TKR Indieknee trying to recover

[Josephine]

my os thinks some pt would be good for the CPRS

On NO ACCOUNT do PT if you have CRPS. Every article and informational site I've ever read say that exercising is very bad for it. Read this Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS or RSD)

You'll notice your post now has a hashtag for CRPS in it. If you click on the link, it will take you to a search of all other threads where this is mentioned.

 

[indieknee]

Hello @Josephine thanks for your help
Can you tell me where to look for the hashtag?

 

[Jockette]

Celle and susieshoes - as always thanks for your wise words - I am much comforted
Not sure whether my son would welcome being called sweet (even though he can be)
More news: my surgeons pa phoned and asked if I could go and see him this afternoon. We have just arrived back. He found no infection, thank goodness, but said I had something called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and has prescribed Gabapentin. I’m seeing him again in 2 weeks. So we’ll see what happens.


#CRPS

The hashtag is st the end of this quote. I had to go back to look for it, too.

 

[Josephine]

Sorry! I did say it was 'in one of your posts'!

 

[indieknee]

Found it my brain is complete mush these days.
In the NHS choices article josephine quoted, it mentions pt as part of the treatment for CRPS so I thought perhaps it was different.
Actually, I’m still not convinced that I have CRPS, I think my os is going to do some more tests in couple of weeks so I hope it turns out that it’s just a slow recovery, but maybe I’m in denial.
I feel sorry for my family this is not something they were prepared for, so I must beat this thing .

 

[Jockette]

Most of us were not prepared for this recovery! Orthopedic offices don’t prepare us, and many who have it before us don’t admit to their struggles.

So we go blindly in and are shocked at the pain and the very slow recovery.

Did you see your surgeon for this recent appointment, or the PA who called you?

 

[indieknee]

@Jockette - I saw the surgeon - we usually communicate through his pa, unless I’m actually in his office

 

[indieknee]

Lost in Translation:
@Jockette - this is how a 3 way conversation could go:
Me: when will this pain stop?
Pa: Mrs. Indie knee would like to know how long her discomfort is likely to continue.
Os: SIGH! Tell her the usual.
Pa: Mr. Os says that if you work through the pain in PT, you will be fine.
Me:
Pa: Mrs. Indieknee says ok and thank you.

 

[Celle]

Os says that if you work through the pain in PT, you will be fine.

Working through the pain is always a Bad Idea.
It causes increased tissue inflammation and swelling, therefore more pain, so it's counter=productive.

 

[Jockette]

In the NHS choices article josephine quoted, it mentions pt as part of the treatment for CRPS

I found it so I was confused also:

Treating CRPS
There are three main treatment approaches for CRPS which are used in combination:

physical therapy, such as physiotherapy, to help improve the range of movement in the affected body part and prevent muscle wasting...
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/complex-regional-pain-syndrome-crps-or-rsd.21166/

I’m glad you actually saw your surgeon, I wondered if it was the PA who gave you this diagnosis.

Actually, I’m still not convinced that I have CRPS, I think my os is going to do some more tests in couple of weeks so I hope it turns out that it’s just a slow recovery,

You truly are still early in recovery and many issues early on sort themselves out over time.

 

[indieknee]

Thanks jockette I really hope it’s not CRPS because it sounds horrible and life changing.
Anyway for the rest of today I decided to ignore all things ‘knee’ as best I could, and read a book. Same thing tomorrow - a nice quiet weekend.

 

[Xmasknee56]

Hello Indie,
Good news to hear there is no infection there. You really are having a struggle with this painful knee. It’s a tricky thing this that can push us to our limits. For some it’s an endurance test.
I’m hoping the icing and gabapentin really help you in the coming days.
I have the same operation date as you (second in 6mobths) and I have just stopped the oxycodone ER. I’m still needing some gabapentin, Tylenol, Celebrex and codeine as needed. I know not to compare however what I want to do is to let you know you’re not alone.
I still have moderate swelling in both knees and by the end of the day I’m lying around with legs elevated.
We all do this differently too. One thing I have found nice is gentle massage using an arnica cream we can get here. I actually try to do it like the pt did for me. Round gentle circles on the knee and up and down my calf. And then on the outside edge (painful ligament I think) of my knees up and down.
Do take care. Rest up and read. Chocolate is also medicine
Kathryn

 

[indieknee]

Hello Xmasknee aka Kathryn
Thank you for your supportive message - meds, massage and chocolate - sounds good to me
I will definitely try the gentle massage - not sure about the chocolate (yes I am!)
I hope you cope without the oxy - I am also looking to let that go soon with my surgeons advice when I see him in couple of weeks.
Look after yourself.

 

[indieknee]

My knee has now decided that it doesn’t like ice except sometimes at the back in the bend - okay so that’s what it gets. The skin is very shiny and prickly and blotchy on the front. My knee is still very stiff and painful but, guess what, not so swollen. That is definitely a first but I won’t celebrate yet, I now know that I might get disappointed, but I think I will allow myself a little smile
Night night

 

[Xmasknee56]

That’s progress. There comes a time when cold hurts a bit. Cool is ok and sometimes the princesses like warmth.
Then sometimes I have electric warming pad on one and cold pack on the other.
I know who is in charge.
Kathryn

 

[indieknee]

I saw a new pt today (yes, I know, sorry).
She was lovely and explained everything she was doing and wanted to do. She was also very gentle and stopped if anything hurt too much. The hamstring massage she gave was just right and loosened things nicely. She took a detailed history before she attempted anything physical. So okay l hurt now but not as much as I thought I would.
All being well, I’m having another session next week. If I’m still happy I will try to persuade my GP to refer me as an NHS patient. Otherwise, I won’t go again.

 

[Jockette]

Helpful PT is good, it’s the bad PT we worry about. I hope you continue to have a good relationship with her.

 

[indieknee]

My new pt suggested a warm/hot pad for my thigh - I have a warm furry/purry cat pad on it at the moment, I wonder if that counts

 

[SusieShoes]

I think a cat pad counts. CRPS really is rather awful, so I hope you don’t have it. You’re still early enough in recovery you could chalk things up to being one of the slower ones. Lots of rest for you!

Be cautious with PT. Even good and gentle therapists can sometimes give a knee too much to do. Listen to your knee and adjust accordingly.

 

[indieknee]

Thanks I will adapt accordingly. Also, I have learnt not to get too over excited about small improvements.
Sometimes it’s not the things you do but the things you don’t do that matters. Like if my knee feels a little better then instead of trying to walk 200 yards without a crutch, I’ll just sit down and celebrate.