Guest viewing is limited

TKR Trying for Acceptance

FleuveStone said:
never really got the hang of them
Click to expand...
Me neither!

FleuveStone said:
also sat in a restaurant and had lunch with my husband. that involved a bit of a walk to get there and back to the car, but we took it really slow. Food and people watching were both good!
Click to expand...
It's amazing and our thinking shifts from being a patient, to being an active participant in life once again. It's uplifting!

Glad you've found some relief through the OTC meds. Your body is healing and you're slowly getting some of your normal life back in between the boring and sometimes hard work of recovery. :ok:
 
I couldn't use crutches either, so I bought some forearm crutches, which worked well. These are a good alternative to under-the-arm crutches.
 
@Layla , so true about being an active participant in life. On the way back to the car we saw a rhododendron tree about to burst into bloom. One of the emerging blossoms was red and huge--almost tennis ball size. Interesting that it had turned into floral flypaper, having attracted lots of insects and spiders that didn't make it past its sticky exterior. At least I find that interesting, I'm sure it wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea!
 
it feels like ages ago since i last posted on here but really only 36 hours or so. had a busy day. cleaned up after my husband made breakfast as he was going out for coffee with a friend. it was a good ADL for me, followed by a restful RICEing session.

also had two trips to the pharmacy with a doctor's appointment in between. all of which meant i forgot to take meds on schedule and got pretty achey.

the doctor was surprisingly good. this was the first time I've consulted with him about pain, and it made me realize what a gem he is since pain intervention is one of his specialties.

i explained to him about my long-standing issues with right side lumbar spine, glutes and trochanter, and how it really flared up after my first TKR two years ago, and was threatening to do the same again.

he examined me and said my right glutes were rock hard (and not in a good way though he was too kind to say that!). he prescribed a muscle relaxant Cyclobenzaprine and said trigger point injections with lidocaine would be most helpful, or at least IMS, and that shockwave therapy might also be helpful.

i checked in with my Ortho surgeon's office about having any injections since their infection prevention protocol is to have nothing like that, not even dental cleanings, for 3 months after surgery. anyway i was told to ask the OS directly when I have my 6 week follow-up on Monday. at that time he'll also tell me if submerging is okay or if I need to wait longer. also driving.

it's frustrating to wait when i want to intervene and avoid the months of pain and immobility of last time... could use some of those patience pills @Layla but they're on backorder lol!

anyway i was able to get the muscle relaxant on the second trip to the pharmacy and look forward to trying it tonight. it's supposed to be quite relaxing as well, so might help with sleep.

I'm very grateful he didn't order any more tests beyond the lumbar and hip xrays i had last August and the clinical evidence ( he checked my hip levels and muscles). i kind of feel like more tests wouldn't get us anywhere or point to any treatments other than what he's already thinking. on Monday with the OS I'll also get follow up xrays and we'll see if they show leg length which he said can be a factor in greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

so... just wanted to write this down before I forget any more than i already have!
 
well Cyclobenzaprine is certainly potent, even just half of a 10 mg tab. not sure i slept any longer but boy was i out of it. woke up sprawled diagonally across the bed with my two big heavy pillows (for between knees and also to raise my elevating wedge) on the floor. more to the point, the spasm in my lower back and glute is much less and it all feels much better than it has for months.
 
FleuveStone said:
woke up sprawled diagonally across the bed with my two big heavy pillows
Click to expand...
:heehee: You're a sleeping partners nightmare! Sorry, the visual made me chuckle. Reminds me of sleeping with my young granddaughter on sleepovers.

Sounds like you had some real restorative rest. YAY! I'm glad your lower back and glute feel much better. Wonderful news, FS, I hope it lasts. :fingersx:
 
my glutes are continuing to feel much more relaxed, and i realized this morning that makes it MUCH easier to do physio exercises. i notice i can also activate my core now whereas it hurt my back before !

on another note, watched the final episode of season 2 of The Pitt last night and loved it when one of the doctors prescribed "tincture of time" as a treatment. it certainly applies to this recovery!
 
had another physio appointment and looks like I'll need one more of this initial round. ROM 118 vs 115 last week. got sit to stand exercise, which i like, squeezing soft ball against wall for quad strengthening, and banded standing hip abduction, which irritates the trochanter so i may put it on hold.
 
FleuveStone said:
banded standing hip abduction, which irritates the trochanter so i may put it on hold.
Click to expand...
It's pretty early for this one. I encourage you to listen to your body and put in on hold for a while. You won't be alone if you skip it. I didn't do any banded exercises until about 3 months out and my recoveries are both fine.
 
ahh, thanks for saying that deb @benne68 ! there was a seated banded one last week that i also bailed on. i wonder if they're just trying to give us a repertoire to use in the months ahead--she didn't seem too fussed when i passed on it.
 
It's absolutely okay to say "no" to an exercise that causes pain. A good therapist will understand that your body simply isn't ready for that one yet. You can always try it again in a month.
 
update on hydrotherapy. still waiting for clearance from OS to submerge, but took the opportunity to reach out to the physio i used to see. she used to do hydrotherapy sessions at a nearby hotel pool that is quite lovely. unfortunately that's ended because the hotel won't insure for it anymore. she pointed out that i can get a punchcard and guide myself through exercises that she would prescribe. it's not ideal but a good enough compromise that I'm looking forward to it. it should also solve my problem of being a picky southern gal swimmer. ( who has lived in Canada for far longer than the South, but never mind that particular inconsistency), but sadly no warm outdoor pool for me, @Annekin !

she's also available to help with TKR rehab and GTPS treatment so i feel a lot of relief since i respect and like her so much.
 
Such good news that you are getting relief from the pain and it sounds like you are doing amazingly well at therapy!
Hope you have a good weekend!
 
I'll bet you can't wait to get back into the pool. It's nice that a physio you like and trust is willing to give you some self guided exercises once you're cleared for hydrotherapy. I hope the outer thigh pain continues to ease and you're getting some restorative sleep overnight.
Happy Saturday!
@FleuveStone
 
thanks, @safi and @Layla . Yes, sleeping SO much better (at least for a few nights now, fingers crossed :fingersx: it continues like that. Glute and trochanter pain less, lower back pain more....I guess everything evens out :unsure:

Happy weekend to both of you and all other Bonesmarties on here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Members online

Total: 589 (members: 2, guests: 587)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom