TKR Trying for Acceptance

[FleuveStone]

thanks for the message, @Layla ! appreciate the kind thoughts and words.

Glad I'm getting a moment to do a 5-month update.

BACKGROUND, this is mainly for me to get a handle on stuff! It's been busy with family visits, summer birthdays, and miscellaneous medical appointments. My husband and I are both fairly consumed by his health condition, and lack of a definitive diagnosis. It is for sure a type of hydrocephalus, but whether there's a potential treatment remains elusive.

On the other hand we're adapting, trying to find the right balance between activity and rest. Unfortunately he's unable to walk much and I don't want to leave him behind--still working on how to increase my daily steps. He is doing a fair amount of food prep and cooking, which is a real benefit for me! And looking after our backyard bird friends, which is also a real benefit to me. We both especially enjoy watching the bushtits (very amusing!) and woodpeckers. He's also able to do some gardening.

We're learning some patience and the power of making a decision to wait 3 months from his intake appointment before we spend more energy looking elsewhere.

Lately my new knee has been toddling along, doing its healing in the background, while I do ADLs and some regular exercises from my physio and my husband's. Righty is somewhat warm and a bit swollen, but that doesn't surprise me. Plus some numb areas--also not surprising. AT THE MOMENT, neither knee has acute pains, and Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome seems mostly under control.

My most recent experience with the ODIC was yesterday after spending an hour or two the day before trimming back a tenacious box honeysuckle shrub with my husband. I'm just not in shape for that kind of work, but I would go back and do it again because it had to be done in time for yard waste pickup today, and doing it is one way to start getting fit again. Interestingly just about everything but my knees was sore, so that's good!!!

As I write this, I'm listening to an uplifting playlist I created for myself, which I've called St. John's Wort for the Soul. Many of my favourite songs from over the years! I love music therapy.

XOXO to everyone out there going through waiting, recovery, helping others. You are all such an inspiration to me!

 

[Legseleven]

I'm listening to an uplifting playlist I created for myself, which I've called St. John's Wort for the Soul. Many of my favourite songs from over the years! I love music therapy.

I love this idea and I’ve just made a new thread in the social room specifically for sharing music and playlist ideas.
You can find it here.
We can’t link a playlist however we can add a few titles to help each other.
Enjoy.

 

[Layla]

Hi FS It's really nice to hear from you!
You have a lot on your plate with the normal activity of life, your recovery and your husbands health challenges. It's completely understandable that your husband's health is consuming your thoughts, especially since you're without answers. In addition, you're still healing too, even at five months post TKR. I hope you are able to give your knee and your heart the care they deserve.

I love the idea of the playlist you created. Music can calm, soothe and lift our mood. I hope your playlist brings you both comfort and peace. A great Tuesday to you. Please stay in touch when you're able.
@FleuveStone

 

[Layla]

Hi FleuveStone,
Happy Six Month Anniversary!
Enjoy the weekend and have a wonderful September 2026!
@FleuveStone

 

[FleuveStone]

thanks for reaching out, @Layla! healing continues apace, squeezed into the rest of life happening. so many medical and dental appointments, yikes! and not related to the new knee... hope to sit down at my computer sometime and write about what's happening. glad to see your smiling face and other folks I've grown so fond of here.

 

[Legseleven]

Good to hear from you @FleuveStone and sorry to hear about so many appointments. Hope you’re OK, sounds like you’re coping with a lot and the knee is doing well. You’re 3 m ahead of me! Take care.

 

[Layla]

Thanks for updating, FS. Always happy to hear from you and catch up a bit. Sorry you have to spend more time than you care to on medical appointments. No worries about touching base here in the midst of the most important things in life, like your and hubs time together and making every effort to sustain the best quality possible through a diagnosis and treatment plan. Just know that we're here for you if you need a listening ear, or some encouraging words. We do care. Sending love and a hug your way.
I hope you have a nice weekend!
@FleuveStone

 

[FleuveStone]

a question for whoever sees this and has some inside info: both of my knees (2-1/2 year old left and 7 month right) have suddenly started swelling and feeling more painful, at least intermittently. there also seem to be multiplying zingers.

question 1: could this be because of stress.

q2: how worried do i need to be about infection, and should i ask my PCP for some blood work? if so what tests are recommended?

BTW i went for a walk by myself today. i can tell my cardio function needs work but it was basically quite liberating and i had virtually no pain in my legs.

my husband's long awaited lumbar puncture (diagnostic) is finally happening in two days. I'm very ambivalent about the results either way. either it doesn't relieve some of his gait issues and we're back to square one, or it does and we have to join the queue for neurosurgery.

trying to be brave here.... thanks for any support and input.

 

[Legseleven]

Hello @FleuveStone I am sorry to read that you’re still so challenged on so many fronts.
Nerves do take a long time to heal and some zingers can be on going, especially in the newer knee. However if you have any concerns at all about the intermittent pain and swellings then your proposed visit to your PCP is a good call.
My newer knee still zinging, and the righty from last year only infrequently.
I do know that some members have found that changes in the weather, or barometric pressure can alter how their joints feel, and yes stress can impact our bodies in all sorts of ways.
How are you sleeping? Is there any redness on the knees and do you have any other signs of infection? Fever? Does ice and elevation ease the swelling?
Walking daily is good, just build up the distance gradually and your cardio will improve and keep an eye on swelling and pain to see if there’s any correlation.
Let us know how you get on and it’s always good to get checked out. Take good care and I do know the appointments for your husband are anxious making and stressful.

