This morning I saw my surgeon, and apart from saying that the bend is still not enough, he seemed very pleased with my progress, said i can now walk without any crutch or stick, and only to go back to him now if I have any questions, or unexpected changes. he said two kilometres a day was too much, and to drop to one kilometre, and not necessarily every day . . He specifically warned me that in women the largest cause of infection in the joint is urinary infections, and as i suffer from these quite regularly, I shall stock up on strong antibiotics and take them as soon as I feel a twinge! It makes me wonder why in the hospital after the operation I had to wait three days to see a urologist when i complained daily of cistitis! I know I'm going to have to be strict with myself now to keep up the exercises, as I've been working hard towards this consultation as when I saw him at ten days he was very negative about how I was doing, and said I was going to end up with MUA. Have to say that at that point I was a total wreck and could quite happily have crawled into bed and stayed there the rest of my life! It does get better eventually, doesn't it! (and then it gets worse again . . but onward and upward!!!)
Well done...you've made great progress.
Sometimes I feel that. . then a bad day, and you wonder if it is ever going to be normal again. But this forum certainly helps enormously because you realise that it's like that for most people. OK there may be a few superhumans around who sail through this with no problems, but they are certainly a minority!
Well done you. I have been keeping up with your journey and it seems to have been a hard long struggle but you have made it again well done keep up the good work you will be running a marathon soon LOL
When I had my kidney infection the hospital social worker gave me some interesting data. According to her, a recent report in the medical bills me JAMA, 70% of all falls in people over 70 are directly related to urinary track related problems. Dehydration, severe blood pressure drop (that's what got me) , severe infections out of control, etc. So it is something you really have to stay on top of and stay hydrated. I got a deep tissue massage the other day and felt like someone had pulled a plug. Started peeing about every 20 mins. Boy, did I up the fluid intake quickly.
That is so interesting about waterworks infections. I, too, am really prone to UTI's and started with one just a few days after having my first TKR in June. How much discomfort can one person stand?!
Am having TKR number two on 18th March and will be sure to get antibiotics at the very first twinge. Hadn't realised they could cause so much damage to the new knee joint.
Lynn 8 months post first TKR
I wouldn't be happy either if my surgeon told me that it was likely I would need manipulation under anesthesia. He sounds like a jolly little chap!!
I believe that you are doing the best you can by stocking-up with antibiotics and exercising as much as you feel able.
So just carry-on with the good work and ignore 'happy Larry' for the moment.
I have heard of several people who have had cistitis in the days after the op . i believe there may be a connection somewhere! That second night I remember having to use the damned bedpan 14 times! and sciatica . .i have never felt so defeated and miserable in my life!!! And on the following morning to be offered a paracetamol tablet was really just an insult!
He really is a very nice guy . . honestly! I think maybe it's a sort of way he has of making people take the first weeks seriously and not wait for the pain to subside before exercising. Today he said I was in his 80 per cent total success rate, and said that when a patient's TKR went wrong it affects him tremendously. He has three stents, which he puts down to the pressure and stress of the job . . so he really does care about his patients which is nice to know! He even came in to see me on thesunday morning following surgery although he lives 70 miles from the hospital, because he was worried about my inability to move the foot after the operation. He's brusque, abrasive at times, but there's a great surgeon there under that exterior! I chose a hospital 100 kilometres from our home so he would be my surgeon!
That's really interesting. . and very relevant for me as unfortunately, i am never thirsty, and have to remind myself all the time of the need to drink . .I believe quite common is people of a certain age! I've noticed you often mention hydration, and you are so right! I once read a letter by a doctor to the paper which said that often when a patient insists on a prescription, what they really need is another four or five glasses of water a day . . but they insist on a prescription! I must keep drinking. . think I'll go and make another cup of tea!
Hi! At my pre op I was diagnosed with a urinary infection and had to take antibiotics and I seem to be prone to the wretched things. It's comforting to hear that I'm not alone on this, but I was worried to hear that I'll have to watch out from now on as the infection can spread to my knee! I knew that if you got an abscess in a tooth (sadly also prone to those too- not a lot going for me!) then I would have to get antibiotics urgently prior to any dental work but now I'll have to add the wee infections too! Oh joy-not!
Glenda 18 weeks TKR
PS thank goodness for this forum and all you lovely helpful people!
I had my second TKR on 16th Dec last year having had my first the previous March which was awful as I had to go in for MUA. I was determined that it wouldn't happen again and so I made sure that I did my exercises from day 1. I stayed in for 3 days and went home whereI continued to do my exercises. I saw my Consultant after 6 weeks who doesn't want t see me again until next January.
sounds very good except for the awful sciatica that I have had since the op'. I have had regular Physio which leaves me feeling like I have been kicked by a donkey for two,days after and it is still there. Not sure how this is going to go away as I am now jone past 10 weekspst op.pain killers and hot water bottles on the back do help but are very embarrassing when walking around Tesco's.walking and sleeping isn't too bad but sitting for periods of time, especially on hard seats such as restaurants, coffee shops etc .
any ideas anyone.??
Well it does help to have confidence in your surgeon, and it's also good to hear that he considers you to be well within the operative success perameters that he has set for himself.
I do hope that it all works out well for you as I'm sure it will.
Please keep me posted on your progress.
Rod
Good luck for knee number 2, Lynn. Jen x
That sounds promising. I had esix week check but have another appt in May when I have an X-ray. Don't think they we too concerned with bend, just as long as you can walk. Good luck
I imagine that it's still pretty rare for a urinary infection to actually cause a problem with the knee joint. . .I mean, I'm sure it's not that common so I wouldn't worry unduly. and to tell the truth, as soon as we get a urinary infection, the best thing is to zap it with antibiotics! Painful!
I find it's worse when standing still . .walking, and sitting seem reasonably OK, but lying down and standing still is the worst. . .at least it mostly keeps me moving around!
That is to which they are attributing my current condition. The fall then the inflammation npe the reoccurrence of staph
No martinarvelo it is not uncommon for women to suffer with a uninary infection after a TKR,and once it has been identified it needs to be treated immediately.