My Colorful Knee [8: Graphic Warning] (Update #22)

[sandragonfly]

in other thread someone asked how's my leg doing so I thought I'd make this thread; progress of my knee. I am bored enough now to do this ha.

in 12 days it's going to be THREE months since the surgery. I've been on crutches for almost 12 weeks now... just yesterday for first time I only used one crutch on same side of bad knee, it wasn't a good idea I guess. there's 32 stairs; 16 to my home door and 16 inside!

the scarcut, scar area pressure (as hematoma is still visiting), and numbness are bothering me and especially the very top of the knee under cap; sometimes gives me a sharp needle pain when I put pressure on it as getting up from the bed, lifting or bending more than what it can from knee (not hip). so I really don't know if my knee's mending and healing.. (???) it does gets really stiffy during cold nights too sigh.

I might would have to go back to california to have the annoying incision fixed! it's black yes, really black sometimes then it hurts, throbs and heats up burning. my school doctor (few weeks ago) said it was probably by mistaken taking stitches out; incorrect way, pulled the issues. and not a while ago, the fat was blurting out and I never knew thinking it was one biggest fat scab. :eek: all the doctor did was pushing it back in, disinfected then covered with gauges of antiboticreams...yucky. I wish he would STITCH it back closed. and physical therapy is the whole another story...

anyway, remember... some pictures; you've been warned. . . .

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third day; some cleaning up to do!
the X you see there, was from a little camrecordscope going inside..
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/americadroplets/2-thirdday.jpg

fourth day; goodness, a balloon inside??
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/americadroplets/4-fourthday.jpg

sixth day; bruised from the first fall (bended too hard) the night before.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/americadroplets/5-sixthdayafterfall.jpg

seventh day; it didn't get any better, more painful and fever rocketed up.
this is first day back at same hospital, they drained out, found infection where bloody gauge is.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/americadroplets/6-7thfirstdayhospital.jpg

they found blood clots few days later (where darkest brusies are). http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/americadroplets/9-tenthdaybloodclots.jpg

hematoma then produced ... truly a nuisance - it gets in the way!!
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/americadroplets/91-halfway.welcomehomehema.jpg

18th day in hospital; second fall the night before.
luckily I didn't hurt my knee this time but look at the date, it taaakeees forever now. :(
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/americadroplets/92-18thdaysecondfall.jpg

this is what looks like today....lovely hematoma!
if you can see the barely (red-purplish) circle around my knee, is where it hurts if I stand alone for more than five minutes.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t88/americadroplets/95-anotherangle.jpg

as I'm typing this, I'm able to bear about 75-80% weight on the bad leg and bend knee up to about 80 degree without support. not to 90 degree yet where I can just sit with my both feet (complete arches) down on floor comfortably. or for too long. it really sucks.

would you please also hope my knee gets better really soon?! sleeping unable to curl up like I used to, jog or WALK normally for so long makes me feel so depressed and frustrated as well as is causing me some hip problems now. I hope there's something I can do about it asap!!

[Grace]

I don't mean to be negative about this, but I feel you would have been better off if you had stayed in the area where you had the surgery until the knee was completely healed. Either in California, or where you live now.

Driving across the country with a sick knee was not the wisest course of action. If at all possible, you should limit what you do with that knee until it is healed. That means no more flying through the trees.

That's the opinion of a long time RN. I hope you heal quickly and without further complications. Your age is a very positive factor for you.

[dukedogsmom]

Wow. It certainly is colorful. And I agree about staying put and not rushing yourself. If you try to rush it getting well, you could do a lot of damage. Then you'd really be in a mess. Just take it one day at a time and get lots of rest. My brother damaged his knee and will be on crutches for probably three months. He's never been out of commission and it's driving him crazy. But, he's taking it easy and getting better. I hope you feel better soon.

[sandragonfly]

grace, no, and thank you.

first of all, I didn't drive across the country because I know I couldn't.

secondly, I can not heal up where I first recuperated; in abusive home so with no and best choice, I came here.

and third, I could have had everything (blood tests for blood thinners, physical therapy sessions and refills) covered here as being a student but then I got a fracture/back injury and left school in order. now, they can't support me until I go back to school.

the plan didn't worked out as I hoped it would be. :( believe me, I am taking one thing at a time. I wouldn't even bother to try and take a step down the stairs a foot each; both feet a stair still. again, just that I am not sure if it's on its way to recover. last I understand the surgeon doctor told me I should be on crutches for two months but I guess complications had prolonged the recovery.

the annoying bothersome scar doesn't look right to me anyway.

