Ted Hose, Swelling, ROM and Me

[AlaskanTKR]

Sounds like the name of a song -doesn't it! OK - like I always say- when I start a thread I know all you old new knees will have more expereince than me with any of it. ANd when the PT says - man - how can you let me do this to you - or If I were in your sit I would have kicked me in the head - you know its ime to call in the knees on this forum. You are the BEST!

Went to PT today - after a really short morning at school (left at 12:15 for a 12:45 apt). Started with heat - moved to stretching - gooooooood. Bucycle - can now awkwardly move the pedals forward with my buttt still coming off the seat and a clunk - maybe a plunk as I make it around.

Moved to the wall with me sitting on the ball with toes to the wall and the ball being moved forward forcing a gentle (yeah - right) bend. (Sounds like Dr. Seuss to me - Hop on Pop and Pop on top) Did that for a bit then moved to the tables sitting for bend and measurement - oh boy oh boy. 75, 79, 80, 81........82 - barely and then 82 barely again. Moved to the total gym BEND and measure BEND and measure - 78. Moved to the weights - oh yippy - sat for 20 minutes with weight pulling to try to maintain a bend (sitting with back towrd weight machine -and pull from behind - intermittently) with ice. Remeasure - 81. Increase - or actually lack there of increase of ROM is not good :(

PT talked asked if I knew what manipulation was. Said I had read about it. She thinks that what will probably be next. She can feel a good deal of scar tissue and thinks there is a great deal more she can't. Swelling is actually getting worse - so.... She want me to wear the UGLY white stockings this weekend - ICE lots and elevate. Set the CPM for deeeper bends and hold the time for as long as I can.

ANy ideas about time that I may need to be out of work if we go to the manipulation theory - I know those of you who know me that I am a teacher with a husband who works out of town 2 weeks at a clip. Just want to be prepared - From what the PT said it would be an even more aggressive style of PT so we wouldn't loose what he gained form the manipulation. So I am thinking th e procedure itself isn't the time eater - its the pt afterwards. Just want to have all my ducks in a row b4 Friday. This OS doesn't mess around. He could go any direction and with Wes being home I want to be prepared. He may just say keep going on the PT.

Any one else have to go back to the white ugly socks???? Yuck!

Anyone have any other suggestions. She actually looked as frustrated as I was feeling but trying not to let on. I see the OS this coming Friday - I will be 6 weeks out this coming Monday. I have made limited progress on the ROM and and working on the exercises every night and even at school (although we decided I need a different desk chair - almost slid right out of mine - it was quite a sight - )

Trying to keep smiling and finding the smiles in all of this - and honestly I am a lot better off than b4 surgery - in all areas except the ROM - I actually sleep all night!!!! and don't have any pain when sitting or laying!

All suggestions welcome and appreciated! I know there are other posts about ROM - but..... I thought I would add yet another!

You all are GREAT!

MArianne

 

[Linda2]

I'm sad that you are having so much difficulty with this. Even though the TEDs are less than attractive (understatement), the doctor says they really help with the swelling, and less swelling helps with ROM. What kind of ROM did you have before the surgery? That seems to be a big factor for everyone.

The thing that helps loosen me up the most is the lunge. I do this on my raised hearth--every time I pass it I do a few of them. The bike helps, but I think it also contributes to swelling. I still do it, but only when I can ice right afterward.

Wouldn't it be great if we could have our own little exercise group/cheering squad?

If you can't get it higher on your own, the MUA sooner rather than later sounds like a good idea. Are you and the PT working on the scar tissue?

 

[Rowdy66]

Marianne, I have followed your posts and just feel so sorry for all you have been through. While I have not had to have the MUA from what others have posted their recovery really turned around for the good once they had it done so if I were in the position of needing it I would definitely look forward to getting it done and out of the way so I could get on with my life and I am sure you feel the same way. You are such a brave person and so upbeat and have worked so hard you are truly an inspiration to others. I wish you the very best and will keep you in my prayers. By the way, I bet you are a wonderful teacher. I will keep you in my prayers. Rowdy

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Oh my - I hope my posts don't come across as too whiny - I really am happy with the choice to do te TKR - I wish I had been ble to do it earlier in the summer and maybe I wouldn't feel like I have to be at a certain point by now. I think overall things have gone pretty well. The 2 little concerns over infection have seemed to turn out fine, the scar looks great - even the bubble has improved greatly. Overall the only really yucky pain springs up when we do the major bending - I can walk - although I look like Frankenstein or the hunchback unassisted. So really all has gone pretty good except for the exhaustion - which I now finally understand is truly just a reaction that I will deal with and the ROM. I have talked with the hubby and he just wants me to be happy so when we go the OS Friday he will support whatever decision we make. Whatever the OS recommends I will do. No reason to wait if he suggests the MUA, but if wants to try further pt I am going to be fine with that as well. I will suck it up and get that rom back! I know how lucky I am - a man - maybe in his early 70s was in PT - just starting this week. His incision looked really nasty - he had stitches not staples and he a a big puss spot they were dealing with. Lots of scabbing. Just really scary. He rubs cocoa butter on it. Not sure about that one. My incision had its issues - but this one took the cake. also have had no issues with blod clots or any other complications so all in all I guess it really wasn't too bad.

