emzee
california
Senior Member
Joined: 10/22/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
it's me again and i just thought i'd pop in with an update to what's been happening with my knee. if you recall i had 2 surgeries, one in nov. 2007 for torn meninscus and april 2008 because of a dislocated patella that occurred because of the first surgery (don't know why and the doc doesn't either) i haven't been able to walk unaided since the first surgery. my doc wanted me to get another opinion because he doesn't know what's wrong.
my hmo didn't respond for ages to the request for a second opinion so i switched my insurance to a ppo and went to the doc i wanted to and he has sent me to do more physical therapy. he said my knee isn't looking very good but he would like to see me in 6 weeks after the physical therapy. i must add this physical therapy is so different than the first place i went to. they have me doing things much more thorough than the other one. what a shame my hmo had me going to a physical therapy that did me more harm than good. my opinion of course. i don't have a clue where i go from here but i do wish i had been to these people first.
the doc will decide about a tkr after he sees how my knee responds to the therapy. i just want to walk. i am working hard and hope that it helps one way or another.
dh is really getting itchy feet to go somewhere but we're in between motorhomes as we just donated ours to a cancer charity. i think this is the first time in our married life (32 years nov.) we've been without a camping vehicle of some sort lol. guess we might have to hotel it!
see you down the road!
|
canope
Hanover Twp, Pennsylvania
Senior Member
Joined: 07/21/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Good luck with that!
I just had THR (hip) and the worst part was the insurance idiots. My camping is done for the season but I am back to work. Make sure you research the doctors and you will be fine. I went out of town to find someone good and it is worth it.
Thomas & Ruth
Team Canope - Geocaching.com
2002 Palomino Yearling RL (The Rainmaker)
2004 Xterra
|
fatmanobx
kill devil hills, n.c.
Senior Member
Joined: 12/27/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Have had both knees replaced. Piece of cake. Took 4 weeks to get back to work on the first and 3 weeks on the 2nd. I had the series of shots and the surg. you have had and it will come down to the tkr before you are finished. I am 59 now and wish I had went ahead and had them both done years ago. Lots of pain for years that could have been avoided. Good luck to you...
2003 Four Winds Infinity 37'
|
emzee
california
Senior Member
Joined: 10/22/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
oh fatmanobx thanks for that. i am hating the thought of it but i can't walk and don't know what else to do. so hearing this gives me encouragement thanks again!!
|
Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/14/2007
View Profile
|
4 weeks? 3 weeks? That's awfully fast.
I am 63, a lifelong hiker except for the past two years before knee surgery. Had one TKR in July, began deep water aerobics (no impact) workouts at 6 weeks, went back to work 4 days a week at 9 weeks, hiked 2.4 miles in the Eastern Sierra at 11 weeks. I am pleased. Physical therapy before and after were painful, but necessary.
Good luck to you with your knee!
2006 Tiger CX 4x4, 8.1 L gas V-8, Allison 6-speed
|
|
|
emzee
california
Senior Member
Joined: 10/22/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
are you guys walking unaided and comfortable? I feel like I'm learning to walk all over again. I am doing the heel tighten knee, toe thingie to strengthen my knee and teach it to hold me up.
|
Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/14/2007
View Profile
|
I totally ditched the cane at about 10 weeks, but still (and always will, always did for years before the surgery) use two hiking sticks. Comfortable? Yes, most of the time. This morning my new knee aches because I did a lot of walking at work yesterday. The ache is not near as bad as the pain I had before.
|
TripleE
Traveling the country
Senior Member
Joined: 08/21/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
I had a TNR a little over two years ago. I'd recommend my surgeon but he retired on me! Anyway, I didn't go back to work until after 9 weeks but only because I traveled for work (now retired) and had to stay in Calif for the PT. I went camping three weeks after surgery and was only using a cane at that time for the stairs. A possitive attitude is needed as well as a committment to the PT. I had the series of shots and the surgery for the miniscus before. Sorry I waited so long. My doctor gave me the option at the beginning for a TKR but thought I would try the less invasive route first. Bad mistake on my part. It will eventually work itself out. Hang in there, there are lots of us who understand your pain.
Bill & Treasa
2000 Monaco Windsor, 38ft
330 Cummins, Roadmaster
2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4X4
|
stanbnv
Goldendale WA, La Peñita de Jaltemba, Nay.
Senior Member
Joined: 02/03/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I had a TKR done one year ago due to different reasons and like the others I recovered very quickly. As soon as I had cleared my 6 weeks check-up I golfed 9 holes for the first time in several years. Granted I was very careful where I walked, used a cart but I golfed. My TKR gave me a new lease on life. Good luck with whatever you chose to do. It's a big decision, just make sure that you have the best surgeon available to do the TKR. That's 75% of the success right there. The other 25% is to faithfully do the physical therapy and be careful. Lindy
Stan & Linda
Loki & Hobo
06 Dodge 3500 CTD 6 sp Quad Cab Bighorn
04 Laredo 29GS
"The Chief Warrent Officer was unimpressed by everything and seldom spoke except to express irritation."Joseph Heller,Catch 22
|
emzee
california
Senior Member
Joined: 10/22/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
thanks so much for all your input. they had me waling without a cane or walker in PT yesterday (very slowly). it was heel (tighten knee) toe kinda thing. did it all day and last night when walking (the tightening) this morning i am sore and the knee feels heavy. then when i was walking down the hall my knee cracked down the right side, OUCH! so all day i've been back to square one a little down. it has cracked before but never this loud and sore. sometimes it has that feeling like it needs to crack, something like a knuckle that needs to pop, does that sound familiar with anyone?
|
|
|
