Guest viewing is limited

Knee Infection* The girl with the two fake knees

Thank you for sharing your pictures. I'm as the years go by your pain will lessen but you will always have your memories of those 19 years together,

Your knee is doing well. I'm glad you have a date for your second knee and then the new year will be bright for you.
 
Hi acdcjen... I am scheduled for my second tkr on November 29th. Have a toddler knee which was born 8/22/16. That's nearing 10 weeks old. Today I made my first all day solo shopping trip really enjoyed myself came home with my treasures and a tired toddler knee and complaining geezer knee.iam leaving Monday for a 10 day trip to Florida to scout out an rv park for my husband and I to spend the winter months in. Iam telling you this to encourage you that the life after a tkr is a better quality of life ... I was like you and could not sleep due to knee pain. Both my knees were bone on bone ... hoping your surgery is scheduled soon
 
Yippee on your solo shopping trip! Doesn't that freedom feel wonderful!
 
Sorry for my absence! I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted. Thank you for thinking about me. I appreciate it. I'm just in a bit of a funk and I guess I was inadvertently laying low. Last week was difficult because it was my anniversary and it hit me a little harder this year. This is going to sound silly, but Swede (that was Russell's nickname...) was a huge Chicago Cubs fan too. So, the fact that they are doing so well is hard because he's not here to see them. I've just been thinking about him a lot more lately, and I'm sure with the recent death of my BFF Megan, it will all come crashing down again!!! I'm doing okay today, but I need to figure out ways to get out of the house more or keep my mind occupied better. Crossword puzzles have been a good thing for me. I've also been watching shows on Netflix. I'm sleeping like ****, but I'll deal with that. I should go to my PCP and get an rx for an antidepressant, but I'm not sure I want to do that so close to surgery again. We'll see what happens.

As far as my knee, it's doing really well! I *still* have about an inch long area at the top of the incision that is being stubborn! There is the smallest open area, but it does crust over often. But, because of the way it was closed and where it is, it's puckered a bit, so it pulls and takes the scab with it! So, I try to keep it covered during the day and open at night. And I keep it dry in the shower too. It was a bit red but much better today. I'm waiting to see if the PA will order antibiotics for me, just to be safe. It turns out that PT is a bit expensive for me with the co-insurance, so I'm going once a week. I thought it would be horrible, but I actually like being able to use my knee the way it should be. It's tough, and while it's awkward, it's not that painful, which I was really surprised about. They gave me a ton of exercises to do at home and I've been doing my best to do them. I completely switched to my cane on Sunday, and it's taking some getting used to. I miss the support of my crutches, but they were becoming...well...a crutch for not moving to the cane. I'm doing a lot better, but if I do too much, I get a little wobbly. No close calls or anything either! I like being able to strengthen my knee and really seeing how much better it will get! I have my own Thera-bands and cords to use. I also just ordered a 7 pound weight to help with my extension and will most likely get some sort of balance board. I have poor balance anyway, so that would be very helpful. I do still have some discomfort with certain activities, like high-stepping, some bending, but overall, I'm usually at a 1 or 2 for pain, and I've even gotten to 0!!!! That is UNHEARD of for me. It's been over 25 years since 0 pain in that knee! It feels a bit tight, but with more strengthening and use, it will be wonderful!

There are 26 more days until I have my RTKR. Luckily, I don't have to have all of the pre-op things done like last time. I can skip the class and my PCP appointment this time around. My pre-op H&P with my OS is 11/18. I feel like it's so far away that it's never going to get here, but it will be here before I know it. I'm actually so excited about it! After I have it done, then I'll be working towards two, perfectly, well-working knees and I've never had that! One of my goals in PT is to learn to get out of my kayak normally, so I will be ready for next summer! I already have a goal to put 500 miles on it!

Other than depression, I think what I'm struggling the most with is learning how to walk like I should and learning to identify as a person who can do things, and not have to make excuses not to participate. I'm still a ways away from being completely capable, but I'm on my way. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it is what it is. Even just little things like being able to sit on the floor, or walking with my nieces and nephew to trick or treat, or walking a trail in the park. I can't do that now, but I will be able to in several months. I'm excited about that, but I'm also a bit apprehensive. I just hope nothing else breaks down too badly in the meantime! Hips...I'm looking at you!!!

