Knee Infection* Knee #2 Vent

[Starsfan22]

Thanks Patriciad! I hope you're right, actually I'm counting on it.

 

[Starsfan22]

Had aspiration of knee last Friday. So far culture negative but haven't received final result yet. Dr scheduled second stage knee hardware replacement for Monday Nov 29th. I'm both looking forward to it and dreading it. Having a spacer for 8 wks sucks but I'm getting used to it and pain has improved, now I'm about to increase pain a bunch.

I have a dilemma, I have to decide if I want to retire. I'm a tax specialist and tax season with training all Dec. is looming. Will I be up to it? I don't know, I'll be required to be in ofc by Jan. 15th. That gives me 6wks to recover. This will be second surgery in two months, will recovery be delayed because of timeline? What to do?

 

[BarabooProud]

I want to be in a place where my knees are not a consideration.

I agree. I feel like a complainer, but this is insane. I had no idea. No one does until they go through it.

 

[Rain Dancer]

If you can afford to retire, I highly recommend doing so to give yourself time to heal. I retired early at 58 from a very stressful career and felt guilty at first, but that guilty feeling soon left. I cannot imagine having to work after my TKR, and I haven’t had your complications. Stress slows healing and tax season is insane for those of you in the field. It’s okay to put yourself and your healing first.

 

[Reader525]

@Starsfan22 If you look at my threads you can see I wrestled with the "should I retire" question for months. It's a hard decision! I would say with your skills, you will always be able to do some things in the future, but perhaps this is a good time to consider walking away from something that would require you to work intensely through Dec. It's such a hard recovery you're going through and if you are like me, you aren't at your strongest whilst dealing with pain and struggling to get stronger. Sometimes the cliche about another door opening after one door closes is true. Things could be even better!

 

[BarabooProud]

6 weeks seems very early to go back to work. I'm at 4 1/2 weeks and was thinking about going back at 6 weeks until just recently. I realized there's no way I can manage it physically and emotionally. I'm waiting 10 weeks before going back and that is probably a little early. If you can afford to retire, do it. I'm only 50 and cannot afford to yet, otherwise, I would! Life is short and work isn't everything. You will find something else to fulfill your life after you take care of you.

 

[Catalien45]

Hi, starsfan22. I’m trying to catch up, & glad I caught your latest post before you head into your revision surgery. I’m in the process of healing from an infected incision & subsequently nearly a week in the hospital & thorough clean out of my knee & replacement of spacer. My surgeon wasn’t sure until he got in how deep the infection was, so this was general anasthesia, so different from my TKR.

I’ll definitely be keeping you in many positive thoughts, prayers, hoping this all goes well. Sounds like they are being thorough, but it still doesn’t make it easy, does it? I do find that I am seeing little improvements, daily. But having had 2 surgeries in less than 6 weeks has been tough. Looks like you have a bit more space between yours, so our situations are different.

But I would say, be kind to yourself. Hopefully, this being a replacement, your clean out already done, it won’t be so bad. ( my dr indicated that clean outs are rough.). I thought reader 525 had some excellent points..... My husband & I had a small woodworking business for 15 years, making jewelry & keepsake boxes. We loved doing it. A few years back, we made the difficult decision to retire. I missed it intensely at first, some aspects, I still miss, occasionally, but no regrets. As my knee deteriorated , it would have been impossible. And, we had other avenues open up, one might say. We were able to keep our 5 year old grandson 2 days a week, & help with his remote kindergarten so his Mom & Dad could both work full time at home during the Pandemic ( we Rested on Fridays!... he was a little bundle of energy) . I wouldn’t take anything for that, but it would have been hard, if we still had our full time business. And, I am very much looking forward to this knee being healed, & being able to Enjoy being retired. We’re both pretty active, so I’m looking forward to garden, cooking, baking, walking regularly ... playing with my grandson...all of it! And no regrets on retirement, much as we loved it. This is your decision, but do consider being kind to yourself .

You will be very much in my thoughts, I’m excited you are getting that replacement. We sometimes laugh & say,” that light is at the end of the tunnel!”. And you’re getting closer! I’ll be watching for your posts. My best to you!

 

[patriciad]

I second @Reader525 - you have been through so much already with the infection and now facing another surgery to get you back on the path to recovery with all that entails! 6 weeks seems far too soon for a return to work. It’s recommended that you stage your return anyway and I did that on my first knee but it was still too much and definitely slowed my recovery on that one.
You might think that as you would be sitting it would be manageable but personally I found (still do) sitting at my desk to be quite aggravating to the surgical knee. First things first - best of luck for a smooth surgery on Monday. I will be thinking of you.

 

[Susie-Q]

Side sleep is the best sleep.

Being able to finally sleep on my side again was a game changer.

I'm glad you finally have your date! We will be following your progress. Hang in there! You are moving forward, however slowly.

