Knee v Wedding

elainebadknee
elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
edited 11. Apr 2013, 11:55 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi

I have up for my niece's wedding way up in the highlands of scotland, Durness which from our house in kendal is about a 7.5 hour drive. We didnt drive it straight in one go on the way up stopped at my sister's in Nairn and on way back stayed in Travelodge (how on earth are you supposed to sleep in there?) last night...I drove firstly from our house up past glasgow on way up...
Since my knee replacement however my knee has become stiffer, swollen and more sore with each day (went up on thursday) and its concerning me...Even a sleep in bed didn't appease the pain, im having great difficulty straightening and bending the knee, its so sore and I didn't drink at all as found it too painful...I also had to have a wee dance it being a wedding but I didn't do anything really fast...They do the dance Loch Lomond up there and throw themselves in and out dead fast, i pulled out when it got too fast...
Im wondering when this knee will feel good, I didn't expect this at nearly 6 months and Im disappointed...I havent done exercises or iced it but have walked on it every day....I wanted more from my new knee to start enjoying myself again...

Elainexx :-(

Comments

  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Elaine

    Sorry to hear, your knee seems to be going a bit backwards when you were doing so good, I'm afraid the only advice I can give you is get to your GP and let s/he decide where to go from here. You sound as though you got some enjoyment at the wedding, pity though you weren't able to partake some Highland Hospitality might have eventually killed the pain off :D hope you get some answers soon..............Marie x
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • kentishlady
    kentishlady Member Posts: 809
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Elaine. Sorry to hear that your knee is still giving you problems so long after the op. Have you tried physiotherapy to see if that will help at all. We can 'self-refer' for physio down here and I know that is the case in a lot of places but not sure whether it applies where you live. They might refer you for hydro-therapy. I'm about to start another course of physio on Thursday for my back, which is giving me hell at present, but have recently been diagnosed with OA in my right knee as well (though its not yet as bad as my back).

    I would suggest a visit to your GP and ask Bout physio.

    Take care. Beryl
  • barry2013
    barry2013 Member Posts: 151
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I have up for my niece's wedding way up in the highlands of scotland, Durness which from our house in kendal is about a 7.5 hour drive. We didnt drive it straight in one go on the way up stopped at my sister's in Nairn and on way back stayed in Travelodge (how on earth are you supposed to sleep in there?) last night...I drove firstly from our house up past glasgow on way up...
    Since my knee replacement however my knee has become stiffer, swollen and more sore with each day (went up on thursday) and its concerning me...Even a sleep in bed didn't appease the pain, im having great difficulty straightening and bending the knee, its so sore and I didn't drink at all as found it too painful...I also had to have a wee dance it being a wedding but I didn't do anything really fast...They do the dance Loch Lomond up there and throw themselves in and out dead fast, i pulled out when it got too fast...
    Im wondering when this knee will feel good, I didn't expect this at nearly 6 months and Im disappointed...I havent done exercises or iced it but have walked on it every day....I wanted more from my new knee to start enjoying myself again...

    Elainexx :-(

    Hi Elaine. I really feel so sad for you, it seems so unfair for you to still be having problems with your TKR after six months, where as mine after just 7 weeks appears to be just fine, I am leading a near normal life and even went out on my road cycle on Sunday even though it was just 1/2 mile it felt great. I wonder what causes us to heal at such different rates. I am glad you enjoyed the wedding and hope you enjoyed a wee dram.
    Hoping life inproves soon.
    Best wishes.
    Barry.
  • chookgate
    chookgate Member Posts: 146
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My second new knee is starting to worry me a bit too. It is 5 months now and it is still swollen, and over the last couple of weeks it has got stiffer. The leg is a lot weaker (calf and quads) than the first new knee was at this stage, and gives me a fair bit of pain. Mind you it is still so much better than it was pre-op, at least I can put weight on it, and it does straighten and bend. I wonder now if the weather is affecting it, I didn't think it was, since the first new knee (now 8 months old) feels absolutely fine 90% of the time - like a "normal" knee. If I'm honest though, maybe it is because I haven't been as conscientious with my exercises - with the first knee I was still doing my ROM exercises at least three times a day at 5 months, but now I'm so tired most of the time, I'm not even doing the exercises every day!

    I'm also starting to get pain at the back of my knee on bending (which pre-op I used to get because of bone growths), I've got my 6-month appointment with the consultant in 4 weeks time, so if there's no improvement at least I'll have an opportunity to discuss it.

