Had my MUA today!!

[Nursepair]

Hi my friends!! I had my MUA this morning at 9.30am. The actual manipultaion went well, I listened to the adhesions tearing apart like velco, though not quite as loud as my surgeon is quite a small guy and I have "big knees" and he is a gentle man too. He got a 120 degree ROM and got it straight.

I had some problems though as the anaesthetist seemed quite new to the "game". First I heard her say to a nurse in the recovery room (where my MUA was performed) that the patient she had just brought in had a block, but it hadn't worked very well, GASP!!!!!! Anyway, she came over to me and I sat on the edge of the gurney while she stabbed me about 4 or 5 times before the epidural went in properly. Not only that, the nurse had supplied an option of short acting and long acting novacane (I think it was). Guess what? She chose the long acting as she was more used to using it!!

I was completely paralised from the waist down for the next 4 or so hours!!! That really freaked me out. The most awful sensation, I thought she had paralised me it took so long. Apparently the nurses said she had given me enough for a TKR, stupid *****. So there I was unable to move my legs to do my execises, flat on my back for all that time. (I wasn't catherterised either so you can imagine what happened!!!) (Embarrassed) the nurses ere lovely though. Oh yes I also had a melt down about 11am as my quarter perc was over due!!! Anyway, I had slipped a piece into my shorts pocket this morning before I left and the nurses gave it to me so I settled down again.

Anyway, I finally de - frosted and came out about 3pm. My back is very sore from the needles, but my knee though very stiff and a bit swollen only hurts when I move it. I will take my Demorol later tonight as Kev had strict instructions from my OS to bend and straighten my knee for me tonight. I have been icing, elevating and exercising it as best I can since I got home. I hope it will be easier tomorrow at physio.

Anyway, must go and ice the knee again now. Will check in again after physio tomorrow.

Love and hugs to you all, and thanks for your constant support. Sue

 

[1jt@atime]

I'm so glad it's over for you Sue. I know how much you have been dreading the manipulation. I can't believe they let this lady treat patients so poorly but I guess I would definitely rather she overdo the anthesia rather then not give enough! Think of it that way.

Now it's time to work real hard so that you can keep that 120! You deserve it! Karen

 

[JenniferG]

Yeah! It's over. Sounds like the Mau was the least of it. Good point on the anthesia Karen. Pretty cool getting that leg straight and 120 after all this time huh Sue?! Sleep good tonight, lots to do tomorrow.

 

[Nursepair]

Thanks Jenn and Karen. I just hope I can get it back to 120 at physio tomorrow. I don't think I did tonight, it is so sore at the moment. Not the joint though just the soft tissues.

 

[hess]

Sue,
Sounds like a BIG day for you!! Hope you keep up with the exercises, and don't lose that 120!!! Good luck and I am so happy for you!

Hess

 

[Jamie]

Sue, I'm so GLAD the MUA is behind you and now you can focus on recovery. And 120---how wonderful!!! I know you'll be working hard to keep it. I can hardly wait to see the photos of you in therapy getting that great bend. Pretty spooky to think about your hospital experience, though. You maintained a good attitude MUCH better than I would have. Here's a big (((((HUG))))) from me! ....Jamie

 

[Josephine]

Sue - my hour at the library is almost up so can't say much - just hugs for getting through that and being such a brave girl! Be back later I hope!

 

[Nursepair]

Thanks all, it still means so much to hear from you all. My knee is swollen and painful this morning, but I am off to physio later this am so hope she will push it lots for me. Kevin helped me with the bending and pushing last night, painful but doable (I cried as always, I'm such a baby with pain), Seems stiffer today. The Demerol are doing nothing for the pain, just make me high, dizzy and sleepy so will just take 2 x extra strength Advil before physio.

Hope you get your internet back soon Jo, it sucks to be cut off eh? Sue

 

[Nursepair]

Had a good session at physio today despite being stiff and sore after the MUA yeasterday. It was mostly hands on work today. My PT pushed and pulled and managed to get my ROM to 97, that's 4 degrees up. It hurt in a different way this time, just where all the swelling is, it didn't hurt in the usual places, I think I will be able to push through it this time, so I am pleased. I didn't even cry!!!! She told me only to exercise twice a day while I have the extra swelling and to ice and elevate 2 hourly.

