Prayer Request

[Dak0ta52]

I'm not typically one to ask this of others but following my total knee replacement I have developed issues that have me baffled, and quite frankly, concerned. I was given a nerve block, often referred to as a spinal, for my knee surgery. This was on May 8th. Ever since I have had problems with normal bodily functions. The Anesthesiologist says these issues are not a result of the spinal (yeah, right) however other doctor's I have seen say this is something that can happen. (My opinion is the Anesthesiologist is covering his basis.) There is no doubt I'll have to undergo another surgery to "put things back like they are supposed to be," after the new knee is well healed. The knee itself is doing pretty good other than extreme swelling in that leg. That, to me, is more painful than the incision site and bruising from the replacement. I keep it elevated and iced as much as possible but nothing seems to help with the swelling and pain. Even the strong narcotics don't seem to ease the pain from something as simple as the brush of fabric from clothing. The therapist said my mobility is beyond that of someone a week out of surgery but I have to admit I have been pushing the exercises which may also be a result of the excess swelling. I spoke to one of my doctors today and he said the tenderness was from the taut skin and pain pills are about the only treatment.

And to top things off, which may be worse than anything described above, I can't get into my shop to do any cutting. I tried the first day or two after the surgery, primarily cutting a couple pieces I already had ready with mounted patterns, but I couldn't find a feasible way to elevate the leg.

Lastly, I ask for prayers for my better half, Robin. She has been a gem throughout this ordeal, helping me at every chance while still working a full-time job. As I have mentioned in past posts, I live in a very rural area. My closest family is almost an hour away. For that reason, Robin and I depend on each other's help in times of need. This time she has gone above and beyond.

While I haven't made many comments in the Village recently, I have been trying to keep up with the forum traffic so I know what's going on with my scroll saw family. So, thanks in advance for your prayers and well wishes which I know will be sent my way!

[MarieC]

Rodney, I will be praying for you.  It sounds like you have significant edema.  If you are close to a larger city see if you can find a physical therapist who specializes in Lymphedema...you probably can Google them in your area.  Even though you have post surgical edema, they can help immensely....your regular PT may know of a specialist.  mc

[barb.j.enders]

I have no advice to offer, but I do offer you and Robin prayers to get through this blip in the road.

[TAIrving]

Ditto what Barb said.  This too shall pass.  

[Scrappile]

Sorry you are having such difficulties. I hear you about have to depend on each other when you live out and family is not close.  But it is what it is as they say, we do the best we can.  You are in my prayers.. 

[JessL]

Prayers to you and Robin.  

[Gene Howe]

Rodney, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your loving wife.  

[meflick]

Rodney, sorry to hear of your post surgical issues you are dealing with. Hopefully time will help heal. Sounds like your knee replacement it’s self was a success. Take your time and don’t overdue thinking pushing faster will help heal faster. Usually not the case. I understand your frustrations, and have said prayers for you and Robin as you continue to mend. 

[rjweb]

Will keep you and your wife in our prayers, RJ

[Millwab]

On 5/15/2023 at 10:55 PM, Dak0ta52 said:

I'm not typically one to ask this of others but following my total knee replacement I have developed issues that have me baffled, and quite frankly, concerned.

Rodney, I can totally empathize with you. I had both knees replaced 3 years ago and immediately after the surgeries I developed what was labeled "myoclonus" (a term for involuntary muscle movements). It affects my legs and shoulders and can vary from annoying to debilitating on any given day.  Through trial and error I found that the only thing that temporarily stops it is Oxycodone. My neurologist basically told me to "get used to it because it’s not going away" and the best they can do is control it.  It seems I’m destined to be on opioids for the rest of my life.  Prayers extended to you and Robin.

[OCtoolguy]

What everybody else said. One of my close friends just had his knee done with zero problems. Keep doing your rehab. Orayers.

[ChelCass]

So sorry to hear you are having issues with your surgery.  Has your doctor suggested you see a Pain Medicine Specialist?  If not then it might help to seek one out and get an opinion from them. This is something that was suggested by the Mayo Clinic.

[Rolf]

Sorry to hear about your issues. You are lucky to have a supporting partner.

