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TKR TKR with Fibro and Raynauds and RA, anyone else?

didn’t sleep so well last night and wasn’t able to manage my pain quite so well during the day, don’t really know why, but it’s no more than I was expecting so I’m keeping to my routine.
Keeping to your routine is probably not the best of things to do right now. Pain is an indication that you need to rest your knee more, not work it. Increase your resting, icing and elevating until your knee settles down. It needs lot of TLC, just like the newborn baby that it is.
 
didn’t sleep so well last night and wasn’t able to manage my pain quite so well during the day, don’t really know why, but it’s no more than I was expecting so I’m keeping to my routine.
Keeping to your routine is probably not the best of things to do right now. Pain is an indication that you need to rest your knee more, not work it. Increase your resting, icing and elevating until your knee settles down. It needs lot of TLC, just like the newborn baby that it is.
Thanks for your advice. I obviously should have made clear that, despite my pain being somewhat more difficult to manage yesterday, I’m keeping to my pain relieving “routine “. I actually meant I wasn’t going to change anything just yet about the routine of icing elevating analgesia etc. I didn’t mean I was keeping to my previously held daily living routine prior to surgery. To be honest I couldn’t even if I wanted to.
 
@Layla @mendogal @benne68 @Jockette I’ve tagged you in here and added more below to this post because I’m hoping someone can offer some advice or reassurance.
15/1/25
Well I actually slept for a good 7 hrs, which I’m very thankful for, but the pain on waking is a return of what started late yesterday. I know it’s common to have thigh and calf pain and I think I’m also suffering nerve pain. Whenever I move even to shift position I get a wave of deep gnawing type pain for about 10 seconds or so which I breathe through until it settles into a less intense constant gnawing pain. As the pain goes from my ankle to my buttocks I’m pretty sure it’s mostly sciatic nerve pain having experienced it before.

I also have very tender calf and thigh muscle pain which I know can also happen and I’ve simply been smoothing the area to ease it.All this makes it difficult to do any exercise, no matter how gentle because it instantly gives rise to the waves of pain.

Added to that, back in my pre op thread I’d mentioned the fact I had left knee arthroscopy last September and initially things seemed really good,but just prior to this surgery I was getting pain in it that was new and different from pre op and I’m now getting a painful sort of snap and popping sound on the front of the patella. You could sort of imagine a ligament or tendon type of tissue flicking over the front of the patella as I try and bend my knee to raise myself up to walk. It’s actually more uncomfortable than the TKR and means it’s not very reliable when attempting to get up from the couch/bed !

Overnight of the 15th/16th. Continued with the horrid pain and what I can only describe as dull pins and needles in the soles of my foot, not sharp like normal and as I attempted to drift off to sleep my leg would suddenly seem to jerk and fling itself before becoming still. As I was only partly awake it’s not that clear what’s happening, so that’s how I can best describe it.

All in all feeling pretty rough and emotional. I know these things are part of the journey,but it feels good to tell someone about it,who has experienced the same surgery and I’d love someone’s thoughts on it. Thanks.
 
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had valgus presentation prior to surgery and the outer aspect of my foot rolled over to the right. Did anyone have this? Did you find you had to consciously place your foot squarely on the floor when walking? My foot seems to want to stay in the rolled out position,
I was very valgus ( over 20 degrees) before my surgery. I had always been quite knock kneed but it got much worse with the collapse of my lateral compartment with arthritis.
My PKR has almost completely straightened my leg. I don't really remember having to consciously adjust my foot. But I did notice some of my shoes had worn very unevenly and were pushing my foot back into poor posture.
Have a look at your footwear to see if that is an issue for you too.
 
Thanks. Haven’t actually got back to the shoe wearing phase but like you I’d imagine my shoes would be more worn on the outer aspect of the heel. My leg is nice and straight after surgery though.
 
