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Now at 12/13 weeks. Few questions

Posted , 13 users are following.

john_04330
john_04330

Hi. At that point after TKR. Im driving,walking doing exercises,swimming. But I have a few concerns. I still get pain in the knee. For how long is everything still raw inside? Plus IM still getting the clink/clunk every time i move and i cant help feeling something is loose. I see the consultant on 8th March and wonder if he would be able to tell by the xray? The replacement knee doesnt feel like the other one,it feels heavier and like there is a band around it. Has anyone at the same stage or further on got the same feeling? Thanks.

1 like, 38 replies

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  • jodie_63346
    jodie_63346 john_04330

    Posted

    Hi John

    I am just new to this game. I am only 4 weeks post op TKR. One thing I can say this forum has been my life line. It's a scary thing not knowing if what you are experiencing is NORMAL.

    My bend is still on at 70 degrees and working on getting it straight. I am still active and hopefully will be able to return to my job in the mine as I am only 43.

    I have done a lot of research into our operation. With those sleepless nights etc. I have read the clicking sounds can be quite normal. A good idea to bring it to the attention of your doctor though.

    The people on here are fantastic at giving advice in the upmost caring of ways even if their day isn't going great. Some forums I have been on scared me to death. All I read was negative not a good place to be when feeling defeated.

    I hope what you find from your doctor is the Normal and at least you have learnt to listen to your knee with exercising. I have the tight band as well but I think it's just scar tissue and hopefully with time it will settle. I call my new knee Jenni. I often talk to her like she can be my friend but some days I feel she is my worst enemy 😉 I know this sounds crazy but it keeps me going.

    I hope we all get there with time John and down the track we will be saying it's the best decision of our lives and helping others when they are new to this operation. I now keep a dairy of my day to day so I can look back at my small achievements as sometimes we forget they are there. Also the hope I can guide someone else through their journey.

    Best of luck John all the best from the land down under.

    Jodie

    • john_04330
      john_04330 jodie_63346

      Posted

      Hi Jodie

      Thanks for your experience. I thiunk youre probably going to see a fair bit of improvement from now to when you get to my stage. If I remember rightly the 2nd month was the most,then it became more gradual. I have the same hopes as you Jodie. Yes its great to go on the forum,nice people. What kind of mine is it? Australia,people from all over on here. Thanks John

    • jodie_63346
      jodie_63346 john_04330

      Posted

      Hi John

      I work in an under ground lead mine. We mine lead, zinc and silver. We are the world largest producer of these base metals. 3.4 million tones a year so it's a busy mine. I am what we call FIFO (fly in fly out). A week on and a week off. Not a bad roster but not fun when you work every Christmas 7 years straight you miss the family but that's what we sign up for I guess.

      Thanks for saying it gets better John I look forward to that day. Needed to read those words today as the pain in Jenni is driving me crazy. It doesn't happen every day but today is that day. I tossed and turned most of the night so when you feel emotionally drained it seems to make everything worse. Tomorrow is a new day so looking forward it.

      Take care of yourself

      Jodie

    • john_04330
      john_04330 jodie_63346

      Posted

      Thanks Jodie

      Been down the mines myself but it was coal. Only for a short time though. Yes Jodie I had much pain early but it DID improve. I guess everything is still raw. Maybe even for me at the point im at. And as i remember theres good and bad days friend. Keep me informed.

      John.

    • lynda10857
      lynda10857 jodie_63346

      Posted

      My MD put me on Zoloft because of not being able to do much of anything.  Now that I think of it that was after the back surgery, but it still helps when I still can't do anything because of the knee.

       

    • jodie_63346
      jodie_63346 john_04330

      Posted

      Thanks John. I have worked in an open cut coal mine but missed the underground environment so back to the dark hole for me.

      I will soldier on. One foot in front of the other even if it's a slow process.

      Jodie

    • jodie_63346
      jodie_63346 lynda10857

      Posted

      Hi Lynda

      My doctor place me on relaxation medication to help me sleep. I take it after dinner and it does help the mind to relax and not spin out of control. It's seemed to help a lot over the last two nights I have slept well.

      Thinking of you and hope you are OK Lynda ☺

  • bisutton
    bisutton john_04330

    Posted

    Hi John

    My tkr was about 14 weeks ago. I have the tight band feeling and have had it from the first day. Now it's more like a steel clamp. I have had terrible nerve pain, can't tolerate icing for the past 4 or 6 weeks. Knee is very sensitive to touch. Is yours sensitive? That bothers me more than my bend, which is only about 95-100. How is your bend and do you still have swelling?

    • john_04330
      john_04330 bisutton

      Posted

      Hi Bisutton

      We are roughly the same stage. Ive got the band feeling,havent been icing much over the past weeks as ive had this rash. No,my knee isnt very sensitive at all,quite the opposite. Not much feeling in it at all apart from when i get pain in it. And that just comes quickly and goes quickly. My bend is quite good and not much swelling at all to be honest. Thanks.

  • Damy
    Damy john_04330

    Posted

    Hi john,

    im at 11 weeks, tomorrow and am walking, driving going to pt, but I almost always feel like I have a band around it!! Especially when I haven't moved it for awhile. Mine doesn't feel heavier, just aches and painful sometimes. He should be able to see what's going on w/ X-ray. My pt says that if we have loosened any thing or torn anything we would know it! In not her words there would be a lot of pain. Hang in there. I see my surgeon on March 15th. Good luck.

    • john_04330
      john_04330 Damy

      Posted

      Hi Damy.

      THank you. Again,roughly same stage. As said,band feeling but DOES feel heavier. Ive got a good book about TKR and it does say if youve got a click and not painful all is ok . Im going for xray on Monday and then see consultant on the 8th March. I had an xray before i left the hospital but when i saw him last time he didnt have those xrays on his desk,which i think you would have expected. Ive mentioned it before but i will be asking him a LOT more questions this time and will be in the office a lot longer than 3 minutes. He has a very dismissive attitude but as this is maybe the last time i see him there will be questions. If he isnt any more helpful i will be reporting him.

    • john_04330
      john_04330 Damy

      Posted

      Also good luck with your consultation Damy.
    • Annibgood
      Annibgood john_04330

      Posted

      Your surgeon has always sounded a right git John!

      Make a list this time and ask all the questions you need answering.

      There is nothing as bad as leaving the surgery and remembering a question that you didnt ask!

      I'd stil use ice John even with the rash  hopefully this new med will clear it up for you.

      Ann

    • john_04330
      john_04330 Annibgood

      Posted

      Thanks Ann,I appreciate that. I will definitely be making a list. I have asked a friend to take me/come in with me even though im capable of doing both myself. The second is so this right git cant accuse me of getting stroppy when im only being straightforward. I hope theres somebody in with him also. It will be like High Noon. 

      Thankks for the advice on the ice,will follow it. The rash seems to be looking better,put one application on last night

      John.

    • Damy
      Damy john_04330

      Posted

      That is so sad that the the surgeon is so dismissive!! I really believe that they , as surgeons, do their job, meaning the op, and feel they are finished. It feels as though they have no time for the aftermath and it's just an annoyance for them. 

      All surgeons should be required to have their knee replaced!!!!! Then we'll see a different story! 

      I saw his nurse practitioner at 4 weeks. He, Brian, had always been so lovely when I went for my shots. This time I found him brusque  and dismissive as well. I have requested to the dr. When I go in March. Hubby going w/ me. I'll report in on my experience . Better luck this time and it's a great idea to have someone w/u. By the way , he absolutely should have ur X-rays in front of him. If he doesn't , ask why. They all have such big egos!! Good luck!

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