TKR When oh when oh when

[EalingGran]

have a bakers cyst also, I thought this would have been taken out with my tkr but the surgeon said they didn’t touch it, I don’t know why but I still have it

Funnily enough mine disappeared for 5 months post my PKR as did my pes anserine bursa. But now as I am doing more perhaps they are starting to re- form and I am getting the odd catch/ twinge in the back of my knee. A bit disappointing.

 

[Jammy]

@EalingGran - As you are aware, we're on the TKR roller coaster ride, full of thrills, twinges, and nausea. Every day is a different adventure. Just to make certain I didn't get too happy with my progress, my shin started bothering me again, like it's pulled-feeling around there. I massage my leg and that's it, it helps.

@#sully# - Yeah, what is it about the Baker's cysts that scares our surgeons to do anything about them? Mine said it would "go away" with surgery. Um, no. That's Lie number 43, Doc.

 

[WillB]

@EalingGran - As you are aware, we're on the TKR roller coaster ride, full of thrills, twinges, and nausea. Every day is a different adventure. Just to make certain I didn't get too happy with my progress, my shin started bothering me again, like it's pulled-feeling around there. I massage my leg and that's it, it helps.

@#sully# - Yeah, what is it about the Baker's cysts that scares our surgeons to do anything about them? Mine said it would "go away" with surgery. Um, no. That's Lie number 43, Doc.

Thought I had a Bakers Cyst but an ultrasound proved negative. Still there so will have my PT specialist
hopefully explain what the bump is behind my knee. Going back this week for two sessions.

 

[EalingGran]

expand...

Thought I had a Bakers Cyst but an ultrasound proved negative. Still there so will have my PT specialist
hopefully explain what the bump is behind my knee. Going back this week for two sessions
Keep us posted @WillB
I am wondering about finding a physio who does ultrasound therapy if these twinges don't settle with icing.

 

[FionaW]

Thanks @#sully# , I have or had a bursa behind my operated knee too, confirmed by ultrasound, and aspirated about three or four months before surgery, which I also assumed they would remove, so I have just added this to my list of questions to ask my surgeon at the follow-up appointment.

@Jammy my bursa developed after my hip replacement in 2014, on my operated leg, and I’m pretty sure was aggravated by the surgery and all the extra movement afterwards. It *never* went away - I’ve been living with it for nearly nine years.

 

[Jammy]

OH NO. I am having pain in my OTHER KNEE. It has been X-rayed before because of occasional pain, but even Dr. TKR said it wouldn't need a TKR. Now it's 3:00 something in the morning and it's throbbing. I remember bringing up doing a cortisone shot for this knee after getting the X-ray and the idea was somehow dismissed. Is it because they don't want you to feel better? Or is it that once you start with cortisone, you'll be doing it the rest of your days? My TKR knee is bugging me, too. Sensitive, achy. Is knee pain weather related? Because it's usually warm and humid here! This is such a drag. When oh when oh when am I going to feel better? Instead of improving, I feel like I'm going backward. I still can't walk well, either. Wish I had kept my roller walker. Why didn't I remember how the TKR dragon never lets me be?

 

[FionaW]

I’m sorry you’re feeling so down, @Jammy . There’s nothing like being awake at 3 o’clock in the morning, to make a brain think of all the worst case scenarios! I hope you can get back to sleep soon and get some more rest.

The steroid shots soon stop working. I have an autoimmune arthritis as well as osteoarthritis, and I am in chronic pain, so I’m allowed them from time to time, but up to a maximum of two per year. I try not to have even this many, because I notice that each time I have one, it works less well.

Your other knee is probably hurting because you’ve been working IT harder than usual too. I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to worry. Things will improve, but it seems more like month by month, or if you’re lucky week by week, rather than day by day. I don’t think we’ve got much alternative but to go with the flow, if we don’t want to go crazy!

Sleep well now!

 

[EalingGran]

am having pain in my OTHER KNEE. It has been X-rayed before because of occasional pain, but even Dr. TKR said it wouldn't need a TKR. N

Agree with @FionaW.
Sorry you are having trouble sleeping with pain- that really is the pits.
The pain in your other knee is probably due to muscle/ ligament issues from some imbalance or strain.
I was getting some odd new twinges recently. I think I am prone to these because I was a bit hypermobile and I think some of my ligaments tend to be a bit weak.
I have been trying different shoes and different shoe inserts/gel heel supports. I think it is helping. Sometimes wearing different shoes just works slightly different muscles.
If it persists- try discussing it with your physio and see which exercises trigger the pain. I have done that with my pilates teacher in the past. If you can figure out what is causing it, you can work out stretches/ exercises to counteract the pain.

 

[sistersinhim]

Is knee pain weather related?

Oh yes, especially in the early months of a new knee. Weather makes arthritis pain worse, and also the angered soft tissues from a joint replacement. It does get better, though, once everything is healed and has settled down.

Something strange happened when my new knee was about 3 years old. I live in Virginia and our winters and normally mild. The winter about 3 years ago had a terrible cold spell, with snow and a temp of -11. I had to shovel my walkway to the outdoor wood furnace and was outside for about 2 hours. Even though I had plenty of clothes on, my new knee started aching from the cold. It felt like the implant actually got cold inside my knee. Once inside, it took a few hours for it to calm down. I've not had that happen since. Of course, we've not had that cold weather again either.