It is still stiff and sore but not as much as this morning. My final Physio session is on Thursday as my insurance ran out months ago and I can't afford any more. I will go back to Aquafit twice a week though, and I have the stationary bike at home and will keep the other exercises up. My friend has also said I can use her pool anytime. I also exercise with a noodle and swim up at our trailer park at weekends. So I should get on OK.

I am really determined not to waste wht this MUA has given me. Even if I only get it to 110 I will be happy. I see my OS again next week. Sue

 

[Jamie]

Great attitude, Sue....we're all rootin' for you!!! Hang in there and keep up the great work!

 

[Josephine]

Yep, but I'm back online again! And I managed to set up my wireless router so now I'm wireless as well. And my connection speed is awesome! Before it was 1.2 - 1.4 mbps. Now it's 54 mbps!! Jumping Jehosophat!

Glad to hear you're pulling through, Sue!

 

[Skeet]

Sue, I'm so pleased for your successful MUA. I pray you gain the 110 ROM and that you do so quickly and with minimal pain. You will need to do the ROM exercises regularly or you'll start to lose the ROM you have gained, and it only takes a couple of days. Stay faithful with your bike riding, etc. I had to work hard after taking a few days off. I'm back to almost 130, but I have to work hard to maintain it - even at almost 7 months.

Godspeed and God bless!

 

[Nursepair]

Thanks again my awesome friends, your encouragement and comments really help to keep me motivated. I am just waiting for my Advil to work so I can do the excercises again.

So glad you are back online Jo. (((((((HUGS))))))))))) Sue

 

[beachcomber]

Keep up the good work Sue! I know you will stay faithful to your exercises and keep making progress.

I am off to another day of dealing with Charlotte's estate....Yesterday was a day of opening every drawer and closet looking for family treasures stashed away--- and I found some. Today the auction company comes to start hauling everything away...that will probably be emotional too, but has to be done. Four hours of driving and then multiple trips up and down stairs.... ugh. I think I will be snuggling up to my ice machine tonight!

 

[Nursepair]

Hi Carolyn, it must be really hard emotionally to have to sort out a loved ones belongings. My thoughts are with you. Hope your knees and back hold out for you. Take care...(((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))) Sue

 

[Nursepair]

Jo, I have a question for you please. The right side of my RTKR is really hurting this evening. Feels almost as if I have a torn meniscus (know that can't be). Do you think it is just bruising from the MUA on Monday? Could only walk with my cane tonight indoors.

Have been doing excercises, icing and elevating today. This pain is interfering with my excercises tonight, any suggestions? Should I go easy on the excersises and rest or continue? I have just taken 2 Demarol (Pethadine?) to see if it at least helps me to sleep tonight. I usually only take the 2 extra strength Advil before excercise as I don't want to get addicted to Demerol as well as Percocet. (I am now down to a quarter of a Perc 3 times a day, so getting off them slowly).

Thanks Jo. ((((((HUGS)))))))) Sue

 

[Josephine]

After 4 days, I would hardly expect there not to be any repercussions from the MUA, Sue. My advice is that, depending upon the severity of the pain, to push through but not go over the top, if you know what I mean. IOW, do what you can. My feeling is that it will abate in a few days.

If it doesn't or if it gets worse, the scurry off back to the OS for advice! But it sounds to me like your lateral ligament is complaining, could even be sprained a bit. But worsening pain would indicate a bit of a tear. Unlikely though.

The lateral ligament is indicated here ...

 

[Nursepair]

Thanks Jo. I am still exercising as much as possible, but the old problem is there again, the swelling. It feels so stiff again. Actually I was exercising this evening while watching my son play jembe and do back up vocals for his friend Tim, acoustic guitar and singer/writer, at out local Founders Day. Talk about any place, any time, any where, (remember that ad for Martini?). I was sitting on a stool watching and moving my leg in time to the music, pushing it as far back under the stool as possible at the same time. Then we walked a fair way along our main street and then over to our local pub/restaurant, (well as close as it gets). Been icing too of course at home.

I get to see my OS on Tuesday afternoon after my next physio session, so will ask him about that pain too. Thanks again. Sue