Anyway - off to shower and deal with the CPM for a few hours! Can work on some paperwork while STRETCHING and BENDING this AM.

Raining up here - suprise surprise - State Fair started!

Marianne

 

[carolinagirl]

Marianne,
I'll send you some more ROM'S if you will toss a couple of hours sleep my way! I sure hate to hear that you are having trouble with that.
That poor gentleman!! I could not imagine having stitches and not staples!
Bless his heart! Just when I hurt and feel like griping, I see someone who
has problems or has a condition that is permanent. I get mighty humble real quick!
I am so lucky to not have had any serious problems with my TKR.
I hope all works out well for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Does the rain seem to cause your knee/leg to ache also?
You take care of yourself. Great pic of you and Jessi on the photo thread!

 

[Linda2]

I can't even imagine the staples! Mine was glued and ster-stripped and is healing up beautifully. But you have to go with your surgeon on the skin closing. That's really the least of it, I think. I'm glad I don't have to see the rest directly!

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Not sure about the rain - putting the ted hose back on had created a new "feeling" along the scar line - feels like needles poking in some spots - really weird. Not worried - but for the first time I actually had an "uncomfortable" feeling - not achy - just not comfy in the lower leg- probably beneath the new knee. Weather is clearing so .... I think this winter is going to be intersting - but I may be fine. I love the cold and we actually have a very dry cold for most of the winter - late fall and late spring can be more damp but usually from October through April 1 it is a dry cold - snow that sounds like styrofoam when you walk on it!

Sending you some ZZZZZssssssss - Carolina! I owe you!


Linda - I had 35 wonderful staples. After the staples came out at 16 days they put a gluey strip along the scar and then the steri-strips for another 10 days! Glue would have been cool for the whole time! neat!

Marianne

 

[Linda2]

It is kind of cool. Since I'm diabetic, I am always pleased when things heal up promptly and well. They always have for me, but I am still cautious--not cautious enough never to go barefoot, however.

 

[carolinagirl]

Hi Linda,
Barefoot is a way of life down here. I hate shoes! The minute I hit the front
door off they come. I got it honest, from my daddy.
Nothing feels quite so good as walking barefoot in the grass. That is what I was doing the other day when I went to the mailbox and realized I had left my cane in the house! My tootsies were having a high time!
Tammy

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Tammy -
Hey - can I ask a question - When you are walking aabout are you using a cane??? I went cold turkey after the crutches went bye-bye last week. PT said to ditch the crutches so I did. We discussed a cane - but I figured I might get more bend from the knee if I wasn't using the cane.Would you say the cane is helping with gait - I am thinking that I may talk with PT about that on Monday. They originally said it was ok to go without a cane now only because it is not winter and that if we get ice early we would discuss what might be necessary - (Yes - My limp is pronounced due to the lack of Rom - but not as bad as a shorter person - I am 5 8 1/2 so I can carry the limp a bit better - or so they told me - I still think I look awful funny hobbling about)

Once again - I look for all your expert advice!
Marianne
(And yes - ice can come as early as late September up here - and I DO NOT want to slip or fall this winter!)

Green grass and barefeet! My daughter loved that feel when we went home this summer - ohhhhh the memories !

 

[carolinagirl]

Mornin!
Yes, it does help with my gait.!
My OS had me use the cane after the walker. But outside only.
I don't use it in the house. At work I use it walking down the hallway as I don't want to take a chance on that carpet up there.
Believe it or not my cane also helps with my bad knee. I call my surgical leg my good knee now. I guess I just feel alittle more secure. I just watch where I am going and I am aware of my surroundings.
I will be hanging on to that cane for awhile anyway. At least until my OS and PT tell me differently.

It is a beautiful morning here, the clouds are gone and the sunshine is back!
I think I am gonna have to find an outdoor activity for today!
Hope you have a great Sunday! It's 7:50 am here, and since you are 4 hours behind me, I am guessing you are fast asleep up there!
Tammy

 

[Linda2]

I think you should use your cane if it helps you to keep an even, steady gait. Limping and an uneven gait can stress other parts of our bodies and open a whole new cane of worms. Heel to toe, heel to toe, heel to toe . . .