👯‍♀️ Hips and Knees part 7

I can actually get a picture of the x ray.

That is good, the steroid injection appears to be working. Good you had another xray and although it will be interpreted by the hospital it will give the physio some understanding. Good you feel some relief.

Didn’t see the consultant as he was running late after an operation but I had another x ray and another steroid injection; this time in a better place after the doctor had seen the x ray. We both decided that I wasn’t ready for a TKR but will have a six month review. Which is what I wanted. I was given an email address with which I could see my x ray so I can show it to my physio. He said a TKR is not going to straighten my leg which is the main problem. I’m so relieved that I can still see a consultant without committing to the operation. My leg feels great at the moment but I think the injection has something in it that numbs the knee for a while.

Just one thing to add to Charleygirl’s advice. . A friend made me a fairly capacious cross body bag that came in very useful. I put hot drinks into a small vacuum flask and carried them through to the sitting room in the bag.

I know a fellow who was almost running up and downstairs with very little pain. I was in so much pain I couldn't read anything and switched on the TV to distract me. I was in this state for 6 weeks then almost overnight My knee felt almost normal with slight pain. No two are the same. I didn't do 5 minutes of physio because of pain, but I had almost achieved 90 degrees flexion. I live on my own and managed fine. I had a trolley supplied by social services after my first op to take food from the kitchen to sitting room, and it was strong enough to act as a stick or crutch.

I was too tired to change bedding so my cleaner did that.

You will not have full control of the leg so you will have to lift your leg in and out of bed or find a thick scarf to assist you.

I had problems sleeping as I was told not to lie on my side. When I could, I placed a pillow lengthways between my knees.

I was able to have a shower immediately, but I had bought a stool before my first knee op. I had a kitchen chair in the bathroom so I could brush my teeth etc.

Years ago I changed the two loo seats for ones for the "elderly" so no problems there. as they are at a decent height. It is little things like that . Have you a stool when watching TV as the knee should be elevated. Just ask as I know you will.

I dined on ready meals until I could cook.

Maybe I was lucky as I had my professional knowledge on the subject.

I have forgotten when surgery is.

During the weeks post TKR is it all pain relief and physio or is it possible to read books, watch films etc? I’m planning in advance.

Just bumping this up to save anybody searching.

From memory the number of injections pre-op are limited to I think 3 but if they help, go for it.

If my surgeon was robot assisted, I would be delighted because especially with a hip, it has to be exact.

I'm going to ask for another injection. I didn't think it helped last time but I did go shopping one day the following week and walked better than usual. I hadn't thought it helped at all and it was only one day when it felt ok. But I have good days and bad days anyway. They do like you to at least try an injection because they really help some people.

travelsafar

Managed to get a gp appointment for 29th Oct. I will try to post about the outcome. CHARLEYGIRL5.... i had an xray earlier this year to confirm arthritis.
This was also when I was offered injection. At that time medication controlled the pain but not happening now. Fingers crossed I get the injection and it helps.😊

When I saw the consultant last year he showed me my x ray. I assumed my GP would be able to see it but they only had the written details. If I'd taken a picture of the x ray I could have shown my physio. I'm going to make sure I do that on Tuesday this time. My friend said I need to ask if the op would be robot assisted.

I would also write a list of the ways it’s affecting you to give to the GP. I started doing this because I’m quite deaf so cutting down the number of questions he/she had to ask me helped both of us but I’ve also found it very helpful in making sure I cover everything and don’t come away thinking ‘I wish I’d said that.’ I just write brief bullet points.

Make a list of the questions. Try to find out the grade of your OA. 1 is normal, grade 4 is bone on bone. At least you have an appointment. If you watch Corrie, no appointment needed you can walk straight in!

Managed to get a gp appointment for 29th Oct. I will try to post about the outcome. CHARLEYGIRL5.... i had an xray earlier this year to confirm arthritis.
This was also when I was offered injection. At that time medication controlled the pain but not happening now. Fingers crossed I get the injection and it helps.😊

travelsofar you need to see your GP and have an xray sooner rather than later.

Maybee it is very rare so it was unfortunate your friend and I developed it. The surgery I am about to have done will need repetition 5-10 years. Being 83 now I doubt if that will be necessary.

