TKR Hello from the UK!

[Lauramacky]

Aww Jaki, wow I'm so sorry you are struggling with your knee. I've been neglectful about coming here because I have so much going on in my life. Hubby and I are in counseling and I'm also struggling with an addiction for which I'm seeking help. Anyway, that is FRIGHTENING about remembered pain! My knee hasn't been as good as it was when I wasn't working out. Grrr...yesterday at our counseling session which was a whopping 2 hours, I could barely sit there with my knee bent. And here we have a family reunion in Michigan that will take us 7 hours to get to from Calfironia because there is no direct flight. Ugh! I can't believe there is no direct flight from San Francisco! I guess Detroit isn't a Hub. Anyway, it really is hard and it does seem like you're struggling worse than I am. I DO know that rest, elevation and ice help enormously if one has the time to do so. Unfortunately, sometimes that's just not possible. Preferrably, I'd like to elevate and ice 3x/day. Do I do that? NOooooo...too much to do.

Know that I"m thinking of you over here in the golden state! HUGS

 

[kneefromhell]

Wow Mutley! You could be my twin! I have had the same problems as you - it has been ongoing - from the very first arthroscopic surgery. My OS is "getting stuff together" to help me find a second opinion because he is not sure what is going on and says that mechanically, things look fine. I have calls in to several different OS, but none have returned my calls. The OS did speculate it could be RSD (CRPS) as I've also had pain down my leg to my ankle. Are you experiencing anything like that?

 

[Mutley]

Hi Kneefromhell I'm going to be getting myself a reputation for being the most moaning member on this forum!
As far as my surgeon is concerned, all is good with the actual replacement, so that's positive! If I'm honest, I have no pain where the new parts are, it's just everywhere else My pain is also very in-consistent too, so what I feel one day might not be the same the next day. Basically, I can have pain anywhere from my groin ( which I had pre TKR) down the outside of my thigh (ITB band, I think!) the inside of my knee, especially when walking ( this was my worse area for pain pre TKR as the bones were so worn my surgeon likened it to collapsed scaffolding!) and down my shin bone. I think that's everywhere! Night times can be the worst time. Sometimes the pain n the groin feels like something is snapping. Every time I need to turn over it's a right palaver, sometimes using a pillow but sometimes the knee feels too sore for anything to be touching it. Having said that I've just had to pick my dogs up from the boarding kennels & I managed to drive back without having to stop. The journey was nearly 2.5 hours. I've also just taken them for a walk without being in too much discomfort. I just start to think, " Great!" Then it all goes pear shaped again
Do you think your problems are anything to do with having a partial knee replacement & then having a full TKR? Has your OS X-rayed your knee to see if he can find anything? I totally sympathise with you as it's very wearing when your still in pain & discomfort and everyone around you thinks you should be better. I'm my own worst critic I'm afraid. I almost feel a fraud when someone says, " Are you limping again?" But sometimes this leg just doesn't want to work properly.....
Please let me know how your getting on Jaki

 

[kneefromhell]

Hi Mutley
My OS took X-rays after I was still having pain after the MUA. He says that mechanically, everything looks fine. My ROM is still very poor (25-90) and I am in pain from the moment I wake up to the time I go to bed. And, just like you - turning over in bed hurts so much that I wake up. I am still taking Percosets & am on Neurontin too. I am a teacher but try to ice and elevate as much as possible (usually on an off all night!). I think the OS is seeing a pattern of the pain getting worse after each procedure on my knee - no matter what was done. I know they say it takes a full year to recoup from this but I'm sure you know, it is so frustrating when, at 6 months you still have so much pain and problems. I am trying not to let this get to me but I'm trying to make plans for a summer vacation with my kids (14 & 17) - because they really deserve it, they have been wonderful - and my knee is stopping me from doing all the things we really want to do.
I do wish you the best!
Eileen

 

[patient 99]

Well, have seen " he also said I'm looking at another 6 months for everything to hopefully settle down. . Basically I have to accept that what I've got is as good as it's gonna get. but if I'm honest I'm a little bit gutted Thank goodness I can still open a bottle of wine...Cheers!

