Gotta be gentle

[JenniferG]

My bruising is 99% gone, swelling from knees down 90% gone, incisions healing rapidly. But my shins/ankles are sore to rub, not touch, but if I scratch or massage, I've got to be gentle. I figure that the bones are still in shock from the hammering? Anyone else have the same sensitivity?

 

[1jt@atime]

Jen, You are doing great from what I've read on your posts. I used to have little knots all up and down the tibia area and thigh. My doctor wasn't at all concerned with them. He wanted me to concentrate on the muscle tightness just above the knee and massage it out whenever I got the chance. I also massaged all those other problem areas. If you can get in the water now, then I suggest you do it! That was absolutely the best therapy for me. And the hot tub jets were great for those tight muscles. Karen

 

[beachcomber]

Jen,
I think the lymph drainage helped my a lot with that stage of my recovery. If there are lymph vessels in your lower legs containing leftover "trauma juice" from the surgery and early recovery you can massage it away from those tissues and assist your body in getting rid of it. I know it will go away by itself, but I liked the feeling that I was doing something to make it go away sooner.
Light touch--- lymph vessels are just below the skin surface....
Also ankle pumps helps move things along according to my PT.

 

[Josephine]

 

[JenniferG]

trauma juice, ankle pumps, time and gentle lymph drainage massage (gentle is all it could take without hurting anyway). Got it!
Karen, I like the hot tub idea too, but it's not so much in the muscles as just the lower leg in general.

 

[Doug]

I think mine is at the point where I need to slap it around a little bit..

 

[beachcomber]

BOTH of my knees feel like that *have* been slapped around by a big mean gorilla today.

Sitting in the hot tub this morning I was trying to decide if it is a *good* sign or a *bad* sign that my "other knee" hurt as much as my KR knee.....big medial "burn"

sigh....

 

[JenniferG]

Is a hot tub considered medically necessary?

 

[Doug]

Beach,
I am constantly in fear that my other knee is going to have a "breakdown"..I still favor my new knee enough that I inflame the patella tendons on my good leg..Just pop a pill and go.
jenn, I have no idea as to it being a necessity.
Wow, Thunder right on top of the house...Some serious storming going on outside. They've just announced two tornado sightings..

 

[JenniferG]

Hot tub in my dreams. better chance to convince my husband tahn anyone else. Doug Stay safe!

 

[Skeet]

We got a hot tub when we moved into our new home because my husband's job is pretty physical and it helps him a lot. Plus the boys do sports and need it regularly. And I like being warm and it warms me to the bones. It is possible to have a prescription for a hot tub and get insurance companies to pay for them, but I'm not sure how easy it is and they would probably only pay for a small one for 1-2 people. I needed one for at least 6 people. I don't know what we'd do without it.

Doug - I saw the weather report. Stay safe. And no venturing out to do silly things during storms....

 

[beachcomber]

I love my small hot tub. Runs on 110 current and I have moved it twice when I moved. Just plug it in to a dedicated circuit and you are good to go! I have a friend who has hers indoors.

I think I did a tax deduction on it when I got it 7 years ago the last time I had a major back meltdown. It has been a medical necessity for me over the years. Can't imagine how I would manage without it.

Doug-- was your knee trouble from a specific injury problem like Skeet or general OA like Patti and me?

 

[JenniferG]

Doug - I saw the weather report. Stay safe. And no venturing out to do silly things during storms....

Yeah, watch out for flying bar stools. Beach & Skeet, you 2 are doing a real good job of talking me into trying. You should do sales. Actually a few years ago we had one of those flushes of money that you get once and a while, we almost did it, but something else came up that i don't really remember now. Must have been pretty important. Probably some day will be a reality.

 

[Doug]

Beach, mine was from football, powerlifting, karate, judo, SWAT, and running from my wife.

Skeet, Now you know I wouldn't do that!!

 

[Jamie]

Doug, ya think with your new knee your wife won't be able to catch you now when she needs to whomp on you?

 

[Doug]

No sense running...Have to stay and take my punishment...
Women always win and then they remember forever and ever and ever and ever..

 

[JenniferG]

and ever.................................

 

[Jamie]

Till death do u part.....and then some.

 

[beachcomber]

Beach, mine was from football, powerlifting, karate, judo, SWAT, and running from my wife.

So are you thinking someday you will have to have the other one done too?
Patti and I have talked about the inevitability of that for us... OA is called 'Uncle Arthur" in my family and has put other family members in wheelchairs and been a long-time battles for many of us. I am choosing the pro-active route with the early joint replacement technology.

I see my OS on Monday and one of the topics on my list is my other knee....

 

[Doug]

I'm sure I'll be there some day..I'm hoping the technology and process will keep improving.
And of course at some point we have to have our new knees "revised".