Hospital appointment 3 month TKR check up

sharmaine

Hi everyone

I saw the Registrar instead of the specialist today and he said they would do my next TKR in 2 months time - it was up to me. I said I wasn't ready yet so he's agreed to see me in six months time. He says my other leg is still not straight enough and I'm to continue doing my physio and using the exercise bike. He's also referred me to a shoulder specialist - he thinks I have bone spurs and will need key hole surgery ....I don't know how he can diagnose this without an x-ray!!!! I'm keen to get my shoulder fixed prior to my next TKR as it's my dominant hand and I'm finding using it more and more difficult. Any tips on coping with shoulder pain especially at night would be good.

He was rather chatty and it was hard work getting a word in - I took OH with me - we had a chuckle about it later. To be honest he didn't inspire great confidence in me! He did make a comment on my MBTs. He said the pain under my heel would eventually go as I got stronger - recovering from a TKR takes a long time.


Sharmaine

frogmorton

Hi sharmaine

I do think it takes time - like most surgery of that type - I really beleive as much as 12 months till you feel all 100% better.

Two months for the other one :shock: :shock: :shock: Well done for putting that off :shock:

I agree that getting your shoulder sorted could be a really good idea. Strength is needed when you've had surgery isnt it? ? In the other bits which do the work

All's well then

Love

Toni xx

ironic

Hi Sharmaine,

No I would not be ready for another one either. If he says it takes a long time to get over, then why but the extra burden on you :roll:

My friend had the shoulder op done. It was driving him mad. I'll ask him how he got on with it and let you know.

Good news about the foot though.

Lv, Ix

bertyboy

Hi Sharmaine , i think you are right in waiting a while for the other knee , my hubby had key hole surgery on his shoulder and did need a fair bit of physio but its ok now just a bit weaker xx

dreamdaisy

Good for you, getting it the way you want. I would also get the shoulder sorted first - you need fit shoulders to cope with crutches etc after ops! Good luck with it all. DD

wendgro

I had a Frozen Shoulder and had to have a general anaesthetic before I had my knee done and a few weeks physio I had no movement in my arm and shoulder so would not manage the sticks and crutches with a knee op .The manipulation went well and had my TKR done a few months later I still have problems with my shoulder and I still haven't got full movement . I think now this is due to arthritis in the joint the shoulder is a lot smaller than my other one I suppose this is muscle wastage.I had a spell where I went to see the GP or Consultant and always ended up with another problem I try and avoid Dr's as much as possible these days

sharmaine

Hi everyone

My GP said as I had OA in knees and hands it is likely that I have it in shoulder, however, no x rays have been done!!! I have had two different versions....thank goodness I've been referred to a shoulder specialist and will know eventually what is causing this pain/discomfort. My MIL says it sounds like a Frozen Shoulder.

I think I've done the right thing to wait until my shoulder is sorted before I have the next TKR. I just don't think I could cope with major surgery 5 months down the line (first TKR was done in February!

I feel as if my body has been taken over by aches and pains caused by arthur - he's like an alien with lots of tentacles gnawing away at my joints!!

I wonder if stem cell research could cure us?

Sharmaine

wendgro wrote:

I had a Frozen Shoulder and had to have a general anaesthetic before I had my knee done and a few weeks physio I had no movement in my arm and shoulder so would not manage the sticks and crutches with a knee op .The manipulation went well and had my TKR done a few months later I still have problems with my shoulder and I still haven't got full movement . I think now this is due to arthritis in the joint the shoulder is a lot smaller than my other one I suppose this is muscle wastage.I had a spell where I went to see the GP or Consultant and always ended up with another problem I try and avoid Dr's as much as possible these days

dorcas

Hi Sharmaine!

you're quite right to wait longer for the next TKR.....5 mths does seem far too quick :? surely you need time to recover fully from the first knee before having more surgery. :roll:

my ortho says a year between surgery is about right and I've been happy to go along with his advice.

