TKR The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

[Mutley]

Oh blimey, that's not good Another tablet I can't take but I think your right, if in doubt stop taking it. That doesn't mean to say you can't ask the Dr to prescribe something else though!
I'm staying in Estepona ( nearer the Gibralter end!) 24 degrees today & a fresh delivery of beer with my name on it It's been an effort ( even this late in my recovery at 19 weeks) to motivate myself to A) Decide to go & B) Pack Still, have finally done that horrible chore & managed to get my case UNDER the 20kg limit
Now I've just got to get myself up at stupid o'clock! Don't worry, I'm only going for a week! Hoping it will recharge my very run down batteries & leave me energised to see this TKR recovery to it's conclusion!
So, wishing you a positive, pain manageable week. Really hope you get that knee moving just a little bit more in the right direction!
Hugs & keep POSITIVE!
Jaki

 

[Solar Cycles]

Well you have a fantastic relaxing time, I could do with some warm sunshine myself and a nice chilled San Miguel. I'll be going to the docs on Monday too see what else she can prescribe me.

 

[Mutley]

...well when I get served that nice cold pint I'll order another & drink it on your behalf! Cheers & lets hope the weather in the UK takes a turn in the right direction too so you can at least relax in the garden while icing that knee
Pleased your going back to the Dr's too! Onwards.... jaki x

 

[Solar Cycles]

Another day and at least I slept much better last night after taking some sleeping tablets, on the downside my exercise regime isn't going well my ROM is still stuck at 50 degrees and I simply cannot do the the exercises due to the pain. Should I be concerned at the lack of ROM at this stage or is the extensor mechanism reconstruction stopping me from attaining a better ROM. I'm becoming quite concerned that I can't do the exercises and that I'll end up having to undergo a MUA.

 

[Solar Cycles]

I've decided that I'm better following what my knee tells me from here on as I think all normal protocols do not apply for me, so from now it's a case of trial and error and if it hurts I shan't be doing it.

 

[Solar Cycles]

My own Physio regime is now in place. I ventured out for the first time today and managed a fifteen minute walk around the block with both crutches, knee was swollen and painful thereafter and I'm currently icing as I type. On the exercise front I'm still struggling and think that walking is probably the best way forward at this moment in time.

 

[Solar Cycles]

Another big setback to my recovery. For the last couple of days I've been experiencing chest pain, after yesterday's little walkabout the pain increased tenfold so I've been too see my GP and somehow I've managed to either crack a rib or pulled a muscle or both. My exercise regime now consist of practically nothing until there is an improvement, I'm probably talking to myself as replies seem redundant.

 

[Mutley]

Josephine, can you help Solar Cycles out on his current situation? Sounds pretty horrible for him & frustrating without anyone else's medical input? Maybe he should be trying to get an appointment with his surgeon as it seems like he's being left in limbo at the moment...
Sorry your having a horrible time Hope you've at least managed to get a bit more sleep?

 

[Josephine]

I'm still feeling a little out of sorts I think this is down to the Tramadol as I'm feeling short of breath also. I've decided to stick with the co-codamol and emit the Tramadol from here on.

Solar, do NOT cut out your Tramadol, you need it right now. In fact, you can take 150mg at a time now and again if the pain is really bad. I did that quite often in my recovery and I hadn't had any ligament repair! Reducing your pain meds will be truly counter-productive.

my ROM is still stuck at 50 degrees and I simply cannot do the the exercises due to the pain. Should I be concerned at the lack of ROM at this stage or is the extensor mechanism reconstruction stopping me from attaining a better ROM. I'm becoming quite concerned that I can't do the exercises and that I'll end up having to undergo a MUA.

No please don't be concerned. You've had a complex knee replacement and it's highly likely you will need an MUA at some stage but don't be anxious about that. A lot of patients who have complex ligament reconstructions end up having MUAs as it's almost impossible to recover without getting adhesions. So don't get yourself stressed out about the exercises. You're in a bit of a 'between a rock and a hard place' situation at the moment as you've had one surgery that requires exercises and another that requires NO exercises! I'm surprised your surgeon and your physiotherapist haven't explained this to you. I think the best thing you can do right now - specially with the chest problem - is to concentrate on the simpler stuff you can do like walking to the bathroom and simply managing the pain.