Hi Mutley, Have you noticed how these surgeons keep moving the goal posts. First its 6 wks, then suddenly its 6 mths to recovery then a year and so on. I don't want to throw a spanner in the works, but I'm going on 66 if they continue to move the goal posts I will be kicking up the daisies before my TKR is OK - that's where your being younger gives you an advantage. Tell me more about being `a little bit gutted`. Are still getting pain? is walking difficult - what exactly? Pat99 ps: mine's a large one.

 

[speccybecky]

[quote I will be kicking up the daisies before my TKR is OK - that's where your being younger gives you an advantage.

Not necessarily, being 'younger' means we may need it done again!

 

[patient 99]

Not necessarily, being 'younger' means we may need it done again!

Hi Nancy, I hadn't thought of that. In fact, on reflection I'm not sure I want to - too scary by half. I allowed myself to think about the possibility that my other knee might have to be done - it sent me running for the wine bottle. But the thought of multiple TKRs - shudder. Pat99

 

[Hopper]

Mutley - hope things are going forward for you - however slowly. Did you try walking backwards?
Can you walk your dogs now? I've got dogs - they are in the UK with my kids- and used to walk miles. I still walked up until my op but it was very painful so I had to cut the distance. It's something I'm so looking forward to but goodness knows when!.

 

[kneefromhell]

Hi Nancy,
I have thought about the fact that I too am young and have already had a revision - going from a partial to a total (see my avatar pic). I hope in the next 15-20 years that they come up with some amazing advances in this area! I am not sure what I will do as I will only be 60 or so. For now, I've just got to get this one working!

 

[Mutley]

Hi Hooper! I did try walking backwards, however, the most it did was make me smile as I realised how ridiculous I looked! Lets face it, we can't spend our lives walking backwards can we ?!!! I've been walking the dogs on & off but have actually walked them for the last 5 days consecutively. Managed anything from 45 minutes to an hour. Only 1 walk was very painful & a couple I've just gritted my teeth & told my brain there is NOTHING wrong with me! It just feels rather uncomfortable sometimes. I just feel I HAVE to make myself do it now & get back into that regular routine. Not looking forward to the time when I have to do BOTH daily walks though Hope you will be out & about walking with your dogs again very soon

 

[Mutley]

Hi Pat!
Tell me about it! I suppose most info says you should expect 6 months to a year to recover from a TKR. Some of us mend sooner...and some DON'T I don't let my knee stop me doing things, it just means that sometimes I might enjoy a walk & sometimes I DON'T! I'm my own worse enemy so my poor knee is probably saying, enough, take a break, but my stubbornness gets in the way! You have to remember I'm nearly 6 months post op so obviously get a bit frustrated when I have very painful days. Nights can be the worst though. Really don't understand why, when your all tucked up in bed, resting, that your knee, muscles, aches & pains decide to act up BADLY Never mind, I'm sure my surgeon said give it ANOTHER 6 months & things COULD be looking a whole lot BETTER Wishing you all the best for the rest of your recovery

 

[Mutley]

Hi Eileen.
I've just read all of your thread & all I can say is oh my gosh You have certainly been through the mill, so to speak. ( British figure of speech!) I do know that after my MUA I was in a lot more pain & it's certainly taken a long time to recover from that. My ROM is still around 100 & extension was about 5 so I was shocked to read that yours is at 25. One of my biggest problems has been trying to get my leg straight, especially in bed at night, otherwise it's just too un-comfortable to sleep. Even my ROM bugs me but I'm coming to terms that this is as good as it's going to get, so I'm just trying to do everything I can to maintain it & hopefully not lose anymore.
A good plan to concentrate on taking your kids away on vacation It will give you something else to focus on & how lovely to hear that someone's children have been so good to they're mum while recovering from all your op's. I really hope someone can give you the explanations & help that you may need to recover properly & start enjoying life again Please keep in touch & let us know how things are going x

