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TKR The journey continues

Amy Jo, I am also worried about nickel allergy and am having red spots here and there on my knee. I'm also getting some rough skin on my foot and ankle of the same leg. I am so stiff and sore and it doesn't really seem to be letting up any. Then I look back and see where I was a few weeks ago. The energy drain was awful then, but I think the knee was the same. Of course, am I remembering correctly? Improvement is so slow that maybe I just can't see it.
 
@sistersinhim My skin took a great deal of abuse due to lack of attention. I could bend to lotion my left foot and had no problem with my left leg getting lotion also. But for over two months I wasn't allowed to use lotion on my right leg and I couldn't reach the bottom of my right foot with the imbolizer on. It was in bad shape. But my wonderful sister came to my house, set up a bucket of warm soapy water for my foot, then massaged lotion into it. So while you probably shouldn't use anything on the TKR leg, baby that foot as much as you can. Our skin can take a beating from all the meds. Now I regularly moisturize my feet with Palmers Cocoa Butter.
 
Ok, I bit the bullet and called my OS's office and asked about nickel allergies. The person who answered said that there was a tiny, tiny bit of nickel in the knee and that people don't usually have a problem with it. I then asked if they had ANYONE with a reaction to the nickel. She said NO and that I shouldn't worry. My OS has done over 600 knees. I will try to put the worry behind me. I've had a rash on both arms for several weeks but I have very sensitive skin and could be from a number of things, like the sleeping pill. I have had eczema for years. I am going to try Tylenol PM tonight and see if that works as well as the other pill. I sure enjoy sleeping at night! :)
@sistersinhim My knee is stiff too and sore when I walk more than a couple lots away from my house. Somewhere I read that it might be swollen for a year. This may be something we just have to accept.
 
It'll loosen up with time. I'm glad you called the OS to set your mind at ease.
 
Amy Jo, that's really good news about your implant. I don't know why doctors just don't use nickel-free ones all the time. Why take the chance? It seems like there's always something to worry about in this new territory for us. Knowing that others are going through and have been through the same things helps some. If I didn't have all this time on my hands, I wouldn't have time to worry!
 
@Floridagal and @sistersinhim didn't you have to do a nickel allergy test before surgery? I know the first of the 4 surgeons I saw on my quest insisted on it, as the implants he uses had a tiny bit of nickel. When I asked my current and final surgeon about that, he says he uses only titanium implants as he finds them better and not subject to nickel issues.
 
I had no allergy tests and have no clue what my knee is made of. They did ask me if I had any allergies on the pre-op form.
 
I asked mine about it and he said no, that he hasn't had a problem with his implants. A man of few words.
 
I never had a nickel test by the OS and honestly I don't know what I put on the form. I wasn't even worried about it then. I think of allergies as being food allergies or medicine allergies, stupid me.
 
I really wouldn't worry about allergies to nickel unless you have a history of it. The blood test can cost up to $600 to have. Another member had posted that was how much she had to pay but in her case it was warranted.
 
@Floridagal its rare to have a nickel allergy. I know because I have had one my entire life. My skin reddens, itches, and a rash appears within a few minutes where inexpensive jewelry or most anything with metal has touched my skin; i.e., the inside snaps on blue jeans; zippers on boots; metal on eyeglass/sunglass frames; watches, etc. In the hospital, I always request a gown with ties as I break out where each snap touches my skin. I have a 100% titanium knee and my incision was glued together since staples contain nickel. My OS said titanium knees are much more expensive and he does only 1-2 a year. Keep an eye on your symptoms and record notes if it continues but plz remember that it is rare. Hugs
 
This evening I have the reading group at my house. That means I have to straighten and clean and do a little shopping. My friend Lynn baked a mixed berry pie to me to serve. We like to wine and dine as we discuss our selected book. :)

Week Six Report: My knee is steady at -130 and +2. (This is pretty close to my other knee.) This morning I tried for a longer walk with my Nordic Poles. It was cooler because of yesterday's rain. I have to pretend I am in training and keep pushing myself to walk farther. The Fitbit said I walked 1800 steps. The PT says that the guad has some atrophy and that seems to be my biggest liability along with the stiffness. I am also working on stairs using alternating legs. I plan to be discharged next Tuesday from PT. I feel I can do everything I need at home.
 
Good for you! The key to doing what you want is not overdoing at one time. Clean a bit today, then rest and put the leg up, half hour later get up and do a bit more.

What book did your group read and how were you able to concentrate to read it? My group's last book was The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. She's not the typical author type for our group as we have males in our group as well, but the book was phenomenal! I'm thinking of finding another book group since I've retired and have more time.
 
Amy Jo, I agree with KarriB, do a little bit then take a break by putting your leg up and icing. I have found that, that's how I'm getting some of my outside work done. I pull for about a half and hour, then rest for at least a half an hour. This keeps me for being so sore at night while trying to sleep. Enjoy your meeting tonight and don't worry too much about your house. Those ladies know what you've been through and don't expect your house to be spit clean! Just you hosting the meeting is enough! And if you need to elevate, do it. I even do it at church! People understand our surgeries!
 
@KarriB Our group is reading "A Shorty History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson. I couldn't read it at first. I found it very boring. So I jumped ahead to where the group was since I had gotten way behind and found the later chapters much more interesting. A friend brought me "A Redbird Christmas" by Fannie Flagg and I was able to read that since it was light and interesting when I was just a week or two out from surgery. My focus is much better now.

Today North Central Florida had an internet shutdown. Cox Cable provides the internet. I couldn't use my computer or watch TV from 11:00 a.m. till just a few minutes ago. Wow! Did I feel deprived.

@sistersinhim I am following your good advice and not exhausting myself trying to get the house sparkling clean. It is presentable and that is it. :) I think the work a little, rest a little, is a good way to go.
 
The meeting with the reading group was great fun but it gets my adrenaline flowing. That's why I am up at 1:15. Or maybe it was the glass of wine I drank. Anyway it is not pain that is keeping me awake. I rested a lot today and the knee is happy.
 
Amy Jo that's great that you are having fun...a galas OS wine, ahhhhh how I miss my wine, I was cutting down on my pain meds because I really didn't need much, so one of the benefits was having a glass of wine, but with my father in the hospital, these long days without elevating and icing have set me back some, my knee is not very happy with me and letting me know loud and clear. He is going home today, shortly I hope!!!
 
Clara, I'm happy your dad is coming home and I know this has been a trying time for you. I dare drink wine now that I am off all narcotics. I am super tired today so am doing lots of resting, elevating and icing. I hope you have time for the same.
 
I'm glad you're doing well. After your busy day and night, you need and deserve a day of rest!
 
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