 

[EalingGran]

how worried do i need to be about infection, and should i ask my PCP for some blood work? if so what tests are recommended

It's probably just overdoing things making your knees swell- but it's good to be cautious about infection.
C- reactive protein is the standard test for inflammation and infection. It is very cheap and GPs can do it.
I had a bit of a panic, when I was a few weeks out and my knee still felt very warm. My GP did a C-reactive protein which was reassuring.

 

[Layla]

Good Morning FS,
It's nice to see you stopped by the forum today. I am sorry you're struggling with swelling, pain and worries that something may be wrong.
I do believe stress can cause an array of symptoms in our body and you've shared some of your recent health concerns regarding your husband here, so it's understandable you're stressed while worrying about hubby. Stress causes tension, can lead to a more sedentary existence, affect your sleep, mood and appetite, just to name a few.
However, for reassurance and peace of mind I agree with the others that you should contact your OS. Since you enjoyed the walk, try to incorporate walking into your daily routine. It's one of the easiest things we can do for both our mental and physical health. It will help reduce stress and tension and can improve your sleep if that's being affected. Obviously good for your heart and circulation as well as muscles and joints. I love that your legs were pain free on your walk!

Will be thinking of you as you prepare for your husbands diagnostic test in two days. Waiting on test results can be unnerving. Sending a hug and best wishes for the lumbar puncture. and hope it brings answers and reassurance. Know that we care and we're here for you always. Please keep us posted.
@FleuveStone

 

[FleuveStone]

thank you, everybody! i do suspect weather changes as well as stress are contributing. just took my temp this morning and it's below normal as usual. first night of pretty good sleep in awhile. will call my GP's office later and see if they can get me in to order a CRP and get out for a walk again.

it helps to have a mini action plan!

 

[Legseleven]

it helps to have a mini action plan!

It certainly does, please keep us posted and please notice how well you’re doing. There’s a lot going on in your life.

 

[FleuveStone]

my GP's office set up an appointment with an NP for Friday to have a look. my doc will be around if she needs extra guidance. haven't seen a NP before so kind of looking forward to that.

i haven't taken any meds today (yesterday i took 1.3g acetaminophen plus a naproxen in the morning) and am still feeling okay. about to take a walk by myself again so I'll see how that goes. (taking advantage of my husband's nap time and my new energy levels to get out by myself a bit!)

 

[Layla]

Good news on the appointment. That was quick! I hope you like the NP, the visit goes well and you feel reassured.

Glad you were doing well enough to skip the meds this morning. Love that you're feeling more energized, I hope you're able to continue regular walks.

Best wishes for your appointment on Friday, let us know how it goes if you feel like sharing.
Hugs!
@FleuveStone

 

[Hip4life]

@FleuveStone Just doing something normal, like taking a walk by yourself, can do wonders both for your physical wellbeing and your mental state. That has always helped me get or stay grounded. When you have worries coming at you from different directions, it's easy to get stuck in your own head. Just taking a small action step forward can really shift the weight of the situation(s.) Blessings for the upcoming appointments, both your husband's and yours. It's always easier when you have more information to make decisions about what comes next. Hang in there. Keep us posted.

 

[FleuveStone]

ah yes so true, thank you @Hip4life !

Saw the NP this morning. I was uncomfortable that she spent so long with me--15 minutes! Anyway her feeling was that I do not have an infection--yes there's warmth on both knees but it's probably normal inflammation which can be a good thing. I've got no swelling, redness, fever, malaise, etc. My CRP levels have always been low and she didn't think there would be any value in testing especially since any results would be non-specific.

@Legseleven and @Layla have a little discussion going on about soft tissue changes and clunking noises in a new joint. @Layla wrote:

Many ask about those noises that come from their new joint. Noises such as clicking, popping or clunking in a knee or hip when walking. These noises can be annoying, but normally not a problem. The soft tissues around your new implant are settling in with each other and adjust themselves to work smoothly together with the hard metal, ceramic, or plastic parts of your prosthesis.

This is another issue for me, and it's mostly in my 2-1/2 year old left knee. Am starting to think it has to do with soft tissue adjustments on the left side following recent TKR of my right knee. It's nothing consistent, it's more when I cross my foot over to put on shoes and socks, or wash the bottom of my feet. Then it gets very uncomfortable and clunky when I try to straighten out again. And this may be the cause of the discomfort I'm feeling, along with increased activity. Just trying to sort it all out in my head!!!

 

[FleuveStone]

PS My husband's testing was reasonably successful yesterday. Now we wait for an appointment with a neurosurgeon. His condition is enough to limit our activities, especially walking more than half a block, but apparently not acute compared to many other folks....so they may be triaging him lower. Time will tell. Meanwhile I'm researching other options so i can feel like we have alternatives if it comes to that.

 

[Layla]

Hi FS,
Great news through your visit with the NP

Those pesky noises you mentioned can last from just months, to years, post joint replacement. While annoying, this can occur even when the replacement is working well.

Good to hear your husbands testing was reasonably successful. I am sorry his condition limits your activities together, but happy for you that you're able to get out for some walks on your own. So good for both our physical and mental health. I hope you're able to get an appointment with the neurosurgeon soon. Sounds like some uplifting news on hubby condition also. I wish you both all the best and hope you'll stay in touch.
A great weekend to you!
@FleuveStone