Revision TKR My left knee story, revision complete 8/14/12, hopeful

[Dhare63]

Thanks all! Had a good test tonight...I worked the concession stand at the high school for 4 hours selling hot dogs, popcorn and candy. I did have a chair to sit on but I was on my feet a lot of the time. I actually did really well, and now that I am home, my knee is good. The worst part was the three flights of stairs to get into the gym and back out again! That last set after working made me break out into a sweat!

I hope my knee is happy about this in the morning, guess we'll see. In the meantime, I feel great, stamina was good, felt almost like myself again. Getting there, slowly getting there!

Cheers,

Dawn

 

[Mimi]

Dawn, you passed KNEES 101 with all A's

You go girl :hapydancsmil:

 

[Dhare63]

THanks Mimi, I am really feeling good! You were so right in your advice that things would improve. It seems like our recoveries have followed a very similar trajectory.

Up early this morning and the knee is good, no ill effects from being on it so long last night. Feeling very positive! I have to go to Orlando in two weeks for a business trip for several days. THat will be the next big test, navigating the airports and a convention center that is the size of a small town! I am feeling much more relaxed about it than I did two weeks ago. Definitely upbeat! I'm thinking I will treat myself to a spa treatment while there, have never done that before!

Have a great day everyone!

Dawn

 

[Jamie]

That sounds like an EXCELLENT plan, Dawn!!! It's always a good idea to pamper yourself!!!

 

[Jazyb]

Hi Dawn, Your new knee sounds like it is behaving really well with all your activities. A spa treatment sounds just the ticket after all that travelling - enjoy!

 

[Dhare63]

Thanks Jamie and Jo, looked at the hotel today and they offer deep tissue massage, that's the ticket for me!

The knee has been sort of funny acting the last few days. Our weather has gone from below zero to above freezing 2 or 3 times this week, huge variability. My knee has had a few shooting pains through it but nothing I can't tolerate, plus the coldest days just an ache. The other interesting thing is that he numb feeling that used to be on the left side of my knee is starting to regain its feeling. When I massage that area I can really feel it, and that's a good thing.

Also, I came up with a solution to icy driveways and parking lots; I took an empty coffee cup from dunkin donuts and filled it with rock salt, and just shake it through the drinking hole where i will walk. It works like a charm! Necessity is the mother of invention, right!

Take care all,

Dawn

 

[Jamie]

Dawn.....I truly recommend purchasing some YakTrax or ice cleats for your shoes when you walk on snow and ice!!!

broken link removed: https://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/sports-imports_2195_96006049

 

[Dhare63]

Hi Jamie,

I have the YakTrax already. They are really built for anything other than ice, which is what we having been having the most of this year unfortunately. My experience with YakTrax on ice is that they turn into skates, the wire wrapped around the rubber made it super slippery for me. In snow they are great because they work like treads on tires. The ice cleats are better, a client of mine came in last week with a pair, she had TKR a year ago and swears by them. With all that being said, having my cup full of ice melt/rock salt has saved the day for me. I have a full cup in my car at all times. If its slick wherever I go, I take my cup and sprinkle the mixture before I walk, and it has helped. The parking lot at my office has been poorly maintained this year, so this idea has saved me from a fall. Its simple and effective, and I don't have to depend on anyone else for my safety.

I will keep an eye out of the ice cleats but in the meantime I think I have a solution!

Thanks, Dawn

 

[Jamie]

I really can't speak for the YakTrax personally. The ones I use on our Kansas ice are like the photo in the post above. They have little pointy plastic nubs that poke into the ice and grip really well. I got mine at a local hardware store for $15.00 and I love them.

 

[Josephine]

Yes, that's my thinking - that Yaktrax are more for snow. Certainly the ones I have are with sharp tungsten spikes, perfect for ice or packed snow.

 

[Dhare63]

I will look for the other type as the spikes are exactly what I need. Last winter all it did was snow, this year it's been all ice....yuck!

 

[maryo52]

I agree with Jamie and Jo, not all grippers are the same. My husband was a mailman and he said the yak trax were like ice skates.

My first winter post TKR I never went out without grippers that were effective on everything. Sometimes there's ice you cannot see. The salt idea is good but it wouldn't make me feel 100% safe like the ice grippers.

