4 months post op

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I am slightly over 4 months post op from my knee replacement, and just this month got my incision fully closed.

Healing this gaping wound has been extremely challenging, but I did it! Today was my first pedicure since early October, right before my surgery. Also, believe it or not, today was the 12th time I left my house since my ortho recheck appt on November 21st! I left the ortho office that day determined to heal this wound, and not have to go back into surgery to clean and close it. My greatest fear was infection, so I isolated myself here at home and went out only when I absolutely had to. Even before my surgery, I promised to take as much time as I needed to heal, and I stuck to that promise.

I will always have a thick, noticeable keloid scar on this leg, but am hoping that between my daily massaging, Mederma, Vitamin E oil, and Vaseline, the scar will fade and flatten somewhat, and lose the fiery redness of a fresh wound. I am content to have my wound fully healed, but am trying to take the healing process just a little further.

My husband is still limping with his knee, and now that I’ve replaced both knees, I am hyper sensitive to the fact that he cannot get his knee repaired (due to advanced diabetes/poor circulation) and will always have discomfort. During my first rough weeks of flushing and cleaning my wound, I realized my husband could never heal an open wound like that. He has an ortho appt coming up soon to drain more fluid off his knee, and get another cortisone shot, which will give him short term relief.

Thank you for your interest, and kind words. Please continue to take care of yourself to get back to 100%. I will continue to watch for your updates!

NAES1 · ‎09-02-2011

@RedTopwrote:
@NAES1,
I am slightly over 4 months post op from my knee replacement, and just this month got my incision fully closed.

Healing this gaping wound has been extremely challenging, but I did it! Today was my first pedicure since early October, right before my surgery. Also, believe it or not, today was the 12th time I left my house since my ortho recheck appt on November 21st! I left the ortho office that day determined to heal this wound, and not have to go back into surgery to clean and close it. My greatest fear was infection, so I isolated myself here at home and went out only when I absolutely had to. Even before my surgery, I promised to take as much time as I needed to heal, and I stuck to that promise.

I will always have a thick, noticeable keloid scar on this leg, but am hoping that between my daily massaging, Mederma, Vitamin E oil, and Vaseline, the scar will fade and flatten somewhat, and lose the fiery redness of a fresh wound. I am content to have my wound fully healed, but am trying to take the healing process just a little further.

My husband is still limping with his knee, and now that I’ve replaced both knees, I am hyper sensitive to the fact that he cannot get his knee repaired (due to advanced diabetes/poor circulation) and will always have discomfort. During my first rough weeks of flushing and cleaning my wound, I realized my husband could never heal an open wound like that. He has an ortho appt coming up soon to drain more fluid off his knee, and get another cortisone shot, which will give him short term relief.

Thank you for your interest, and kind words. Please continue to take care of yourself to get back to 100%. I will continue to watch for your updates!

@RedTop:

I'll go down one level/#3......

Believe me,you are doing great- 'GREAT'!

I applaud your -12-times from your home , and certainly the face. I've said from the onset, being as isolated from all the bacteria is #1. I have the delicate fair skin healing with keloid ( and yes) noticeable scar tissue which can be thick..like an embedded rope, so I definitely know that adorable look.

Were you thinking 'about' being a Rockette, soon? Ahh, that's not fair, is it?

You should have seen my beauty token Cesarean VERTICAL! It's there but very pale white. For about 8 months, it did remind me of a crooked knife from a drunken doctor. I used Palmer's creme for the pre stretch marks... and not one to see.

Also, I was smitten my a male cat (mine) when I tried to separate him from another ( neighbor's ) male and had a 9 stitch in time for a right arm cut that was horrible a few years ago.

I was told from a friend to use pure Vitamin E and the wound healed to a thin line hardly noticeable. Massaged in for 10 minutes tid.

AND! This was a cut deep into the 5th layer having to baby it for over five mouths. Nothing, now. I can barely have a scratch and the area is always keloid.

I use the same as before whenever there is a wound.

{{ Betcha you felt like a princess }} having your pedicure

Your gaping wound WAS releasing excess toxins; that will totally subside. Keep that knee elevated. Your ROM was unbelieavle so soon. !!!!

You are doing everything BETTER than being in a rehab fix her upper unit.

RedTop, do you feel that you're missing anything from outside? NOW? I can tell you that would be a whopping NO!