[Scooter's Mom]

Gina, I have not had any knee surgeries, but have had plenty of others.
Please rest your knee and take care of yourself.

My prayers are going up that it starts healing faster and that you are able to do more each day.

Sending hugs and prayers,
Crystal

[Grace]

first of all, I didn't drive across the country because I know I couldn't.
I apologize for being mixed up about this. You did cross the country in a car though - with your critters, and someone else driving? That's a long trip for a healthy leg!

The one thing you did that really concerned me was this - the rope course. (http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=133998)

Considering that was just 2 weeks after your 2nd surgery - it was rather reckless, don't you think?

You need to take care, Gina, or you could do serious damage to that leg.

[K9karen]

Having been through too many surgeries myself, I know it's hard to not automaticaly do stuff. Being an active person, not being able to do stuff, was torture. Luckily my surgeries allowed me to walk which really helped my recovery, much to my doctor's delight!! Are you going to physical therapy Gina?? It can be painful but helpful in the long run. Make sure you elevate your leg. Are you allowed to put an ice back on it to keep the swelling down? Anyway.. hope you feel better day by day.

[sandragonfly]

well, it was almost only two days driving. we drove all way without stopping at a place.

rope course, yes, a risk - I really wanted to do something I know I wouldn't for in a while! but the second surgery was much a minor than the first one and I thought my knee was getting better at that time (a month ago now). I was required to partipicate anyway and nothing happened.

k9karen, that is the problem. :( :mad: haven't been to physical therapist since I left california. oh yes, it is painful but I know I NEED it so badly - it really concerns me and eats me up. I only can do the techiques my physical therapist last taught me - that's all I am covered of. I would have left (to fly to california) already but I am really stuck with all of my animals here. so, again, I really don't know what to do about that. I hurt it last time defending myself and I guess all I can do for now is to pray and hope it IS okay.

thank you dear scooter's mom.

[phesina]

Gina, we are so glad you are on the mend in a happy, safe home. We're all praying and sending healing vibes and good energies that you will be back on your feet properly very soon!

Meanwhile, take good care of yourself, Gina! And let your canine and feline buddies give you the tender loving care that you need.

Love, hugs, and purrs,
Pat and cats

[cassiesmom]

Gina, you're right, it is a very colorful knee. Take good care.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I agree with you, Elyse. Colorful for sure. You have really had a rough time, Gina. Hopefully it will heal now and you can return to a life of everything the way it was before the surgery. You could really benefit from physical therapy too. I hope it's possible to get some soon so you can help your recovery.

[Catty1]

Gina, I know you are just getting reorganized and feeding little peanuts and suggies and all :D , but since you are now not working, would you now qualify for Medicaid? Even just for physio?

Just a thought.

HUGS!

[sandragonfly]

no catty, I'm NOT eligibled for it. we've went through everything until that last choice.

thank you everyone but to be honest, I over again and again thinking of to just leave rather than figuring things out around here. :( :(

regardless of all things I tried (charged the guy, saved the house, accepted the new additions, and talking with friends), I have no life right now. not for next few months or until my knee gets out of the way; is usable. :mad: :mad: remember, I nearly had to lose my leg.

:( I am dragged right now. to no point.

[Catty1]

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.uwhealth.org/images/ewebeditpro2/upload/4349_Figure_2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.uwhealth.org/servlet/Satellite%3Fcid%3D1105110078246%26pagename%3DB_EXT RANET_HEALTH_INFORMATION%252FFlexMember%252FShow_P ublic_HFFY%26c%3DFlexGroup&h=279&w=314&sz=18&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=uubGjnAi_37wNM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=117&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dexercises%2Bfor%2Bknee%2B%26svnum%3D1 0%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DG

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00300&return_link=0

Gina, I don't know if those will do much good...of course, it says these are to be done with a physio's supervision only.

I wonder if there is a physio SCHOOL in your area where senior students do supervised training? Might work....

Prayers out to you!

