Partial KR, Nov 5th

[Janey]

:pzld:Hi to all. Searched for this forum a cpl days ago when worrying re post op pain after 10 days. was v reassuring to hear all yr stories, ups and downs as I dont think the professionals give enough info re post op pain, rehab etc and how much it can vary. I have certainly gone up and down the spectrum the past few days.
I discovered lots of purple marks around my ankle today and reaching up the opposite side of leg to operation side. I immediately thgt circulation probs despite taking Xarelto. However the hospital advised me is likely to have been caused by handling during op. Now why cant such basic info on expectations etc be given as standard??
Anyway am having best day yet. Long may it last.

Best wishes to you all
Janey

 

[cotton1958]

Hi Janey and welcome to the forum.

I went in at 4 weeks with a bruise all around my ankle, more down towards the heel to the side, post op. My OS said it was probably his manhandling during surgery. Actually it still seems to hurt, especially did last week when iwe had a lot of rain here. Hopefully yours will be okay soon.

Helen

BTKR 8/09

 

[kimberlyann]

HI Janey, welcome!
I had a partial Oct 12, and am having my second replacement tomorrow. It could be a partial, or it could be a total.
I am sorry you found us so late, but better late than never!! I did not have marks around my ankle from handling, but I did have bruises up on my thigh from the tourniquet they used during surgery.
I have gotten the majority of my information from here, not from my doctor's office. I would have not known very much about post-op pain or pre-op preparations if not for this wonderful forum.
As you have discovered, the amount of pain this surgery causes is extreme, and needs to be handled very carefully. It would be very frightening to get out of surgery and face this pain if you were not prepared for it.

Please continue to update us on your progress, and best wishes to you for a complete recovery.

Kimberly

 

[tom67]

Hi Janey and welcome!! I had a partial too and almost 8 weeks out. I'm doing
pretty well except for a little Bursitis. I'm going to PT, doing my exercises, and
Icing and elevating when needed (that means all the time! LOL!!) I hope your
recovery continues to be great, and uneventful. My Best Wishes

 

[Janey]

Good luck tomorrow Kimberlyann. Hope all goes well and you will soon be pain free. It sounds as though you are well prepared having used this site for a while. I havent used a forum before but suddenly thought there must be people out there with similar situations. Excellent idea, am going to let my hospital know about it!!!
I am looking f/ward to getting thro the pain and seeing if its worked, my main aim at the mo. Best wishes Janey

 

[mtngal67]

Welcome to bonesmart Janey! I had bruising all around my ankle and a lot of tenderness around my thigh from the tournaquet. I agree with you about neeidng more information on what to expect! They should at very least give out cards for bonesmart!!!

Gale
RTKR 10/5/09

 

[One NZer]

Travel well to your newest knee Kimberlyann.

It didn't even occur to me to check out websites or knee forums BEFORE my new knee, didn't give it a thought. There have since been so many questions answered even before I knew the questions.

I was bruised from top of my thigh to my ankle as well.

I had more than a few "so that's what caused that" moments when I went searching through You Tube.
Check out this series, pretty gruesome and probably better watched AFTER your surgery... but these will provide you with a lot of answers.
If you watch the following You Tube series 1 - 8 you will understand why you have such a very painful knee until you heal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKJbMyDf6g&feature=related Pt1

and the ankle bruising was produced by some alignment instrument of torture in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEmxhOzXHz0&feature=related Pt2

at about 1:40 Pt 2, and again by the surgeon checking movement later in the surgery.

 

[Texas]

Hey Janey welcome my first time i didnt have any bruise the second one i did yes its normal i even had were my un oper leg would swell according to my pt and home nurse it was normal and it did finally so down.......i wish you the best for a speey recovery.......keep in touch.............).

 

[Josephine]

Janey, welcome to BoneSmart! Glad you found us eventually.

The reason they don't tell patients about that is because it happens so infrequently. Like tourniquet pain on the thigh. I had it badly but very few people have it. Interesting really. And when I mentioned it to the surgeon, he just shrugged his shoulders and said "it happens". I think the plain truth is that if they told you all the things that could happen, you'd be scared out of your wits and/or forget the most germane things.

But that's where places like BS come in. I am amassing heaps on info in the Recurring Information Forum (Information Centre up above) and tourniquet pain and other odd aches and pains and bruises are on my 'to-do' list!

BTW (I always ask this because I'm nosy!) in which hospital did you have your op?

