Warning- long wanderings!
Decided not to do anything before our yearly family holiday in Weymouth which was last week got back at the weekend. Knee not really a problem as no steps or stairs, a high toilet (!) and lots of walking and pool fun - swimming occasionally with one leg (breaststroke). My adult kids and their husbands n wives were amazed I swam in straight line and not in a circle!!!
I had a session with my osteopath on Monday. She agreed with the pain specialist (see last post) that maybe I should go back to the surgeon as the knee is still quite swollen although it doesn’t get as hot anymore. She thinks I have a couple of tight muscles but nothing major and she agreed with me that nerve damage is inevitable so the comment by the pain specialist of extensive nerve damage was a little nonsensical.
Rang Benenden (private hospital where I had surgery but performed under NHS) but they told me I have to go through the NHS and therefore to ring my GP to be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. This means I probably won’t see the surgeon who performed the original surgery. So I rang my GP (still Monday) to get an appointment in 2 weeks. Oh well I’ve waited 8 months to be OK another 2 weeks ain’t gonna make a difference.
So the knee is still on the side of moderately swollen, it gets warm but not hot - I still elevate every time I rest and ice-gel once a day for an hour (makes no difference to swelling). I walk fine but still no outdoor cycling. I use my static cycle but have no bend beyond 90 so full rotation is difficult and painful. I feel my extension is better and I don’t get any pain when I try to extend-it just won’t go any further-guess the swelling is the reason. I do still struggle getting down to the toilet if I have nothing to hold onto or it’s normal to low height, when sat my leg is out in front (no bend). I can walk up steps leg over leg by swinging leg out slightly and lifting hip but still walking down steps one at a time.
I walk every day. I spend 5-10 mins per day on static bike, seat high, pedal on heel and leg pointed down lifting hip to accommodate full rotation. I have upped the tension as that doesn’t seem to bother the knee. I still do heel slides using my mini skateboard but this still hurts when I try to go beyond 90 degrees which I very rarely try these days due to pain - I will push to the pain free edge of discomfort. I roll my muscles gently with a rolling pin and a floor roller which feels good. I only do this once a week.
I am now taking 50mg amitriptyline at night and weened myself down to 10mg of zomorph (originally on 30mg). But I’m still waking with pain (mainly aching) so still taking 4-6 paracetamol every night too. The pain/ache though is becoming less. My sleeping felt much better till I compared it to a few months ago (using Fitbit info). My pattern is similar and I have the same amount of light and deep sleep - interesting really as the REM is more now, whatever that means apart from I’m not as awake as much which is a positive!
Sorry this is long but felt I needed to have something to look back on as things happen from now on. I am not expecting any comments but would appreciate any opinions on me seeing an orthopaedic surgeon.
United States
You could use those adjustable bikes until you get your knee to where you can ride your own the way you need to.