 

[Dhare63]

Hi all,

I am back from 4 days in Orlando at a work conference. The convention center was huge, so there was a lot of walking. As the days passed, I was getting more tired and ultimately my knee and left leg in general ached and hurt. My quad was so tight and the walking got pretty painful. Even though I am nearly 6 months post op, I felt like I was back at 6 weeks. Today I am feeling pretty defeated and generally weepy.

I thought I had gotten to a point where the gains I made would be maintained. I'm not so sure now. I have done a whole lot of nothing today except rest and veg out in front of the tv.

I made an appointment to see my OS in a couple of weeks. Not exactly sure what to expect, I have no idea what my rom is. Looking for the positive here, might take me the whole weekend....

Dawn

 

[Campervan]

Hi Dawn,

Sorry to read you're feeling down. I can't quote from my own expeirence, as I'm only 7 weeks past RTKR, but from what I read we can have setbacks, especially if we overdo it. Sounds like four "not normal" days for you have taken their toll and body now telling you to chill out.

Take care.

 

[Jazyb]

Hi Dawn

Sorry to read you are down and hope over the weekend you can get back on a positive track. The trip has obviously taken its toll on your knee and your emotions - take the weekend to rest and recover.

Sending you positive wishes.

 

[editor98]

I'm feeling for you, Dawn. I hope your OS can give you some encouragement when you see him. You'd think at 6 months out, a few days of walking would be doable without any problems. BUT--I know the "oldies but goodies" on here would tell you that 6 months is still relatively early--and overdoing it at any time can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, etc. But man, I'm feeling for you cause I know just how you're feeling! Niki

 

[Mimi]

Dawn, hope this weekend things start looking better for you. :doggieshmooze: Take it easy , rest, elevate and ice. Did you do those things each day when you got to your room? I think sometimes we think we are so far out from surgery that we don't need it. Remember that the knee is still in charge and the convention may have been 2 days too long for the knee.:hissyfit:

Take care and hope your knee decides to calm down with some rest.:wink1:

 

[Dhare63]

Niki, I could not have said it better. I thought after 6 months I was up to it, but wow, underestimated the amount of walking required. The other thing is that when you are walking with others, which is what yo do at these things, I was trying too hard to keep up; mistake for sure.

Mimi, 2 days too long exactly. I wasn't able to ice it at all. The activities went from 7am to 9pm most everyday. Everyone there was exhausted, so imagine with the extra stress of a not completely healed knee, I was and am still wiped out.

Here was the kicker today. I had called in a prescription for Celebrex, I ran out before I left for orlando and couldn't get it picked up in time. I went to the drug store to get it and the cost was going to be $252! Needless to say I didn't pick it up. I called the insurance company and after a script is filled 3 times at the pharmacy, they charge full retail. I explained that this is not a long term drug for me but it doesn't matter, they don't give a hoot. Luckily, after some choice words, the rep helped me figure out out how they could get it filled for me, but it's going to take several days to arrive. I kinda came unglued, just don't like it when the insurance company interferes with my recovery.

At that point instead of going into work for a few hours, I went to the store, bought some comfort food and went home for a nap!

Hoping Saturday and Sunday wash away this negative feeling. Thanks for the support everyone, I appreciate it.

Dawn

 

[Mimi]

Don't you just love those insurance companies ? :skeptical: I sat through an explanation of the new national health care program today :DOH: All I know is that the programs I have now will stay the same, I hope

As for that knee, what about a massage? Keep it elevated as much as possible with ice and comfort yourself. You have earned a weekend off!:flowerysmile:

 

[Dhare63]

Thanks Mimi, good suggestion. I must get a massage. I have been writing about it for weeks and need to stop procrastinating. I plan to do very little this weekend except stretching and getting on the bike. I hope I come out the other side feeling better than I do right now. I see my internist on Wednesday for my annual physical and look forward to her insight. She knows me well and cuts through to give me sound advice and direction about my health, both physical and emotional. She is a rare gem!

The insurance company has become a thorn in my side. THey are constantly screwing things up and if I was not diligent in reviewing claims paid, etc, many more dollars would be coming out of my pocket. I have complained to my company about their practices but as we all know, the lowest cost provider wins the contract. Its a shame that good health has to be marginalized in this way. I would think my company would put a premium on healthy employees. THey do try with incentives for weight loss, smoking cessation, etc, but they have no idea how hard it is for the average person to navigate the maze. I work in finance and end it challenging.

Okay, sorry for the rant, will get off the soap box and on my bike and ride to a more positive place!!

Be well!