 

[Josephine]

and the ankle bruising was produced by some alignment instrument of torture in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEmxhOzXHz0&feature=related Pt2

That device is only placed alongside the leg and isn't attached to it. There's just a couple of 'fingers' at the bottom that loosely encircle the leg to keep it aligned.

Bruising on the ankle is due to the surgeon or his assistant holding during the operation. The leg has to be flexed up and then laid flat many time during the op and if the hand doing that is very strong, bruising can result.

 

[Janey]

I did say to hubby this morning that if people had ALL the info about ALL the variables BEFORE surgery the take up statistics may become lower. However on discharge directing people to a location such as Bonesmart as standard could be very reassuring as it can be a very isolating experience, lack of knowledge can also lead one to assume the worst. Its a very tricky balancing act I reckon. However I have always been the sort of person who likes to know as much as poss when dealing with tricky situations.
The hospital I used was in Hastings.
Thanks for info re use of equipment and handling. The You Tube video certainly showed there was a lot of manipulation and also did look as though device was attached to ankle, but it all certainly explains the 2 black bruises on either side of my ankle, and the marks around my shin.
Looking forward to having staples out Wednesday.

Best wishes
Janey

 

[Josephine]

Well, the alignment guide was not responsible for the bruises, If you watch the video again, you can see it's actually moving around quite freely like a tape measure would against a wall! It's only firm when it's held against the leg by the surgeon to check the alignment of the central axis of the tibia to the horizontal plane of the of the tibia plateau. It's not fixed in any way.

 

[betsy13]

I had more than a few "so that's what caused that" moments when I went searching through You Tube.
Check out this series, pretty gruesome and probably better watched AFTER your surgery... but these will provide you with a lot of answers.
If you watch the following You Tube series 1 - 8 you will understand why you have such a very painful knee until you heal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKJbMyDf6g&feature=related Pt1

and the ankle bruising was produced by some alignment instrument of torture in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEmxhOzXHz0&feature=related Pt2

at about 1:40 Pt 2, and again by the surgeon checking movement later in the surgery.

I watched the ones the hospital where I had my TKR done have as webcasts on their site.

broken link removed: https://www.stmarysmadison.com/Services/Pages/Webcasts.aspx

So I had a good idea what to expect.
What I didn't think of was all the bruising around my lovely 9 inch scar. I should have though!

 

[Janey]

Hi to all. Well I watched all the video links just now and have to say altho slightly squeamish was v impressed and amazingly reassured by seeing the whole process, particlarly the measuring and alignment etc plus checking the extension and flexion range.

Watched the clamp/jig one again and altho I kept my eyes firmly off drill and saw this time, honestly cdnt see whether it was just resting or attached at either side. However now I have acquired so much information from you all I feel so much better about the whole operation despite the pain, bruising etc and am looking forward to experiencing the end result.

Had a quick totter out on sea front today...bench hopping will call it....and hubby seemed to think was actually walking better than before op altho slow etc Staples out tomorrow so will feel less tight hopefully.Did wake up a bit weepy this morning but think its because espesh sore/ stiff mornings and eves. Thanks to all. Signing off:thmb: Janey

 

[marquesa]

Hi Janey, sounds like you are having a good recovery.Sorry to hear about the bruises. You are right, without the information exchanged on this site..we would all feel isolated and assume the worst sometimes..so great to have others share their experiences and calm our fears.

Take care and probably and some of the "weepy" times are due to all the medication, anesthesia and all and just the trauma your system has gone thru. Rest and be very kind to yourself.
Hugs, Marquesa

 

[tom67]

Hi Janey, I hope your feeling Great, and your recovery continues to be
Fantastic! Take It Easy, and ICE, ICE, ICE LOL!!!! Best Wishes!!:thmb:

 

[betsy13]

Ice will be your new best friend--it was mine after surgery.
It sounds like you are doing good.

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Janey! I guess you get to be one more member in the BoneSmart Technicolor Leg Society! :hehe: You have plenty of good company. The good news is it goes away eventually. But not before turning some of the most expressive shades!

Heck, some of our BoneSmarties were on such great pain medication that their legs entertained them for weeks by changing color and design.

Okay....so I was attempting a little really bad humor to cheer you up. Hope this post finds you feeling better and skipping down that road to recovery!

 

[tom67]

Hi Janey, I hope your Partial Is feeling Exellent!! Have a wonderful weekend!!!!
!!!

 

[Janey]

Hi Tom. What is your mobility like after 8 weeks? At what stage did you notice any positive differences compared to how you were pre op?
Hope all well with you.

Janey