Update on new knee etc

sharmaine
sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
edited 18. Mar 2010, 05:42 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone

I've not been posting so often - sorry! My knee is coming on just fine and sleep has been ok since I've been taking Tramadol, however, I ran out on Sunday and will need to ask for more! The co-dydramol is just not hitting the spot with regards to the pain and I can't find the energy to do my physio with the discomfort.

Otherwise....I think I'm doing really well. My leg is definitely on the mend and even though I'm still limping I'm optimistic about the future. I saw the x-rays of my new knee and what a difference to the last x-rays!! 4 weeks on and I still need to use the ice packs and my physio wants me to continue to use them 3 times a day until I see her again in 2 weeks time. I've managed to do a few bits and pieces around the home: washing; ironing (sitting down) and I've even cooked a few meals. I've got more exercises to add to my list and I'm pleased to say I'm doing them despite the pain. The whole length of my leg was black and blue even my foot and thankfully those bruises are fading away with each passing day.

I hope you are all well.

Regards
Sharmaine

Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine,

    Glad its all going ok for you and your knee. The bruising is quite staggering isn't it but glad thats also gong. I hope before long you will find the pain diminishes and well done for getting where you are after only 4 weeks. Luv Cris x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,893
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine

    You are doing well i reckon :)

    Keep taking the pain releif - If you have anti-inflams take them too if you can.

    I was told to keep AHEAD of the pain when I had my back op. Then you will feel sooo much better.

    Good progress though - you are doing a lot at home.

    Well done

    Love

    Toni xx
  • page35
    page35 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine
    sounds like your doing really well, like toni says dont be in pain keep taking the tablets :D
    i hope you are resting somewhere in between dont all the other stuff.
    take care
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine

    Lovely to hear from you and to know that you are doing so well. :D Your knee was in much worse state than mine and your other one, that needs a new knee, is also very bad.

    I am now post op week 7 on Friday and back to normal and riding my bicycle. :D I get pain in the day if I over do it. I have had two fairly bad blips which set me back a few days, but totally my own fault. I am not doing the exercises as much as I did with the other knee. Physio is pleased with me though and has only seen me three times and she said probably next week will be the last one, unless I call her. With the other knee I saw her weekly for a long time. This time it has been fortnightly. My surgeon was correct, no two knee ops on the same person are the same post op. :D This one has proved, for me, much easier.
    :)
    I attended my post op appointment with consultant on Monday just gone and travelled on three trains with a longish walk at the other end and shorter at this end. He was very pleased with me and my knee bend too. I was tired when I got home but I am not surprised at that. I still get more tired than usual and I still do not have good nights but heaps better than they were. I have not used ice packs for a while and am back with my heated wheat bag, when in discomfort at night. I still take 2 cocodamol (the strongest ones) morning and night and anti inflams.

    Keep up the good work, Sharmaine. I am so pleased you are progressing well.

    Love
    Elna x()
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,893
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Elna

    I think you are both doing brilliantly.

    Knowing me I would still be moaning and wailing :oops: :oops:

    You two have just 'got on with it' so much the right attitude.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • kathbee
    kathbee Member Posts: 934
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Sharmaine and Elna

    You have both done really well with your
    knee ops.

    Well done.

    I cant believe how much difference it feels to
    have had my hip replaced. Its 3 months ago and I
    can get around so much easier with no pain, pity about
    my sciatica and lower back pain but thats another story.

    My hubby (bless him) is still taking care of everything
    including the shopping, cleaning and cooking, he has
    got to enjoy it, mind you he is retired and it helps fill his
    day.

    Take care
    Love Kath x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine!

    great to read your post and see what progress you are making. :D

    You and Elna are shining examples for others with your positive attitudes and also sense of humour!

    I'm sure other peeps who are waiting for the same ops have taken a lot of positives and reassurance from your messages.

    lots of special ((hugs))) from me. Iris x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you so much, Toni, :) Kath :) and Iris :)

    Sharmaine really is a star because both her knees have been shot for a long time and she was getting about on crutches, which is something I never had to do beforehand. Sharmaine is so determined and keen to get over this one, to have her other knee done asap! I truly take my hat off to her :D:D

    Three cheers for Sharmaine :lol::D

    Kath has done excellently with her hip op too and you waited long enough for that didn't you, Kath? :D

    Love
    Elna xxxx
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was wondering how you were doing. I'm really pleased you are getting there.

