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TKR I would welcome some advice after 2nd TKR (right)

Riding a wheelchair in the airport is great! They drive you between gates in the electric carts and go out of their way to help you. All it takes is some sort of excuse to use these services.

Enjoy your trips!
 
Hello Scully,
I hope your trip to Korea and Japan is going smoothly for you.
Happy Three Month Anniversary and safe travels back home if you're still away!
@Scully2005
 
Hey Layla!
I’m half way through the trip - the first week as Korea and Japan and today i flew from Japan to Singapore. Now I’ve got a week in Singapore and a weekend to myself to explore.
Wow Japan is stunning! I was only in Tokyo this time and I so wish I had longer and wasn’t working. Next time maybe - I’d love to go to Kyoto.
I’ve managed with just one crutch this time and no wheel chairs at all, but I’ve been using the “disabled” lanes on immigration and customs.
I saw my ortho surgeon last Tuesday, before I flew out - as I walked in he was concerned that I am “slow” because I was still on one crutch, not in a bad way at all just concerned - although happy with my ROM and said it would continue to improve (YAAS!) but he sent me for scans and x rays of my new knee, but also my left hip as he felt that my limp when he got me to walk without the crutch was indicating weakness in that area. Anyway he thinks it will improve in time - and I am 100% sure it will - and he thinks it’s down to all of the lower limb surgery over the last 5 years that has left things a little weak - and my left hip and femur are not “normal”my femur is as thin as a child’s and I have had so many Ops on my hip and pelvis.
Anyhoo, I can deal with one crutch - two was a little too challenging :heehee::heehee: especially with luggage!
I’m coping well and even managing to get on and out of the silly showers in a bath!
Thanks for reaching out! Hope everyone is doing well. Lots of love xxx
 
Love your positive attitude, Scully! It will take you far.
Thanks for the update. It is nice to know things are going well for you. :thumb:
Stay safe and enjoy the rest of the trip!
@Scully
 
Hello Everyone,
Just thought I’d pop in and give a quick update on “me”.
I’m now just over 19 weeks or 4 months post op of TKR on my right knee. It was a very slow recovery initially and very painful so, having read a few of the updates today I wanted to give people who are having a hard time at the beginning of their journey some positive threads to hold onto.
This was my second knee and it was on my right stronger leg (the left has had numerous issues in hip, knee and foot and many surgeries including replacements on hip and knee and reconstruction on the foot) so I made the assumption that it would be an easier recovery than my left because it was already stronger.
It wasn’t.
It was hard and it was tough and it was emotionally draining, but I did keep positive all the way through and I am still am because that’s the one thing I could control - my reaction to everything going on to me and around me.
I’m now off both crutches - finally!
I would say that my improvements weren’t linear - it was more of a fits and starts recovery and some backwards steps as well.
I was on 2 crutches for the first 3 or so months and then I managed with 1 crutch for another 3 or so weeks and then I started managing on and off with one and none depending on how I felt and how busy I was. I did try a walking stick but it didn’t give me enough support so although I hated it I stuck with the crutch.
I had another work overseas trip at the beginning of October and I managed with one crutch.
My honest advice is not to measure yourself by what anyone else is up to in terms of their “stage” of mobility, but to do what’s right and more importantly safe for you.
I’m just back from another work overseas trip and I managed without a crutch BUT I did find my wheelie suitcase very helpful during the long walks at the airports. I leaned quite heavily on it - in fact I’ve managed to pull a screw lose on the darn thing and now the handle won’t go down!
Work has featured heavily during my recovery. I was promoted to a new role just before my surgery and that put a huge pressure on trying to get “back to normal”. That made it harder in some ways because I was back at the kitchen table working after 2.5 weeks, but took my mind off the obsessing with my knee in others.
My other advice would be even if you decide not to work or you’re retired then you need something to keep your mind active and busy or you will most definitely obsess over the silly joint. It took up way to much of my mind at times.
I still take a long acting pain relief twice a day and I’m okay about that
- so many surgeries have taken their toll I guess. I also have break through pain relief if I need it. Again I would say you should do what’s right for you - I dont think there is a right or wrong way and only you know your body. YOU know your body - you know what’s going on and you need to advocate for yourself.
I’ve still got a long way to go. I’m walking with a limp - I do have a leg length difference though (my left is shorted by 1.5”) but my knee is basically still weak and doesn’t entirely feel like mine. Lots of numbness around the joint. Bending is good but straightening is not fully there yet / not far off but not flat either.
I’ve accepted that it is a full year of recovery and I’m okay with that. Now to start building the strength up again! The physio has talked about the gym - Yeuch. But I guess it has to be done.
Love to everyone wherever you are in your journey. You’ve got this. x
 