If your docs and orthos 'think' you have arther in hands, shoulder etc...then why don't they do xrays to confirm it? seems a bit daft to be talking about arther & bony spurs etc without xrays... :?:

why not ask for xrays to be done?

painful shoulders just ain't no fun.

The only thing that helps me is applying heat to my sore shoulder and resting it...also had acupuncture but didn't find that helped.

gentle (((hugs)))

Iris x

sharmaine

Hi Iris

Yes, I should ask for more x rays. I get the feeling they don't like sending you off for them. They've x-rayed my knees about 6 times but seem to ignore my other aches!!! I sometimes feel guilty about asking it - they send you away with meds and a diagnosis and that's that. Mind you that Registrar was talking out of his a.se saying that I could have a TKR in 2 months time.

Hopefully the shoulder specialist will x ray my aching shoulder/arm.

Sharmaine

dorcas wrote:

Hi Sharmaine!

you're quite right to wait longer for the next TKR.....5 mths does seem far too quick :? surely you need time to recover fully from the first knee before having more surgery. :roll:

my ortho says a year between surgery is about right and I've been happy to go along with his advice.

If your docs and orthos 'think' you have arther in hands, shoulder etc...then why don't they do xrays to confirm it? seems a bit daft to be talking about arther & bony spurs etc without xrays... :?:

why not ask for xrays to be done?

painful shoulders just ain't no fun.

The only thing that helps me is applying heat to my sore shoulder and resting it...also had acupuncture but didn't find that helped.

gentle (((hugs)))

Iris x

elnafinn

Hi Sharmaine

I would be the same and not rush in so soon for a second TKR without having nearly forgotten about the first one!

Regarding your shoulder, I do hope you can get that sorted, it has probably not been helped with taking so much strain when using crutches. I take if you have not fallen on that shoulder at any time in the past or recently.

At least it sounds like you can get your shoulder sorted, even if he was speaking out of the top of his head about the diagnosis. :roll: Has he got xray eyes or something?

Unfortunately for me, I had a few falls, landing on my left shoulder. It always got better with time and physio but with the last fall on black ice in January 2005, walking to a job I hated, I really did the shoulder in big time. On going down some months later, for an op, to sort it, when I came round, the surgeon told me that the rotator cuff tear was so massive that it was inoperable as there was nothing to knit together. :roll: I have had physio in the past and a few steroid injections by my GP in that area. Now I religiously do daily exercises with my shoulder and try to get on the best I can with my life. It does give me jip and arthritis will set in, for sure, that shoulder is larger than the other one, but has muscle loss and some things I do have to find alternative ways to cope, but I will not give in I wonder why I am telling you all that :?: :!: :!:

Enjoy your mini cruise I hope you are enjoying this lovely weather pottering in the garden as I know you like to do that.

Love
Elna x

sharmaine

Hi Elna

I'm sorry to hear that you've suffered with your shoulder too - it's bad enough having bad knees!! I've been complaining about it for nearly 3 years and finally they've decided to look at it. I can't recall having a fall. I'm not surprised that it hurts so much when I think of the amount of work this arm has done over the years! All that ironing; cooking; decorating etc!!! :P :P

No I won't be defeated either. I did my 20 mins on the bike this morning and my physio exercises - I'm determined to get the operated leg straight. I'm dying to clean out my kitchen cupboards but terrified that if I get down to do them I won't get up again. At least when I'm in the garden I can shuffle around on my bum. I've been doing a lot more around the house and even managed to help pack the shopping with OH today. He hasn't had my help in a long time. I even managed to walk around the shop without limping half way through.

Look after yourself.

Sharmaine.

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Sharmaine

I would be the same and not rush in so soon for a second TKR without having nearly forgotten about the first one!

Regarding your shoulder, I do hope you can get that sorted, it has probably not been helped with taking so much strain when using crutches. I take if you have not fallen on that shoulder at any time in the past or recently.

At least it sounds like you can get your shoulder sorted, even if he was speaking out of the top of his head about the diagnosis. :roll: Has he got xray eyes or something?

Unfortunately for me, I had a few falls, landing on my left shoulder. It always got better with time and physio but with the last fall on black ice in January 2005, walking to a job I hated, I really did the shoulder in big time. On going down some months later, for an op, to sort it, when I came round, the surgeon told me that the rotator cuff tear was so massive that it was inoperable as there was nothing to knit together. :roll: I have had physio in the past and a few steroid injections by my GP in that area. Now I religiously do daily exercises with my shoulder and try to get on the best I can with my life. It does give me jip and arthritis will set in, for sure, that shoulder is larger than the other one, but has muscle loss and some things I do have to find alternative ways to cope, but I will not give in I wonder why I am telling you all that :?: :!: :!:

Enjoy your mini cruise I hope you are enjoying this lovely weather pottering in the garden as I know you like to do that.

Love
Elna x

speedalong

Hi Sharmaine - I think he was over chatty because he was nervous. He probably prefers his patients under GA and on the operating table!!

I think you are right, if your knee isn't yet as straight as it should be and your shoulder is giving you pain - then surely these issues need sorting first.

Speedalong

sharmaine

Hi
I was really disappointed not to see the specialist because he knew what I was like before the operation. The Registrar didn't seem at all impressed with my progress and I could have said look matey I was in a wheelchair prior to my TKR so stick that in your hat! But, I just let him waffle on - you're right he may have been nervous.

I'll be glad to get my shoulder sorted out first.

How are you doing after your op?

Sharmaine

speedalong wrote:

Hi Sharmaine - I think he was over chatty because he was nervous. He probably prefers his patients under GA and on the operating table!!

I think you are right, if your knee isn't yet as straight as it should be and your shoulder is giving you pain - then surely these issues need sorting first.

Speedalong

speedalong

Hi Sharmaine -

I'm doing great. No weight bearing restrictions this time - which is SO fab. I'm walking with two crutches, or using workservice and a stick in the kitchen. My scar is 20 cm or a bit more long and still has clips in - the nurse says it is dry. Bruising is starting to come out now - very multicoloured!! Pain relief is working. I need to get my digestive system working a bit better. Didn't sleep great last night - not really due to pain more due to heat, my mind racing and sluggish digestive system.

Defin better off than a bad to middling day before op.

You are doing great yourself - I have found your progress inspirational - especially as I was dreading this op so much - not the actual op but the recovery and results ... Thankfully much better this time round.

Speedalong

sharmaine

Hi Speedalong

Can you get hold of "Movicol" it'll help with your bowel movements. I get mine on repeat prescription. I used to take Lactulose but it was dreadful and made me windy!

You'll feel better when you have your staples out. I just couldn't get comfy in bed and it was a real relief when they were taken out.
The bruising is always amazing - the ice packs will help with this. When you get your staples out massage your scar with vaseline or cocoa butter.

I'm in good spirits and having the TKR gave me my mobility back.

Just take it easy and remember you'll feel tired after even the smallest exertion for a few weeks.

I didn't sleep well either because I was hot. I got up at 4.00 am and put the ceiling fan on which helped. Hasn't it been a wonderful day.? You'll have the summer to recover and get strong again which can't be a bad thing!

I hope your lovely friends continue to support you.

Take care.

Sharmaine
X

speedalong wrote:

Hi Sharmaine -

I'm doing great. No weight bearing restrictions this time - which is SO fab. I'm walking with two crutches, or using workservice and a stick in the kitchen. My scar is 20 cm or a bit more long and still has clips in - the nurse says it is dry. Bruising is starting to come out now - very multicoloured!! Pain relief is working. I need to get my digestive system working a bit better. Didn't sleep great last night - not really due to pain more due to heat, my mind racing and sluggish digestive system.

Defin better off than a bad to middling day before op.

You are doing great yourself - I have found your progress inspirational - especially as I was dreading this op so much - not the actual op but the recovery and results ... Thankfully much better this time round.

Speedalong