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Knee Infection* Infection at 7 Months Post Op - Back to Crutches

@Mrs. Ciz I hope when I got next week they measure me that way again. I feel like it's much better that way than laying down, a natural movement ya know! I know what you mean about the bigger legs, I know I lose some on that, but interesting that it is just a couple of degrees, who knew?! I am willing to bet you'll get there after some more time. I figure I should be pretty close to hitting if not by the end of the week. I need to dig out my recumbent bike and get some rotations in before I go back! Have a great weekend!
 
I need to go back a read your whole recovery thread. It sounds so much like what I'm going through. The backlash of the opioid crisis is really hurting people who are in legitimate pain. I, too have had to ask repeatedly for a refill of oxycodone. I don't even want to take it, but it keeps the excruciating pain at bay.
I hope I have the great progress that you are having. It's inspiring to read about a bilateral journey getting better and better.
 
Ughhhh! I am running a low grade fever tonight. It’s 9.5 weeks post op, and my incisions are perfectly healed, so I don’t think this is TKR related.

I only started leaving the house last Saturday. I literally went no where but PT and doctor’s appointments up until then. On Saturday evening my husband and I met another couple on an outdoor restaurant patio for drinks and dinner, wearing masks except when we were eating and drinking. Then on Tuesday I made my first trip since bilateral TKR to Target, wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer the whole time. It was supposed to be a quick run in for just some toiletries, but my husband asked if I could pick up some groceries while I was there. What should have been a 15 to 20 minute trip turned into an hour plus. It’s the longest I’ve walked so far, abd I over did it. I was really sore afterwards, so I iced and elevated a couple of times when I got home that evening.

On Wednesday at PT I was still really sore. I told my therapist about my outing and he went a little easier on my because I’d had such a big day. Today, Thursday, I’m still a bit sore, and I woke up with a headache, so I’ve been taking it easy and icing and elevating more than usual. At dinner time I told my son that I was really tired and felt cold (not unusual when I’ve been icing a lot). But by 8:00 I felt like I was going backwards pain wise this week. I just felt achey. Then I realized I’d forgotten to take my Advil and my Tylenol in the evening as scheduled. I was about 3 hours behind; I figured that was it. I went upstairs, took my meds, read for an hour and still felt achey. So I took my temperature. It’s 99.9 an hour after taking Advil. I’m supposed to have PT tomorrow, but I can’t go if I’ve had a fever. I need to figure out what’s going on. I may have to schedule a Covid test.


ETA - My fever broke at about 3:30 AM.
 
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@Mrs. Ciz Sounds like your body is reacting to doing far too much activity. That long shopping trip was just too hard on your new knees. Please take it easy today and see if this settles.
 
You've been busy! Goodness lol, try to take it easy still when at all possible. I am glad your fever broke, I haven't really had a fever at all to my knowledge but I run 97.7 normally, I went to PT a couple weeks ago and was 99 but I had been outside and the temp was near 100, so I figure it was related to that. These days 99 isn't really even considered a fever lol
 
A fever for covid purposes is 100.4 or higher. Your temp may be a little higher than normal with all your activity that youve been doing. See how you feel today.
 
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@Mrs. Ciz

I came over here to your thread to wish you luck for returning to work and saw that you are a teacher. I am a retired teacher too. Thank goodness though, for the last 16 years of my career I was in an executive itinerant position. I had an office in one school but worked across all the the primary (elementary) and high schools in my area providing support and advice to schools and their specialist teachers in the area of learning difficulties. I cannot imagine how it will be for you going back onto class AND being upstairs !! If you can't swap classrooms with someone will you be able to go up in the morning once and come down once in the afternoon ??? Not ideal I know but even for a short time would be good.

Please let us know how your return goes. I will be thinking of you.
 
newlybionic said:
A fever for covid purposes is 104.0 or higher.
Click to expand...
I have read anywhere from 100.4 and up that lasts for more than a few days can be a COVID concern. The internet is all over the place with what temperature to worry about.
 
@Mrs. Ciz I worked in skincare for 30+ years and have seen this before. I am not a doctor so this is based on what I have seen clinically plus, last year I had a bout of shingles. Cold sores are a virus related to chickenpox and shingles so yes stress is a definite issue.
Removing sweat as soon as you get home and using a clean mask every wearing are both excellent suggestions.
The pimple breakouts seem to be really common among mask wearers who have ever had a history of them. My guess is stress plus the contact of the mask. I'd avoid overstripping the skin, but cleanse and remove the mask as soon as feasible. If you've found something in the past that helps control breakout, I'd follow the routine that used to work for you.
If you have a skincare specialist or dermatologist you might check with them.
One home-use product I found that helped my clients is a gentle zinc-sulfur clay mask. Look for 10% sulfur for soothing, absorbing, calming and healing properties. Some clients used it once or twice a week, others used a bit on the problem spots overnight...it really depends on the person.
I hope this helps and that your recovery is continuing to full recovery.