    Elaine, it does sound like you've done a combination of too much (sitting nearly still in a car for hours, walking, and dancing) and not enough (not being doing your ROM exercises, or icing). I find I have less pain later in the day if I have done my exercises in the morning (I don't always wake up early enough with the energy to do them before work).
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Marie

    Its strange..Now I am home and icing it is a bit better but still getting up from sitting or even going in the shower its as sore as anything....
    I danced a bit but held back a lot too!

    Elainexx
    villier wrote:
    Elaine

    Sorry to hear, your knee seems to be going a bit backwards when you were doing so good, I'm afraid the only advice I can give you is get to your GP and let s/he decide where to go from here. You sound as though you got some enjoyment at the wedding, pity though you weren't able to partake some Highland Hospitality might have eventually killed the pain off :D hope you get some answers soon..............Marie x
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Beryl

    I already attend a hydrotherapy pool twice a week and go to the gym once a week....I am getting physio for my bursitis of hips but could ask re knee whilst there too!

    Elainexx
    Hi Elaine. Sorry to hear that your knee is still giving you problems so long after the op. Have you tried physiotherapy to see if that will help at all. We can 'self-refer' for physio down here and I know that is the case in a lot of places but not sure whether it applies where you live. They might refer you for hydro-therapy. I'm about to start another course of physio on Thursday for my back, which is giving me hell at present, but have recently been diagnosed with OA in my right knee as well (though its not yet as bad as my back).

    I would suggest a visit to your GP and ask Bout physio.

    Take care. Beryl
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Barry

    I don't know either, I have religiously done my exercises, not put on weight, gone for walks and been back to see the surgical registrar who didn't seem concerned about my knee..

    Elainexx


    Since my knee replacement however my knee has become stiffer, swollen I really feel so sad for you, it seems so unfair for you to still be having problems with your TKR after six months, where as mine after just 7 weeks appears to be just fine, I am leading a near normal life and even went out on my road cycle on Sunday even though it was just 1/2 mile it felt great. I wonder what causes us to heal at such different rates. I am glad you enjoyed the wedding and hope you enjoyed a wee dram.
    Hoping life inproves soon.
    Best wishes.
    Barry.[/quote]
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chook

    I dont know if its just been a severe shock to the joint as i havent driven or sat anywhere near that long since my operation...My calves and quads are in good shape as I do exercise as well as doing my rehab ones..Its my ligaments that are the big worry to me and I think if it doesn't improve within a month or two I will go back to see wrightington..

    Elainexx
    chookgate wrote:
    My second new knee is starting to worry me a bit too. It is 5 months now and it is still swollen, and over the last couple of weeks it has got stiffer. The leg is a lot weaker (calf and quads) than the first new knee was at this stage, and gives me a fair bit of pain. Mind you it is still so much better than it was pre-op, at least I can put weight on it, and it does straighten and bend. I wonder now if the weather is affecting it, I didn't think it was, since the first new knee (now 8 months old) feels absolutely fine 90% of the time - like a "normal" knee. If I'm honest though, maybe it is because I haven't been as conscientious with my exercises - with the first knee I was still doing my ROM exercises at least three times a day at 5 months, but now I'm so tired most of the time, I'm not even doing the exercises every day!

    I'm also starting to get pain at the back of my knee on bending (which pre-op I used to get because of bone growths), I've got my 6-month appointment with the consultant in 4 weeks time, so if there's no improvement at least I'll have an opportunity to discuss it.

    Elaine, it does sound like you've done a combination of too much (sitting nearly still in a car for hours, walking, and dancing) and not enough (not being doing your ROM exercises, or icing). I find I have less pain later in the day if I have done my exercises in the morning (I don't always wake up early enough with the energy to do them before work).
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Elaine
    Sorry Im late seeing this..
    I would try and make an appointment with your consultant...I am sure they have quite a lot of people that are worried about things not being right...I would hate to think you could do more damage....
    Hopefully it is still the healing process....but you go back xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Elaine, I don't really know what to say? It could have been the cold that effected it, it is cold up there!!? I hope the knee will ease soon and start to go down so you can get on doing things you want to do.
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Amanda

    No it wasnt, it was warm up there same as most of UK last weekend...I dont know why its taking mine so long to right itself!

    Elainexx
    bubbadog wrote:
    Hi Elaine, I don't really know what to say? It could have been the cold that effected it, it is cold up there!!? I hope the knee will ease soon and start to go down so you can get on doing things you want to do.
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Barbara

    I will give it a month or so as saw his registrar last time and he said all going good but ligaments not healed...

    Elainexx
    barbara12 wrote:
    Hello Elaine
    Sorry Im late seeing this..
    I would try and make an appointment with your consultant...I am sure they have quite a lot of people that are worried about things not being right...I would hate to think you could do more damage....
    Hopefully it is still the healing process....but you go back xx