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TKR KathyH New Knee

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I've found that in order to elevate the leg sufficiently above the level of the heart without lying down and aggravating my reflux, it takes so many pillows that my hamstring stretches and hurts like crazy. Wish I could find a leg elevator like the one in the photo, Josephine--the one that FootSmart sells is only half as high, and the "wave" closer to the tapered end is nearly the same height as the one at the foot end. Fortunately, I'm at the stage right now that sitting in a recliner with footrest level with the seat, and one pillow beneath the foot, gives me sufficient venous return to relieve lower leg and foot swelling. (Knee swelling no longer an issue). Recalling my days in rehab, the nurses' aides would scold me for not lying down (or for raising the head of the bed too much) when elevating & icing. I guess everyone's mileage varies. Nonetheless, it's worth getting laryngoscopy (can be done intranasally now, which is much less uncomfortable than with the rigid oropharyngeal scope) to check for any erosion or bowing in the vocal folds. Again, another possible cause is the reduced vocal activity that comes with resting (especially staying home).
 
At last I have some physio sorted. Someone rang me this afternoon to see if I could go along in a little while, but I wasn't even showered at that time (shame on me :whistle:) and I couldn't get a lift into town. So he said how about if he comes to me on Thursday? Well now, I wasn't going to refuse that offer, was I?

I have a check up with my consultant Thursday morning (I am hearing those letters 'MUA' me thinks) and then I come home for physio.
 
Kathy, has your therapist really worked on massaging your leg yet? My first therapist was a repetition type guy, do so many reps of this and that and that was it. Now my new therapist is a hands on lady and she is massaging and pushing and pulling on my muscles and they are loosening up. It is working for me and I am so happy because the old therapist was throwing around the MUA words too much.
 
KathyH said:
Titianlady, I have slept quite well these past couple of nights. Though I seem to get my best sleep early morning. Just before he leaves for work, Ray brings me in a glass of fresh water to take my pills and it's after that that I sleep really well. Mind you, I don't think this sleep pattern is very good, it's not going to help me when returning to work.

My friend text me today to ask how I am. She asked if I am getting really bored yet. I replied no, I'm too tired to be bored :heehee: It's true.
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Ohh, Kathy, that sounds just like me. I didn't sleep at night, and then finally got sleep about 5 in the morning. Of course, then I slept until noon!! I was so tired all the time. I just stopped trying to sleep at night as I knew I wouldn't sleep until the sun came up.
I never had a problem with sleeping in my life, but this surgery and recovery really messes with us all.

I went to bed about 9:30 pm the other night, and slept until 10:00am!! First time I have gone a whole night since surgery!!
Of course, now I am up till 3:00 am again, and tired all day.
The only medication I take now is an occasional acetaminophen (Tylenol) so I know the sleepless nights are not medication related

Now, don't let them scare you into an MUA!!! You have had no proper physiotherapy, no muscle massage or anything other than healing. I don't know what your ROM numbers are, but I think once you get some proper, and GENTLE physio and massage, you will do fine on your own. I just don't believe you have excessive scar tissue as that really is rare. Just read in the library, and you will see that it is not that common.

I truely believe you will do fine once you have proper physio that gently works your muscles and gets the knee moving. Like many others, your progress is just a bit slower to start, but will get better with time.

Good luck with your consultant appointment dear one!! Please let us know how it goes! :friends:
 
I seem to have one day when I am busy all day, and the next I sleep to mid-day, presumably, the bodies attempt to recover.
All I can say, is that I like sleeping, and thank God I have retired!:dancy:
 
Hi Kathy,

Good luck with pt. I hope you find that it helps you with things to do, and gentle instruction. It's way too soon to think MUA, so no alphabet soup for you just yet!

Take advantage of the home visit, that is terrific!

Be well,

Dawn
 
Showing my ignorance or short memory or is it brain fog but what is MUA

Xxxxx
 
Stands for manipulation under anesthesia. Put you to sleep and bend and stretch knee.
 
