Knee Infection* Zingers - after 2 surgeries

[Meme273]

Happy Sunday All!!!

Has anyone ever had the Iovera treatment before surgery? My Dr. is recommending it, but have never heard of anyone who had it and if it worked. Any help with this would be appreceiated.

 

[Meme273]

Update:
Had the Iovera treatment, and would definately recommed this for anyone thinking of it. It was a simple procedure and helped with pain before and after surgery. Had my fifth surgery on 07/20/21 for another revision. The femoral portion of implant was loose. I did see a revision specialist and this surgery was completely different than any others. I am happy to say that I am a week out from surgery and doing great!! I have home PT and at 90 and 1 in bending and extending. Pain is very minimal. Dr. used a Prevena Plus wound vac on incision and will have that until August 2 when I see Dr. So as of now, I am on the right side of healing and returning to life!!!!!

 

[sistersinhim]

What a wonderful attitude you have! You will do well, I'm sure.

 

[Ghostpipe]

Excellent news after your horrible experiences.
Wishing you a trouble free recovery this time.

 

[Meme273]

Hi Everyone!
It has been 8 weeks from last surgery on 07/20/21. I am at still doing PT and seem like I have stalled in my progression. My extension is at 6 and flexion at 103. My surgeon said he is not concerned about the flexion, that it would come in time after inflammation has gone down. But he is concerned with extension and said I should be at 0 by now. One of my concerns is that after doing PT and exercises, when straightening my leg and after doing the extension exercises, my knee locks up and I can not bend it without therapist rocking it to unlock. Has anyone had this before and is this normal? I know it will be a long time before this knee feels right after all the work done on it. I am still on cane most of the time as it is hard to walk without straightening your leg. I am starting to get frustrated and think I will never walk again! Thank you for any help anyone can give.

 

[Jockette]

One of my concerns is that after doing PT and exercises, when straightening my leg and after doing the extension exercises, my knee locks up and I can not bend it without therapist rocking it to unlock.

It sounds like these exercises are too much for your particular knee. Maybe consider cutting back on them. Which ones are you doing? Extension, just like flexion, can take a while and 8 weeks is still early in the 52 week (one year) recovery.

 

[Meme273]

Hi Jockette - thank you!! For extension, they have my ankle on a towel and pushing knee down to table, also at home they have me doing - put leg on another chair and pushing down with knee. I have cut down PT to 2 days a week as I was so sore doing 3 days and not letting it rest in between.

 

[sistersinhim]

Those exercises are doing you more harm than good. Any pushing on the knee, taking it further than it automatically goes, causes inflammation. Inflammation causes pain and swelling. That is counterproductive to your recovery. The best way I helped my extension was to walk with a longer stride with a heel-to-toe gait. Be sure to have something to hold on to when you first try this because you can get off balance. My extension improved, but it wasn't overnight. No exercise will give you improvement overnight, but it helped my extension quite a bit over a few weeks.

 

[Meme273]

Hi sistersinhim - Thank you for your help!! I was thinking that was happening, since it was inflamed the next day and hard to walk. I am going to PT tomorrow morning and telling them that I need a break. Still will do my walking around house every hour, as I work from home, and will try the longer strides. After doing all this for 18 months, I think I need a break from PT and to try on my own. I do understand that this is going to take a long time, but it is nice to hear from others to reassure me!!! Thank you for your help! Could not have gone through the last 1 1/2 yrs without bonesmart and everyones encouragement!! You all have been great!!

 

[Jockette]

You have also had 5 procedures, and an infection, on this leg in less than 2 years, it has “been through the mill!” This can add recovery time. Personally I think it needs quite a bit more gentle treatment rather than PT that causes more pain. I don’t understand why medical teams don’t think like this.

 

[Meme273]

@Jockette - I am starting to agree with this way of thinking!!! This was my third surgeon and they all wanted PT with quick results!! I have decided to take a couple weeks off of PT and see if this helps. It is very frustrating when Dr. & PT don't listen to patients. Thank You for all your help!!!

 

[Ghostpipe]

You’ve been through enough pain and anguish at the hands of the professionals. Give yourself a break. You know what you can do to help your knee to gain flexion and extension, and could do without trying to meet their expectations. Take over your own recovery, take it slow and easy and don’t do anything to the point of pain.
You’ll find that things start to move along far more positively at around 5 months, then is the time to start really gaining strength and mobility.
I so hope that, this time, all will be well and you can finally leave behind this horrible episode in your life. I have admired your strength throughout.

 

[PegGar16]

It is frustrating when they don't listen. After my final surgery my OS told me the best exercises I should do was the recumbent bike for flexibility and leg lifts to strengthen my quad. Other than that I just completed my daily activities. It took a little while but I got all my mobility back and can even squat down to play with my grandson. I

 

[Meme273]

@PegGar16 - That is so encouraging!!! Can not do bike yet as I still cannot make a full circle, but doing recumbent stepper. Still alot of inflammation, but pain has calmed down alot. So I think this slow go is better for me. Thank you!!!

 

[Starsfan22]

Can I join the revisionist club? I had my 1st stage surgery 1 week ago today! @Memme273 I've read your complete through your journey and was both empathetic and angry for you. There is no way I will allow PT to push or pull at my new leg. My first replacement was waaay aggressive and I paid for it. I did my own therapy with my second replacement, no pain inducing exercises and she has done so well. I would encourage you to do the same. Someone here recommended lengthening stride while walking. It worked for me but took around 12 months to achieve. Good luck and thanks for posting, it's helping me to know what I may expect.

 

[Starsfan22]

@PegGar16, I plan on reading about your journey and it's encouraging your pain is lessening.