Revised PKR to TKR On the other side - AGAIN!

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Sounds like things are looking up again. You're taking it slow and easy, doing what you're able and it's paying off.
Three and a half months in feels like a decent amount of time for healing, but we know that in the entire scheme of things, it's still early into the recovery process...which means a lot more progress on its way to enjoy!
A great rest of the week to you, LE!
@Legseleven

 

[Legseleven]

Fun day out yesterday at a Historic House, lots of these are only open from April to end of September. Next year will go back to explore more of the vast gardens. So 6k steps, including the one hours tour of the house, all fuelled by regular rests, aided by one crutch, good cuppas and scones from the tea rooms. Proper British day out. Out from 11-5pm.
Now a quieter weekend on chores with rest as I’m nursing a sore throat and hoping it’ll not become anything nastier, as next week is a busy one. It’s that time of year. Booked my flu jab for the week after.
Onwards….

 

[EalingGran]

I’m using a walking aid much less, often carry it only to use on the poor pavements. When it’s a good smooth surface I don’t need it.

Sounds like you are doing well.
I used a stick outside for several months. It was mainly for confidence. I had my surgery in October and I was worried about uneven pavements covered with slippery leaves, then later by ice.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Saturday Legseleven
Great to read that you enjoyed the Historic House you visited. It sounds lovely as do your breaks for a cuppa and scone. I'm sorry you have a sore throat. I guess we're fast approaching that time of year. Hopefully some good old home remedies like gargling with warm salt water help soothe your throat and you feel better soon!
@Legseleven

 

[Legseleven]

Thanks @Layla yes to all of the above, chicken soup on in the slow cooker, plus hot elderberry drinks. You’re right it is that time of year. I missed a community event earlier today as definitely not intending to spread it as lots of elderly there. Here’s hoping.
Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[sistersinhim]

Oh, no. I pray your illness is over really quickly. We're having lots of wind here, which kicks up many with allergies. I know some people don't like them, but a Nettipot works well for cleaning out those sinuses. Spring and fall are my main allergy times of the year.

 

[Legseleven]

16 w today.
Good news. Happily I fought off the virus in 3 days and have now had my flu jab. I go to the same person every year and she gives the best jabs, I never felt it at all!
I also had my first bath for several months today, the trick was to have it early evening before I’m too weary to cope with the clambering in and out. Sometimes I just don’t want a shower, and I find it takes more energy than a bath.
Meanwhile my knee and back much the same so now referred to back specialist. Still walking regularly round the block and doing exercises, I’ll get there, just not quite yet. Still take occasional paracetamol/acetaminophen and sometimes Celecoxib.
Lots going on with family so I’m pacing myself and resting when I can too.
Onwards…

 

[EalingGran]

Glad you are feeling better. There are some filthy bugs going round and I have been laid low with a nasty cold/ flu for the last few days. I will definitely get my flu jab once I feel better.
I think you must be doing well to get in and out of the bath. I think I was more like 6 months before I could do that. I know what you mean with preferring a bath- it us more relaxing.
Good luck with the family responsibilities.

 

[Layla]

Great news you fought off the sore throat and whatever other symptoms you had within three days.
Thankfully you had a good soak and managed to get in / out easily enough. I wish you luck with the back specialist, hoping he's able to help you. Take care and enjoy the time with your family, LR.
@Legseleven

 

[Tosh30]

Hope you're feeling better a few days later (that reminds me, time for a flu jab). A hot bath is so good for the soul. When I'm home, at least once a week I take one with Epsom salts.

 

[Legseleven]

Week 17 and will be 4 m on Thursday.
Happy to be able to use the bath when I want instead of the shower now it’s getting colder. Still using the little bath seat to get in and then I remove it once in.
Was too ambitious with Saturday’s walking, tried using support less and less (carrying the stick more and more, only using it sometimes) so some increased pain stiffness on Sunday. ODIC again, so easy to do especially at almost 4 m when one just wants normal life to get going again.
Back specialist wants to inject facet joints to settle the nerve roots down to ease the pain and resulting muscle spasms. This treatment is not permanent but apparently allows everything to settle so the core muscles are able to be built up again. I’ll see what the letter actually says before finally deciding. I could have done with another set of ears at the appointment but it wasn’t possible. Doesn’t sound appealing but to get out of this knee/back cycle it may be necessary. Physio again on Thursday.