Living in a rural area as you are now discovering has its challenges. My wife and I both needed physical therapy for different reasons. We have a facility literally 5 minutes away. Once our PT was done we continue to go there for strength and balance building (on our own dime)with their oversite. There is a constant flow of patients with joint replacements and it amazes me how quickly most recover. Unfortunately Not with out pain. The exercises are crucial! 

Be patient and take care of yourself.

[MarieC]

Rodney, how is your knee doing?   

[Dak0ta52]

13 hours ago, ChelCass said:

So sorry to hear you are having issues with your surgery.  Has your doctor suggested you see a Pain Medicine Specialist?  If not then it might help to seek one out and get an opinion from them. This is something that was suggested by the Mayo Clinic.

 

5 hours ago, MarieC said:

Rodney, how is your knee doing?   

My pain isn't so much in the knee itself but because the tissues from the waist down on the left side is swollen so much the skin is extremely taut. Something as simple as a pants leg brushing across the shin or calf or thigh sends bullets through my body. On the plus side, the wife said she thinks the swelling seems to be going down compared to yesterday. I have been elevating and icing it as much as possible. That seems to help.

My other post-op issues are much better now. You might say I've regained control of my bodily functions. It felt so much better being able to stand over a toilet and just let it flow rather than having to open a gate valve and wait for it to trickle empty.

I've got my fingers crossed that they will remove the staples on Monday. That will be the 2-week mark. When doing physical therapy I can feel the pull on the staples. I believe it limits me a successful therapy. I do push it when in PT wanting to have a quick recovery. I know it isn't going to happen overnight but... When the leg is fresh, I can walk without the aid of the walker or a cane, but I keep the walker near for that "Just In Case" moment.

Thanks so much to everyone for your kind thoughts. My wife was surprised I received so many comments to my request. Seems she understood better when I explained that these were not JUST forum members, these were Village Family!

[bobscroll]

Hi Rodney, I myself live with Lymphedema as a condition, My legs swell bad in summer when it get's hot, in your case it's because of your operation, you are doing the right thing in what you are doing to help it, you just need to give it time, I know it isn't easy for you Rodney, All the best, And prayers to you and your Wife from over the pond in good old u.k. Bob

[meflick]

Glad you are seeing progress, if albeit slow progress Rodney. Prayers continue for you and your wife as you continue your healing under her watchful eyes and help.

[bandaideman]

Rodney I will pray for you and did have a knee replaced  about 8 rears ago. It was done at the VA in Indianapolis.  The surgeon was very good and well trained. I was up standing the night of surgery no walking but stand. They used a leg unit on the leg from the ankle to mid thigh with continuous ice water circulating in hospital and out of Hospital.. I think that and sarting PT day 2 before discharge and PT 3 days a weak for 6-8 weeks.. I think the icing was helpful and PT important and Rest is important.. Boring but important. That being said ir has been a few years no pain but clicking started recently in the right knee which also hurts and will need replacement also. I have other things to deal with but yhr time will come for fixing. 

[Dak0ta52]

3 minutes ago, bandaideman said:

Rodney I will pray for you and did have a knee replaced  about 8 rears ago. It was done at the VA in Indianapolis.  The surgeon was very good and well trained. I was up standing the night of surgery no walking but stand. They used a leg unit on the leg from the ankle to mid thigh with continuous ice water circulating in hospital and out of Hospital.. I think that and sarting PT day 2 before discharge and PT 3 days a weak for 6-8 weeks.. I think the icing was helpful and PT important and Rest is important.. Boring but important. That being said ir has been a few years no pain but clicking started recently in the right knee which also hurts and will need replacement also. I have other things to deal with but yhr time will come for fixing. 

Thanks Dan. I was actually walking (supported with a walker) hours after my surgery and my first physical therapy was the day after. I've been doing therapy twice a week with the therapist but doing my exercises at home at least a half dozen times per day. I saw my surgeon today and he thinks the swelling I have is from one of my medications as well as "over working" the knee without allowing time to rest. He even canceled my next therapy session. Guess I'm just too eager to get it back in shape enough that I don't have to depend on a walker or cane. The knee itself is not in any pain. My pain is coming from the staples that are still intact and will not be removed until the day after Memorial Day and the tightness of the skin from the swelling. I'm to concentrate on icing and elevation for the next several days however I to have a ultrasound on Thursday to make sure there is no blood clot. My thought is this is just how my body reacted to the surgery. In 2000 I had an ACL replacement on the same knee and had the same swelling. It didn't last this long but it was just as extensive for a short duration.

