Staples out (TKR)/Numbness

sharmaine

Hi

I had my staples out this morning and it feels great. I've noticed that I have numbness in part of my knee. Did anyone else experience this? I'm sure I could stick a pin in there and not feel it.

I was able to have a proper shower too and feel refreshed. Today is the first time I've been out since the operation. I managed to make myself a cup of tea today and a sandwich now I feel exhausted!

I hope you are all well.

Sharmaine

maria09

sharmaine wrote:

Hi

I had my staples out this morning and it feels great. I've noticed that I have numbness in part of my knee. Did anyone else experience this? I'm sure I could stick a pin in there and not feel it.

I was able to have a proper shower too and feel refreshed. Today is the first time I've been out since the operation. I managed to make myself a cup of tea today and a sandwich now I feel exhausted!

I hope you are all well.

Sharmaine

its quite common to feel some numbness around that area especially when u think what they have to cut through to get to your knee! Glad your operation went well Mx

elnafinn

Hi Sharmaine

Bet it must be great without the staples. I have both times had dissolveable stitches. three days after being home had to go and get the knots at each end cut. I was able to have a shower from day 2 post op. With the stitches it did not matter if the wound got wet. I wonder why some surgeons choose staples instead of stitches.

I have numbness around the knee near the scar as last time and further away it feels soooooooo tender, like the nerve endings are jumping out at me when I am massaging my knee. I have been massaging cream into the scar to make it as smooth as possible. The top end is still a little "puckered" but physio says it will be ok. I remember the last scar was similar but all was well in the end. If this scar becomes as neat and barely visible like the last one I shall be very happy.

On Thursday I attended a funeral in the afternoon and that tired me out by the time I got home.

I went back a good few steps on Friday afternoon after I started to do one exercise the physio had given me and was obviously over energetic because something pinged and I went hot all over. It was horrid. Could not walk well on it after that and the night was hellish. It is improving as the days go by but I am not going to do that exercise again. :roll: It was not the first time I had done it.

I have been out today as I do most days and that always makes me feel exhausted so the exhaustion goes on for some time but does improve of course as time goes on. I have a nap when I get back home and am asleep in minutes. Nights are improving now, not ideal but getting there.

Pleased to hear you are getting on ok, Sharimaine and I bet you enjoyed that shower

Love
Elna x

nearlybionic

Hi Sharmaine
Glad to hear you have had your staples out, and isn`t that first shower heaven!!?
I haven`t had a TKR but have had knee surgery, (in 1993) and still have a numb sensation on outer side of scar/leg. Not uncomfortable or even noticeable all the time. I notice it most when shaving my legs!!
Enjoy your well deserved rest xx
NB

lindalegs

Hi Sharmaine,

I've got numbness on both knees. It's because they cut through the nerves, sometimes the nerves grow back but it can take years. It's been 10 years for me so although the numb patches are smaller I don't think mine will grow back anymore now. They don't tell you this will happen before your op.

Luv Legs

PS Sorry to hear about your little set back Elna

sharmaine

Hi Elna

Carl noticed this morning that they had left one staple in (where the knee bends) so I've got to head back to the doctor's surgery to have that one out this afternoon.

I hope your knee is feeling better. A lesson to us all not to overdo it - I suppose?? The whole of my foot is black and blue even under the foot so it is making the physio exercises extra painful and walking too is proving difficult. However, I have been doing my exercises despite the pain. The ice packs are still being applied 2/3 times a day.

So far I've managed 2 night's of decent sleep in a row - I hope it lasts. I think it's the tramadol. I can get in and out of bed now without help but still find sitting down for prolonged periods really difficult. I still need help getting off the settee but slowly I'm managing to lever myself onto chairs etc without assistance.

The Practice Nurse advised me to massage Vaseline into the scar tissue which do.

I'm amazed that you were able to attend a funeral. It's not surprising you are tired. I'm going to attempt to put some washing on today. OH is working (from home) and he's been busy - but still doing the lion's share of housework, cooking etc. In fact I've done very little. Even the smallest task seem to tire me out. Mind you I still think I'm doing well considering my surgery was only done 2 weeks ago.

Take care Elna and have a rest for the next couple of days.

Sharmaine

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Sharmaine

Bet it must be great without the staples. I have both times had dissolveable stitches. three days after being home had to go and get the knots at each end cut. I was able to have a shower from day 2 post op. With the stitches it did not matter if the wound got wet. I wonder why some surgeons choose staples instead of stitches.

I have numbness around the knee near the scar as last time and further away it feels soooooooo tender, like the nerve endings are jumping out at me when I am massaging my knee. I have been massaging cream into the scar to make it as smooth as possible. The top end is still a little "puckered" but physio says it will be ok. I remember the last scar was similar but all was well in the end. If this scar becomes as neat and barely visible like the last one I shall be very happy.