 

[EalingGran]

Back specialist wants to inject facet joints to settle the nerve roots down to ease the pain and resulting muscle spasms. This treatment is not permanent but apparently allows everything to settle so the core muscles are able to be built up again. I’ll see what the letter actually says before finally deciding

That sounds sensible. I find core and lower back pilates keeps my lumbar arthritis and spinal stenosis manageable. But there was a spell when my sciatica was intolerable and I couldn't get up and down to the floor easily after my PKR- when I felt trapped by pain and unable to do the exercises that would help protect my back.
I nearly went down the route of injections in my back but fortunately my back gradually settled after my leg was straightened and I was also able to take Naproxen. Good luck!
If you do get injections I will be interested to hear how they work.

 

[benne68]

@Legseleven I agree with EalingGran that the injection sounds like a sensible approach. I also considered injections after my first THR because my sciatica was interfering with my recovery. But the COVID lockdown hit and I didn't have the option until many months later -- and by then the back had improved enough that I didn't need it.

Please let us know what you decide to do.

 

[EalingGran]

Once things improve enough- have a look at my pilates teacher's lower back class on
YouTube. Google Katja pilates lower back and it comes up. There is one bit kneeling, but you can skip that until you can kneel. I still use thin flat cushions for kneeling.

 

[sistersinhim]

I hope the injections work for you. It is hard to recover when you're hurting someplace else, too!

 

[Layla]

I could have done with another set of ears at the appointment but it wasn’t possible.

If possible, consider recording your appointments so you have an account of all that was discussed.
It can feel overwhelming to receive a lot of information in the short time most of us experience with the physician, so it's reasonable to ask if we can record the visit.

I'm sorry you landed in the ODIC. Naturally you want to feel better month by month so I hope you find relief from those spasms soon.

 

[Legseleven]

consider recording your appointments so you have an account of all that was discussed.

Brilliant idea @Layla thank you.
The ODIC was just from trying too many steps without an aid. I’m mostly on a stick now not a crutch and trying to get off that before too long. 15 months with 2 crutches or one.
I’ll get there. Also I had planned to be away next week but cancelled it, a month ago, as unrealistic and still happy with that decision. Next year will be fine.
Busy in Santa’s workshop most days now too, along with knitting for grandchildren.

 

[Layla]

Busy in Santa’s workshop most days now too,

Oh my goodness....it's coming!

Christmas will be here within the blink of an eye. I'll bet the kids will love their gifts from grandma, made with love.
So special! Hope you're having a good Wednesday, LE!

 

[Layla]

HAPPY FOUR MONTH ANNIVERSARY!
Hope you're having a wonderful day!
@Legseleven

 

[Legseleven]

Thanks @Layla it’s a marathon for sure, especially after last year. Knee IS doing ok, just slower than I’d like and still discomfort/pain, although I mainly block it out with a distraction. Plus this week the zingers are ramping up, so that’s got to be good healing.
Physio would like more flexion but agrees it’ll come. They say the proposed back treatment will help a lot. There’s a clunking in the new knee buy they tell me it’s nothing to worry about, it kind of pops and grates on flexion after extension. I expect it’ll settle. Always something and being so far on the TKR journey there’s a lot of acceptance too. I’m not due back now for physio until after the back treatment is done.
Next task to find an ergonomic folding walking stick. On the whole I’ve managed to get off the crutch onto a stick but find all the ones I have tried hurt my hand. I’ve tried both my parents’ ones and they’re now off to the charity shop and I’ve borrowed one meantime, but it still hurts, and if it’s a longer walk, or rough going, I’ll go back to the crutch as this never hurt my hand. I only use it a bit, but if I try walking completely without the knee does protest a lot next day, and the pavements are awful.
Roll on another 3 m and it’ll be heaps better again.