    Well done to Elna too, your both an inspiration to us all. Keep up the good work and i hope you will be able to enjoy the coming summer. (Please let there be a summer this year)!!
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Elna
    How lovely to hear from you and that you're back on your bike! :lol:

    The physio is not pushing me too hard mainly because of the swelling in my knee and the discomfort and bruising I had on my leg and foot. The ankle still hurts but it gets better each day. Up until a week ago I couldn't sit down for more than 15 mins and just doing the simplest task left me feeling shattered. Like you said it doesn't really help having another knee that needs fixing.

    It's reassuring to hear that getting tired is part and parcel of this situation. After my second week I put some washing in the machine and I had to lie down! On Week 3 I cleaned the bathroom and toilet and it felt as if I had climbed a mountain.... and it resulted in yet another lie down!!!! :lol::lol: OH is till doing the lion's share of the house work ...he's been an angel.

    I can put my own socks and shoes on now! I haven't been able to do that in two years! I still need help with boots but I can manage anything else.

    The co-dydramol's don't even touch the pain. OH is going to collect prescription for Tramadol later today. I can get through the day and sleep with those. The physio wants me to stop using my crutches indoors!!! I no longer use the wheelchair and it's building up those wasted muscles of mine that is going to take time. It really is essential to do the exercises. I quite like my additional exercises: marching on the spot; heel raises; knee lunges as well as the other lot. I seem to walk in a rolling fashion and limp so I'm hoping in a couple of weeks time this will cease and I'll get stronger.
    The other night I dreamt that I was an olympic ice skater!!

    I'm glad the consultant was pleased with your progress and you are doing incredibly well. I don't see my consultant until 17 May which seems ages away.

    Lol
    Sharmaine
    X
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Iris

    I think anyone who has had a TKR will tell you that the first couple of weeks are tough but it gets easier. I really want to get this operated leg strong as it means I can cope when the next leg is done. It is certainly the biggest thing I've ever had done in my life. I do get tired and have rest a lot but it's all part of the recovery.

    Elna was my inspiration!!!

    Sharmaine
    X
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ironic
    Thank you.

    I hope we have a summer too. I'm hoping that I'll be able to do a bit in my garden - I've so missed looking after it. OH mows the lawn and will put plants in ...but he doesn't love it like I do!! He doesn't like ironing either....!!! Saying that, I can iron whilst sitting and after 4 weeks of not doing very much in the house ... I feel as if I've contributed a little something.

    My MIL is surprised at OH's increasing domesticity!!! She is 'old school' and men just didn't do these things. Times have changed. If nothing else OH appreciates me more!!!

    Sharmaine
    X
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kathbee

    That 3 months has gone by so quickly! I'm glad that your new hip is ok. It's a shame about the sciatica and back pain. I've had a bit of back pain too - I think it's because I'm using muscles that have been dormant for ages. I'm hoping as I get stronger this will cease.
    My Physio thinks it's because I had been in a wheelchair and using crutches all the time.

    It sounds as if we're both blessed with caring OHs! My OH loves being in the kitchen. I think I may hand over Sunday lunch to him completely! I've got to cook today as he's working and won't be back until 8.00 pm.

    Take care.

    Sharmaine
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Page

    I've got a prescription for more Tramadol. I tried to manage with the co-dydramol but it just doesn't hit the spot with regards to pain. I'm sure I won't need it in a month's time but at the moment I do!! The muscles, nerves etc that are cut through during the op take time (I guess) to repair themselves. My consultant and Elna warned me about the pain afterwards!!!

    I said to OH yesterday that all I do is rest! He keeps reminding me that I've had major surgery and it takes time to heal - he's right! He's been working from home these past few weeks and worries that I may try to vacuum or go shopping!! I wish!! I haven't got the energy to venture out to the shops yet...but I can shop online!!!
    :lol::lol::lol:

    How are you?
    Sharmaine
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chris

    I think the bruising was alarmingly staggering! But it is fading. That saying "time is a healer" is so true. Our bodies need time to recover and I'm sure the pain will diminish.

    During week 1 and 2 I had to have help getting up from a seated position; help to get in and out of bed and even help to sit down! I couldn't even lift my foot off the floor. Now I can do all of those things without any help and without pain!

    I hope that you are well.

    Regards
    Sharmaine
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Toni
    That is really good advice about keeping ahead of the pain. The tramadols really worked for me. I thought I would be fine just on my co-dydramols and diclofenac but I am not. I'll be back on my tramadols very soon! But you have to try these things!!! My sleep has been disturbed because of the pain/discomfort since Sunday. I'm sure I'll sleep better tonight.

    I've hardly lifted a finger with regards to housework this week. OH has had to do the lot as well as working! I'm feeling a lot better today and will make dinner (not sure what yet)! I'm also going to make an applie pie. I'm planning on getting everything out of the way early so I can rest with my icepacks and watch a dvd or read.

    How have you been?

    Sharmaine