but still tough, especially in the mornings.
Knee Issue?
I woke up a couple of mornings with an aching left knee — pain localized on the outside of the joint. I tried laying completely flat on my back to avoid any lateral pressure on my lower leg (which has caused this sort of pain before), but it seemed to get worse — enough that I was limping slightly from it.
Not good.
The last thing I need is some other part of my body deciding to jump on the “I’m-hurt-too” bandwagon making recovery activities — especially walking — more difficult.
Last night I tried something different: I took a towel wrapped bolster and put it under my knee (actually, both knees to balance it out).
I’m not sure if it worked or not, but this around late this morning, the knee comfort had almost completely abated.
A Result of the Hip Replacement?
The occurrence and persistence of the pain through three days is somewhat suspicious. I wonder if the hip replacement changed a dimension or angle somewhere enough to whack out the knee? Knees are finicky joints — a fraction of a degree introduced by a millimeter or so of change in the connection joints can be enough to cause devastating pain.
It’s why when doing knee replacement surgery, robotics are typically introduced into the operating room to check and insure perfect alignment. Even with an artificial knee joint, a slight misalignment can tweak connecting tissue the wrong way resulting in more problems than you had before the surgery.
I suspect this might happen with changes (like replacement) of an adjacent joint, as well.
So, this is something to watch. Now that the knee feels normal, again, I’ll try sleeping without the bolster and see if the problem recurs.
Continuing the Day
Otherwise, I think I’m making pretty good progress. I’m going for longer stretches without the walker — my gait has progressed to the australopithecene stage and I’m getting restless (notwithstanding I did take a 3 hour nap this morning.)
But, I want to walk — get out of this chair, get out of bed… Just walk and walk.
Could do that to a certain extent, but I’m still not there, yet, and I have to back off a bit.
I’ll get there.
More entries in this series:
Latest visit with osteo surgeon indicates hips are deteriorating more rapidly. I get steroid injections into the hip joints to alleviate the pain until surgery.
The steroid injections are successful - vast improvement. Diabetes issues with the steroid, though.
After months of waiting, the day finally approaches.
The day is approaching, I'm starting to get things ready for the surgery and the convalescence at home. A hiccup from the hospital.
And, we're here. Today is the day. I perform some required prep, starve for the day, and reflect on the risk of infection.
Surgery done, I've been in the hospital for two days. Some convalescence, but overall not too bad. I have a couple of nice scars on my thighs.
I can't believe it's only been four days. Feels more like a month. Update, medication, exercise, etc.
Five days out and the pain has increased stupendously. Didn't think it would be like this...
Sixth day, trying the Hydrocodone. Lots less pain, but it messes with my digestive tract. Dropping it.
And here we are at 7 days/1 week out. The pain is reducing somewhat, and I'm doing ok on the Tylenol. More 'monkey walks'.
This morning seemed tougher than usual, a sore on my right heel needs attention, PT visit.
Day 10: Ongoing Recovery —> (This entry)
Morning stiffness, knee involvement(!), Vrooming about mid-day.
Back to the slog - tough mornings, better mid-days.
Back to the slog - tough mornings, better mid-days.
When I came out of surgery, I had an open sore on the back of my right heel. That and the fact that the foot is slightly swollen and painful is an interesting side note.
Visit with PA, today. Staples out, X-rays of hips and foot. No breaks in the foot or the ankle - we're calling it a sprain. Not untypical, apparently.
Getting more confident in walks. I went outside today with a pair of hiking sticks and walked about 100 feet or so. Feels better walking than not walking. Fluid build-up in my right hip, again.
Really starting to feel better, walk better. Feet still hurt like hell in the mornings, but quickly subside. More fluid buildup.
Week 3 has come, seems like it should be some sort of landmark. The seroma (fluid under the right incision) is returning. I've scaled back my activities to try to not aggravate it, but that has its own consequences.
Mornings are still a bear, but I'm walking more and better. Reducing the Tylenol a bit - giving my liver a break. The Seroma (fluid buildup under the right incision) is still with me. Best to leave it alone, according to the PA.
Just passed the four week mark, doing reasonably well but still a ways to go.
Just past six weeks and I'm confident enough to ride the scooter. Can mainly dress myself except for socks...
One day shy of seven weeks. Visiting with the surgeon, new X-Rays. Essentially all well, but still recovering.
12 week mark - I'm on the slow part of the healing curve, now. Still issues, especially with my right hip. Left hip is (mostly) great.
After 12 weeks, I feel like I can synopsize the experience