@Scully2005 Great update! Yes, not comparing your recovery to any other is key. Well done on balancing work pressure with the need to recover and accepting this can be a long journey.
 
Scully, Thank you so much for taking the time to update and encourage others through your words.
Scully2005 said:
My honest advice is not to measure yourself by what anyone else is up to in terms of their “stage” of mobility, but to do what’s right and more importantly safe for you.
Click to expand...
Yes..this!

Congrats on your promotion and please continue to share your healing journey with us as often as time allows.
All the best to you!
 
Hello Everyone
Me again after a long few months absence … I’ve just been getting on with life and being patient with my right TKR as it recovers.
I do need a little help and advice though please.
I saw my surgeon on 13th August for my 1 year check up - although it was more like 13.5 months. I had X-rays of both knees and both hips before the appointment. During the appointment Andrew, the surgeon, asked me lots of questions and I explained I still had pain mainly where the patella was and just above but I was trying to be patient and let it recover in its own time. After an examination he made the decision to send me off for a nuclear bone scan which I had on 15th August.
I got a call from the surgeons office manage on 19th August asking me to make myself available for a call from the surgeon on 20th August. My heart sank …surgeons are too busy to call for a chat.
The following morning Andrew called and he said
The nuclear scan has shown up bone activity on the left and the right knee. But it was much more significant on the right.
This is what bone activity means:
The radioactive tracer tends to collect more in areas where the bone is breaking down and repairing itself. These areas of activity (called hot spots) show up on the scan. They look darker than other areas of bone.
He quickly moved on to say that we needed to do further tests as it was possibly one of three things:
1. nothing I’m just slow to repair.
2. ⁠bone tumours
3. ⁠deep infection in the right knee.
This third one is termed a “medical disaster” in Australia.
So on the 9th Sept I receive a shot of radioactive dye called Gallium and on weds 11th I am scanned to see why that shows up - it shows tumours and infection and I should hear back from him a few days after that. Hopefully by 16th latest.
I pray it’s not number 3 but if it is then the knee replacement has to be removed and an antibiotic spacer which is filled with antibiotics to start the treatment and I have a temporary rod in place. I would be non weight bearing and in for daily IV of antibiotics. Probably on crutches or in a wheelchair chair as they don’t like me hopping on the left because of back, hip, knee and foot in that side!!!! Anyway if the infection is under control after 8 weeks of antibiotics treatment then I have to have a new knee replacement fitted. The sad thing is all up it’s a 9 month recovery. ❤️‍
I have a bunch of blood tests to get done too and the interesting thing is that I just had my annual bloods done by Dr Emily my GP and there was nothing unusual in the inflammatory markers …. You’d have thought there would be something other than just pain and some mobility issues. Like a hot knee or swelling or a fever?
Has anyone on here got any experience of this type of thing?
Many thanks
Simone
 
So sorry you are going through this.
Scully2005 said:
interesting thing is that I just had my annual bloods done by Dr Emily my GP and there was nothing unusual in the inflammatory markers …. You’d have thought there would be something other than just pain and some mobility issues. Like a hot knee or swelling or a fever?
Click to expand...
Just hope this is the case and the low inflammatory markers go against infection.
 
Oh no, this isn't news anybody wants. I'm glad your surgeon has jumped quickly to heed your concerns and do a through work up.
Please do keep us updated as we will all be rooting for you and standing by for support.
 
