I think (hope) I am okay!

[BigRed]

I went into school today to start working on my classroom. My grown son was able to come and lift heavy boxes. I rode my mobility scooter in the halls as I plan to do next week when school reopens. As I was turning to go through the door to enter my room I hit my left foot on the door jam. With my foot caught and the scooter still moving mky leg was twisted outward and my knee bent more than I have been able to bend and it was at an angle. The pain was incredible. For a moment I thought I had dislocated something. (I have a long history of kneecap dislocations.)

When I regrouped, I found I was able to move my knee right away and I also was able to stand up and walk on it. It felt like the joint was fine but it has swelled somewhat since. My OS is on vacation this week (I have an appointment next week.) so I went home and elevated and iced it all afternoon. It feels stiff and puffy with some aching but I am able to move it and walk with no real pain. I have an appointment with my physiatrist on Wednesday and certainly will tell her about it.

I hope I am doing the right thing. Prior to my surgeyr when I asked my doctor about what would happen if I fell after the surgery he said it was more likely that I would break a bone than damage the new knee. I am hoping the same goes for hitting my foot on the door jam. Though I think (hope) I am okay after this incident, I am both nervous and fearful that a moment of carelessness could mess up my surgery.

Any comments will be appreciated.

 

[Jamie]

Big Red....remind me again how far out from surgery you are (maybe add the date to your signature).

These joints are so strong! I seriously doubt that you did anything to it. More than likely you just moved some of the muscles and ligaments in ways they hadn't gone before and they are going to swell and hurt some after that. The fact that you can stand and walk on your knee with no pain tells me that you're fine.

Nonetheless, it is VERY scary when you do something so major to your new knee. I was scared a couple of times when I fell, but no major damage was done.

As long as you aren't feeling any pain on standing or walking, just fall back into that old routine of rest, ice, elevate and anti-inflammants when you can. It should improve within a week or so.

And, while those scooters are a good thing, as you now know they can be dangerous! SCOOTER 101: Keep hands and feet inside the moving vehicle at all times!!! Be sure to watch this from now on. But......I bet I didn't have to tell you this after what you just went through, did I!

 

[BigRed]

Jamie,

Thanks for your response - and encouragement.

I am 7 1/2 weeks post-op.

 

[Linda2]

It is most likely soft tissue stuff. The joints are really, really strong. You are on the right track with the ice and elevation.

 

[Simon]

BigRed

What you most likely did was give yourself a MUA without the anesthesia. I key clue is the immediate pain that resolves very quickly and you could bend your knee more.

Simon

 

[Texas]

Hello I agree i think you might have aggravated it but I think it will talk alot more to really hurt it. it might be sore but I think your doing the right thing....Now take it easy school hasn't even tarted lol.....Take care of your self..... I hope you have a great school yr..Oh love the scooter...lol

 

[Clunker]

Hey Big Red,
You might be onto something as far as getting more ROM.
Now it might be the most painful one,but one of the quickest. Quick is good.
Seriously,hoping all is well,I am sure you will be just fine!
Any chance that school could widen them doors?? :hehe:

 

[Josephine]

It is most likely soft tissue stuff.

Just what I was going to say. Such a manoeuvre would probably strain the collateral ligament rather than worry the implants. That will hurt! And ice and elevation as the others have said.

 

[BigRed]

Thank you to everyone. You all eased my mind.

I am doing well today except for a little extra swelling and tenderness. The pain when it happened was so intense it is hard to believe that nothing was damaged. These new knees must really be strong as you say. I need to start trusting my new knees more - and be more careful when driving my scooter.

I will still let my PT and physiatrist know what happened when I see them tomorrow but I think they will tell me what all of you did. Thank you so much for your support.

 

[Motherofmany]

Even small bumps hurt when you twist your leg funny. The TKR is very stable, just all those ligaments and muscles attached that are tender. Ask any of us, we know what that feels like. OUCH! :shk:

Just wondering what is physiatrist? Is this different than a physical therapist?

 

[BigRed]

A physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in rehabilitative medicine. Mine works at the rehabilitation hospital where I was an in-patient after my surgery. I am having a follow-up visit tomorrow.

I was originally sent to her by a neurologist after being pulled off my deck by my dog and suffering a mild traumatic brain injury. She arranged for cognitive testing and therapy. My arthritis was clearly evident so she has worked with me with that as well.

 

[Motherofmany]

Thanks for the info. Sorry to hear about all the other trauma. Are you okay now? Thankful that she was able to diagnose the arthritus and get you some relief.

Take it easy and go slow with school next week. Can't imagine trying to maneuver that scooter with all the children in the halls. Hopefully they will be helpers and not hinders.

 

[Judles]

Definotely take it easy! You need a horn in the halls!!! (0)

 

[tooyoungforthis]

Big Red, when school starts just take your time,pack some ice packs in a cooler. Do you still have your dog? If you do just dont let the dog by your new knee.

 

[BigRed]

I still am on medication to relieve headaches from the traumatic brain injury. I had headaches every day for 17 months until the physiatrist prescribed a medication that stopped them. I am also on medication to help with cognition and focus. With the meds and coping strategies I have successfully handled my job and my home life. It takes more effort than it did before the accident but I am able to do it and get back to a pretty normal life.

The dog was adopted by one of my daughters while I was hospitalized. The doctors advised against me keeping the dog (a 13 month old golden retriever at the time of the accident). She has a sweet disposition and does come to visit but I am extremely careful when she is here.

I saw both my pt and physiatrist today and they agree with all of the posts here that my new knees are fine after the incident with the scooter on Monday. My ROM did not improve but it also did not decrease with the additional swelling. Again, I thank everyone who offered support.

 

[tooyoungforthis]

Red, I am happy that you are ok, it was great that your daughter took your dog, I love goldren retrievers they take good care of their masters but they do get big in size so I can see why your doctor advised you not to have a dog. I dont remenber if you said what class or age you teach.My girlfreind teaches 7 grade for many years,she now saids that age is getting hard as the kids are starting to find themselfs.