topic Re: This Darn Knee ! in Wellness

This Darn Knee !

Goodie2shoes — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 03:52:18 GMT

Some of you may remember my numerous posts about having a repeat right knee replacement back in September of 2020 during the pandemic. I had developed a staph infection post initial right knee replacement done in September of 2019. I went thru removal of the original hardware, 1 month on a walker then hospitalized for kidney problems due to the one month of home iv antibiotics prior to the repeat surgery. I was a mess !!

Now I have developed slight swelling in my knee with pain and burning in my knee and leg. The symptoms are not severe but they are aggravating and constant. Since it's been going on for several months now, I've finally convinced myself that I need to have it checked out so I have an appt tomorrow 7/26 to see the Ortho. I have a long hx of type 2 diabetes but since the 2nd surgery I made big changes in my diet so my blood sugar is under control and I lost about 65 lbs and off diabetes meds. So what's going on here ??? My A1C 2 wks ago was 5.9 !

I'm asking for prayers and crossed fingers that this is a solvable issue with no need for more surgery !!

Re: This Darn Knee !

Franklinbell — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 02:52:10 GMT

Prayers sent!

Re: This Darn Knee !

smoochy — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 02:54:39 GMT

I will certainly pray for an easy fix to the problem. Or at least not having another surgery. Most likely you won't know the answer until imaging studies have been done. But your surgeon will probably have a pretty good idea after the physical exam. Keep us posted. 😘

Re: This Darn Knee !

Kachina624 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 03:03:37 GMT

@Goodie2shoes. What a bummer! Be sure to report back and let us know how you're doing. Here's a wish for good luck tomorrow.

Re: This Darn Knee !

smoochy — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 03:06:29 GMT

by the way, inflammation or infection could likely be causing your elevated A1C. I'm just a retired RN not a doctor so I am not making any diagnoses here. Be sure to tell your surgeon about your A1C

Re: This Darn Knee !

Goodie2shoes — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 03:48:33 GMT

@ fairydogmother wrote: by the way, inflammation or infection could likely be causing your elevated A1C. I'm just a retired RN not a doctor so I am not making any diagnoses here. Be sure to tell your surgeon about your A1C

Thanks for the advice but my A1C of 5.9 is good. 6.5 and over is diabetes. 6.0 to 6.4 is prediabetes. My highest A1C over the years has been around 6.5 to 6.6 I really worked hard with diet and exercise and brought my numbers down after the 2nd replacement because my doctor actually took me off the diabetes meds after the second surgery. I was so afraid not being on the meds that I decided to pay more attention to what I ate and started exercising. I had a regular check up with my PCP 2 weeks ago and my A1C is 5.9. He called me a couple of days ago to tell me everything was fine with my tests results, follow up in January. I'm also a retired nurse and I have to admit I should have paid better attention to my diet many years ago.

Re: This Darn Knee !

MerryD — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:14:35 GMT

Congratulations on your great weight loss and your wonderful a1c. I live on the West coast. That's why this post is probably so late for you. I lost weight with each knee replacement and my a1c improved to 6.5 from 7.1. Without getting into my detailed history the sharp pain in my legs was helped by taking only one gabapentin per day about an hour before I go to bed. I have not had to increase the dosage for almost two years. I hope this reaches you so you can ask your ortho about possible medications as well as physical tests. I will pray that the right solution is found for you. Please let us know how your appointment goes.

Re: This Darn Knee !

BlueFinch — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:48:29 GMT

I hope there is a solution for your knee and leg pain, without further surgery. You've been through a great deal, but in spite of challenges, you have accomplished so much.

Congrats on your weight loss, A1c within normal limits, etc. Now for some pain relief, for which I will cross fingers, with a prayer for comfort for that 'darn knee'.

Re: This Darn Knee !

meallen616 — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 09:58:17 GMT

@Goodie2shoes,

Re: This Darn Knee !

We rescue cats — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:13:04 GMT

@Goodie2shoes Sounds like you are doing a great job controlling you diabetes, congrats! That is a hug accomplishment! I's battling a knee issue but nothing as severe as you have had. Best of luck to you!

Re: This Darn Knee !

CalminHeart — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:45:30 GMT

Oh no! That's not good at all. I'm glad you're staying on top of it. I hope you're doing better very soon.

A friend of mine went through this with a hip replacement. He struggled through a lot but has finally turned the corner.

I've had both knees replaced. I broke my ankle & lower leg in 5 place so have a lot of metal there too. I have often thanked God for not getting infections in them.

Re: This Darn Knee !

Terrywu — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 13:25:41 GMT

Prayers coming your way. Fingers crossed for a good checkup.

Re: This Darn Knee !

Still Raining — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:34:19 GMT

Wishing you a good outcome. That knee sure seems to be a problem child. Be well.

Re: This Darn Knee !

Franklinbell — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:14:02 GMT

Hi! I have a question. when you workout what do you do? I am always looking for new ways to "Jazz" up my workouts! Thank you! @Goodie2shoes

Re: This Darn Knee !

Squirrels Are Trash — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:20:44 GMT

@Goodie2shoes

I am asking the universe to send you healing and also sending a hug from this internet stranger.

Re: This Darn Knee !

zitawins — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 16:57:26 GMT

@Goodie2shoes I am so sorry you are going through this. It makes my health problems seem trivial. I pray you will have a good outcome and heal well.

I hesitate to say this (don't want to sound preachy), but a word to St. Jude might help.

Please keep us informed. God Bless.

Re: This Darn Knee !

Goodie2shoes — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 19:34:51 GMT

First let me say thanks to everyone for the prayers and best wishes. I really appreciate it believe me ! So I saw the Ortho this morning, x rays showed no change in the hardware, no infection, everything looks ok. Thank you Lord ! No meds ordered but the MD wants me to go back to therapy. Someone on this thread mentioned taking gabapentin but I was on that for about a year because of the tingling and numbness in both feet due to diabetes but it didn't really help so my MD recently stopped it. Thanks for the suggestion. I've been walking daily for exercise for months so not sure if PT will help but I will give it a try. Another surgery is just not an option for me, no way !! Again thanks for the best wishes

Re: This Darn Knee !

Goodie2shoes — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 19:46:49 GMT

@ Franklinbell wrote: Hi! I have a question. when you workout what do you do? I am always looking for new ways to "Jazz" up my workouts! Thank you! @Goodie2shoes

My "workout" has been walking about a mile every other day that's it. I can't bend my knee completely post surgery so I walk and along with changing my diet it's helped me lose over 65 lbs. Best of luck with your workout.

Re: This Darn Knee !

BlueFinch — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 21:49:20 GMT

@Goodie2shoes So glad you have had some encouraging news, with no signs of infection, or hardware issues. A big relief, for sure.

Maybe PT will help. Glad you're going to give it a try. Best to you and let us know how the PT goes.

Re: This Darn Knee !

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 12:52:26 GMT

@Goodie2shoes .....🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽! You're very brave to not only have one surgery but two! I'm still in denial about needing one bad enough to get one done. Besides fear of the surgery not being a success, I fear being in the hospital for just one day. My husband is not physically able to help me like I would need. I would want to stay in a facility at least the first three days! Good luck to you to need minimal additional treatment.