PKR Having LTKR and praying for a successful outcome…”

[lovetocookandsew]

@Txmomgmom3 You should tell her you know of someone who ices all day and night except for my short walks around the house and toilet trips.......

 

[Txmomgmom3]

@lovetocookandsew I just might do that

 

[Doupie]

@Josephine, that sling looks interesting. I've been using a chair to prop my feet up and my assistant bought me one of those blue pouches that you put ice in and it works pretty well I just have to hold it. I'm thinking about getting a used iceman for the office, because I have used the ice packs they don't seem very cold.

I stayed home all day and iced my knee. It feels pretty good still a little stiff but swelling is way down....

 

[NavyGunns]

@Doupie, I took one of my gel ice packs to work and keep it in the freezer. I have a pack sleeve it slips into that has Velcro straps that go around my knee to hold it in place. Whenever I need to, I grab it, strap it on and prop my foot up on my desk. Works like a charm.

 

[sistersinhim]

My first couple of months I had my ice machine running and the pad on me the whole time I was sitting or laying down. This kept my swelling and pain down. I always had a thin cloth between me and the baffle. I can say that I was addicted to my ice machine!

 

[Doupie]

@sistersinhim you and I are the same, I’m addicted to my ice machines, I have 2, one downstairs and one upstairs...
I’m now wearing this compression hose and I think it is helping but they are really hard to get on. Any suggestions on an easier way?

 

[Jockette]

The nurse in the hospital put a small plastic bag over my foot and slid the stocking on over it, making it “easy” to at least get it over the foot, then she pulled the bag out through the open toe. (And the bag was actually the package the stocking came in)

Thankfully I was less than 2 weeks post op when my surgeon told me I could stop wearing them and I ever looked back! And once mine were on, they were not overly tight, so they were not uncomfortable.

 

[sistersinhim]

I've never had to wear them, so I don't have an answer for you.

 

[NavyGunns]

@Doupie,
My PT was the one who suggested the compression “sock” to me because of swelling in my lower leg and ankle and because I had a trip out of town by plane week 7 or 8 after surgery. The PT clinic had a large roll they just cut a piece off at the length needed. It fit from just below my heel to just below my knee. It wasn’t overly tight, just snug. I found I actually liked having it on as it provided great support to my lower leg. I wore it during the day and quit wearing it by week 10 or so.

Another thing my PT did was show me some massage tricks to help move fluid out from my knee area. Lymphatic massage is what I think he called it. Check with your PT or OS unless you have someone who already does massage for you. They should know.

 

[Josephine]

The PT clinic had a large roll they just cut a piece off at the length needed

That would be Sterogrip. And it comes in many sizes. The degree of its effectiveness is directly related to the correct size being selected - just like TED hose!

 

[Josephine]

I’m now wearing this compression hose and I think it is helping but they are really hard to get on. Any suggestions on an easier way?

The nurse in the hospital put a small plastic bag over my foot and slid the stocking on over it, making it “easy” to at least get it over the foot, then she pulled the bag out through the open toe. (And the bag was actually the package the stocking came in)

@Jockette had the best answer! And it can be any plastic bag provided it's thin plastic! It's only the heel that's the toughest part.

And just to make it perfect, here's a Youtube! (though the product shown is no longer available!)

 

[NavyGunns]

@Doupie,
So how are things going? Are you having any success with the compression socks/hose? Hopefully you are finding relief from using them.
You’ve got to be getting close to your big day, it’s sometime in August right? Don’t let yourself get hung up on how your knee is doing and whether it will survive the day. I found the less I worried about it, the easier time I had of it. Just always listen to what your knee is saying and then decide if you need to back off a bit or not. If you choose not to, just be prepared for possible consequences the next day. Sometimes it’s worth it though!

 

[Doupie]

Hi guys. I have been doing ok, trying not to think about my knee and stay positive. Went back to the OS and he took new xrays. Of course he says everything looks fine but I’m still experiencing pain on the spot where my implant is. Especially when I stand or touch the spot.

Still puzzled why everyone associated with my surgery is no longer working; OS is teaching, PA no-one will tell me where she went, called and asked for the 2 nurses at the hospital and they are no longer working there, strange.