 

[patient 99]

Hi Mutley, what comes through in your message is your determination. I think its sometimes called 'inner strength'. You must be a glass half full person rather than glass half empty. With an attitude like that you WILL get to where you want to be. Very best wishes Pat99

 

[Mutley]

Unfortunately Pat my glass is normally empty...ESPECIALLY if it was a very tasty juicy red bottle
I must tell my husband that what he calls my " Negativity" is actually my INNER STRENGTH!!!!
Thank you for your best wishes & stay in touch Jaki

 

[Hopper]

Hey Mutley - I think you are very positive and seeing light at the end of the tunnel if you are now out and doing that amount of walking. How about a hip flask of red to encourage you along the way?
Do you walk over rough ground? In the UK I walk over downs and its quite lumpy in places with some long vegetation. I don't know how that will be to walk across with this knee.
My gripe is having to go through this again - I'm only two weeks postop and worrying about that bit already.
Is your extension at 5 now?
Keep up the good work - that determination is great.

 

[turtle68]

Mutley, you are an inspiration to me. I am 13 weeks post-0p, was doing well, and then I strained my adbuctor muscles, along with the groin 4 weeks ago. It really hasn't gotten any better, but I guess,like you, I just have to keep on keeping on. I've always been a glass half person but having a hard time keeping that attitude with this TKR.

DDorothy

 

[Mutley]

Hi Hooper!
I do walk over rough ground & noticed yesterday that if I'm walking up a steepish slope it's more easy than coming down! I think it's a confidence thing, almost like I don't trust myself/my new knee if I picked up speed & started heading downwards in a run! I have to be a bit careful as I can trip over fresh air One thing I have noticed is increased pain in my left knee. I'm hoping it's just going to be a torn Meniscus because there is NO WAY I could go through this again Don't worry about your other knee, just concentrate on doing everything you can to get this one back on track At least you will know what to expect when No 2 comes round!

 

[Mutley]

Mutley, you are an inspiration to me.
Dorothy

Ah Dorothy That's a lovely thing to say, thank you. I think I mentioned before that recovering from a TKR is like being on a roller coaster, up's & downs, highs & lows with a few added twists & turns to boot! I so wasn't prepared for the emotional side to all this & totally understand what you mean when you say your having a hard time trying to keep a positive attitude going. I think this is when you have to take it day by day & all that it brings. When it's a good day that's great but if it's not such a good day, or your feeling a bit down or weepy, just accept it & hope that the next day will be better than this one. You will get through this & come out smiling at the end of it! Pain is very wearing, but we have no choice but to " keep on keeping on"! Here's hoping things start getting better for you very soon...

 

[RestAssured]

Hello to all of you! After reading this post I wanted to comment and let you know that there is Hope! I had a TKR in June of 2009 and got an infection. I had been told because of 6 previous MRSA infections, that I had a 50/50 chance. Well in March I had my left knee replaced and MRSa pneumonia but no infection in the knee! 8 weeks later I was ready for the right one and that became "The Story of My Knees."

Had a washout and spacer replacement hoping to save knee and was sent to a world renowned knee specialist who only accepts the hardest cases! Well, I was sick, and I qualified! I had the revision with a knee he helped invent, and that knee is amazing! I am finally looking towards the end of PT hopefully by August!

You see, it has been a long road but I refuse to give up! Along the way I have gone from 435 down to 283 and counting, and I LOVE life and exercising again! We bought a cabin with a loft, and our master bedroom is in the loft! Thursday I head for TN to see the Country Music Festival. I work out w a personal trainer 4 days a week, and do PT 3 days a week!

Has anything about my recovery been easy? No! Has it been worth it? Well, I have started marking things off of my "bucket list!"
Life will have twists and turns, how I choose to deal with them makes a big difference to me! I am loving my new knees finally! I wish each of you success in your journey's.

 

[Lauramacky]

WOW Rest!! That is an AMAZING story! I'm so happy for you. Your post made me cry! Happy Dance for you!