Revised PKR to TKR Patellofemoral PKR with Ehlers Danlos hypermobility

[Jamie]

I think their products are pretty good. I’ve used my pillows from them for years and love them.

 

[selketine]

I've missed posting on your thread because of the title as I am not quite sure what that is and I thought you had a PKR but sounds like you had a TKR the day before me! Sorry your back has been awful - I can relate because I have on and off sciatica pain on the left side for years. I've most got it under control but it sometimes comes back with a vengeance. I may have missed what your issues are with it, but I found that I sleeping on my side aggravated it if I wasn't careful. I always liked soft mattresses but firm works better. I ended up buying a sleep number bed that has the air chambers so you can adjust the soft/firm as much as you like. The firm is very firm and the soft is very soft but there's LOTS of in-between. I am able to side sleep on that (when my knee is healed). It is on an adjustable bed frame so that is perfect for me.

Interestingly, if I keep my left knee a bit bent to the side while sleeping on my back, my sciatica is less likely to flare up (the bothersome sciatica is on the left side). I also found some exercises that I do every morning before getting out of bed that helped immensely - but I can't do them while recovering from TKR. A PT might be able to help with that however. Sciatica pain can be on par with TKR pain - I hope you can find something that works!

 

[Layla]

If I may...for those reading here, this information is from the Ehlers-Danlos Society site -

I've missed posting on your thread because of the title as I am not quite sure what that is

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of 13 heritable connective tissue disorders. The conditions are caused by genetic changes that affect connective tissue. Each type of EDS has its own set of features with distinct diagnostic criteria. Some features are seen across all types of EDS, including joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility.

What is joint hypermobility?​

Joint hypermobility means that a person’s joints have a greater range of motion than is expected or usual. Some people have joint hypermobility that does not cause them pain or other issues. However, some people with joint hypermobility also have joint instability. Joint instability occurs when the bones of a joint aren’t held in place securely. This can lead to joint subluxations, dislocations, sprains, and other injuries. Joint instability can cause both acute and chronic pain and interfere with daily life.

Joint hypermobility is observed throughout the body in most types of EDS, but hypermobility may be limited to the hands and feet in some types. Although joint hypermobility is observed across all types of EDS, not everyone with a type of EDS has joint hypermobility.

Hi @Mochapup,
I hope you have a lovely weekend in your neck of the woods! Happy Saturday!

 

[Healingwell]

hope you have a lovely weekend in your neck of the woods! Happy Saturday

Thank you! Nice misty day here -went to grocery for a few items and now ready for rest!

 

[Healingwell]

I thought you had a PKR but sounds like you had a TKR the day before me! Sorry your back has been awfu

Hi! I had a left TKR Sept 10 and the right one in June. Maybe time to rename my thread;). Hope you are doing well. The sciatica feeling is a bit better now-I really feel the most pain when I twist my body, such as to get into a car. Yeow!

More to follow! Did an errand and took my pup to a friend’s so he could run around and now we both need to recline.

 

[selketine]

I really feel the most pain when I twist my body, such as to get into a car. Yeow!

Oh wow - yikes! My sciatica is all about being in bed - and especially getting out of bed in the morning. Sciatica is awful.

The hyper mobility is interesting and I bet makes for extra challenges for recovery depending on the severity I guess. If you're out running errands you're ahead of me because I've not gotten off my backside too much today - maybe I need a pup to make me get up - haha! Sounds like you're doing amazing for having these two surgeries almost back-to-back!

 

[Healingwell]

maybe I need a pup to make me get up

It definitely makes you need to get up! So far just very short walks but he seems grateful for those. Sometimes friends help too. I live alone so I figure it out. My Dad stayed for three weeks and I couldn’t have done those weeks without him.

I may have done a bit much this morning because I had the most excruciating stabs of knee pain awhile ago. More Tylenol and icing and it is subsiding. Phew!

 

[Healingwell]

I've not gotten off my backside too much today

Some days it’s good to rest and stay on the backside!

 

[sistersinhim]

Pets can really encourage us to get up and get moving, but sometimes it can be too much! I was a cat rescuer when I had my TKR. My sweet neighbor helped daily with the litter boxes the first week. After that, I was pretty much on my own. Not having an excuse to not take care of my babies gave me the inspiration to just do it!

 

[Jamie]

What a darling pup you have!!! I know he's a great comfort to you. Our pets always seem to understand when we're a bit "wounded" and need them to watch over us.

 

[Healingwell]

Our pets always seem to understand when we're a bit "wounded" and need them to watch over us.

Yes! Tucker has been patient with his greatly reduced walk schedule.
Normally he gets generous walks twice a day but he is getting by and I try to get him
activity with puppy dates.

 

[mendogal]

Different with cats! Two of mine LOVED my knee replacements because of hours of lap snuggling naps on the recliner! They were soooo bummed out when I got active enough to ditch the daily recliner sessions!

 

[Healingwell]

Different with cats!

Hehehe! Tucker is happy to cuddle but starts getting twitchy if he doesn’t get his outings (takes after me!). He will come to the side of the bed and give me the “stare” -doesn’t even seem to blink. Amazingly persuasive without using words!

 

[Layla]

One month to date since your Left PKR. Happy One Month Anniversary!
I hope you enjoy the weekend, Mochapup!
@Mochapup

 

[Healingwell]

One month to date since your Left PKR. Happy One Month Anniversary!

Thank you! It’s coming along though had some stabbing pain yesterday and today. Maybe I overdid it.

 

[sistersinhim]

Maybe I overdid it.

This is a distinct possibility. Take a few days off and increase your icing, elevating and resting. Your knee needs to recover from your visit to the ODIC, (over did it club)!

 

[Healingwell]

Your knee needs to recover from your visit to the ODIC, (over did it club)!

It’s one of the few clubs where I have membership . I did get a good knee massage in PT today. Oh bliss!

 

[sistersinhim]

That's a club that no one wants to be a member of!

 

[Healingwell]

Second post-op today with X-rays. I am
going to ask about why I have such pain in my anterior ankle. Hard to bend and maintain a semblance of a normal gait.
Would it be a rare occurrence that my leg length could now be unequal?

 

[Healingwell]

A recommendation question: I think I am going to be able to fly home for Christmas. Am considering a good travel cushion to sit on. Recommendations?