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Life after a TKR Revision ......
Hi folks. About 3 years ago I had to have a RTKR .... they'd tried everything else ... meniscectomies, shots, everything. The surgery went well, til I got home (alone) and fell. It must have jarred something because it was a problem for the next year. All that was left to do was to have a Revision, which I did a year ago. It has worked beautifully and the only time I notice anything is when the weather is going to get bad and the barometric pressure drops. I saw my O.S. this week and he warned me (again!) that if it ever feels warm, to get to the doctor or ER immediately. I cannot take a chance with any sort of infection in there. I take 4 - 500 mg. Amoxicillin before every dental procedure, but he really leaned on me to not mess around with any type of cold, or anything that could become an infection anywhere .... get to the doctor. He said the appliance is very large, which I knew, and I need to take good care of it .... which I do. Everything he said, I already knew except for the concern about the sinus, bronchitis concern, but he sure made the hair on my neck stand up. I feel like I should ride around on a little tricycle enwrapped in pillows! And I was going whitewater rafting this coming summer .... first time in over 4 years! DRATS!
abby
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Thanks for the update, @amberpep. Good for you that you've been so proactive about your health! Did the doctor explain why you have to be so careful to avoid getting a sinus infection?
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1 ReactionYes, he said that any infection-type germ that gets into the blood stream can go right to that knee ..... not good!
abby
Hello amberpep,
If you don't mind, I have a few questions for you. I also have had my right knee replaced. I had mine done 11 years ago when I was 19. I had an awful recovery and issues with scar tissue formation. As a result, I had to have two manipulations and the scar tissue still came back. Long story short I finally popped it loose on my own playing football with my friends (not recommended but effective)!
Where did you have your most recent surgery done? I ask because I was told by my Mayo Clinic physician that I could do what I wanted with few limitations, which were not kneeling on the joint directly, no trampolines, and avoid impact to the leg when possible. I am just curious about your situation because it would be unfortunate to have to cancel a rafting trip unless you were specifically advised to. I also take medication before dental procedures to prevent infection.
Each of us are very different in how our bodies work and what we are more susceptible to as far as infections and viruses go, but before you cancel a trip you were really looking forward to I would definitely ask your physician. I have made it my life's mission to adapt my physical activity and find new ways to experience the world, that is why I am so curious about your situation and having to miss out on something that sounds really fun (I haven't gone rafting either and would love to do it). This discussion may have the potential to discuss how to live an adaptive lifestyle after major surgery with other members on Connect.
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1 ReactionHi fellow TKR-r. My O.S. never did any manipulations, but he did remove scar tissue, which promptly grew back. And then the shots, and withdrawing fluid from the knee, none of which worked; that's when we decided to go for the Revision. Both of my surgeries were done in Olney, MD at the MedStar Unit of Montgomery General Hospital, by Dr. Douglas Murphy ..... Dr. Murphy is an excellent doctor, but he rather has the personality of a stone (I hope he doesn't read these). But I didn't care .... I wanted expertise, not hand holding.
I too take meds. before any dental procedures and that we'll have to do for the rest of our lives. But, this revision has turned out absolutely beautifully. I have no pain at all, unless it's going to rain ..... then the barometer there on my leg lets me know! Otherwise, it is great. The prosthesis they use for revisions are bigger than the regular ones ..... the long parts that go up and down the femur and tibia are considerably longer. I just finished a bit extra PT since I moved down here to VA (to be closer to my girls) for balance, as I was having some balance problems. After a few months of that, the balance is fine .... now I don't go flying around the house like a maniac, but I've not had any trouble with falling. I'm not going to cancel anything at this point. As long as I can help carry that raft to the river, get myself into it .... I'm going. Only thing that would prevent it would be finances. Things are pretty tight for me, and I'm trying to save, but it's not easy. Whitewater rafting is my absolute favorite sport ...... oh wow, going over those level 3-4 falls ..... well, my adrenalin gets really going. If it were not so expensive to do I'd go every day I was down there (in western North Carolina). But, it's a 3-4 hour trip so going every day I'm there is out. I'm looking for a part-time job, but as much as they say they don't discriminate by age
they sure do. They may not ask outright how old you are, but when they ask you when you graduated from H.S. and/or college .... well, they know right away!
Take care of that knee, and if it hurts or doesn't feel right .... there's a reason. Get a doctor to really examine it and let you know what it is and get it taken care of. Good luck, my friend ....
abby
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