That's about it for now. I'll hopefully be better with updates. I'm hanging in there and doing pretty well. :)

Good night my fellow Bonesmarties!
Jen
 
Good to hear from you, Jen! I was getting worried as I knew you have had some hard times lately. Keep at the cane, it'll become second nature and be careful using the weight as it's still early. My balance was terrible and I hated the balance board! I could barely do 5 seconds on it. My PTs used short hurdles for high steps. It didn't hurt at all and got me to pick my leg up because I was in the habit of just dragging it along.
 
Oh, Jen, I'm sorry to hear of all that's going on with you. This is a difficult time for you in so many ways. Yes, you do have to create a new self identity, and you will, in time. It's still very early days for you and you're facing another knee, as well.
It's a lot to deal with.
But that trick or treating day will come, with your nieces and nephew, and that walk in the park as well.
And to have periods of no pain. Well that's priceless.
Take care.
 
I'm glad to hear from you as well, Jen. I was getting a bit worried.
It must be very hard getting through this particular time of the year. Hugs! :friends:
ACDCJen said:
I also just ordered a 7 pound weight to help with my extension and will most likely get some sort of balance board. I have poor balance anyway, so that would be very helpful.
Click to expand...
I know you want to get Knee Number One well on the way to recovery before you have the second knee done, but do try not to rush it. We usually recommend that you don't start any strengthening until about 3 months after a TKR, because your knee isn't healed enough for it until then.
I'll give you our article about Extension. Try some of those exercises before you add any weights. Again, it's still too early for weights.
Extension: how to estimate it and ways to improve it

Best wishes. :flwrysmile:
 
I'm just now catching up on your thread, Jen, and am so sorry to read about all you've been through. I lost my very best friend 3 years ago tomorrow and it still stings. I miss her terribly and know it will always be that way.

You are one amazing lady, though. I'm in awe of your strength and purpose as you approach all that is going on in your life. I have no doubts that you are going to be a dynamo once that second knee is in place. Keep up the great work on recovery. Your knee looks great!
 
Hi Jen, I have been concerned about you, too. I am sorry that you are going through such a hard time, but glad that you are making good progress with your knee. 0 pain is awesome! I also enjoyed going to PT and now that I am finished for this knee I really miss it.
 
Jen, I am also sorry to hear what you are going through. But, one day you can use your experiences to help others going through similar things. The pain will still be there, but not as sharp. Being able to help others will so much help you. And please don't over work your baby knee. It has a hard time coming up and needs to heal before that. Just using it daily will rehab it, not aggressive exercises.
 
You are all so very nice to me! I'm just doing my life the best I know how, just like everyone else! I think it helps to be a counselor because I have always had a tendency to focus on others rather than myself. I know this is not a good coping skill, but it is what it is!

One great thing is that the Cubs won the World Series! I am not a baseball fan really, but Swede loved them so much! He always said that he would get a Cubs tattoo if they won the WS. So, now that they have, my sister and I will go sometime after my next surgery, probably next year, and get matching ones in his honor. So, this made me feel a lot better. Plus his Vikings are doing well, my Raiders are doing well, and I'm first place in my football pool for the only time in over 10 years! I am not a religious person, but all of these things are a little weird... :)

Knee is doing well today! I got my cuff weight from Amazon today to use to improve my extension. I don't keep my leg straight with it for that long, but I keep working at it. I am really amazed at how little the pain actually is after I do the exercises. I just feel strong and capable, which I like! I also don't get much swelling, whether after rest or exercising, so that's a good thing! Actually, when my knees were measured, the right one was more swollen. So, I am glad that one will be fixed in 25 days!

Thanks again for all the well-wishes. I really feel better today. I will be getting out of the house tomorrow, just not sure where yet!

Oh...and my knee is 7 weeks 1 day old now!!!! :)

Keep on keepin' on!
Jen
 
Please Jen, If you're going to get a tattoo, be very careful that you go to a place where everything is properly sterilized and they clean your skin thoroughly before they start. You need to be super-careful that you don't run the risk of introducing any infection at all.

I'm glad your first TKR is doing so well.
 
