Knee ortho today

dorcas

Hi everyone

I had my appointment today at the knee specialist Mr B..... lovely man! but what he told me isn't so lovely.

He said that the right knee has gone beyond any other possible procedures and needs a TKR. The left knee isn't far behind; both are fluid filled and need aspirating and steroid injected immediately to help with the pain.

...but Mr B said we have a problem. TWR wrist Wally and the fused wrist cannot (and will never) be able to take the pressure of trying to support me on crutches or sticks which means if I do have knee surgery I would be totally immobile for months.
Mr B said that the lower limb surgery should have been done before the upper limb surgery not the other way round.... too late now me thinks!!

Mr B knows my hand surgeon Mr H very well (used to be in the same hospital) and he will write to him about what he proposes is needed.... but he already knows that Mr H will not agree to me having this surgery in the near future due to the risks for Wally..... (I didn't tell Mr B that I've also to have more surgery anyway on my left fused hand)
...he, Mr B says the TKR needs done sooner rather than later as my right hip and lower back are also affected by PA and me 'hobbling' is putting extra pressure on them. He also said he can do both knees together.

He is also contacting my rheumatologist to have me in for the drain & steroid injections and to discuss his proposals with them.

I am just a little gutted at being told all this. :shock: and haven't a clue what will happen next. :roll: falling to bits.....

Iris x

dreamdaisy

Oh dorcas, I am so very sorry. Draining and steroids - ugh. The one thing that reduces DD to a gibbering wreck is that. Talk about a rock and a hard place, what a blow. Take some time out to get to grips with it all, we'll put our thinking caps on and see what we can come up with. Crutches are used for stability and balance - they do not need to be gripped, in fact they work better if just gently handled and guided. Shaped handles may ease some strain too - the straight-handled NHS ones are not user-friendly, but ergnomic ones, with a fatter grip, may be an answer but I suppose it is all dependant on how strong or un-affected your hands are. You need some coddling and comfort tonight, so I hope you have something to make you feel better. I wish I could help but all I can offer are these: ((())). Would an OT have any ideas? Perhaps it would be worth seeing one of them. Your Diabolic Damsel.

speedalong

Oh Iris, what a dilemma - I think you need an appointment with an OT asap to double check that there arent any mobility aids that you could use ... the consultant you saw is a leg/knee chap and so is only thinking of bog-standard crutches/zimmers etc ... there could well be a solution out there.

In your mind what is your next priority the other hand op of the knees? Which is the hardest to live with?

Will come back to this ... need to serve dinner.
Sorry you had such a mixed bag of news.

Speedy

annie_mial

Oh, Iris, what a bummer!

I've no experience of any of the surgical procedures at all, but just wanted to say how sorry I am that you've had this kind of news.

Maybe Lindalegs will be along shortly, she had both knees done at the same time.........she may have some helpful thoughts.

Can only offer these (((((((())))))))

Love
Annie

marion1952

Oh Iris, I'm gutted for you..

I'm trying to think about the options, and trying to put myself in your shoes .. you're stuck 'between a rock and a hard place.'..

I don't think you can jeopardise you hands by taking any chances with the elbow crutches..

It would be great to get your knees sorted out properly. I wonder how many weeks you would be 'immobile'? It would drive you (and me) mad, I know, but if you had to have someone stay with you at home and you had to use a wheelchair for, say 10 weeks, but at the end of it you could walk without your current pain, that would be worth it..

Think how quickly the last 10 weeks have gone..

The OT might have some ideas. Perhaps underarm crutches would be possible for you to use - in combination with other equipment?

Have you had your knees drained before? I do hope that gives you some relief in the short term..

I'll keep thinking about possibilities Iris.

Marion xx

lululu

Thats tough Iris I think Marion is right though you do need to get your knees done, somehow I am sure you will find a way to manage - ask OT for ideas, see Social Services about getting help at home till you are back on your feet, a few weeks respite care, beg,borrow or steal an electric wheelchair which you will be able to use at home will make it a little easier for you, because of the problems you will have with the crutches it will all take longer but will be well worth it in the long term.

lots of huggs lulu

skezier

Hi Iris,

Oh Flower you didn't need this one! Sending you a shed lad of ((((( ))))) and a Hope that the knee drain and jab will help you enough for Wally to get stronger. Would elbow crutches or an elbow frame work for a bit do you think?

I am sorry I have been next to useless today but will hope the draining will help and they do it very quickly!

I am thinking of you and I so wish I knew what could help. I am sure that between them the 2 surgeons with the help of ot will get something to get you back on your feet after the op. Legs will see this and she has been there bless her so will know the ins and outs.

Sending more ((((( ))))) and have made you a special brew of tea laced with anti-fall apart mix that is very strong...... Iris yo just don't deserve it flower. ((((( ))))) and more hopes. Cris xx

dorcas

thanks so much Damsel, Speedy, Annie, Marion and Lulu,

How glad I am to have such great friends on the forum to turn to.

Just reading what you have all said has somehow made what I was told today feel less daunting.... so thanks!

I have had my knees 'aspirated' before and steroid joint injections too.... but not both knees at the same time. :? should help though with the pain and swelling.

I know nothing about crutches and think your combined wisdom of asking to see OT is a good one so I will ask to be referred.

you are right of course... having the ops will help... I just had no idea it had reached this stage so quickly and had hoped to have something less invasive/ preventative done. I think that's why I was so shocked when he told me... especially with the added problems of my upper limb weakness.

please keep thinking and if you come up with further thoughts or suggestions let me know.

hugs were very timely... and gratefully received. thanks!

Iris xxx

sorry Cris... didn't see you there. thanks as always for your wonderful drafts... helped me so much in the past as you know!

thanks for popping in on this with all you got going too. :roll: .... this won't stop me being with you in the morn for the big 'push'

skezier

Hey Iris got you another cuppa and will see about potion making... the loons just dropped down the beginner's guide book.......

You will be ok and they will help to find a way round it. I know you weren't expecting it and you don't deserve it but once its been done flower it will really help you.

More ((((( ))))) and I will pop up and tape you together and I think Speedy used some superglue on me once so will raid her pockets before I leave. Another ((( ))) and I will be gentle with you re the big push.... and anyway they going to use a JCB xxx

hileena111

Hi Iris
What news"!!!! I have no experience of knees just hips...i think what comes over from most of the others is the OT and I agree....a good long chat with her/him
Love
Hileena

elnafinn

Aw, dear Iris, what news to hear today. I would have been truly devastated. I am wondering how you can have a successful knee operation if you are immobile for months. Let's hope the aspiration and steroids helps for some time but that is not a permanent answer is it? I hope an OT can come up with some bright ideas for you.

You have had a great shock today and I hope you have someone close to share all this with. I wish I could come up with more ideas of help for you. Life has most definitely not treated you too gently in the past weeks.

Sending you very gentle hugs
Love
Elna x

angel1

Iris, try not to be too overwhelmed by all of this - difficult I know.
You have a great sounding surgeon, and that will help tremendously. I`m sure between him, your previous surgeon, and OT, they will come up with a way to help you. Surely too, they will only do one knee at a time.

Please correct me if I`ve not got the full story, but I also think it unlikely that you would be immobile for months. I know of no one who has had a TKR, who still relied on crutches - or even sticks - for that length of time. Weeks, rather than months. Once you are back in your own home, you would probably be able to get around, gently holding on to furniture, and work surfaces etc., To get the best from the op, you are advised to start relying solely on the new joint as soon as possible anyway, without any aids. I was very lucky. and never needed crutches at all, and only used a stick for a week. Why shouldn`t you be as lucky? Oh, I hope you will be.

One thing I do know, worrying won`t help...........says Angie, who worries for Britain!..........Ange.x.

Wonkylegs

HI Iris

so sorry I missed pocket duty for you .... after all you've supported me through lately :oops: :oops:

I can understand why you feel so gutted having been told such dire news when you expected to hear something more positive. However, I do feel that there must be a way of getting things working for you .... you cannot and will not be the only person needing a knee op who cannot use their hands/wrists to support them!

Grab an OT referral with both hands, preferably sooner rather than later, and grill them for every ounce of knowledge they have

it is the surgeons and the team that work with them who need to wrestle with this problem and they can do the worrying - not you!

whatever happens we'll be right there with you ..... with whatever you need to keep you going.

loads of hugs (((()))))

WOnky

hileena111

Hi Iris
Ange is right {I think}...if its anything like a hp op it will be 6 weeks on sticks or crutches.
With me it was sticks and I only used one and then about the 3rd week I kept forgetting to use even it {inside} OH would say "wheres your stick?" :oops: I would be at one end of the room and the stick would be at the other.
They gave me a trolly so i could make meals when no one else was there and push them back in from the kitchen....no sticks were needed then. So that might be a help as well.....but i go back to what i said...OT OT OT
Good luck
HIleena

tillytop

Hi Iris

I am so sorry to hear the outcome of your appointment and I can totally understand why you are so overwhelmed and distressed by it all.

I can only echo the others in saying that, for starters, an appt with a good OT would at least mean that you could get a realistic idea of what help is available to you. And perhaps an appt with a physio who could perhaps talk through with you exactly what's what and the implications of having the surgery done in a particular order.

Thinking of you Iris.

Love and ((())))s Tilly xxx

skezier

Mornin Iris,

Just dropping in a ton of ((((( )))))'s, a gallon of feel happier drafts with side buckets of copes and a giant hope!

Its up to them to sort the problems out between them. I m sure they will come u with something and you know we will all be with you as well.

Right somewhere I should be thinking about getting ready for..... More ((( )))'s and love Cris xxx

barbara12

Hi Iris
What a lot to take in, I am so sorry, but and there is always a but,like Ange says you have a really good specialist and surgeon, so between them I am sure they will think of something.
I don't know much about TKR, but I do know that sometimes you are down to one crutch quite quickly.
Sorry Im not being much help
Sending you loads of hugs, and between us lot we will get you there.
((((((())))))
Love
Barbara xx

julie47

oh Iris I am so sorry I missed this thread yesterday. :oops:

Was only on comp a couple of times .

What a shame you can't have the tnr yet but hopefully the drain an steroids will help untill your wrists are strong enough. I know the procedure isn't very nice and one you won't be looking forwrd to but I will be with you on that bus giving you support.

Everyone has said can the ot help so hopefully they can comeup with a solution for you.

Thinking of you
Take care
Juliepf x Appologies again ,

frogmorton

Oh Iris

I have only just seen this one!! I am gutted too :shock:

Whatever will you do?

There have to be things that can be done? I get the surgery would have ben better the other way round but the hands wrists were urgent too.

I will catch up with you later have got rheumy appt just now

Love

Toni xx

woodbon

I'm sorry, it must have given you quite knock back. It's not fair that this should happen, you are always so kind and helpful to everyone. I wish I could think of something useful to say, just that I'll be thinking of you and hopeing that the draining helps you.

Lots of love and a hug xxxxxx((((((())))))))

dorcas

Hi and lots of thanks Cris, Elna, Hileena, Ange, Wonky, Tilly, Barabra Julie PF, Toni and Sue!

You have all helped me get a perspective on what was said yesterday.

So here is my plan (you can add bits to it if you like)....

1. get the knees aspirated and steroid injected. (message on my voicemail when I came back from the dentist this morn... going in tomorrow morn for that, so that was very quick!)

2. to ask for a referral to OT and physio while I'm there tomorrow (good thinking eh? )

3. leave the rest of the worrying to the consultants and wait for them to work out what and when and how things should/ not be done... and then let me know!

You are right... I cannot be months immobile otherwise new joints won't work will they. so either I picked him up wrong (perfectly possible as my mind was by that time in overdrive)... or he's not sure how it will all be handled.

So today I am fine.... I am very good at compartmentalising so now I've got my head round it and have a plan, I can carry on without the worry.... until someone tells me I need to!

thank you all. 'normal' Dorcas service has been resumed.

Iris xxxxxxxx

hileena111

Fantastic post

Love
Hileena

elnafinn

Dear Iris

Well done with your ideas of how to progress with all this. You are one in a million, truly.

If the two surgeons can liaise that would be grand. More of that should go on generally but unfortunately it does not appear to be the case.

So pleased to hear that you are "back on track" and getting on with your life.

Here's wishing you all the very best for tomorrow, Iris and sincerely hoping that is does the trick for very long time.

Love
Elna x(())

sharmaine

Hi Dorcas

You poor thing.... I do hope they make the best decision for you. What a worry. I had my first TKR in February and the second one will be done the same time (I hope) next year. I've been having lots of trouble with my shoulders and hands and your situation has really made me think. This condition is a real pain in more ways than one.

Your specialist sounds really caring and it seems he will do his very best for you. Do you think talking to a physio may help? They may be able to come up with a suggestion on how you manage. To be honest I don't know what else to suggest.

Well Iris keep in touch and I hope things get sorted out for you.

Sharmaine

tillytop

Hi Iris

Think your plan is brill and I am very impressed with your "compartmentalising"! Will have to take a leaf out of your book I think!

Dentist as well today? Hope that went ok for you.

Really good luck tomorrow with points 1 and 2 of your plan. Will be thinking of you and hoping all goes well.

Lots love

Tilly xxx

bertyboy

HI Iris my thoughts are with you for your treatment tomorrow ,and a hope that you feel the benefits till decisions are made about your tkrs x