On Thursday I attended a funeral in the afternoon and that tired me out by the time I got home.

I went back a good few steps on Friday afternoon after I started to do one exercise the physio had given me and was obviously over energetic because something pinged and I went hot all over. It was horrid. Could not walk well on it after that and the night was hellish. It is improving as the days go by but I am not going to do that exercise again. :roll: It was not the first time I had done it.

I have been out today as I do most days and that always makes me feel exhausted so the exhaustion goes on for some time but does improve of course as time goes on. I have a nap when I get back home and am asleep in minutes. Nights are improving now, not ideal but getting there.

Pleased to hear you are getting on ok, Sharimaine and I bet you enjoyed that shower

Love
Elna x

sharmaine

Hi Maria, Lindalegs and NB

Thanks for your advice. It's nice to know that this numbness is normal. You're right they never tell you what to expect or what you'll be able to achieve after certain periods of time.

I've enjoyed having a proper shower again. I stayed in bed until 11.00 am this morning. OH bought me breakfast in bed. I think I would be doing a bit more if my foot and ankle didn't hurt so much.

I hope you are all well.

Sharmaine

frogmorton

Hi Sharmaine

glad you are doing ok

I had numbness on my back scar and even on my ceasarian (a teeny bit still numb ) but mostly it went away. Someome told me to massage the area to help.

Knowing me though - I didnt :oops:

Love

Toni xx

elnafinn

Hi Sharmaine

I think you are doing unbelievably well, fancy the bruising going as far as your foot! You were definitely thrown around the operating theatre! :roll: Your op would seem to have been much more complicated than normal. Presumably because it was left so long.

Every achievement means such a lot to us doesn't it and why not? I hope you are feeling very proud of yourself. I must admit to not doing the exercises as much as I should and due to the horrible experience on the Friday I am quite wary now! I am on the exercise bike now, for 5 minutes each day with no resistance. I enjoy that but then I like riding a bike. Cannot wait to get back to that again.

I am doing quite a bit of walking though, much more than I ever did after the first knee op at this time. I have been into town and in around 45 minutes I shall walk to the station and catch a train to see my grand daughter. Since the op they have come to see me. I have a 10 minutes walk at the other end and hubby will fetch me home on his way back from work. It is a lovely day here as it was yesterday.

It will be 5 weeks since my op on Friday.

I massage any cream into the scar. I get whatever is to hand, bio oil, aqueous cream, any body lotion. Having done similar with my other scar and that is excellent, I think it is more the massaging process, not so much what you use to massage in.

So pleased Sharmaine that you are doing well. If you look back a week you can see how much you have achieved. Next week will be the same too, when you look back on this week.

Do let us know how you are doing,

Love
Elna x()

sharmaine

Hi Toni

I'll try massaging the area. Thanks a lot for this tip.
Sharmaine

frogmorton wrote:

Hi Sharmaine

glad you are doing ok

I had numbness on my back scar and even on my ceasarian (a teeny bit still numb ) but mostly it went away. Someome told me to massage the area to help.

Knowing me though - I didnt :oops:

Love

Toni xx

sharmaine

Hi Elna

You are doing very well yourself. A 45 minute walk after 5 weeks! I'm going to brave the outdoors later for a little walk - even if it's 5 minutes its something. I was in that theatre for nearly 2.5 hours so only god knows what they did to my leg. The whole of my foot, calf never mind the knee and top of the thigh have been sore as hell.

I managed to put some washing in the machine and some in the dryer - it nearly finished me off! My back was aching afterwards. OH told me off.

Enjoy your day out to see your granddaughter. I'm going to visit my son this weekend - they've done a lot of decorating and he wants to show it off. It'll be nice to go out.

It must be great to be able to get on the exercise bike. We have one in the office - but I wouldn't even attempt it just yet! :P

I think I'm doing quite well considering the battering I feel as if I've had!

Sharmaine

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Sharmaine

I think you are doing unbelievably well, fancy the bruising going as far as your foot! You were definitely thrown around the operating theatre! :roll: Your op would seem to have been much more complicated than normal. Presumably because it was left so long.

Every achievement means such a lot to us doesn't it and why not? I hope you are feeling very proud of yourself. I must admit to not doing the exercises as much as I should and due to the horrible experience on the Friday I am quite wary now! I am on the exercise bike now, for 5 minutes each day with no resistance. I enjoy that but then I like riding a bike. Cannot wait to get back to that again.

I am doing quite a bit of walking though, much more than I ever did after the first knee op at this time. I have been into town and in around 45 minutes I shall walk to the station and catch a train to see my grand daughter. Since the op they have come to see me. I have a 10 minutes walk at the other end and hubby will fetch me home on his way back from work. It is a lovely day here as it was yesterday.