I do worry about lymphodaema. A friend of mine who says she’s glad she had the operation developed it afterwards. I’m quite a slim petite person and have lost weight recently due to a change in diet but all of my weight is in my legs and my bad leg is an inch bigger all over than my good leg. I have awful varicose veins, too. I don’t know of anyone who isn’t morbidly obese having legs bigger than mine. I’ve kept them hidden all of my adult life. My skin doesn’t heal easily either. The thought of wearing compression stockings horrifies me too.

I am starting to experience a lot of pain in my right knee and also in the ankle of that leg. I've noticed my knee is now almost touching the left leg when I stand and walk so something definitely going on. Both hips have been replaced so no pain there but I have spinal stenosis so can only walk distance with my rollator and use a perching stool in the kitchen when cooking and washing up as cant stand for long.
Has anyone else notice an arthritic leg leaning into the other leg??
I have done an e consult requesting a steriod Injection as I've heard they do help with knee pain. My life feels miserable at the moment as constant pain 😒

Maybee I have had both knees replaced. I wouldn't have surgery if I had no pain but I would have surgery with no pain if my tibia and/or fibula were affected and bowing.

A rare complication which nobody tells you about is lymphoedema. I have it in both legs. Very swollen, itchy and painful lower legs. After time, venous insufficiency. I have been offered surgery so the 2nd of November for my left leg.

Perhaps mention lymphoedema and see if he sweeps it under the carpet!!!

I am giving up this old age lark. Even returning to work would be better. Instead of 83 I am now 38.

A course of terbinafine tablets. Can only get from a doctor and they just regard them as cosmetic. I want to hope for the best but plan for the worst with my knee but that will take a lot or organising. I’m very belt and braces when it comes to things like this. If I can get my garage sorted I will buy a walking machine; my daughter has one and I enjoy using it. And I will also be able to put a mobility scooter in it so I can at least join my partner when he walks our dog. I’ll organise my bedroom so I have everything I need upstairs initially; replace my tv and get a lap top so I can use it on my bed. If I have everything in place I won’t worry so much about the operation.

I don’t envy you your dilemma, MayBee. You need something to take the decision out if your hands, but I’ve no idea what! As an aside, how do you get rid of fungal nail problems? My podiatrist told me there was no cure.

I’m seeing the new consultant on Tuesday. Hoping that he isn’t going to insist that I commit to having the TKR. I’m on a UK knee replacement page and there are lots of complaints from people having very little physio after the operation and still having pain from the knee and limited movement even after several months. The people I know who had the op did so because the pain they were in was intolerable and I’m scared that I’m going to swap a pain free life ( except for when I walk any distance) to one of permanent pain and stiffness. The money I’d saved up to pay for the operation so I could have some control over when I have the op is now going on house repairs/maintenance. The last consultant did put me off having the op; I wonder if it was because he knew he was retiring and the fact that I was, in the main, pain free. I’m rather hoping that the consultant will confirm that I have a fungal nail infection because that will give me a few months in which to decide what to do. I am having to futureproof my house anyway as I can’t possibly recover from a major operation in the house as it now stands.

I also have horrible memories of cod liver oil capsules at infants school in the early 1950s. To build us up after the war! I didn’t mind the milk though and still like it. Loved the malt and have the bad teeth to prove it!!

Hi Charleygirl, no, apparently it’s olive oil (Mediterranean diet and all that) and the ordinary run-of-the-mill supermarket ones will butter no parsnips, as my old Granny used to say. It’s got to packed with the magic ingredient: polyphenols, and these get lost along the way in the production of most of the oil that hits our shelves, especially if it is not cold pressed. I had my first taste this morning and was pleasantly surprised, it’s not too bad at all & leaves a slight peppery taste at the back of the throat. I have awful memories of cod liver oil and malt during the war …. (And GG is fine, by the way!)

TBW is fine Charleygirl. GN isn’t ideal for those of us with failing eyesight.

grammargran this is just a personal observation but would cod liver oil not be better than plain olive oil? That is what we were given as children. Be careful as the prices vary. Morrison's reasonable at £4.99 for starters but look for strength.

Yes SL is fine CG…
As for milk I used to 3njoy a glass of cold milk from the fridge, but for some un remembered reason stopped. I have just a dash of milk in tea.
More recently decided I should drink more, so add a little to my morning oat, fruit and yoghurt breakfast.