Remember, this is about a 9 month to 1 year post surgery.

I may tell you of the DE breeding I see constantly, the scraping out of old built up scar tissue.

One patient now has to go back in for her shoulder replacement for a 'do over , then the other one. (??!!)

That was over 3 years ago.

She had a lot of pt and then a 5 week infection which incurred 3 different antibiotics over a long cumbersome time. She's a school teacher, so the ROM involved did not contribute much to her recovery. too soon, too much.

Also, there's the chance of 1/16th of an inch from the main tibia large nerve. So far you are the most fortunate.

You told me what you were going to do and SUCCESS is your badge. I know you well enough that you ``meant exactly`` how you were going to proceed.

What is your plan for taking this _recovery_a bit further,though? I remember Thanksgivings Day,you were there /w/daughters cooking.

That was the one issue I did not approve.

Scars: there is something else (not exactly sure of spelling/otc) ..either Kote or Cote in the aisle close by diabetic & blood pressure arm cuffs. I'll find that for you. Usually on the bottom shelf, off to the non highly advertised whatever.

Absolutely, I agree, your husband could never go though what you had. Being a diabetic takes 3 xs that the non "D' takes, sometimes longer, and yes i can understand your husband's short term cortisone inj,

What's...............

super sensitive for you is your husband's condition 100%. The drainage of the knee will bring some added relief. Thank God for the cortisone and that procedure/ modern medicine to some extent.

I'm fine except for the 1 year old small tear.

"I am making an app't with my physical medicine doctor, again. She's a hoot and knows how the femur hit (when slipped) affected the inner part of my knee, but no surgeries, though".

RedTop, it's as though I was on here too long, then finding myself joining a club I never knew. I was in the beauty reviews when I started here.

I've gotten this far w/o any pt and continue on that SAME path. ME THINKS IT RUBBED OFF FROM YOU, DETERMINATION!

TAKE CARE MY LITTLE SOUTHERN BELLE.

Good wholesome thoughts and my prayers being sent.

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

My knee replacement was also October and I’m doing pretty good. I pulled a calf muscle in December and had to stay off of my leg for almost a month because I couldn’t put any weight on the leg. I still have some calf pain but I returned to water aerobics 5 weeks ago and I walk a couple of days a week. I do pretty much everything I did before surgery just slower. I also went to the Rennissance Festival a couple of weeks ago and walked about two miles through it. I was very tired when I got home and rested the rest of the weekend. I think I went to bed at 6:00 that night.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

My second knee surgery hemmorraged in the OR - I had to have 2 units of blood. The idiot surgeon did not place a drain in the OR so the thing drained and drained old blood thru an opening at the bottom of the wound for many weeks. Not to even mention the huge purple bruise from my ankle to my hip. I am extremely thankful for my DH who became expert at cleaning and dressing it as many times a day as needed, and keeping it iced constantly.I still can't believe the idiot surgeon sent me home with a still bleeding wound the morning after my surgery. Then when I went in for my 2 week post op check he yelled at me because it was still draining & said we weren't taking care of it - the only one not taking care of it was him ! I never went back to see him again and tell anyone I can not to go to him. I also put a scathing opinion on the website where you rate doctors.

OP - I'm glad your wound is finally healed ad you can get out in the world.

NAES1 · ‎09-02-2011

@RedTop ( I am so proud of you~)

Your challenge, that was mentioned, ` reference stopping at nothing, keeping the drainage keenly on watch, to the best of your ability, was absolutely great to read and keep on reading.

My prayer will be for you - -and has continuously.

(hopefully) > Never a debridememt- [ surgical, curettage, or any IV incision for future necrotic tissue].

I found something that I am even interested in: A silicone gel that flattens old scars and helps with any new wounds found in patients having keloid scar tissue build up. It also reduces redness. ****

A good friend told me about this otc product: Kelo-cote, but if the the cream that you are using is very satisfactory for what you want , your needs ....and appears to be doing better than expected, _stay with that_.

I hopefully want to stay in touch, certainly about you and my femoral tear.

It happened last March. The sudden hit to the kitchen counter then a brief slip to the floor caused compressed discs; threw me for a loop..never had anything like it.

I should think I would be be 'the' last of anyone having a simple backing into a mere counter reaching high (refrigerator) could find me positioned, as this.

