Revision TKR Never give up, keep trying, don't settle - that's me, Bonnie

[skigirl]

Bonnie with all medical stuff the squeaky Wheel gets the grease. Don't wait for them to call you---YOU call them--often if you have to until someone returns the call. I have called four or five times---each time requesting someone higher up the food chain. Also, I am sure there is a omnbudsman at the hospital who is a patient representative. Call her and explain your worry---he/she will help. Most of all do not sit around all weekend hoping someone will call---take the power in your own hands and be demanding. You are worried and you need to know. Be nice, but be firm---just keep repeating, I need to know.

 

[trailspud]

Sorry to read of your recent knee problems. I hope you get answers soon and the least possible invasive remedies are all that are needed to get you back on track. You are smart to do the upper body and core workouts...good for the mind as well as body.

 

[turtle68]

Bonnie,

I agree with skigirl. It' a shame but sometimes you have to raise hell with these drs. and their staff, to get answers. Do your dr.s have an electronic system where you can contact them? I have found that very effective in getting answers. Which hospital are you dealing with? Have you thought about calling radiology and asking for a supervisor what's going on. Or calling your dr. and having them contact the hospital?

If you'd like to get together for coffee, or just stop by my house, message me and I would be happy to share my vast (unfortunately) experiences with orthopedic surgeons in the area. There are many excellent ones.

That's great you're working out. You've been doing a lot of that lately, just with moving, i.e. packing, up and down stairs, and now unpacking. Isn't it wonderful not to have that stack at the bottom of the stairs that has to be carried up. We love our one story living. Our daughter would love to have us move into town, but the only thing we could afford there would be a 3-story townhome. No thanks.

Thanks for keeping us posted Bonnie. My thoughts are with you.

Dorothy

 

[RunA42K]

I finally got some return phone calls about 3 pm today. I left messages with everyone that I could contact. I am now set up for the knee aspiration on Monday June 3rd at 1pm, I have to be there at 12:30. turtle68, my OS is in The Woodlands with UT Physicians and the hospital that I am going to for the aspiration is Memorial Herman. I also have a OS appointment set up for 3:45 pm on Wednesday June 5th for results. Too bad that I just watched a Youtube video of a knee aspiration! Yikes!!! Ouch!! At least I will get some answers. Dorothy, I don't work on Monday and Friday next week, maybe we can meet! ;-)

 

[turtle68]

Glad you got an appointment for the aspiration and an appointment for the follow up. I have something going on on Monday, but nothing on Friday. Message me if that works for you, i.e. where, what time, etc.

Dorothy

 

[RunA42K]

Getting very nervous about the needle in my knee tomorrow...I know it will be very unpleasant!

 

[skigirl]

Bonnie, take a pain med before you go--it will help.

 

[RunA42K]

Bonnie, take a pain med before you go--it will help.

Too late Kelly, I didn't think of that and I didn't read your message till after it was done...but it was a good idea just the same. I did have the aspiration done by a radiologist in the hospital with the help of a fluoroscopy to know just where the put the needle. At first he was not finding any fluid, so he injected saline through the needle and that opened up the flood gates. He then pulled twice as much fluid as the saline that he injected so they got a lot of good samples. The good news is that he said it looked really good, clear all uniform color which made me feel better but the lab will tell for sure. Yes it hurt, and the knee swelled up afterwards and was more uncomfortable to walk on, but I iced as much as I could for the remainder of the day, and this morning wearing a compression sleeve which helps. I go see the OS tomorrow late afternoon for results.

 

[turtle68]

Bonnie, Glad that part is over for you and that tomorrow you should have the results. Are you able to take it easy on the knee today? What kind of compression sleeve do you have. I've been looking for one, but the skin around my knee is so sensitive right now, it hurts to ice, and I've tried ace bandage but that doesn't do the trick.

Keeping good thoughts for you, I love knowing you are so close so that maybe those thoughts have a good chance of getting to you.
Dorothy

 

[skigirl]

Bonnie, here's hoping the good news continues.

 

[RunA42K]

turtle68 Hi Dorothy...my compression sleeve is made by CEP. Medical grade compression and it is just for the knee. I have 3 of them and use them a lot, they make my knee feel so much better...it's like that "Ahhh" feeling when you put it on. You know I work at Fleet Feet Sports on Louetta @Champion Forest Dr., we sell them there. If I don't always have one on, I always have one with me!

Back to The Woodlands tomorrow for 3:45 appointment tomorrow for results.