@beralc I am 5 weeks Rtkr and although I don't feel I have progressed , my hubby tells me otherwise. He's brilliant so I will believe him. The emotional state is part of our journey, horrid and I don't think I have ever cried so much. Frustration and then the blues, I want to be normal. Then there's the PT demands, I have one this afternoon and all I know is, I cannot be pushed. With the swelling still lingering so hard to achieve that bend. With the help from bonesmart we are so fortunate to seek advice virtually 24/7 and also good to hear other people's stories. Also, the problem's with back, hip pain doesn't help, but seems to be part of it. Ice and elevate is a definite help. Wish you well and let's stay positive x
 
@beralc I am 5 weeks Rtkr and although I don't feel I have progressed , my hubby tells me otherwise. He's brilliant so I will believe him. The emotional state is part of our journey, horrid and I don't think I have ever cried so much. Frustration and then the blues, I want to be normal. Then there's the PT demands, I have one this afternoon and all I know is, I cannot be pushed. With the swelling still lingering so hard to achieve that bend. With the help from bonesmart we are so fortunate to seek advice virtually 24/7 and also good to hear other people's stories. Also, the problem's with back, hip pain doesn't help, but seems to be part of it. Ice and elevate is a definite help. Wish you well and let's stay positive x
Yes difficult to rise above things at times, but I’ve experienced enough things in life to know nothing lasts forever. It’s none the less hard to cope with at times, but thankfully it’s interspersed with some easier bits and the knowledge of help here. Tears do no one any harm and are just a release of all that’s beyond our control. That’s all.
Like you I have a wonderful husband who has been looking after me since my discharge and I am so grateful for that.
Hoping your journey improves and you’re able to cope when things are difficult.
 
I actually meant I wasn’t going to change anything just yet about the routine of icing elevating analgesia etc. I didn’t mean I was keeping to my previously held daily living routine prior to surgery. To be honest I couldn’t even if I wanted to
I misunderstood you. I am so glad to read that you aren't going to daily routine quite yet! Pain and swelling control is the best thing for you right now. Little baby steps is all you need to be doing!
 
Hi. Was anyone able to offer any help with the post I posted yesterday? Finding my leg difficult even to touch at the moment. Have I posted in the wrong place or something?
 
@beralc
No, your post is here, further up on this thread as it should be. Every now and then a post will get lost as others get added afterwards and for some reason I didn't get a notification of you pinging me.

It sounds like there's a couple of possibly separate issues? A radiating nerve type of pain but also a deep muscle ache?

Both are common after TKR. Our entire weight bearing structure slowly (mal)adjusts to compensate for our arthritis. Suddenly in the OR it's reset, and the structure can take months to readjust to this.

Members report experiencing aches and pains anywhere from low back to foot/ankle. This can include a form of sciatica pain.
Here's a link to an article about piriformis syndrome and sciatica.

The restless leg isn't uncommon either. Here's an article about it. Some folks find magnesium at bedtime helpful, or getting a blanket lifter for the foot of the bed. Your doc might prescribe something for it.
 
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Thank you.Sorry if my comment came across as a little disgruntled. I was feeling very overwhelmed and alone with things yesterday. So when I didn’t see a response it didn’t help.
I did sleep slightly better last night so don’t feel in such a dark place today. I have all the same issues as yesterday but I’m not overwhelmed by them today, simply because I slept.
I’ll read the articles now thanks, I’d add that I believe my other conditions RA Fibromyalgia, Raynauds and previous history of Sciatica are also adding to the mix.
My body is really trembling today but I’m not cold,I think in a way I’m in shock. My fibromyalgia is so bad and I was just reading that surgery can cause flares.

I did things slightly differently yesterday with icing having read your @mendogal suggestions to another member about not having too close contact between the ice and knee if icing was troublesome,which it had become for me too. Obviously I never have it next to skin,but I added an additional layer so two/three layers between and that was much more comfortable. I also managed to keep my leg elevated all the time I was asleep so that was a good amount of time.

Just wanted to ask if the fact I still can’t really move my leg off the bed independently and have to lift it off, sounds normal? I can raise the knee maybe an inch or so from flat do ankle pumps and quad clenches that’s all I’m doing along side walking up and downstairs to bathroom 4/5 times a day and although I didn’t managing any 5 minute walks yesterday, cos of pain and exhaustion, I will try again today.

