Guest viewing is limited

TKR TRKR 10/13/23 - Moving Forward with Many Detours

I hope you can find out what the hospital's call was about.
 
Thank you. I'll wait for him or his office to contact me.

I just got off the phone with the manager of the orthopedic department. She apparently doesn't know how things work as she told me to go to radiology, have someone burn a CD right there and to get a second opinion "for peace of mind." I said I'd already contacted Medical Records to order a CD. I also told her that while my surgeon told me bicycling is good - I have no access, I told him and her - and walking is not, he didn't offer me another option and simply said hold off PT. I told her there are other modalities besides strength PT and that I would have use of a recumbent bike, warm moist heat, a TENS unit, etc. She said many times to get a second opinion. The first surgeon doubted the MRI report; let's see what the new surgeon will say. I hope he gives me a prescription for PT.
 
Last edited:
The comfrey salve is working! Knee was so stiff last night - I'd been sitting too long - and instead of taking acetaminophen I rubbed the back and sides of my knee with comfrey oil. This morning, no pain. Surprised as it's damp and rainy outside. No inflammation, either, as blood tests ordered by my primary care physician were normal. However, I have a new question, please. How do you relieve a thick and painful scar? The top part of my scar was always thick, even before the infection appeared, and lately it's painful when I touch it. I read about using a rolling pin on it; sounds like it will hurt. A few times I soaked a washcloth in Epsom salt water and then applied it to my knee. Am I on the right track? Thanks in advance.
 
My incision was also sensitive to anything touching it. My doctor recommended desensitizing it by lightly let a cloth go over it. Start with something soft and then in a few days go to something a little rougher. After that, increase the roughness of the fabric slowly until it no longer hurts to do it. It took about a month for mine to go away, but it did. It's worth a try for you to do.
 
Thank you for these suggestions. I've been washing it and now wear jeans, whereas earlier it was very sensitive. It hurts when I press it, like something is underneath. When I stand up I feel pressure against the scar. Not sure if this is scar tissue or the bottom of my quad muscle. The smallest roll (79") of silicon scar tape is $7.99. Wish it came in a smaller size. When the scar was numb I felt nothing.
 
Good news is the images arrived in the mail. I moved my appointment with the new surgeon earlier to March 6 and hope he won't tell me the same spiel as the one I saw last week. The office knows I'm seeing him for his opinion after surgery. Fingers crossed.
 
Wow, let me know if that comfrey salve works. I am willing to try just about anything to help with knee pain!
Hi @Nay Nay not sure if you saw I posted a few days ago. It arrived, and it seems to soothe my hamstrings and ligaments and whatever was hurting on the sides and behind my knee. I use it four times a day, mostly in the afternoon and evening and before bed. It feels greasy yet absorbs into the skin quickly. I hope you feel better.
 
Thank you for reaching out to me @dubloosh .

There has been a lot going on!
I will try to order the comfrey salve. Could you tell me the one you ordered?
 
Thank you for reaching out to me @dubloosh .

There has been a lot going on!
I will try to order the comfrey salve. Could you tell me the one you ordered?
Sure @Nay Nay . It has three ingredients dried organic comfrey leaves, avocado oil and beeswax. It's called Comfrey Salve Herbal Balm Skin Body Care Ointment 2 oz. I ordered it from Amazon. Hope you feel better.


 

Attachments

  • [Bonesmart.org] TRKR 10/13/23 - Moving Forward with Many Detours
    Comfrey Salve.jpg
    98.8 KB · Views: 23
Last edited:
The brand is Sunset Farms. They also have their own site.
 
The brand is Sunset Farms. They also have their own site.
My bad. I should have looked the top of the container. Sometimes Amazon offers a lower price and free shipping for Prime members. I use it to buy paper products in bulk.
 
I’m jumping on the comfrey train with you guys. I ended up picking one that shipped faster, cost more, but has some essential oils in with the comfrey. So even if it doesn’t work for me it will smell good. I put a little on last night and it seemed to make me feel better. Put it on my knee and shoulder. My husband didn’t think it did anything for his knee but I’m going to get him to try again.
 
GM @dubloosh !
I just ordered the salve with hopes that it helps the tightness. Today, I do not have pain per se, but the tightness is uncomfortable. After overdoing it at the gym on Wednesday, I have been babying my knee. I have only done some of my stretching exercises, and I iced and elevated my leg a lot these past 4 days!

I can't believe it, but on Tuesday it will be 4 months since my surgery!!
 
H @Nay Nay time flies! Since my surgeon told me to stop PT - I'd finished the allotted time, though - I haven't been doing much except morning leg slides. That's how I measure my pain. Today was OK yet my knee is painful, something that confuses me. I supposed early on it was numb and still swollen, and once I began more activity - and had that aggressive PT session - it woke up.

@MSuki which one did you order? One was made with coconut oil that would have smelled better, yet I don't really smell it once I apply it. I ordered the least amount to see if it would really work for me. Two ounces is a lot as I only apply a tiny amount. It does help with bending my knee so if the knee is painful, then at least I'm bending it without shouting at the ceiling.
 
I am near the Bronx River Parkway and sometimes walk there when it's closed on Bicycle Sundays. Now I worry I won't be able to do that as my surgeon said bicycling is preferable.
Any exercise that you enjoy (and is not painful) will be good for your knee. Just because one surgeon prefers biking over walking doesn’t mean you shouldn’t walk. There are many opinions about this recovery and rehab. Do what works for you.
 
@Jockette You're right. The diagnosis of patellar tendonosis (the doctor who read the MRI spelled it wrong) that the second, unhelpful surgeon doubted, is bothering me so I'm considering a soft knee sleeve without metal sides. The ones for bamboo keep appearing in my email. Is one kind preferable over another?
 
I didn’t use knee sleeves, so I can’t answer your question. There are many of them, so I guess whichever one feels comfortable and helpful would be ok.

I think bamboo is softer, for lack of a better term, or maybe more breathable. I have bamboo socks and I like them, they are softer and a bit more stretchy than others that I have. I have nerve damage in my right foot and can barely tolerate a sock on it (or a shoe, winter is lots of fun for me :sad: ) so the bamboo socks are a bit less painful for me to wear.
 
Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sorry you have nerve pain and understand as my dad had nerve pain in his back,. Based upon what you said I'll opt for bamboo. It sounds like it will be gentle on my quad, too. Amazon is selling pairs at a good value. This is where a PT comes in as I have no direction from my surgeon. Hopefully, the new one will advise me.
 
Last edited:
I asked our local herbal salve maker at the Farmer's Market about an all comfrey salve - all his displayed offerings are blends - and he's making up a batch for me to pick up next Saturday!
 

Staff online

  • Jockette
    Staff member since March 18, 2018
  • djklaugh
    Staff member since December 30, 2020

Members online

Back
Top Bottom