My fiancé wants me to get a second opinion because he feels like the OS messed something up. I have great ROM per my PT, the tape and hose seem to be helping but still lots of swelling and stiffness. I have 17 days until my wedding and I’m so afraid of not being able to enjoy my day....

 

[NavyGunns]

@Doupie,

Hang in there! You’re not quite 10 weeks, so lots of healing left to get done. The fact your OS says all looks good and you have good flexibility says you are on the right track. The pain / tenderness may be because the soft tissues are still healing.

I’m just over 3 months and I still have tenderness in the outside area of my knee where my implant is, but I know that’s not the problem. X-rays and all other aspects of my knee confirm the implant is fine. My guess is that is ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues still healing as they flair up when I’m more active. I even still have some stiffness like I’ve got a band around my knee, especially the day after I either exercise it or do lots of yard work. That further confirms my suspicion. Slowly, each day and week it gets better and it will for you too.

All that said, if you feel you have legitimate concerns you don’t feel are being adequately addressed by your OS, then definitely seek out a 2nd opinion. Can’t hurt in my mind.

 

[SusieShoes]

Wow. It does sound like you have wandered into a kind of Bermuda Triangle of Total Knee Replacements. How odd that everyone just... packed up and moved on. As long as your implant itself doesn’t do that, you’re good.

As NavyGunns says, a second opinion can’t hurt. You’re unlikely to get a surgeon to give you one until after a year has passed, though. We hear all the time about how people can’t get a surgeon to look at their case until a year has passed. There’s a good reason for that...

Your knee is still healing and your problems might still resolve with that healing. Ten weeks is still early days (though it certainly feels like forever!) and the pain you’re describing still falls into “probably normal” territory. My left knee had a painful, tender spot that didn’t go away until the year mark. It hurt when I slept in certain positions or moved in ways it didn’t like; it also was very tender when pressed. It went away at last a couple months ago. You may well find the same happens with your spot... but if it doesn’t, or it gets worse, have it checked out and get that second opinion.

In the lead-up to your big day — YAY!!! — are you being more active? Doing more? That could be contributing to your knee being unhappy and painful. If you can do so, spending more time off your feet for these last 17 days. Elevate toes over nose ALL the time you can. Sleep that way if you are able. Ice a whole lot.

Your knee must be the best it can be for your wedding.

 

[Jockette]

Recovery from knee replacement takes about a year which is 52 weeks. Contrary to what we are told about partials, they can take the same amount of time as a total.

You are only 10 weeks into 52. Of course you still have pain and swelling. You’ve also gone back to work very early, that doesn’t help the swelling to lessen.

That’s great that you have good ROM, not everyone does at 10 weeks.

It is unlikely that a different surgeon will see you this early for a second opinion, because over the year of recovery many issues resolve themselves.

I have a partial, also, and I was led to believe I’d have a 2-3 month recovery. It’s been 16 months and I’m not recovered. I actually did get a second opinion recently and because my X-ray looks fine, that was the end of the story. He didn’t look any further for a problem.

I realize your wedding is coming up very soon. I remember the date because my son was married on that date last year. I was 5 months post op and 3 days of wedding activities and travel took quite a toll on my knee. I’m sure you will enjoy your day, but you may have to make some modifications to it so you can.

 

[Josephine]

but I’m still experiencing pain on the spot where my implant is. Especially when I stand or touch the spot.

Care to show me where this pain is using this chart?

 

[Doupie]

@Josephine its at D-RF2, it’s exactly where my implant is. My PT did some serious massage today and it hurt like hell but she is really happy about my progress.

@NavyGunns and @Jockette thank you sooo much for your support and yes it’s been crazy at work but I ice and elevate 2-3 times a day, sometimes 4. I’m taking the week off leading up to my wedding and will ice/elevate religiously. I’m sooo excited about my wedding, it kind of exploded and we have received rsvps from 225 people....wow

I realize I might not be able to dance a lot, but I’m going to try. I’ll give it a few more months and try to be patient but it’s really hard....

 

[Josephine]

exactly where my implant is

I get it. But there are a number of ligaments and other soft tissues between your knee and the surface there! Look at this Pes Anserine and MPFL pain. It pretty much describes your pain.

 

[NavyGunns]

@Doupie,
Was thinking of you and wondering how you are doing? Your big day is just around the corner so I’m sure you are quite busy. Wishing you well.