@Celle
Oh, don't worry about that. I was already fanatical about sterilization, even more so now. Plus, we're going to wait until next year once I'm all healed. That will give us plenty of time to find the best spot. I only have one right now, and that went really well. :)

Thank you for thinking about me! :)
Jen
 
AS for extension, when I had my BTKR, I had very tight hamstrings. I performed exercise #3---I would use a heating pad and heat one of my hamstrings to loosen it up---and then I would hang my leg over the edge of the bed, while I would lie face down on the bed. I eventually used small ankle weights, too. I did this to both hamstrings---both legs. Once or twice a day. Then I iced.
 
Jen, So glad to hear that your knee is doing so well. I am in awe! I will say it again I hope to do half as well as you have. Of course I have a few more years on me than you but your attitude is great!
I am sorry to hear about your life challenges. Eventually we all get our turn at them. Getting to the other side is important and so treat yourself just like your new knee, very gently! Just like your knee you have to give yourself time to heal, there is no set timeframe or agenda for that, it comes when it comes.
As for next year, when we are healed, since we are not that far apart in distance we will have to plan a "walk in the park". We have letchworth about midway!! A picnic may be in order!!!
Stay well,
Lene'


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
Hello from Western NY!

I've been doing just fine! I was told last week that my PT copay was $90, which bummed me out because I like going to PT. I had to cancel one of my two appointments last week. So, I found out today the copay is only $30! So, I am able to go two times this week and next week, and probably once the week after. I was so grateful to hear that! They put me through my paces today. I am measuring 95/5 in my surgical knee! I've gained 5 degrees of extension! My flexion is always taken with me laying down, is this always the way it's measured? Because if I could sit and bend, it would be a lot higher. Oh well. It's not about the numbers for me! I did the elliptical bike today for 10 minutes (I loved this machine! I asked them where I could get one for home!) It allowed me to extend both of my legs and felt good. I did have a slight popping/sliding on the back outer part of my knee, but it wasn't painful, it just felt weird. Then I did the incline board at a very small angle. That was exhausting, but I was able to do all the reps that were asked of me. Oddly, the bottom of my right foot was fatigued the most. Then I did stuff with the bars, like walking back and forth, side steps, and high steps. The session ended with icing, and I specifically asked for 30 minutes since all they do is 10 and that is too inadequate to do any good. I told the PT aide that I'm working with that icing for more than 20 minutes is better and the longer, the better. She was curious, so I hope I've put a bug in her ear. I do get a bit shaky, but I know this is because I've been healing for the past 5 months with very little moving around, and I'm now doing a lot more! I also think I'm having a fibro flare, particularly in my back, which makes standing up for anything more than 10 minutes really painful. I have been using my exercise bands, floor peddler, and cuff weight at home, so I'm hoping I'll continue to improve until I have my RTKR in 3 WEEKS!!! I do struggle with the cane because I'm very apprehensive about letting me knee do what it wants to do. I don't know how to walk normal and I don't know what a normal knee should feel like, so I think I'm holding back a bit. Plus, the tibial tubercle screw removal and long tibial stem seem to have been more painful that a "normal" TKR. Not sure if this is true, but that's what I'm telling myself! I'm going to buy a half balance ball to use at home. I've had horrible balance since my ankle surgery 23 years ago, so anything I can do to improve it is a bonus! Gotta get ready for kayaking next summer!

I have been trying to get out more and more. I am going to vote tomorrow. I was going to go to Highland Park Cemetery in Rochester to put my sticker on Susan B. Anthony's grave, but I am going to spend the afternoon with my nephew playing UNO and Xbox instead. I'll be glad when this election is over and the negativity stops.

I'm going to try to catch up on posts! Happy Monday, what's left of it anyway...

Jen
 
Wow! It seems like PT is working you hard, Jen. How do you feel the next day? My PTs let me stay with ice on my knee as long as I wanted. They also measured with me laying down until I told them I felt it was harder for me and they let me do it sitting up. But you're absolutely right, it isn't about the numbers. I don't even remember what my ROM was when I left PT and my OS never mentioned it, he just wanted to know what I could do in my daily life.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Staff online

Members online

Total: 3,544 (members: 3, guests: 3,541)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom