PKR My new (partial) knee

[Lori-M]

You need to read this Numb area after TKR: how long will it last?

Thanks Josephine!

 

[1ELISEA]

the opposite side of the knee, where the replacement is, is sort of numb. I tap on it and I can feel the tap but almost as though it's muffled or cushioned. Does that make sense? Is that par for the course?

To weigh in on your question, I am 5 months out and still have numbness, though, it has reduced quite a bit. And everyone once and awhile I get those nerve zingers, which to me are good as it means the nerve is regenerating.

 

[Lori-M]

Progress! We had a busy weekend and I survived it! Friday night our youngest daughter treated us to dinner for my birthday. Saturday we took our two dogs and our grand-dog to the leash free park so Max could run and play. Our two are geriatric but they didn't do so bad themselves. Poor Roscoe ran himself ragged trying to befriend all the other dogs. He was soooo sore yesterday he didn't want to move at all. I know how he feels! The leash free area is a lengthy walk from the parking lot so we park up on the street and walk down an access road and I do mean DOWN. It isn't as steep as some of the blocks in Seattle, but steep enough I was very, very careful!

Thankfully the park added a couple of benches (there never used to be anywhere for the two-legged companions to sit because the park began as an experiment). I was able to sit and even elevate the knee a bit while the dogs romped. The walk back up the hill was um, interesting to say the least. Not really painful but verging on uncomfortable. I was really tired by that time even though I did a minimal amount of walking. I keep having to remind myself I'm not quite 3 months post-op.

After the dog park my daughter took me out for a mini-spa day and we had pedicures! Yum-my! Believe it or not this was my very first pedicure! We got to sit in massage chairs and they brought us chilled water and when the woman who worked on my saw my scar she was very solicitous and careful. I think a monthly pedicure MUST go into our budget! I deserve it! We ALL slept well Saturday night!

Sunday our other daughter and her husband returned from their out of town errand and picked up Max. Later we drove about an hour and met up with the family for dinner and then drove back. We've made that drive before, but usually we're there longer and I have an opportunity to get up and stretch some before returning. This time we drove there, went into the restaurant and sat. Then back out to the truck and sat for the return drive. It wasn't awful but I was a little stiff afterward. We'd made it an early evening though and I plopped my happy little backside down and promptly iced my knee for a good long while!

Overall it was a great weekend. If you have to have a birthday I completely recommend going out to eat and having a pedicure!

 

[Lori-M]

To weigh in on your question, I am 5 months out and still have numbness, though, it has reduced quite a bit. And everyone once and awhile I get those nerve zingers, which to me are good as it means the nerve is regenerating.

Elisea, I don't know how I missed your message. Thanks for the feedback; I've had some of those zingers you mentioned. I'm so glad to know those are a good sign!

 

[KneeAware]

​

Sounds like a wonderful week end and I am so happy for you that your knee mostly cooperated, that's awesome. Yeppers, the only way to go, have dinner out on your b-day!​

 

[Debbie_joints]

Oh a pedicure, I love them especially if they have the massaging chairs to sit in while you are getting your pedi. Did you ask you OS if you could get one? Mine told me I couldn't get one anymore. I know many knee replacement people that do get them, it is just that my OS worries about bacterial even though the tools are suppose to be clean, he doesn't want me taking any chances. So what I did after my replacement I carefully cut my own toenails and then take my own polish and they will do a polish only at my salon. You know, they use those polish brushes from one person to the next person. Something when you think about it, surprised that they do.

 

[Lori-M]

Oh a pedicure, I love them especially if they have the massaging chairs to sit in while you are getting your pedi. Did you ask you OS if you could get one? Mine told me I couldn't get one anymore. I know many knee replacement people that do get them, it is just that my OS worries about bacterial even though the tools are suppose to be clean, he doesn't want me taking any chances. So what I did after my replacement I carefully cut my own toenails and then take my own polish and they will do a polish only at my salon. You know, they use those polish brushes from one person to the next person. Something when you think about it, surprised that they do.

Thanks Debbie, something to think about. It never occurred to me to ask the OS. I have a followup on Wednesday so I guess asking after the fact is better than not at all. And I was paying attention, they seemed very conscientious about their tools, etc. I didn't think about the brush going from one person to the next either. Sheesh. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the doc thinks it's okay. I'd hate not to be able to do this after just discovering how great it is. Besides, I'm lousy at trimming my own nails; I can't get the right angle and end up with ingrown nails.

 

[Lori-M]

I'm back! Physical therapy has evolved to once a week every other week which I think is about right. Regaining quad strength is taking a lonnnnng time! I know it'll get there if I keep at it though. Right now that's my biggest challenge - doing the exercises consistently. I'm not using the cane much at all now indoors; only when we're traveling from home to somewhere else or on my commute. Gotta have something to bop the inconsiderate so and sos!