[sandragonfly]

THANK YOU candace. I was about to lose all of my hairs here. I'll want to check that out, might have one here... at least there's a hope. doc attatchments, am stuck here without a computer until tomorrow.

looks like the second link would help a lot until so if I could do the exercises - it's hard to find a good site on this little pager. however, second big problem? refills. sometimes either I couldn't move my knee or even leg at all without pain killers (more than before now). I was told from my last physical therapist that I am suppose to take some before I start new exercises. see the figure of supine exercise in that link? that was the last techique I learned and if I made that one move - I'd be in tears. I haven't made to that point yet, and it's only 10 ups!

again, I don't know if it is healing (good) or damaging (bad) to continue, pushing doing painful exercises (due to damages?) until my knee can't take it anymore; when to stop? so far I never am able to finish a set (of few exercises out of two or three time a day). with killers, I move through... I called my original doctor weeks ago, explained all of this and he won't write me another refill prescription unless I come in and see him.

honestly it's all about money and I'm sick of it. :mad: :mad: :(

[rg_girlca]

Gina, seeing those pictures of your leg, I can only imagine the pain you are in right now.

I pray that you will be able to get some kind of help to finally get your knee on the road to healing.

Continued prayers being sent out to you that everything will turn out well for you in the near future. Please do not give up hope. Take one day at a time and keep the faith.

[sandragonfly]

thanks lorraine.

no luck today, I was in bed sick, slept all day away, having excruciating pain in right abdomen but am feeling ok now. and my knee seems is good today, bothered me only a little especially being stuck in the bed.

I'll try again tomorrow.

[jennielynn1970]

oh my lord.... your knee looks really bad. I'm so not a good patient. I'm a wimp, and hate just going to the dentist, lol.

Hope there is some way for the doctors to treat you where you are now. I'd be really concerned about that. You shouldn't have to go back to CA to get it taken care of, but insurance companies can be a pain in the butt when it comes to all that kind of thing.

Take care, and be careful with the pain killers too. Do you think maybe the meds are upsetting your stomach as well??

Big hugs to you... take care!

[NoahsMommy]

Hey Gina...

I've been away from PT and found this thread as I was wondering how your surgeries went. I work for an Orthopedic Surgeon and he specializes in knee and hip surgery. I don't think a day goes by (even weekends) that he doesn't do a total hip, total knee and/or MANY arthroscopies. I've been there about 2 months and as his Medical Assistant and scheduler, I've learned a TON about this field, especially the above procedures I mentioned.

I have a question, why was your arthroscopy done in a hospital? I know in the area you were in are just as 'high-tech' as we are down in Southern California, we do ALL of our arthroscopies in Out/Patient Surgical Centers. Even with insurance restrictions (I get to do that as well), because its a Surgical Center its covered and preferrable to do such typically (if not always) out-patient surgeries. These procedures are quick if you have the right surgeon - I think my doc can do the actual procedure in less than 15 minutes - depending on WHAT the diagnosis is.

Did you have a meniscus tear that required the arthroscopy? Did your fall (I think you had a fall, right? Owie, poor thing, that's all you need, right?) cause that blood clot because you fell so early after surgery? Sorry if you've already answered these questions a million times, I just forgot.

You do really need P/T. I know you told Catty1 that you don't qualify for the Medicaid, but don't you qualify for some sort of Federal or State funded insurance program because of your deafness? (Or is it hearing impared? I'm sorry if I used the wrong term.) I know that in all states if you're born with one arm, you get assistance medically, I would imagine not being able to hear would be a greater disability and would warrant a governmentally funded health insurance program.

If your current insurance plan is not allowing treatment outside its area, like if you have an HMO or a EPO and can only use certain docs and hospitals, you can tell them that while traveling you've injured yourself further and have no way to safely transport you back to the HMO/EPO region. I'm positive people get sick in places other than their homes and their insurance is set up for those issues.

Anyway, back to your arthroscopy. I know you had that, those are fairly simple, quick proceedures. With P/T, you can be 100% pain free in 2 weeks! I'd say about 50% of our patients didn't even need the P/T, just some anti-inflamatories after the day after surgery narcotic pain meds (only taken for 1-2 days) and they come back in for suture removal/wound check and for the doc to check weight bearing, range of motion, etc. And I can't tell you how easy they make it look.

