Hinged Joint Revision Complete, recovery continues

[hopefaith]

@Pumpkln just checking in with you. Because you are are a P.T. you know so much to help yourself. That is so cool. I had IT issues big time before my lateral release in 9.2012. It helped my kneecap not slip out which was excruciating. Where do you get a pink roller. I just have the blue one, which is brutal and I won't get anywhere near it. I would love to be able to do a little of that type of thing.
I appreciate all the help you have given. Thank you!
~hopefaith

 

[Pumpkin]

The link is in post #798, Amazon sells them. The soft one make such a difference. I took mine to work, the next week we had 2 at work. People really appreciate the gentle difference.
Hope it makes a difference for you.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

Hey, @Pumpkln. Seems like you are doing amazingly well-way to go! I've noticed a lot of tightening in my knee, making it harder to walk, extend and flex. It's likely part of the process, but I plan to make an app't with my PT soon and have it checked. I may need to work a little more on those PT exercises-I've slacked off a bit lately on them. Getting back into life so I need to learn to balance better, I think. Anyway, icing and elevating right now...I love the way it helps with pain every time so I don't use pain meds very often.

 

[Pumpkin]

Seems like you are doing amazingly well-way to go!

I think I am doing OK, my IT Band tendonitis is settling down, it was quite painful at first.
You are right you have to do some exercises every day, but not necessarily all of them.
I have a long way to go learning how to walk again, after years of compensating.
Hope you are doing well.

When I am walking I can feel something snapping or popping on the outside of my knee. In sitting when I straighten/bend my knee I can feel something moving in and out, again with a little popping. Appears to be soft tissue. Icing it right now.
I see the OS next week, so will ask about it then.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

I get some popping on occasion too. My PT said mine was normal and would likely always pop but I'd notice it less and less over time. I have a really, really painful place on the left side of my knee in front. I don't know if it's normal or not-my OS will be calling me next week I think, I'll ask him then. If it wasn't for that, I'd be pain free, except for when I do a lot and then it aches, letting me know I need to stop and ice. I'm just hoping the tightness and lack of as much flexion and extension (at least it feels like less-may be the same as I haven't gone to the PT for a while) is just a lack of enough pt, not any scar tissue forming. I need to go to pt, but don't want to drive that far yet and then walk a long, long way inside to the office, and I also haven't wanted hubby to take more time to drive me every week and wheel me in. I did laundry today, some mending at my sewing machine for my granddaughter, cooked dinner (as per usual it was all homemade from scratch-I'm not fond of packaged foods) and did the dishes, then I just ground some wheat and made some bread. Phew! Tired but feels good to do something again.

 

[Pumpkin]

@lovetocookandsew , You were busy today, dinner must have been delicious!
PT is not really necessary as long as you are active, and there are exercises in the Library you can follow. The basic exercises you were given in the hospital are good to continue, they do more for us then we realize. Heel slides are great for loosening up the knee and ROM.
The tightness you are feeling is a form of pain, and you need to medicate and ice the tightness.
Sounds like we are both on track, just needing lots of patience through the ups and downs.
BTW which knee did you have done? I only see the date in your signature.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

@Pumpkln, I had my right knee done. I have been using my pain meds a bit more lately as I realized the tightness was pain and helped by meds. I have actually been very diligent with icing and elevating the whole time-one thing I've remembered to do correctly-lol. Dinner was yummy-grilled brined chicken breast with homemade honey mustard sauce, roasted carrots, and sweet potatoes. Nothing fancy, just yummy. I realized I've been lacking in the exercise dep't lately and got off my lazy butt today and did some heel slides, stretches as I cooked and some peddling on my little peddle machine. I also have my giant ball and will use it some more. I've been walking a lot so that will help too. Thanks for reminding me about my need to exercise a little more.

 

[tashia]

Its so good to come here and hear of postive things happening. I hope that the leg continues to get better. You are right about learning how to walk right. I didn't think much about it until now. We are all going to get to the finishing line and have a big party on the sight. Good things come for those who wait. I think we all have waited long enough, don't you think. Everyone do take care and remember go slow. Tashia

 

[icep707]

Hey Pumpkin , Sounds like you are improving . Im so happy for you. It will be great for you to be normal again. I went on a extended walk with the GF tonight and its miraculous that I feel absolutely nothing near my knee. I did get alittle tired and my gait started getting wobbly as we got closer to home . I guess its a bad habit. I see you go to your OS next week , hope it goes well. Are you having a issue , Its still early from your revision , barely 2 months. I go to work Friday, im gonna go full bore,40 hours a week. Im more than ready and knee is plenty strong, only concern will be energy levels. I still have ice packs and my polar cube just in case with my 2 pillows, even have plenty of Tramadol if I need . Well hang in there , you really deserve to heal soon and successfully. Best wishes Iceman

 

[Pumpkin]

Thanks @lovetocookandsew ,@tashia, @icep707 , for stopping by to say hello, much appreciated.
My IT band is giving me fits, feels and sounds like it is flipping over the hardware when I walk.
Spending lots of time elevating and icing to calm the IT band down, and doing exercises that do not irritiate it.
Iceman, sound like you are ready to go back to work tomorrow, good luck with your first day back.