The only real issue I'm having now is that as the weather has been getting colder I'm having trouble icing. I get so cold I'm shivering and I know I should ice but cold is my absolute nemesis. Once I'm chilled to the point of shivering and teeth-chattering it takes forever to warm up. Monday I never got warm in the office after being rained on during the commute (and I used my umbrella dang it!) So I wound up not icing at all during the day Monday. And paid for it.

Anyone else face this kind of dilemma?

I'm trying to keep up with everyone but now that I'm back at work it's hard to find time to comment when and where I'd like. Please know I'm keeping tabs on y'all - ooh, did that sound as creepy to you as it did to me?

 

[bottomshollow]

Lori. We've missed. And yes, those muscles of any name sure do take time to strengthen back up. I think you may be far enough post op to try some moist heat for that knee. Can only suggest you try it out and see if it will do the job for you and keep you warm at the same time. Take care and keep us posted. We care.

​

 

[KneeAware]

I haven't iced in about 3 weeks because it gets too cold...I don't like being cold either.

Heat seems to work too at this stage of the game...I use a moist heat heating bad, I just don't use it as often as I would have used ice.

Be sure to keep up with your exercises....its the one thing that I find that will keep the knee/s in line and listening...what exercises have you been doing for your quads?

Naw, that wasn't one little bit creepy, you watching out for all...lol!

 

[davrunner]

A suggestion on the icing and cold dilemma is to use a heating pad on your back/shoulders. I found this as walking during recovery puts an added strain on my back and I use the heating pad for relief. Also use a throw to wrap up and drink some hot chocolate and if your really cold, spike it...

 

[Lori-M]

Mmm hot chocolate! With marshmallow vodka & whipped cream! Great idea Dave! I do have one of those electric lap blankets and that helps some. I may try the heating pad suggestion too.

JustmeT - I'm supposed to be stretching the hamstring and the quad as often as I can fit it in (sitting stretches because I can do those at my desk) and I'm mainly doing knee extensions with ankle weights and squats. I'm going to look at my Knee Owner's Manual to find out if there are others that I can add.

I know I need to keep at it -- in my head. It's a combination of busyness and laziness, sigh. But I refuse to be a cripple, hence the surgery to start with. I'll keep plowing along.

Thanks you guys!

 

[Lori-M]

Tuesday I had physical therapy. We're slowly extending the time between my visits as I gain strength. When I went in I felt really good about where I was. Yesterday (Wednesday) I could feel the new exercises we did! They didn't hurt while I was doing them and they weren't really all that hard so I must be getting stronger. But it was clear they worked some areas that haven't been getting a workout all along.

Then yesterday I helped set up for our department's holiday party. I probably shouldn't have been carrying chairs around because I'm feeling that today.Tonight is the office party (as opposed to our department's white elephant exchange / pizza lunch). This one is catered and will be set up by others so I don't have to do anything but show up! Plus? I get a taxi voucher and don't have to take the bus or train home! That's so employees get home safe after imbibing.

So since I've been feeling puny after this week's PT and setting up the party I haven't done squat (ha!) about my exercises the last two days. I figured hauling around chairs, cleaning up afterward and all the walking was more than enough for this tired, sore ol' body. But I'm taking tomorrow off and plan to get back in my routine.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[Nanners]

I think its ok after all u did to take a lil pt break. Hope u feel less sore tomorrow and have fun tonite!

 

[Lori-M]

I think its ok after all u did to take a lil pt break. Hope u feel less sore tomorrow and have fun tonite!

Thanks Nanners!:iagree: :xmasgrin:

 

[skigirl]

Lori, pt is a part of your life. If you do other strenuous things, then the pt part of your life gets a rest for a while. I have started skiing again and have changed my daily 1 hour workout to a 1/2 hour workout---mainly stretching. We have to constantly adjust our lives to accommodate our lives!! Kelly

 

[Nanners]

Ooh I agree with Kelly! I am going to quit using weights with my stretches. Feeling horrid the next day is not worth that. Hugs!

 

[Lori-M]

Thanks Kelly and Nanners! The reinforcement helps my own conclusions!

 

[Lori-M]

I wanted to post a brief update since I let the cat out of the bag on another thread (waves at 1ELISEA). For some time I've been using my cane on my commute, mostly for confidence while walking between the train and the bus stop and back. Unfortunately I was finding myself leaning on it way too much. I knew it in my head but I continued doing it. To add to that, I wasn't using it at all in the office or at home. So this morning I just didn't bring it and while I'm still undecided how I'll feel at the end of a long work day I'm thinking this could be a very good thing. Progress! When you least expect it, it sneaks right in on you!

 

[1ELISEA]

I was noticing the little things the other day that I can do now. They are not the huge earth shattering things some describe, but rather the little things like getting up and walking over to get a magazine in a drs office without having to plot out a route and how much pain I need to endure to get it.

And like you having the confidence to leave your crutch at home. Very cool!