Questions, questions questions

[jacques1]

I may have asked this before and if I did I am sorry to repeat myself.
I checked on several posts and didn't see that I had asked this question so here goes.

I had a bent leg before my surgery. My son and family were over today and commented on my bent leg and how I walked. I am so afraid that I won't be able to straighten this leg of mine and be worse off than I was. I had pain, a great deal of pain prior to the surgery. I know I am early in the recovery process, but is there anyone who had a bent leg that could inform me of their recovery. I know I walked a certain way to allow me to get around and it has become part of me and it is hard to correct. I am doing the excercises 3 times per day and icing often.

Also, my dear Dr will not give me any other medications for the pain so I am stuck with the tylenol 3. My husband had surgery and had a couple of percocets in the medicine cabinet and last night I was at the end of my rope and took one. I did finally fall asleep but I know I should not be taking that as it was not prescribed to me. I don't know how anyone else really felt or feels aside from frustrated but I really feel I must rush my recovery. I am 57 and feel like I am 90. My mother of 81 walks better than me.

Deb

 

[calling_all_angels]

Dang Deb,
I am sorry I do not understand about the pain pills, Why doesn't your OS give you something to help you with pain?? You are only what 6 days ahead of me? I
am not pain free!! Heck no I HURT!!! I think what you need to do is try to talk to
your OS again and if he seems to have trouble understanding your pain (he is male right)
Grab him by the short and curlies so he can get a idea of what you are talking about.
Everyone here told me to stand up and roar now you have TOO!!!
What is the matter with these Doc?
My Pain pills are still in the mail!!!! But do not fear I am covered!!! They decided to bring me some while I wait on their screw-up. I think that just maybe I am not to nice when I am in PAIN! But if I did scare them thats to bad they are the one's who messed up!!!
So Deb explain to me what is up with your Doc.
And I think that you are doing a good job working the knee. It sounds like you are doing all you can to get you leg up to par.
^i^

 

[1jt@atime]

Deb, can you go to your primary care doctor and ask for stronger drugs? I've seen several people on this forum with OS's that didn't want to be in the pain control business after the surgery and some of had success with the primary care doctor. I'm not sure how that works in Canada.

I had both knees replaced 15 and 7 months ago. Prior to surgery, the first one would not straighten and I walked with my leg pointing outwards. My back got knocked out duriing this first replacement and I had to deal with sciatica for several months. I had severe nerve pain anytime I tried to straighten the leg and I couldn't get the extension past -15 degrees. I would estimate this is about where it was prior to surgery.

My OS did a manipulation on my problem knee when I had the second knee replaced and this made all the difference in the world. I'm not sure it's at a perfect 0 degrees extension now, but it sure is close. Oh yeah, and after the manipulation, I was able to walk with my leg aiming straight ahead instead of pointing out like a penguin! Karen

 

[jacques1]

/Thank to both of you.\
I never thought to call my Family Dr. She may be easier to deal with. I am however on a great deal of other meds, I wonder if that is why the OS won't.
The muscles in the bottom of my leg gets so tight, I rub and rub and nothing.
They feel still kind of numb and everything irratates them. I don't wear my stockings to bed, do you think that would create a problelm. My Dr did say I could do that.

Deb

 

[Linda2]

Definitely call your primary care physician. Mine doubled the strength of the Dilaudid that I alternated with Tylenol 3 every 2 hours. Sounds like a lot, but it is what I needed. As the pain receded, I stretched the time between the dosages. I had no trouble at all getting off of them. In fact, I still have a number left for those days when I have really done too much and need some sleep. Another thing to ask the PCP for is a muscle relaxant. All of your tendons, ligaments and muscles have undergone some significant trauma and rearrangement as well. We get muscle spasms and the relaxants can help. I wore my stockings 24/7 until the OS said I didn't have to any more. I guess they just didn't bother me like they do some folks. I figured you were particularly supposed to wear them when you weren't moving around.

 

[Josephine]

Deb, you haven't mentioned icing and elevating - you are doing this, I trust? Because although they won't totally make up for inadequate pain meds, it will help some.

 

[jacques1]

Thanks

Yes, I ice and elevate very often. The swelling has not come down at all

Deb

 

[calling_all_angels]

Deb,
I was told to wear stocking 24-7 for 4 weeks (but could unroll them for 1 to 2 hours a day)and then after 4 weeks I can sleep without them untill I am allowed to ditch them completely.
^i^

 

[Gretchendz]

Deb,

If the surgery was done right (and I'm sure it was), they straightened your leg on the table while you were out.

Many of us had "bent" legs--bow-legged or pigeon-toes before the surgery due to the arthritis.

For me, I had my hubby and home PT following me around all over the house saying "Walk straight." I would say I don't remember how to walk straight!" Also, walking straight hurt even more than walking bent because the muscles were not used to it. Your new knee will support walking straight, but you and your muscles need to relearn how. Now hubby says " Wow you are two inches taller than I thought because I had not seen you stand straight in years!"

Seriously though, a good PT can help you lots in this regard.

With proper exercise and PT you will be able to walk straight again. However, this can take time. It was about 2-3 months for me re-learning how to walk straight. Also, because the muscles are not used to it, there was a lot of discomfort getting them stretched properly.

It will take time.

Please call your GP and get stronger pain meds. You will do so much better.

 

[jacques1]

Gretchendz

Thanks for responding. Even though I know others have had bent legs, it helps to hear from someone else and what they did. It makes sense, after all it took me several years to learn that new walk and I guess I must get it through my head that this physio will help. I try and push a little further each time when I do the excercises at home.

My first call tomorrow will be to my GP.

Deb

 

[calling_all_angels]

Glad to hear that your first call will be to your GP. Please let me know how that goes.
^i^