It will be 5 weeks since my op on Friday.

I massage any cream into the scar. I get whatever is to hand, bio oil, aqueous cream, any body lotion. Having done similar with my other scar and that is excellent, I think it is more the massaging process, not so much what you use to massage in.

So pleased Sharmaine that you are doing well. If you look back a week you can see how much you have achieved. Next week will be the same too, when you look back on this week.

Do let us know how you are doing,

Love
Elna x()

frogmorton

Doing quite well???
doing quite well????
You two are doing REALLY well
Love
Toni xx

bertyboy

Hi sharmaine and Elna its lovely to know how you are both doing , it gives such an insight as what to do and expect at different stages thank you xx

dachshund

Hi Sharmaine.
i have had my tkr 5 years and the side of my knee is still numb.
when i asked i was told that can happen.
take care. joan xx

sharmaine

Hi Joan
It seems that this is part and parcel of the operation. I suppose you have to take the rough with the smooth.

How is your knee after 5 years? I still can't believe how straight my leg is! I've asked OH to put the height up on my crutches as they now seem too low - I was pretty bent over before.

Sharmaine

dachshund wrote:

Hi Sharmaine.
i have had my tkr 5 years and the side of my knee is still numb.
when i asked i was told that can happen.
take care. joan xx

sharmaine

Hi Toni

I think you're right there! OH is worried I may push myself too much - but I don't think I will. I'm determined and I think that is what frightens him. Poor thing I'll have to keep reassuing him.

Sharmaine

frogmorton wrote:

Doing quite well???
doing quite well????
You two are doing REALLY well
Love
Toni xx

sharmaine

Hi Bertyboy and Collywobble
Glad our experience of TKR is proving so useful to someone!
Elna helped me out a lot. I've got to go through this again next year. OH put a couple of pillows under the mattress to elevate the bed and I've slept a lot better since. Mind you having the staples out helped to make me feel more comfortable too.


Sharmaine

bertyboy wrote:

Hi sharmaine and Elna its lovely to know how you are both doing , it gives such an insight as what to do and expect at different stages thank you xx

elnafinn

Hi Sharmaine

I did not do a 45 minute walk, I was going out again in 45 minutes! I did enjoy seeing my grand daughter thank you. I got there ok, on the train and then we went in the car to see her sister and walked in the park. I truly got my exercise today and am going to bed now. I only hope I sleep well tonight. Keep up the good work, you are doing brilliantly.

Night, night,
Love
Elna x

skezier

Hi Sharmaine,

Its good to read this cus sooner or later....... Mind mine are no longer the worst bit and are holding well really. I really think your doing brilliantly and just don't over do it. Luv Cris x

sharmaine

Hi Elna

I did have a giggle thanks for putting me straight. I was saying to Carl that you had managed a 45 minute walk!!! Trust me to get it wrong. I'm glad you had a lovely day with your family and granddaughter. Hasn't the weather been great?

I had another good night's sleep and it does help. Carl has been treating me to breakfast in bed. I had a little chuckle after he had done the vacuuming, polishing, washing and ironing he said "my back is killing me". I said that's what women go through day after day and you've only been doing it a week! He's been a dear and really looked after me.

I'm going to have another mug of tea and then do my daily walk. I will go just a wee bit further. I'm walking using both crutches - physio said I could use one indoors but to use 2 outdoors. I'm looking forward to the day when I can manage without any! I used to drag the operated leg around when walking and I'm having to really concentrate to step forward with a bended knee rather than swinging from the hip. I'm getting there.

How are you feeling after your pinging incident?

Take care Elna.
XXXX

Sharmaine

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Sharmaine

I did not do a 45 minute walk, I was going out again in 45 minutes! I did enjoy seeing my grand daughter thank you. I got there ok, on the train and then we went in the car to see her sister and walked in the park. I truly got my exercise today and am going to bed now. I only hope I sleep well tonight. Keep up the good work, you are doing brilliantly.

Night, night,
Love
Elna x

sharmaine

Hi Chris

I think the first two weeks are the worse, but if you rest and use the icepacks 3/4 times a day it does help.

Take care and glad to hear that you're ok.

Sharmaine

elnafinn

Dear Sharmaine

Well, I have only just surfaced this morning and look at the time! :roll: :oops: I mean I have just gotten out of bed!!! Well I did get out of bed at 7.30 and have breakas and meds and the knee was giving me jip as it usually does after a nights sleep, so I went back to bed and have slept all that time. It was fantastic. I still feel I could sleep more but enough is enough!! I did not even go to bed late last night.. I really think being out three times yesterday, exhausted me big time!

After the "pinging" incident I am now back to where I was, thank you :oops: but that has taken 3 - 4 days. I must get back to doing my exercises more. :oops: I still use the ice pack usually at the end of the day, in the night if in pain, which was last night and may be first thing in the morning. I am not using it anywhere near as much as I was.