I second what others said. If you can retire, you should! My dad used to have his own tax business and I remember he was very busy starting in January. @Reader525 's advice is excellent.

 

[Starsfan22]

Thanks for all the encouragement! Wow, we really do have the best members on this board.

I'm strongly considering retirement. My long time clients depend on me and honestly don't think anyone else can prepare their tax returns. I enjoy interaction with clients and co workers but both are also big time stressors, something I don't want. My district manager promises me I can do a lot from home....I don't believe her. I'm completing my required education this weekend. I'm an enrolled agent and don't want to give that up just yet.

Thank all of you for you thoughts and prayers, we all need support don't we. I'll post next week as soon as I'm not loopy.

 

[Carol Anna]

Sending you prayers and hugs from across the water for your op next week.

I have been on long term sick (almost 2 years) after burnout which has triggered chronic migraine. I thought I would work till I was 70 - loved my job didn't see it as stressful just challenging - I guess my body thought differently. I have now got used to being off work and find it a blessing now that I have had my PKR because I know that 5 weeks into recovery there is no way I could would have been able to return to work and would have been anxious about the prolonged absence. I struggle to sit at the dinner table for 20 mins let alone sit at a desk for a few hours. If you can retire I say go ahead I have certainly learned that there is more to life than work. And you have been through so much I think you have earned the time to take care of yourself after the op and let someone else take care of those tax returns.

Take care xx

 

[Starsfan22]

@Carol Anna
You make good points. We would be fine with no income coming in, I just have a mental block about it. My spouse retired 6 yrs ago at 63. I enjoy my work, I love to educate my clients and co workers. This will be my 22nd yr preparing taxes. Hard to step aside but is becoming more and more attractive. I deserve it, my health is so much more important than work.

 

[HokieGCC]

@Starsfan22 I am in the same boat waiting for the right month to retire. I made this one decision so far ... if my knee is a mess and has to be repaired or replaced somehow I will use that down time to fill out my paperwork. If my knee is ok then I am still waiting for the right moment (which is real soon). Over the last couple years I have asked several fiends that have retired what their #1 advice would be and they ALL say "don't wait too long."

 

[djklaugh]

@Starsfan22 Just a personal anecdote - My aunt was an accountant and tax preparer for the US Navy for many years (civilian position). When she retired (mandated retirement at age 65) she kept up her tax preparer certificate and worked as a volunteer for the local Senior Citizens program. Each year she'd go to the tax trainings and then help the elderly fill out their tax forms. She continued to do that until she was almost 80 years old! She loved doing this and had many elderly come back to her just because they knew she would do things right and because they really enjoyed talking to her. And my aunt enjoyed the lack of office politics, red tape, and other stressful aspects of having a paid job.

Perhaps this would be an option for you?

 

[Starsfan22]

@djklaugh , I've thought of that but I live in a rural area so I would have to drive a good distance to a volunteer site.

 

[HokieGCC]

@Starsfan22 hope your surgery went well and you are on your road to recovery.

 

[Starsfan22]

Surgery yesterday morning, home by 3pm. Everything went well. Today pain was fine this morning and I slept well! I'm shocked and don't expect that to last. I'm not sure I received a quad block but pain is increasing with time. My Dr's are strange, they've changed since first surgery. My OS cut and stitches, My Infectious Disease Dr decides on which antiobiotics I receive and how they are administered. Then I had a "hospital" visit Mr, he prescribed medications for home. I was home before I realized he only gave me 5mg hydrocodone/acetaminophen 325! Are you kidding? With my first and second tkrs I was sent home with 10/325s. Does this Dr know anything about tkrs? I'm not happy with this and I guess I'll call his ofc, if a hospital Dr even has an office.

Anyway, there is a light at the end of this long tunnel. I'm so excited to be on my way to recovery from this journey. I see my OS in two weeks to remove staples and talk about PT. Interesting this Dr waits 2 wks for PT. I will and already have started heel slides and a few quad and butt contractions.

Moderators, I need the recovery guidelines again please!

 

[patriciad]

Great to get your update and know you are home and starting out again! You will be very keen to get going but take it easy. That knee has been through so much already. Best of luck with getting the right level of medication and staying on top of the pain. Don't forget the Smooth Move Tea or other stool softener/laxative! Sending healing wishes and look forward to updates.

 

[Jockette]

Best wishes for this new phase of recovery!

I will leave you our Recovery Guidelines. Each article is short but very informative. Following these guidelines will help you have a less painful recovery.

Just keep in mind all people are different, as are the approaches to this recovery and rehab. The key is, “Find what works for you.“ Your doctors, PTs and BoneSmart are available to help, but you are the final judge as to the recovery approach you choose.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:

rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

​

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

​

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

Activity progression for TKRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

​

Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in the majority of BoneSmart’s forums, we ask that each member have only One Recovery Thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review the member’s history before providing advice, so please post any updates or questions you have right here in this thread.

 

[Starsfan22]

Thanks Jockette!