Oh thank you, now I know , ooh don't like the sound of that. Hopefully Kathy will gain more flexibility once her swelling goes down. Have only just began to feel a bit normal myself and that is because swelling has reduced so much now need to get good straight leg concentrated so much on getting good bend neglected the straight leg a bit and now I am being told this is more important
Can't believe how much I am learning on here . Had to Google BB cream and now I know about that too xxxx :tada:
 
I don't know...... I may be just getting myself in deeper, but I can't help but reading this thread without chuckling and commenting.... A woman with no voice and failing eyesight..... Just might be the answer!!! Now, does she have a boat? :happydance:
 
KathyH said:
I seem to get my best sleep early morning. Just before he leaves for work, Ray brings me in a glass of fresh water to take my pills and it's after that that I sleep really well. Mind you, I don't think this sleep pattern is very good, it's not going to help me when returning to work.
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Well, Kathy, you could change your line of work and become a musician. Sounds pretty normal to me!:loll:
 
Thanks for those words of encouragement, Titianlady. You have given me hope that my flexion will start to improve once my physio starts tomorrow. Can't wait for that.

At my check up tomorrow, I'm going to ask if my pain med can be changed. These Tramadols are just making me feel so poorly. The last two days I have suffered badly with nausea, total lack of energy and yesterday I just could not keep my eyes open, even though I must have slept for at least ten hours!

Thanks too, Dawn and Linda. Dulcimer, I would do if I wasn't tone deaf :heehee:
 
Good luck at your PT Kathy! Have fun cause you're only going to experience this once, right? I was like you with the pain meds, not a good feeling at all. Good luck at all your check ups too!

Stay well and stay possitive my friend!:friends:
 
Dulcimer Diva said:
I've found that in order to elevate the leg sufficiently above the level of the heart without lying down and aggravating my reflux, it takes so many pillows that my hamstring stretches and hurts like crazy. Wish I could find a leg elevator like the one in the photo, Josephine
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I did it with cushions and pillows on my recliner, Diva. Because of all the avoirdupois on my chest and shoulders, I try never ever to lie with chest at less than 35 degrees inclination. But I still manage to get my legs up.

[Bonesmart.org] KathyH New Knee

Dulcimer Diva said:
Recalling my days in rehab, the nurses' aides would scold me for not lying down (or for raising the head of the bed too much) when elevating & icing.
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Then they know nowt and are being bossy for the sake of it! For the record, it's really not THAT crucial to get your legs up so high. Above the hip would still provide perfectly adequate drainage and mostly is all I ever did or do.
 
gman0358 said:
I don't know...... I may be just getting myself in deeper, but I can't help but reading this thread without chuckling and commenting.... A woman with no voice and failing eyesight..... Just might be the answer!!! Now, does she have a boat? :happydance:
Click to expand...

I don't Gman, I guess it all depends on how much money you have!:rotfl:
 
Then they know nowt and are being bossy for the sake of it! For the record, it's really not THAT crucial to get your legs up so high. Above the hip would still provide perfectly adequate drainage and mostly is all I ever did or do.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]


My surgeon came into my room about an hour after I got there from recovery (my leg had been elevated by the nurses ) and promptly told me that my head was elevated too much !! My upper body was almost laying flat!! What little elevation of my upper body that was there was because they wanted to make sure I could breath well so soon out of anesthesia. Go figure.
He should have been looking at my knee elevation, as it was just like the picture you posted. Knee above heart line.
Don't know why he was scolding me, I didn't set myself up like that. He should have scolded the nurse!!
 
Hi Kathy!
I am a long time serrapeptase fane. I take it for chronic sinusitis and knee pain. I stopped taking in as soon as I got my surgery date in May since it thins your blood. (just like the other otc anti inflammatories.)I started taking is again a few days ago. I do believe it has helped my swelling. You can get it at any vitamin store, or online.
What is this talk of MUA? Baby steps, my friend. Baby steps.

Hi Jess!
How are you doing?
We should call ourselves the 3 tired amigos!
 
ladyj said:
I seem to have one day when I am busy all day, and the next I sleep to mid-day, presumably, the bodies attempt to recover.
All I can say, is that I like sleeping, and thank God I have retired!:dancy:
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Yes Ladyl me too, we just have to listen to our bodies as it is definitely in charge. Had some friends for dinner felt great all time i was cooking but then within an hour of them being here I just wanted to put my legs up and shut my eyes it was a struggle to stay awake . Hopefully once i can reduce the drugs will stay awake more often

Good to be retired can stay in bed as long as you want , without feeling guilty xxxx
 
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