A week since surgery today!
 
Aww bless you @beralc, reading your posts really brings back that first week. I’m now at 4 months and the change has been amazing, hang on in there things will get better. I’m obviously not fully recovered but so much better than before. I’m in the U.K. too (Herts).

My home situation was difficult as hubby has dementia, so he went into respite care and I went to my sisters for 3 weeks to start my recovery. Being away from home meant my anxiety levels were pretty high and there was a lot of crying, and shivering, and my appetite was almost nil, despite my brother in laws wonderful cooking! As soon as I could do the stairs I went home and hubby came home a week later. Then I could feel myself start to relax and my appetite returned. I had lost a stone!

I do find my right foot does tip to the right still when laying on the bed but much better than it was so it is improving. OS noticed it but wasn’t too concerned. I also had a strange sudden pain at week 3-4 whilst descending the stairs. No idea why but I rested 2 days, no exercises and it passed. You will have ups and downs throughout your recovery, it’s all quite normal, and I love Layla’s recovery map, so true! I’ll try and upload it now.
 

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@beralc - oh no apology is needed!!!! You were right to wonder why nobody was responding to your appeal, and we totally understand how lonely and scary this recovery can feel - we've all spent time there.

What you're experiencing in terms of your leg immobility it normal. The quadriceps muscle itself - and the little motor nerves that stimulate the little muscle bundles - sustains some trauma during surgery. It can take a while for it to regain full function. For example, to get out of bed, many of us found it necessary to lift our leg either with a leg lifting tool (some use a sturdy bathrobe belt) or sliding our other foot/leg underneath and moving them as a unit (that was my preference).

If you touch your fingertips to different areas of the quad while doing the clenches (also called quad sets) that gives the nerves and muscle fibers a bit of sensory stimulation that helps them start waking up.

There's nothing magic about any particular number of minutes for your walking. Whatever you can comfortably manage is fine. The important thing is to not languish on bed or recliner, but to provide brief periods of being fully upright and moving to benefit your overall well-being and your new knee.
 
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@beralc, I’m almost 3 months out, had the same problem earlier with foot/lower leg rolling out, I had totally collapsed medial compartment too. I had to really think about keeping my foot straight, it would want to roll out when I was laying down so I would prop on pillow with it rolled in, sometimes roll up towel or use small pillow to keep it that way. It’s definitely gotten better, keep at it and I would think it will improve
 
Dear beralc, no worries and no apologies necessary. This recovery can be difficult, miserable and frustrating early on and we all understand. You feel dependent upon others, you're uncomfortable and sleep is difficult to come by for many. The struggle in lifting your leg is often referred to as "log leg" over on the hip forum. It's a feeling that your leg, is heavy, stiff, or difficult to control as if it was a log. It is usually due to quad weakness and swelling and inflammation around the knee joint. Improved ROM, managing swelling with ice and elevation, walking and time should all help ease the weakness. We're here for you always and that includes through mood swings, lol. :wink:
We all had them. :) Happy Weekend!
@beralc
 
Thank you so much for your replies. I’ve actually had a reasonable day today. I feel as though somethings changed in my leg. It’s actually more painful but I think that’s because it’s really waking up. I knew I’d slept better last night but didn’t look at my Fitbit until later and realised I managed 8hrs 46mins sleep!!! I couldn’t believe it. More importantly I got an hour and 10 mins of deep sleep. I changed a few things around my nighttime routine,medication and elevating my leg,toes well above nose, for 20 mins and fell asleep. It was like the best medicine on earth and it is and it lasted all day.

The horrible bit about getting up is the point when your thigh rests on the edge of couch/bed before getting up. @mendogal yes I’m using a black belt from my husband’s martial arts kit. It’s ideal as it has a very slight stretch so is softer on the foot. I can usually manage that in one go, which is much better then stops and starts I agree about getting up and walking, I think it’s actually a good thing that I only have one bathroom and it’s upstairs and I drink loads so must go up and down about 4-6 times a day and take a short walk to the kitchen and back.