 

[hopefaith]

Hi @Pumpkln the IT band sounds frustrating. I am sorry you are dealing with that. Is it painful too? I am in the ODIC today so I will be in one spot all evening .

 

[JustJeff]

My daughter just taught me to cross my leg and lean forward. Yeah, that stretches it (ouch.)

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Pumpkin]

I am in the ODIC today so I will be in one spot all evening .

This is me right now , was late with a pain pill and am now achy , ice machine is on my knee .
IT band is sore, but seems to be calming down today, tomorrow I have a massage which will help. What is frustrating is hearing and feeling it move over the implant, and knowing I need to limit walking to avoid irritating it. @JustJeff, I had to , when you described the exercise your daughter gave you, I knew exactly what you were talking about, it stretches that muscle. I am going to check out your threads and see how you both are doing?

 

[71Beetle]

My IT Band has always acted up - especially when I was a runner. The sitting and crossing and leaning forward works great. I just wish I could get my leg up there. You are doing really well @Pumpkln. Congratulations.

Are you watching FIFA? I am going for Germany even though the europeans don't usually win in South America and vice versa.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

@Pumpkln, I'm so sorry you are going through all this with your knee. Is it something that will resolve with time and patience, or will it need some repair or something? I haven't yet crossed my leg, I think it would be too painful.

 

[Pumpkin]

@71Beetle ,@lovetocookandsew
Yes we watched Brazil today. I cannot do that stretch on my TKR knee, it would have fits right now.
Using the roller mostly to stretch the IT band, and ice massage over that area. It should resolve with time, definitely something I will ask the OS about next week, you can feel it when I bend and straighten my knee in sitting.
Stayed home and took it easy today, lots of icing and gentle exercise.
My scab finally fell off, and healthy tissue is underneath. Hope to go to the pool tomorrow , plan to sit on the noodle in the deep end and float to get a feel for what I can do.
Not doing too much around the house, DH does all the cooking, and clean up for now. I did change my sheets, then washed and folded the old ones. Did feel good to do something productive, with the reward of fresh sheets on the bed.

 

[tashia]

Pumpkin, , Go gal go. I love SO I need to check it out. on. Take care. Tashia

 

[patient 99]

Hi Chris, just wanted to check on your progress - physically and mentally. On both scores you seem good. I'd say at least a 7 out of 10 . Would you agree? I didn't get even a hint of `the what's to become of me', that was present earlier.

Today was the best day I've had in 16 months. I don't want to get too encouraged (all too familiar with the roller coaster ride), but it just goes to show just when you think there is no end to all of this, you turn a corner. I told Diana that I had a glimpse into the Promised Land and it was Beautiful. We can all have a cream tea there soon. xx Carol

 

[lovetocookandsew]

@Pumpkln, I hope you get to swim today. It's also great that you are starting to feel a little better and are doing a few things around the house. I am home all day while hubby works, so I don't have the advantage of him helping-I just need to do whatever I can, plus I got sick of take-out, packaged foods and even all the meals I prepared in advance and am cooking out of desperation....lol. Let me know how the swim went, I love to swim but the only pool I can use is the fitness club and I don't feel like using it yet.

 

[71Beetle]

Hi @Pumpkln - how did the swimming go? I plan on trying it out tomorrow now that my incision is in good shape. I am excited but I worry don't have a bathing suit that fits. I gained quite a bit of weight last year as I was pretty much immobile with osteoarthritis in both knees. Oh well even if it is tight I am still going! If someone doesn't like it, they can change the channel, right?

It sound like you are handling things quite well. I am happy to hear that.

Hope you are enjoying the game. Go LA! I found out last week that my dad is cheering for New York. I was shocked as he has been a Montreal fan his entire life (born and raised in Quebec). I asked how he could cheer for the team that took out his beloved Habs. He says he will always cheer for the Original 6 if Montreal is not playing. I think your husband is the same with cheering for the Original 6 is he not?

Anyway, I hope you are doing well and I wish you a great weekend!