TKR FlaGranny 2nd Knee 9/26/16

[little red canoe]

It's wonderful to snuggle in bed on going to bed and wanting to snuggle in the warm bed in the am cause it doesn't hurt. You'll get there

 

[newlybionic]

I'm happy to hear that you are doing well. Hopefully your pain will diminish quickly. 9 hours sleep (even if it's broken up) is very good.

P.S. It's nice to see you come back and give us an update.

 

[FlaGranny]

I read every day and sometimes post if I have anything that might help. Sometimes forget to post in my own thread. I know it is a help to others to read updates.

I can lie on either side, but after a few minutes the sciatic nerve pain starts. It's not bad but it's enough to make me turn to lie on my back.

 

[sistersinhim]

I can't imagine having to deal with that and knee pain, too. Is there anything you can do for the nerve pain?

 

[FlaGranny]

I'm trying 2 things - I had some Blue Emu cream that I used this morning and it seemed to be a bit helpful. I just went out and bought some arnica gel to try. Will update when I give these a try and let you know which (if either) works best. The strange thing is that my other leg had sciatic-type pain last night. Never had it before in that leg until last night. I'm wondering if I need to get my back checked out. I'm sure there are some bone spurs in there and narrowing.

 

[Celle]

I hadn't heard of Blue Emu oil, so I looked it up . It apparently consists of oil from emus, with the addition of Tolamine salicylate, which can be a topical pain remover. It may, or may not, help.

Just to show that not everything you see on the internet is true, one source I looked at described the emu as "a small flightless bird, similar to an ostrich."
Flightless, yes. Small, no way! Those things are as big as an ostrich, quite frightening when you see them up close. Their feathers are black, not blue.

Arnica is useful mostly to decrease bruising. It can be soothing, too.

 

[sistersinhim]

I'll be interested to know how each of those work for you.

 

[FlaGranny]

I bought the Blue Emu oil months ago. My cousin had used it and said it helped the arthritis in her hands. It bought it but never used it and thought I'd give it a try now on my sore muscles around the back of my knees. The emu oil is supposed to be a good carrier for the salicylate that helps its absorption. The stuff in the jar is blue - I guess that's why they call it Blue Emu oil. It is expensive.

The arnica is claimed to also be good for muscle pain and stiffness in addition to bruises, so, since it is cheap, I'm giving it a try. The information says that if you are allergic to ragweed not to use it as it is a relative of that plant. I will update on whether or not either was of any help.

P. S. I'm putting Blue Emu on one knee, and Arnica gel on the other to experiment.

 

[sistersinhim]

Now, that's the way to experiment!

 

[Celle]

The stuff in the jar is blue - I guess that's why they call it Blue Emu oil. It is expensive.

I'm sure the oil is expensive! There's a niche market for emu meat and some people in Australia farm emus - expensive, because it's not a common type of meat.

Anyway, I'll be interested to hear how your experiment works out.

 

[FlaGranny]

CORRECTION - I said the Blue Emu hass salicylate in it - it does not. I got it mixed up with something else. The Blue EMU has glucosamine, MSM and herbals.

 

[Celle]

Everything I saw on the internet says that Blue Emu Oil has Tolamine Salicylate in it.

 

[FlaGranny]

Maybe so. I looked on the label (2 year old jar). I didn't see it listed, but it is tiny print. Maybe I missed it. I'll have to get out the magnifying glass. If it is there it is not in the top few ingredients.

 

[Celle]

It doesn't matter. Just let us know if the Emu Oil helps at all.

 

[FlaGranny]

Just checked the emu oil - the one I have in a jar has no salicylate in it. There is a blue emu in a tube that does have it, labeled "arthritis". Will let you know what happens.

 

[FlaGranny]

I've been on my feet a lot more than usual today and I got a bit sore, but nowhere near the pain I had before the surgery. Very happy about that. Cleaned the kitchen, got the bed sheets changed in the spare room for son who is coming for the Holiday, went to the store, picked up items for dinner, came home, put them away. Now I have to go cut up the (cooked) turkey so I can get it in the refrigerator. I can sit for that. Happy Thanksgiving to all the US knee and hip (and other joint) people.

 

[sistersinhim]

Have a very blessed Thanksgiving FlaGranny! I hope your knees lets you enjoy it!

 

[FlaGranny]

Update time.

Left knee 8/15 (16 weeks), right knee 9/26 (10 weeks). Finally feel as though I'm really making progress. 16-week knee is doing very well, no pain but still a bit of stiffness and soreness behind knee with flexion. 10-week knee a bit more stiff and sore with flexion but also no pain with walking. I can see definition in my knees and actually can see my kneecaps which means the swelling is much less than it has been in many years. Newest knee measures 1/2 inch bigger than the older one. I can stand up to make dinner and walk around with ease painlessly as much as I want, although I haven't tried shopping without the electric cart. I think I'll keep using that for now. Do still have sciatica in my leg of 10-week old knee but that too seems to be improving. Of course there is still an occasional zinger here and there. I got right up out of bed this morning like I never had arthritis or knee replacements.

I forgot to add that I have been off all meds for pain for about a week. Also, if I sit too long I get really stiff and walk like a duck for a few steps before I get back to normal, but that is nothing new.

 

[little red canoe]

those electric carts are a PITA; when your food is on a upper shelf or your veggie in the back row you have to get up and forget u turns in narrow aisles.. I gave up on them early and used the regular cart as a wheeled walker.. Lots of people do that anyway leaning on the cart handle

Of course you have Publix with its overwide aisles... in comparison New England stores are like shopping in the basement.. My store still has wood floors.

 

[sistersinhim]

I think stiffness is normal for us for quiet a while. After extra activity, mine gets stiff after sitting for a while or sleeping. It does get much better!