"It's almost as though, or COULD have BEEN THE Humpty Dumpty fell...and where (??) are all of those King's men that are looking to put something back again.

My husband has been a blessing. He has been doing everything that I use to do".

Someday, yours and mine will be only a memory.

I do quite well when my husband is away at the office. Just not as much, but I - never -woman that was totally domesticated. Slow as molasses. Though quick a lightening on many other things.

It was an accident -pure and simple, if me, then I can clearly understand others!

Many cyber hugs coming your way through the miles + a and .HERE.

NAES

March 02, 2018

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@NAES1,

I so appreciate your kind words and encouragement!

I feel very good about where I am at just over 4 months post op. My knee and leg feel great, work great, and I have no pain, or problems whatsoever.

I accept that what happened with my incision was just one of those things. My ortho surgeon didn’t do anything wrong, and I didn’t do anything wrong; the glue just didn’t hold up to my intense swelling.

All I needed to hear was that it was possible to heal a wound like mine, and I was determined to make it happen. I refused to think about another surgery.

There for awhile my incision was super tender and I couldn’t stand for anything to touch it; not my clothes, bed cover, etc. Those weeks were extremely tough, as the only time I was comfortable was when I was in my recliner with my bare leg up. I am so thankful to be past that stage now!

I am using the advanced formula of Mederma, and the pictures I take of my leg every 2 weeks show just how much progress I am making with healing and reducing the scar. It will never match my other leg, nor be pretty, (no Rockettes) but I am super proud of getting it healed, without an infection. My medical doctor saw it a couple of weeks ago and was amazed at how nice it looks. By the time I see my ortho surgeon in October, I hope to have reduced the appearance of the scar a bit more, but he would be extremely pleased at what I have right now.

I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes 8 years ago, but do not run high blood sugars. My last A1c was 6.6. Based on what I have seen with my husband over the last 20 years, I have chosen to treat my diabetes aggressively with insulin and an oral med. I wanted to get this knee taken care of before the osteoarthritis progressed very far, and while my overall health is good.

Continued best wishes to you!

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@RedTop I am curious what they are basing your diabetes diagnosis upon.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

Omg you have had an awful time with that knee, I hope that you are finally on the way to recovery. I had my left knee replaced on 1/19; it's been all smooth sailing for me although my surgeon had to do more than replace the knee, he had to do some reconstruction of my lower femur so my knee won't bend or flex as much as he'd hoped but it will be enough for me to live a normal life again. That's all I ever wanted anyway. I go to PT at a local hospital twice a week and my therapist says I only need another three weeks of that. No pain...for the first time in several years, I have no knee pain. Just some stiffness and the middle of my knee is numb but that's to be expected. I only use the cane now when I am going down stairs. My walking improves everyday and I'm anxious for spring to come so I can walk outside. I've been very fortunate. I orginally planned to take 3 months off, I work from home so I could be working now but I'm enjoying my break from the working world but I'm bored. I plan to go back to work on 3/19. I'm looking foward to being myself again this summer.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@chrystaltree,

I am glad you have done so well with your surgery and recovery, and know you too, will be able to enjoy the spring and summer with better mobility. My first knee surgery 5 years ago was smooth sailing too, but this time was just a little different!

I try to look at things happening the way they do for a reason, and feel the challenge I’ve dealt with this time allowed me to fully comprehend why my husband cannot have surgery on his knee. At this point, I would never let anyone talk him into knee replacement, but I will continue to be a strong advocate for him with his treatment options thru the VA.

Continued best wishes to you!

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@151949,

The term pre-diabetes was mentioned as soon as I had a fasting glucose of 120. That was followed by months of monitoring blood sugars, and 2 A1c results that were in the 7.0 range. My after meal readings are still rarely ever in target range. My last A1c was 6.6, which was flagged as high by current lab standards.

My husband has been diabetic for 20 years. His provider at the VA is happy if his A1c is near 8.0, which she bases on his age, and length of time as a diabetic. The PA I saw previously put my A1c target range at 7.0, even tho the lab standards flag that number as high!

My brother lost a kidney to renal cancer last year. He is not diabetic, so his A1c was pretty much an insignifant number on his lab report until now. However, when the doctor reviews his labs, the A1c is one of the first numbers mentioned, along with a reminder to continue working on keeping that low, due to the fact he only has the one kidney and the goal is to keep it healthy as long as possible.