I've been experiencing chest pain, after yesterday's little walkabout the pain increased tenfold so I've been too see my GP and somehow I've managed to either crack a rib or pulled a muscle or both.

More likely a strained muscle. How did you do it? Did you have a fall? A bad cough or sneezing?

 

[Solar Cycles]

Thanks for both replying, I'm still struggling with both ROM and strained chest muscle. Regarding how I strained this, well the only thing I can think of is the way I've been pushing myself out of the sofa other than that I've no idea. I must say the thought of having to undergo a MUA doesn't inspire me, my consultant did say it would be a long road to recovery and that I'll hit a low before hitting a high, but now with me practically laid up and not being able to walk due to the pain caused by the strain the odds on a MUA within the next month or two are increasing tenfold.

 

[Mutley]

Evening Stephen,
Have you got a follow up appointment to see your surgeon & if so, is that fairly soon? Your just over 3 weeks post op I think, so still very early days especially with your more complex op. However, some respite from all the pain & just feeling like a bit of improvement is being made would make all the difference, especially mentally. If your follow up appt isn't for a while yet can you not get your physio to contact your surgeon to see if you can be seen sooner? Failing that, how about ringing your surgeons secretary to see if you can get an earlier appt or maybe just speak to "the man" himself. I really feel you just need to have peace of mind to help you through at the moment. Don't even start worrying about the MUA at the moment. You might not even require one & it certainly wouldn't/shouldn't be done any time soon with your knee still swollen etc. There have been other members on here who have been laid up for various reasons following they're TKR who also haven't been able to exercise until "the time was right" & they've still managed to pull things round & gain that elusive ROM or extension. Just do whatever you feel you can manage at this point which isn't causing any pain to your knee or chest. In the meantime I do think you need to have a chat with your surgeon to just clarify the state of play & expectations.
After a lovely week in the sun I now need a serious detox....

 

[robynhood]

Stephen, sorry youre not having a good time of it at the moment. Its very frustrating isnt it. Plus you have the added strained chest muscle. I feel sorry you. We have enough to contend with TKR without the added extras. I would really listen to your knee an forget about your ROM until you feeling stronger. We are all different and heal at different stages. I am six months post op now and have been at 90 ROM for the last four months of it. Slowly now my swelling is going down hence the ROM is gradually going up. It is so disheartening sometimes to see the great figures some people get within weeks but we have to accept we will take a little longer. Perhaps you cut down on your medication a little too early. That certainly wouldnt help. i hope you are feeling a lot stronger within yourself and start to heal better soon. We are all here for you and can relate to your feelings. By the way Mutley glad you had a nice time in Spain. Back to reality now. Both take care.

 

[Josephine]

I must say the thought of having to undergo a MUA doesn't inspire me

I'm sure it doesn't but please try not view this as a failure on your part (or anybody's part) just a sometimes inevitable second stage of the procedure. In the end, you may well be grateful for it to progress.

 

[Solar Cycles]

Thank you everyone for keeping me positive and focused, I had a relatively good nights sleep last night only awaking at 05:00am for some pain relief, then I managed to get back over and sleep until 10 am. My chest strain is a lot easier today, do I've been able to walk around the house a lot more, still on crutches mind you. My next Physio appointment is on Tuesday so I'll wait too see what they suggest with regards to my ROM.

 

[Mutley]

That's such good news It may only seem like a little "something" but sometimes it's just enough to make us think maybe things might be on the turn! Hopefully the physio will also give you news to smile about on Tuesday...fingers crossed! I've managed just 45 minutes (approx) of sleep in the last 2 nights. Today is not a good day for me
Don't stress about the crutches. You use them for as long as you feel the need for them. Your own knee & confidence will tell you when actually, crutches are a pain in the backside
Wishing you another good nights rest

 

[Solar Cycles]

Sorry to hear that Jaki, you would have thought by now that sleepless nights would be less of a problem for you now. Have you stopped taking the sleeping tablets?

 

[Josephine]

still on crutches mind you

Hmmm ... which kind of crutches do you have?

 

[Solar Cycles]

The elbow type Josephine.

 

[Josephine]

Oh, okay. That's my good idea squashed then!

 

[Solar Cycles]

What idea did you have Josephine?