I
 
@newlybionic and @sistersinhim
Thankfully, I only had the 99.9 fever for about 5 hours. It broke and I had other symptoms. So I’m pretty sure my temp went up due to my hot inflamed knees. I’ve been trying really hard not to overdo it again. I’m tracking my steps with a fit bit and increasing gradually.

@Fran55
I’ve been talking with my principal. I think they are going to move my classroom to the first floor cafeteria temporarily. It isn’t being used right now because of covid. That would save me from having to go up and down to/from the third floor. That’s also the floor with the handicapped bathrooms (tall toilets) and school kitchen (with a freezer for my ice packs). I’ve also asked for a chair to use during recess duty and a small stool to use while teaching, so I can elevate and ice occasionally during the day. I told him that I have to keep the swelling under control, or I won’t be able to walk. My co workers are very supportive!!! They’ve watched me struggle the past several years with my old knees.

@oregonlass
Thank you for the info about the zinc sulfur mask. I’m going to look for that. My skin is getting a bit better by doing exactly what you said - washing after sweating and following my regular skin care routine. I hadn’t been wearing much make up while home during my recovery and therefore hadn’t been doing my whole skin care routine. My face wasn’t happy with that!
 
@Mrs. Ciz So glad you are getting support from your work colleagues. My doctor told me I was ahead of the healing bell curve, however not to get enthusiastic and overdo. He has routinely seen knees that looked like mine at one visit and the next they were swollen, stiff, and the patient complaining. I don't think it's going to be easy with your work not to overdo, however, it sounds like you are taking the right steps. Their alternative is to not have you there because they didn't help enough. Are your students engaged with your healing? What a life learning opportunity. Go girl power!!!
 
My students are very anxious for me to come back! I’m going to explain my surgery and let them know I’ll need some helpers during the day. I’ll probably have more student help than I need. They are really sweet kids!
 
Well, I will be 12 weeks post op on Monday, and I’ll be going back to work teaching middle schoolers. I have 2 more PT sessions left. Luckily, I was able to schedule them on mornings next week when I don’t teach morning classes.

Today at PT my therapist finally measured my flexion again. I was 110L and 100R. And this was WITHOUT him pushing hard and causing pain. 110!!! I knew my left leg was getting better!!! And I knew my right leg was stuck ☹️. He told me that I will continue to make small improvements over the next several months. Sound familiar???

I’m also starting to sleep a tiny bit better. I stopped taking Unisom because I read that it makes restless legs worse. That may be why I was having such a hard time getting comfortable at bedtime. Now I’m only taking melatonin. I have also started using the heating pad on the back of my right leg (the one with the tight hamstring) from hamstring to calf for a couple of hours before bed time. It really helps loosen up the back of my whole leg, so I’m not in pain or cramping from the hamstring issues when I try to sleep.

I’ll check back in and let you know how next week goes!
 
Progress all around. Don't forget to take it easy and ice after working all day. I hope your schedule gives you time for some breaks and elevation and possibly icing when working. Returning to work is tiring on the rest of the body and the brain as well. I found I did not have much energy for anything at home for a while after work as I was exhausted. I was big on easy crock pot dishes since I knew I would not have energy or my husband would pick up a rotisserie chicken and some salads.
 
Hi @Mrs. Ciz - it's Sunday night here in Sydney, Australia (so tomorrow is the 28th). It's not where you are I know but I am just popping in to wish you well for your return to work this week.May your students be angels for you !:loveshwr:
 
@Mrs. Ciz "I have also started using the heating pad on the back of my right leg (the one with the tight hamstring) from hamstring to calf for a couple of hours before bedtime. It really helps loosen up the back of my whole leg, so I’m not in pain or cramping from the hamstring issues when I try to sleep."

I'm having hamstring issues too and just came online to see what anyone suggested for this. It's only on my left, (surgical) leg and boy that baby can really get to yelling at you. Been doing gentle stretches, massage and walking to help keep it loose. The walking feels good. I stop anything that seems to make it worse.
I'm just 5 weeks out and the tight hamstring is the biggest issue I've had. Any other ideas, please share!!!!
 
@oregonlass
I’d be interested to see what suggestions folks have for the tight hamstring behind the knee pain too. At 12 weeks post op, I’ve been stretching it gently for 2 months and working on it with my therapist, and it still hurts most days. I understand why it’s tight. When I lost my cartilage and my knee was bone on bone, the hamstring shortened up. When the new knee joint with the spacer was put in, it put a lot of tension and pull on that hamstring. It really hurts! It’s way worse than any of my knee pain has been post op.

Someone on another thread posted about their behind the knee pain being from the Popliteus muscle rubbing on the back of the implant. Arthroscopic surgery to release the muscle fixes the problem. How do we tell if we just have a shortened tight hamstring or this other problem?
 
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