 

[Layla]

Is knee pain weather related?

I did a little research on this topic awhile back and learned that you can feel weather changes in your joint.
It's especially true for patients with arthritic joints who have not had a joint replacement, but also the case even after you have a new prosthetic in place.

Weather changes are predicted by changes in barometric pressure, which is the weight of the air pressing against the earth's surface. These changes can trigger pain and stiffness in the area of the prosthesis. The activity of bone adapting and growing around the metal leads to the sensitivity felt during weather and pressure changes. These sensations normally disappear within one to two years following surgery.

I hope you have a nice weekend, Jammy!

 

[Jammy]

Up again, this time at 4:00 am. Sigh. Decided to visit BoneSmart just now. I can't imagine the weather here affecting my knee. It's always about 78 - 88 here and humid! Nothing happened with the weather recently that would cause this. Anyway, I have been downing Tylenol and Advil like there's no tomorrow. I do need to try different shoes and maybe stop being on my lazy plan, and do more walking.

@FionaW you might be right, I have been working my left knee pretty hard post-op. It is taking more of my weight, I believe, when I do my gimpy walk. I would like to know what you do for your chronic pain, since you're limited re cortisone shots. I don't think they work that well either after a while, but wouldn't mind getting one to see if it helps even for a short while.

@EalingGran - I don't have a physio. Is that a PT person? I do think I need to get on a stationary bike. Still need to check out gyms around here.

 

[FourCats]

@Jammy check your Medicare plan to see if it offers Silver Sneakers as a “fringe benefit”. You either qualify for very discounted or free rates at participating fitness centers. I live in a rural area and have two centers within 20 miles that participate.

 

[FionaW]

@Jammy, what I mostly do for my chronic pain is live with it and try to ignore it. I’ve had it since I was nine. It’s been daily for about 20 years and constant for almost a decade. I am under ongoing care of a rheumatology team, and take disease-modifying medication – at the moment methotrexate. I took NSAIDs for many years, but they have caused a stomach ulcer, so I’ve stopped them. I took oral prednisolone for a couple of years, but it raised my blood pressure and caused weight gain, and there are serious risks with long-term steroid use, so I stopped those too. I’ve made various changes to my diet, and I take all kinds of supplements, but only giving up refined sugars/carbohydrates completely has seemed to have much of an effect. I’ve had acupuncture and chiropractic treatment, which have been helpful in the short term, but which I can’t afford to have often. I’ve had various rounds of physiotherapy, which generally haven’t been much help. I’ve worn joint braces from time to time, and I have specially made footwear and orthotics. Surgery to repair damage is fairly crucial and I’m likely to need more of it every few years at least. Mindfulness and distraction are helpful to an extent. Swimming and exercise in water help most of all. I find that if I can keep my pain under a certain level, I can live with it.

 

[Flashlight]

Why don't you try to get outside for a walk early morning. I bought a pair of Ryka walking sneakers on sale and they are supportive. If you go to their site and find a pair, that you like you can get an idea of what size you need if you look on Amazon. Their sneakers are only made for women. I have found if I don't move around enough, I will have discomfort in my knee and leg. Maybe your knee is asking you to do some kind of exercise.
Every time you are behind a shopping cart practice your heel to toe walk. It is a good stretch, and it helps with extension and ROM.

 

[EalingGran]

don't have a physio. Is that a PT person? I

Yes. I think PT is the American term for what we call physiotherapists in the UK.

 

[sistersinhim]

I think PT is the American term for what we call physiotherapists in the UK.

Correct. PT is the short term for physical therapists.

 

[Tino2You]

Correct. PT is the short term for physical therapists.

Or I believe it really means Physical Terrorists. Just sayin...

 

[Jammy]

Yeah, I don't like PT people. At least, not the ones that worked with/tortured me! And they are the last people I would consult about anything. Like they are sympathetic and understanding. Not! I actually liked my home health guy but then they made me "progress" to being at PT with the weights and the torture equipment. Six weeks of that, and then the hard pushes on my knee--no thank you!

@Flashlight I have been meaning to check into my Medicare to see if they have Silver Sneakers. I have been busy not sleeping and not feeling well. Today I took 1/4 of a tramadol around 1:00 pm and it helped a lot. Now let's see if I will be able to sleep. Or if my knee will not bother me tonight. I'm doubtful. The TKR Dragon doesn't want me to forget him.

 

[Jammy]

Every time you are behind a shopping cart practice your heel to toe walk. It is a good stretch, and it helps with extension and ROM.

Yes, and I go grocery shopping about every dang day. I do my walking there. This is all I do! I feel like I'm in the Stepford Wives movie. The best one with Katharine Ross!

I have good tennis shoes but thanks for thinking of that. I need to put those on instead of the old less supportive tennis shoes. Good tip.

 

[sistersinhim]

Yes, I remember those repeat-and-repeat days! They were no fun at all. For me, it was like the Ground Hog days! But, it does get better as time creeps on. Before long, you'll be surprised that you are able to do little things that you were able to do before. It just takes that dreaded P word...patience!