I shall get myself a cup of tea, do some exercises and get ready to greet the day, well the afternoon as the morning seems to be disappearing fast!!

I hope you have a good day and enjoy your walk.

Love
Elna x

sharmaine

Hi Elna
The day will past swiftly by for you. You obviously needed to lie in. You'll feel better for the rest.
I've been taking my time getting out of bed each morning - nothing to rush around for! Glad to hear that your knee is behaving itself.

I made a light fruit cake this afternoon. I'm going to pop a couple of potatoes in the oven. I think we're going to have a light dinner - salad; potatoes with cheese etc.

I enjoyed my little walk - it was only 5 minutes down our street and 5 minutes back. It's a bit nippy out there today but I enjoyed the fresh air - nothing like it.


Sharmaine

elnafinn wrote:

Dear Sharmaine

Well, I have only just surfaced this morning and look at the time! :roll: :oops: I mean I have just gotten out of bed!!! Well I did get out of bed at 7.30 and have breakas and meds and the knee was giving me jip as it usually does after a nights sleep, so I went back to bed and have slept all that time. It was fantastic. I still feel I could sleep more but enough is enough!! I did not even go to bed late last night.. I really think being out three times yesterday, exhausted me big time!

After the "pinging" incident I am now back to where I was, thank you :oops: but that has taken 3 - 4 days. I must get back to doing my exercises more. :oops: I still use the ice pack usually at the end of the day, in the night if in pain, which was last night and may be first thing in the morning. I am not using it anywhere near as much as I was.

I shall get myself a cup of tea, do some exercises and get ready to greet the day, well the afternoon as the morning seems to be disappearing fast!!

I hope you have a good day and enjoy your walk.

Love
Elna x

elnafinn

Good for your Sharmaine!

Both with the walk and the cooking Think, you would not have thought about doing that last week, would you? It is good to look back and see how much you have achieved in a week. You are right it was nippy out because I decided to prune a couple of bushes in the back garden that appear to have been affected by all the adverse weather we have had and was able to nearly fill up the green wheelie bin, which will be collected on Friday morning, so I felt good about that. I really did need that rest, I must have had over 12 hours rest. I have just ironed some shirts so am having a sit down now. We shall be having chili con carne, using a jar of sauce, so that will not take too long.

Enjoy your meal So pleased to hear things are going well for you.

Love
Elna x

sharmaine

Hi Elna

I'm jealous I long to tend my plants! It is always rewarding when you have a tidy up. Carl had all the gutters and fascias professionally cleaned this week now all the windows need cleaning. Our window cleaner seems to have vanished.
I'm planning on cooking tonight - I've missed my kitchen. I made a light fruit cake yesterday so I was in domestic bliss.

I spent a couple of hours browsing through Suttons catalogue - I think I'll order a few mini-plants.

Glad you felt refreshed after your 12 hours of rest. I'm going to make a chilli tonight.

You are right I'm already thinking I couldn't do that last week now I can. I still find sitting down a problem but even that's getting better. I suppose it's because my foot and ankle have been so swollen and sore.

I wanted to ask - can you kneel ok with the first operated knee? I'm looking forward to the time when I can bend again!
Enjoy the rest of your week.

Sharmaine

elnafinn wrote:

Good for your Sharmaine!

Both with the walk and the cooking Think, you would not have thought about doing that last week, would you? It is good to look back and see how much you have achieved in a week. You are right it was nippy out because I decided to prune a couple of bushes in the back garden that appear to have been affected by all the adverse weather we have had and was able to nearly fill up the green wheelie bin, which will be collected on Friday morning, so I felt good about that. I really did need that rest, I must have had over 12 hours rest. I have just ironed some shirts so am having a sit down now. We shall be having chili con carne, using a jar of sauce, so that will not take too long.

Enjoy your meal So pleased to hear things are going well for you.

Love
Elna x

elnafinn

Dear Sharmaine

You WILL be able to tend your plants. You must be patient, something that I am not too good at.

Yes, I can kneel on the first operated knee but it is not that comfortable for too long. I wish I could sit down on the floor with both knees bent right under me (ie bum on ankles :oops:) but I don't think I shall ever be able to do that ever again. :roll:

I am the window cleaner around here :roll: and I hate it! :x They always look ok after I think I have cleaned them, which is not that often anymore, I hasten to add and then the sun comes out and they look awful!!

I hope you are sleeping better now. Recently, I am, but still waking a few times but not in really bad pain. As I am doing more now, I am finding that I am getting more tired in the day, which is a little annoying!

Enjoy your chilli tonight!

Nearly the weekend, the weeks seem to fly past!

Love
Elna x