So I was really puzzled when I saw you had so much trouble. Did you have a abnormal diagnosis where it was more involved? Why did you have to stay in the hospital? (Like you, I HATE hospitals, I'd MUCH rather be home! :) )

Anyway, like I said before, I was just checking in and was curious sinse I now work in the field.

I hope you're feeling better each day and can figure out a way to get to P/T if that's what your Doc wants you to do. :)

Hugs, Kelly & Kits

[sandragonfly]

jenn, may be medication but I don't have much of it left. or perhaps appendix. I looked up symptoms, sounded much of it. I agree about not needing to go back california - I really don't want to. there must be something here for my knee.. we'll see. I've had an appendix few years ago and I shouldn't have have it again?? :confused:

kelly, I'm not sure if it was done IN hospital exactly but it was done in specialist clinic; pre-admitting/operation office.

I am qualified, which is why I am not eligibled for medicaid. my insurance only covers all california regions without a problem. there are SOME regions out of town/state they would accept but not here for physical therapy (not considered as an emergency) and accepts emergencies only anywhere I believe as a student. but I could try and call again about transportation...

the diagnosis was recurved dislocating kneecap; did hauser's produce, with screws. it went an hour less than what my doctor thought it would be - about 45 minutes. he did not think the fell caused blood clots. this recovery prolonged due to following events; infection, first fall, blood clots, stressful estrogens, third fall, second repairment, lack of physical therapy back here - almost two months ago now, living in car then was in ICU/hosptial for two extra weeks last week for a different medical reason and lastly, don't forget hematoma. dried blood/fluid clotted up inside/under kneecap - it really gets in the way, locks my knee very well and prevents most movements also. sometimes I can't tell whether if it's the damaged pain or hematoma pain. my doctor wants me to do PT until I walk fine.

and please use this term - deaf, see here why (http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=103786). thank you and thank you for checking in.

[pitc9]

{{HUGS}} and prayers sent to you Gina!

[sandragonfly]

today is exactly 10 days I've been without crutches! limping the worst mostly since but not too bad now. my goal was to get off the crutches on my birthday and continue some home techniques and it's doing a little better each day. sigh, feels like forever but bending knee is the most difficult. I'm usually a flexible and cross-sitting girl and a curl-up sleeper without some patience for myself. :p I miss bending my knees all I could.

and second news, today was my first day with physical therapy... it was painful. :( I was in tears because of frustration, I just hope my knee will recover quicker this time. so, please think of my wonderful colorful knee :p for me - it'd make me happier and encouraged - the next session will be next monday, it's almost two and half hours south but worthing it I think.

thanks. :)

[Karen]

The first sessions of physical therapy are almost always painful - I once wanted to ask a physical therapist if this is what would-be torturers chose for a career these days, but I was afraid she didn't have a good sense of humor, so didn't say it!

We'll be thinking of you, that the physical therapy helps, and you can get back to being bendy-Gina!

[Donnaj4962]

Awww, Gina, I am so sorry you had such pain in your PT.... but I am glad that you are going!

When I had surgery to replace my arthritic thumb joint, and during my PT, we called my therapist "Queen of Pain"!!! She joked right along with us about it. She hated making us hurt, but kept encouraging us to keep working through the pain. That is what you need to do too! Keep up the good work! :cool:

[phesina]

That's good news, Gina.. you are up and about and getting stronger. And the physical therapy is a big step along the way, even if painful (easy for me to say, isn't it, since I'm not the one undergoing it :rolleyes: ).

You go, girl! We're all cheering for you!

Love, hugs, and purrs,
Pat and kitties

[lizbud]

Physical therapy is key to getting back to walking normally. I know it
is painful, but no pain , no gain. as they say. :) They will probably give
you exercises you can do at home too. Hang in there.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Hang in there Gina. I'm glad you're doing better and have started PT. PT is hard but so worth it. Keep up the good work!! :)

[Taz_Zoee]

Yes, all PT is good (Pet Talk and Physical Therapy!!).
Hang in there and you'll be back to dancing before you know it!! :D

[sandragonfly]

:)

I hope to dance again by next spring, I missed production this end of year and will not be going out on a tour as well. :( (as half of rehearsals for that tour already went on). but I went to a play audition last night, so cross your fingers for me! we'll know by next week - if I am in, at least something (other than bottling the peanuts) will be on my schedule, finally.