Scully2005 said:
Has anyone on here got any experience of this type of thing?
Click to expand...
Me. On 7/30 I had the first stage done. My knee is fusd straight with a rod while the antibiotic cement (couldn't use a spacer) and IV antibiotics do their stuff. If all goes well I get a hinged knee around the beginning of December. That will mean ten punches on my knee surgery card - I think I get a free head examination.

The first stage surgery is no fun because you can't hope this is the final one - you know there is another one coming, at least.

Good luck.
 
WFD said:
Scully2005 said:
Has anyone on here got any experience of this type of thing?
Click to expand...
Me. On 7/30 I had the first stage done. My knee is fusd straight with a rod while the antibiotic cement (couldn't use a spacer) and IV antibiotics do their stuff. If all goes well I get a hinged knee around the beginning of December. That will mean ten punches on my knee surgery card - I think I get a free head examination.

The first stage surgery is no fun because you can't hope this is the final one - you know there is another one coming, at least.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thank you for replying WFD. What were the symptoms you had that led to the discovery that you had an infection? (I have assumed that’s what it is) what are you able to do at the moment with your knee as it is? Because I’ve had a THR left, a TKR left and a foot reconstruction left I’m not sure how non weight bearing would work if I have to have this on my right knee. It’s all very scary! And I still work full time. Thank you!
 
Scully2005 said:
What were the symptoms you had that led to the discovery that you had an infection? (I have assumed that’s what it is) what are you able to do at the moment with your knee as it is?
Click to expand...

You are right, I did (do) have an infection, staph lugdunensis. This particular bacteria is very difficult to eradicate, but it grows slower than s. aureus, so there are little to no overt symptoms - no fever, redness, swelling, etc. It only shows up in blood tests, in cultures, and eventually when it ate through the cement, as a loose tibial prosthetic.

The post-op blood test clearly showed the presence of an infection but the results were not read or acted upon and so the infection went untreated for two years, letting it embed itself and making it very difficult to kill.

In theory I am full weight bearing on that leg with the knee fused straight but in practice I have a high level of what is called 'stem pain' and am only partial weight bearing - I use crutches all the time and put in fewer than 1,000 steps per day.

If you have an infection then you really may have no choice - the two-stage revision is the gold standard of treatment and you may have to do it, even if it means several months in a wheelchair.

That your blood markers of inflammation are unremarkable is a hopeful sign but not a guarantee - these markers can be very imprecise as I have found. After your scan, if they still suspect infection, they will probably aspirate fluid from your knee and culture it to look for an infection.

Good luck.
 
[Bonesmart.org] I would welcome some advice after 2nd TKR (right)
 
WFD said:
Scully2005 said:
What were the symptoms you had that led to the discovery that you had an infection? (I have assumed that’s what it is) what are you able to do at the moment with your knee as it is?
Click to expand...

You are right, I did (do) have an infection, staph lugdunensis. This particular bacteria is very difficult to eradicate, but it grows slower than s. aureus, so there are little to no overt symptoms - no fever, redness, swelling, etc. It only shows up in blood tests, in cultures, and eventually when it ate through the cement, as a loose tibial prosthetic.

The post-op blood test clearly showed the presence of an infection but the results were not read or acted upon and so the infection went untreated for two years, letting it embed itself and making it very difficult to kill.

In theory I am full weight bearing on that leg with the knee fused straight but in practice I have a high level of what is called 'stem pain' and am only partial weight bearing - I use crutches all the time and put in fewer than 1,000 steps per day.

If you have an infection then you really may have no choice - the two-stage revision is the gold standard of treatment and you may have to do it, even if it means several months in a wheelchair.

That your blood markers of inflammation are unremarkable is a hopeful sign but not a guarantee - these markers can be very imprecise as I have found. After your scan, if they still suspect infection, they will probably aspirate fluid from your knee and culture it to look for an infection.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thank you and I wish you every success with the next surgery. You’ve been through the mill for sure.
 
Hi! I got the results of the gallium scan and it is negative for infection - huge relief! ‍ however because the bone scan was positive and I still have pain in the right knee my surgeon has decided to refer me to a colleague who has just come back from studying as a Fellow in Philadelphia and I am seeing him on 22nd October. I guess more to come when I know more
…
Why can a bone scan be positive? Thanks everyone xo
 
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