@Layla yes I think log leg was around when I was nursing many moons ago. I suppose these are the things that the medical staff don’t really talk about. You have a bad knee the answer is a replacement and that’s it really. You do get the opportunity to ask questions but if you don’t know what to expect,how are you going to know what to ask? I thought I was quite prepared for this op but I really wasn’t. It’s things like not realising that areas of your leg would still be numb a week later or actually that the pain is just dreadful (I appreciate it’s not got everyone), I said to two other women who had their TKRs done the same day that because these operations are so common place people think that makes them straightforward and routine and they’re far from it, we all agreed we’ve definitely just been through something really traumatic.

Lastly i developed a unique way of sort of sorting my left knee problem and it holding me back when sitting to standing up. I was sat on the edge of the bed and had been trying to get up for ages and eventually I said “I can’t get up I just can’t” and almost immediately another voice in my head said “but what if your boys (my grandsons) are relying on you to get to them” that did it, I pushed through the pain and painful snap and stood up straight, so I say every time now, “Nanny’s coming”
Thanks again ❤️
 
@beralc, I’m almost 3 months out, had the same problem earlier with foot/lower leg rolling out, I had totally collapsed medial compartment too. I had to really think about keeping my foot straight, it would want to roll out when I was laying down so I would prop on pillow with it rolled in, sometimes roll up towel or use small pillow to keep it that way. It’s definitely gotten better, keep at it and I would think it will improve
Yes I feel like it’s happening slowly without too much effort. Hope you’re recovering well.
 
Aww bless you @beralc, reading your posts really brings back that first week. I’m now at 4 months and the change has been amazing, hang on in there things will get better. I’m obviously not fully recovered but so much better than before. I’m in the U.K. too (Herts).

My home situation was difficult as hubby has dementia, so he went into respite care and I went to my sisters for 3 weeks to start my recovery. Being away from home meant my anxiety levels were pretty high and there was a lot of crying, and shivering, and my appetite was almost nil, despite my brother in laws wonderful cooking! As soon as I could do the stairs I went home and hubby came home a week later. Then I could feel myself start to relax and my appetite returned. I had lost a stone!

I do find my right foot does tip to the right still when laying on the bed but much better than it was so it is improving. OS noticed it but wasn’t too concerned. I also had a strange sudden pain at week 3-4 whilst descending the stairs. No idea why but I rested 2 days, no exercises and it passed. You will have ups and downs throughout your recovery, it’s all quite normal, and I love Layla’s recovery map, so true! I’ll try and upload it now.
Thank you Ouchie. I’m in Bristol. Gosh that sounds like so much to deal with, what a brave woman you must be.
I’m looking forward to the improvements to come and I’m learning something new everyday, better ways of managing things so that’s helped a lot today. I actually saw Layla’s recovery map and thought it was so good I sent it to my extended family cos it perfectly depicts how things are.

Hope you continue well in your recovery and thank you for your thoughts ❤️
 
we all agreed we’ve definitely just been through something really traumatic.
It is, you're right, it's controlled trauma to your leg.
Lastly i developed a unique way of sort of sorting my left knee problem and it holding me back when sitting to standing up. I was sat on the edge of the bed and had been trying to get up for ages and eventually I said “I can’t get up I just can’t” and almost immediately another voice in my head said “but what if your boys (my grandsons) are relying on you to get to them” that did it, I pushed through the pain and painful snap and stood up straight, so I say every time now, “Nanny’s coming”
Aww, sweet and endearing to read, beralc.
I hope you have a pleasant weekend! :)
 
Every now and then a post will get lost as others get added afterwards and for some reason I didn't get a notification of you pinging me.
@beralc I’m just reading your post now, as I also didn’t get a notification that you tagged me. I’m so sorry for replying so late.

You have gotten very good replies and I really don't have anything else to add, other than it took me a couple of weeks to be able to get my log leg up on my bed myself, but then it just happened one day. And, I do remember getting up, one of the first days, and the pain in my leg felt like liquid fire running down my leg!

Also, keep in mind that the post op blues can happen here and there, for a while. Hang in there, it’s very early days for you. :console2:

 
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