 

[RunA42K]

Well, I don't have all the answers yet, but it was a good visit because my OS told me there was no infection in my joint! He says that the lab will keep testing through Friday though. They look for those white blood cells, he said I had a '15' count in my blood work, and if there was an infection it would have been at least 15,000. So blood and joint fluid are good. Next step after Friday will be to have a new imagining study to determine if there is any implant loosening. I wish it was just a mass of scar tissue giving me problems but both me and the doctor know that when a bone scan shows activity...it is not related to scar tissue which of course is soft tissue.He told me that sometimes he cannot even tell if a TKR is swollen because sometimes people are over weight and its hard to tell the the difference in the two knees, he said but not with you since you are small it is easy to see the swelling. I told him I was 18 pounds lighter since my TKR, down to 118. He asked what I had been doing and I told him lots of weight training, eating right and portion control then he gave me a BIG a big surprise though...from the doctor who told me no running, never. ever again for the past two years said to me today..."We're going to get you back to where you need to be, running and cycling!" I replied you told me that I could never run again (although we all know I have except him). He replied a little running is fine, but we just don't recommend that to people. That made me so happy. I know there is no more LONG distance for me, but in my new neighborhood there are all kinds of trails to run on and now I am thinking that I will be able to do just that...eventually. He was actually the 3rd doctor who has told me that about 'some running' is okay and all are orthopedic MD's. I am happy tonight!​

 

[sophie03]

What great news! No infection. I know that must give you a lot of relief. Now they just need to find the cause of your troubles. I know it must have been wonderful when the doc told you that you will run again. So glad you are feeling some happiness tonight.

 

[turtle68]

Oh, Bonnie, that is such great news that there is no infection. I know you have some issues there, but I also know how thrilled you must be that you will be able to run again. See you later.

Dorothy

 

[skigirl]

Bonnie, what a relief. Of course a revision is a big deal, but it is less of a deal that an infection. It is interesting to me how we move from oh no, there is a problem to the thought that a revision isn't that bad!! I had the spacer replaced on my left knee---and it was a big deal!! Especially since I was not in the mood to rehab that knee AGAIN! But, I am getting ready for the 20 mile bike ride that I could not have done without pain last year---so . . . there is the answer, I suppose. We do what we have to do to keep on moving.

 

[trailspud]

....... I told him I was 18 pounds lighter since my TKR, down to 118. He asked what I had been doing and I told him lots of weight training, eating right and portion control then he gave me a BIG a big surprise though...from the doctor who told me no running, never. ever again for the past two years said to me today..."We're going to get you back to where you need to be, running and cycling!" I replied you told me that I could never run again (although we all know I have except him). He replied a little running is fine, but we just don't recommend that to people. That made me so happy. I know there is no more LONG distance for me, but in my new neighborhood there are all kinds of trails to run on and now I am thinking that I will be able to do just that...eventually. He was actually the 3rd doctor who has told me that about 'some running' is okay and all are orthopedic MD's. I am happy tonight!​

I very much hope you get your current issues solved with as little surgical intervention as possible. And, I really hope you get back to doing some running. I don't have that goal, at this time, but I understand what it means. Keep us posted.

 

[RunA42K]

My OS called me yesterday afternoon (friday) he wanted to tell me that all my labs (knee fluid and blood) came back perfectly normal. Next step he will get me set up for a new imaging study to see how the implant and the bone are doing together. I don't want a loose implant...sometimes he says that the plastic on the platform can get out of alignment...but why did my bone scan show 'activity'...that is what worries me. Just wait for more answers next week.

 

[RestAssured]

Activity on a bone scan report can mean so many different things! Thank God it is not infection! Activity can show up because of a loose implant or a spacer that is out of line or any number of things! Our bodies are constantly changing, and no one knows at times why some people's implants loosen or the spacer dislodges. I was told of these possibilities when they were checking for infection. They said the OS has to have a lot more data than just a bone scan because it can throw off false positives at times.

 

[1ELISEA]

Crossing my fingers for only good news!

 

[RunA42K]

I had a CT Scan on Wednesday last week, then went for results on Friday. Implant is just as it should be, firmly cemented in place, no loosening at all. Very goods news but still leaves me with no answer as to why I have been having trouble and why the bone scan showed activity. Maybe I totally overdid things getting ready to, then moving, or I have the most horrible case of tendinitis in the world...I've been using my Voltaren several times a day since Friday and I do believe it helps. My OS is sending me to a PT who works on his tough cases, he says she has a good track record of figuring things out, I will see her for an evaluation on June 24. Meanwhile...over here at my new home there are miles of Greenway Running/Cycling trails. They are just a tease for me, but today I ventured out because my OS said a little was was fine, not sure what his definition of a little running is...but I covered 4 miles this morning, running with walk breaks. I was in heaven!!!