Thanks for the comments. I know my recovery isn't going to be overnight although I have been told I'm farther advanced than most after 2-weeks post-surgery.

[Scrappile]

Glad to hear things are improving!  I think my wife is facing knee surgery and I think it would help her back pain a lot if her knees were not so bad.  She is afraid to be sedated for surgery, can't blame her, but maybe worth the risk, if it could improve her quality of life. 

[Dak0ta52]

3 hours ago, Scrappile said:

Glad to hear things are improving!  I think my wife is facing knee surgery and I think it would help her back pain a lot if her knees were not so bad.  She is afraid to be sedated for surgery, can't blame her, but maybe worth the risk, if it could improve her quality of life. 

Thanks Paul. If her knees are bothering her I would strongly recommend she go ahead and have the surgery. In my area they offer full sedation with anesthesia or they can do a spinal block and then put you to sleep with a mild sedative. The spinal block is what I elected to use because I've had adverse reactions in the past with anesthesia. Unfortunately the spinal block, on me, had some side effects that weren't pleasant. It takes a while for you kidneys and bladder to "wake up" and function properly. Most people it is only a few hours. With me it was several days. That was one of the issues I had to deal with, eventually returning to the ER where they drained 1800 ML off my bladder. (Almost the same as a 2-liter drink bottle.) However, that being said, the knee itself is now giving me absolutely no pain. I do have pain from the swelling and the exercises are minimally painful while creating additional flexibility, but it is very tolerable and I know it is needed to get the knee as close to 100% as possible.

With the technology today and knowledge now known about knee surgery, a person can enjoy painless quality of life after having the surgery (after a few months). During my research I learned they can also do the surgery robotically and it reduces recovery time and is less painful. I would have chosen that if it were offered in my area. (Like I've said before, I live in a very rural area.)

Best of luck to your wife and if she might have any questions please let me know. I'll also offer my phone number should she wish to discuss the surgery with someone who has experienced it.

[Dak0ta52]

Well, to add to my other issues, I found out today I have a blood clot in the leg I had surgery. Apparently that is causing the extensive swelling, and of course the swelling is causing pain. I go tomorrow to my family doctor. (Of course they want to see me so they can get their hand in the money barrel.) There are so may ways to treat blood clots but I have no idea what avenue my doctor will take. Prayers again.

[Gene Howe]

Blood clots are not to be taken lightly. They can travel.

[Bill WIlson]

12 hours ago, Dak0ta52 said:

Well, to add to my other issues, I found out today I have a blood clot in the leg I had surgery. Apparently that is causing the extensive swelling, and of course the swelling is causing pain. I go tomorrow to my family doctor. (Of course they want to see me so they can get their hand in the money barrel.) There are so may ways to treat blood clots but I have no idea what avenue my doctor will take. Prayers again.

Absolutely do not take this lightly.  I have some experience with DVT's.  I've had 2 clots in my left leg over the span of about 8 years.  The first one was the result of a blunt force injury.  I took blood thinners for 6 months and all was well.  In March of 2022, I developed another one.  No apparent reason why, but this one was a doozy.  The primary vein in my leg was clotted from hip to ankle.  This happened overnight and without warning.  I was closer to losing my leg than I knew at the time and don't even want to think about what might have happened if a clot had gone to my lungs.  I'm now on a blood thinner for the rest of my days.  I urge you not to wait for your family doctor and get to the ER as soon as possible.  This is not something that should wait!

[Dak0ta52]

Thanks all. I've been put on Eliquis, the new blood thinner advertised a lot on television. The only problem is it is a new drug (less than 7-years) and generic is not available as of yet. The cheapest I have been able to find it is just under $500. Sure is going to cut into my scrolling budget. Anyway, we'll make due. The good Lord has always made a way for us in the past.