....this cold has thrown me for a loopI have only had strength
For work, no walking, no exercising, no eating I have lost 4 lbs. ( I don't know how
Many stones ) I hope you are doing well & your head is on the mend Who is this Ann Summers
That @Dabber is talking about ? I suppose we are still waiting for your 2nd opinion date I hope
It is before I turn 55 ( October ) I know why your husband closes the window....POLLEN
We are having a really bad year & there is a yellow film all over everything. I think it's the
Maple trees.
Thinking of you
Diana P.S.....Have fun at your Art Festival tomorrow

 

[patient 99]

I know, your thinking, "Who the hell are you?"!!!

Chuckle. As if. Jaki, You've had your hair cut. It really suits you. Thanks for the update on your nerve pain and TKR. A three pronged approach (physio, acupuncture and tissue massage) sounds very thorough. I'd be particularly interested in how beneficial you find the acupuncture, simply because I think of it as alternative. I'm surprised you are getting it on the NHS - well done. I think you are right to focus on trying to get the nerve pain sorted and then just live with what you've got. Its the length of time it all takes. It can just grind you down if you're not careful. I smiled when I read what the doctor said to you about 100 being the ROM norm. You talk to 10 different doctors/surgeons and each one will say something different. Why don't they just hold their hands up and admit its a lucky dip, and nobody knows who gets what or why. Dear god, when did I get this cynical? I think it started on the 22 February 2013.

I was sad to hear the nerve pain has been getting worse. Don't ask me why, but when I haven't heard from you in a little while, I think Oh good, Jaki must be on the mend. One of these days my friend, one of these days.

Regarding my having to wait 13 weeks to get a second opinion. Oddly enough I don't really mind. I am scared to death that the new surgeon might recommend more surgery, so the longer it takes for me to get to see him, the longer I can put off having to face this prospect. And I can do it without feeling I am short-changing myself, because its out of my hands. Yes, Jaki, its official I've gone nuts. I'm no longer the fresh-faced, positive woman I was 16 months ago. What with the TKR, the six inch scar on the front of my neck, and the hole on my head, which will NEVER grow hair again, I'm a broken woman.
well almost.

I think what I am going to try to do from now on is ignore my knee as much as I possibly can. I've tried this before and failed - its like being a drug addict!! But I am going to try harder.

Good to catch up. xx Carol

ps: just between you and me, I never was a fresh-faced positive woman

 

[patient 99]

Just to say I had an MRI recently & my knee is metal

Jaki, Was the MRI scan you had to provide images of the non TKR leg? My thinking is that whilst you can have an MRI scan when there is metal in the body, its useless in providing images of the area containing the metal. The images are too distorted. Is this correct? C

 

[patient 99]

.this cold has thrown me for a loop

Hi Diana, sometimes I find the only way to kill the symptoms associated with a bad cold is to take antibiotics. I know antibiotics kill bacteria not cold viruses, but sometimes when you are low you can end up with both . But you are a mum so you will know all this stuff.

Ann Summers is a chain store selling all things sexy - whips like Wally's, crotchless knickers, maids uniforms. I've heard tell the further into the shop you go the naughtier the stuff gets, but I don't know as I've only looked in the window Did you used to have tuppa wear parties in America? Women would get together and the host would try to sell them plastic kitchen wear - same principle. I can't wait to hear what @Dabber buys. She might even send us a photo. Nobody has told Sue that's she not supposed to be frivolous when battling cancer.

I'm not going to the art fair tomorrow. I thought of all the getting on/off public transport, walking round the exhibition and then the long trek home in what is forecast to be the hottest day of the year, and thought No Way. I know I would have been proud of myself if I had managed it, but I will just have to be proud of myself for something else - perhaps having only 2 glasses of wine instead of 3 .

Today the nurse took the dressing off my head, so I can now wash ALL of my hair. I am going to doll myself up good and proper - carefully hiding the bald spot. As I now have a free day tomorrow I'll see if I can get my sister to join me for SHOWTIME ie, drinking, shopping and none stop talking.

55 In October hmmmmmmmmm. Did you know Wally usually retires his girls when they get to that age? I was an exception. You know why. Oh I forgot, we are flogging tickets to the Promised Land now, not standing under the lamp.

Get better soon. You've that deck still waiting for its second coat. xx Carol

 

[patient 99]

Diana, don't know why the dancing girls in my post have suddenly stopped dancing with one leg in the air and a startled expression on their faces. Was it something YOU said?

 

[patient 99]

I have, what I call, 'a lump of cement' that I drag around with me!

Hi Judlepip I know precisely what you are going through. And Yes its pretty awful. What can I say to you? You want more than `give it time, it will get better'.

First off, don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others and worrying why you aren't doing as well. Second, remember that the discomfort you are experiencing now is probably better than the dreadful bone on bone pain pre TKR - pain that would have continued to get worse. Third, most people who have problems of one sort or another get them resolved in the end; and finally, and perhaps the most important one of all. You will get better at dealing with your knee as time goes on. This is a guarantee. So whatever comes or goes things will improve. Your being fed up will not last. Carol

ps: BS is a good place to vent. So don't bottle it up. A good moan can work wonders.

 

[momteacher]

19 months after tkr; lots of pain; have gotten 3 opinions; X-rays show nothing is wrong with implant; should I request an mri?

 

[patient 99]

should I request an mri?

Josephine says an MRI is possible, and she doesn't give duff information. She says that the lab technician alters the settings to reduce the glare from the metal so that the images aren't distorted. However, others say if the part of the body requiring the scan happens to be the bit with the metal, then the images will always be distorted. I am trying to get clarification.

If you have lots of pain 19 months out then there is most definitely something wrong. If the X rays don't show a problem, then it suggests the problem lies with the soft tissue. This is where an MRI scan might help.

Your American health system enables you to get to see an OS without a long wait. I don't see you have anything to lose by discussing an MRI scan with him. And do let us know the outcome.

You say you have already had 3 opinions. Have any of them said what they think is causing the pain? Carol

ps: its best to tag me from your thread. I'll scoot over there in a minute to get the background.

 

[new knee in June]

@patient 99
Hello Carol
Do you have any ideas to keep us busy for 13 weeks ? This Anne person sounds like a
"Frisky" woman @Dabber husband will be very happy I think it's a good idea to postpone
The Art Festival.....theWouldn't bother me, but the heat wouldI didn't know I would
Be retired by 55. All the better, I fear I would look like this....
Sincerely,
Diana

 

[momteacher]

Josephine says an MRI is possible, and she doesn't give duff information. She says that the lab technician alters the settings to reduce the glare from the metal so that the images aren't distorted. However, others say if the part of the body requiring the scan happens to be the bit with the metal, then the images will always be distorted. I am trying to get clarification.

If you have lots of pain 19 months out then there is most definitely something wrong. If the X rays don't show a problem, then it suggests the problem lies with the soft tissue. This is where an MRI scan might help.

Your American health system enables you to get to see an OS without a long wait. I don't see you have anything to lose by discussing an MRI scan with him. And do let us know the outcome.

You say you have already had 3 opinions. Have any of them said what they think is causing the pain? Carol

ps: its best to tag me from your thread. I'll scoot over there in a minute to get the background.

 

[momteacher]

I am relatively new to this. How would I tag you? 3 opinions: 1) neuroms along scar tissue causing 'bee sting' feeling. 2.) undissolved stitches 3.) From Emory: nerve damage