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Posted 5/15/2010 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Yesterday I went to my orthopedic doctor for a yearly check up from my double knee replacement.  I have done better than most since the replacement three years ago but lately I'm having a problem with tightness in both knee caps.  I am bad about diagnosing myself so I did some research on the internet and decided I had some fluid build up.  WRONG!  He said it was scar tissue and partly my fibro and arthritis that was causing my stiffness.  He also said I would have to learn to live with it because if he did surgery and removed it, it would come back again.

 

I'm really depressed this morning, because I thought he might be able to draw fluid off my knee and I would be all well again.  I guess I've learned to deal with the pain from fibro so I will get use to living with the stiffness too.

 

That's just part of growing old I guess and there's just one alternative, that's death so he's right, I will just have to learn to live with it.

 

It's a beautiful day here in Kentucky.  Hope everyone has a great one where ever they live.

 

God Bless!

Shannon

Posted 5/15/2010 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Shannon, did you get any knee exercises to help out?  I'm just guessing, but I bet you could stretch some of that scar tissue so  you have better mobility.  I know surgical scars on me and stretched. 

 

I have had several abdominal surgeries and have a huge, unrepairable hernia.  The intestines sometimes get caught up in the scar tissue and that can be quite painful.  I will massage my abdomen, sometimes, and my massage therapist does that too and it has helped me.

 

But, above all, keep moving!  You REALLY will stiffen up with the knees problems you are having.  I hope you feel better.

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/16/2010 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Sherrine, your absolutely right.  I've been searching on the internet since I found out that it was scar tissue and most of the sites says heat and massage will help it, so I've already started using a heat pad and massaging both knees.  I also let my mom borrow my ultra violet heat massager and I bet it would really help.  So I still have hope. 

 

I have one more year and a half before I can retire so I'm still staying pretty active.  I might fall apart after that.

 

God Bless!

Shannon

Posted 5/16/2010 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
I bet that massaging your knees and gentle stretching will help. Sherrine has some good points here. I just want to say that I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/16/2010 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Karen, thanks so much.  You know, I wouldn't mind if I thought I would get better in the future, but I hate thinking my knees will be this stiff for the rest of my life.  I still never have pain and that's one big relief.

 

God Bless!

Shannon

Posted 5/16/2010 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Shannon, it's Hara. I asked my DR. for some Physical Therapy for my knees and to send me anywhere other than Apple Therapy. I really don't like them at all. I do like the new place I'm going and they really push me because I only have so many PT appointments with my insurance. I feel like I'm getting stronger. I do wish I had more time but I'm going to have to stop my knee appointments and ask my DR for PT for my neck and shoulders next. I haven't ever had that done before so it should be interesting. Yes, keep moving.

HARA

Update - No I did not get SSI either.

Posted 5/16/2010 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, Shaannnnnnoooonnnnn.  You are projecting yourself in the future!  Remember, one day at a time!  We don't know what the future will bring so don't worry about it! 

 

Remember, "Do not be anxious for tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of it's own."  I think you know where that quote came from!  smilewinkgrin

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/17/2010 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hara, did you have knee replacement too? 

 

When I had my therapy after surgery, the therapist said I did better than any patient she had for 11 years.  I worked so hard at it even my orthopedic doctor said I was still in better shape than most of his patients.

 

Sherrine I know!  Shame on me for not taking one day at a time.  Usually I have a positive outlook on everything, but I did let this news get me down a little bit.  I'm thankful for you always being there to encourage us on.  I'm glad to be able to call you my friend.

 

God Bless!

Shannon

Posted 6/8/2010 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
No I have not had a knee replacement. I went to PT because I thought it would help. It did for awhile but I had to stop because of all the other stress I was under, ( dental appointments on Monday and the Workfirst on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and I had PT on Friday's and all the transit bus riding was wearing on me. I'm feeling a little better but my lower back and legs are getting worse. But that would be my fault. I stopped doing the exercises.

Hara - my bad

Posted 6/8/2010 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Shannon I would recommend that you investigate a therapy called Graston. If you Google it you can find out more about it and a list of providers. It is kind of like massage but is designed to break up scar tissue using a metal hand tool. I will tell you the truth when I say that it can and does hurt some at the time but it can do wonderful things also in the long run. Not a quick fix either, it may take a few sessions to notice change. That makes sense though since it took awhile for the scar tissue to get that bad so will take a bit of time to break it up. I hope you find a good therapy to help you out. Don't let that dr discourage you. Often times ortho's don't really know what types of manual therapies are out there to help their patients so you have to be the one to look for it. Good luck and keep searching until you get what you need. Lisa
Posted 6/9/2010 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Lisa, thanks for the advice, I've been doing a lot of research and have learned that message is a way of breaking up the scar tissue, but I've never heard about Graston.  I will do some searching on that too. 

 

That's what I love about my Fibro family.  No matter what kind of problem we're having, there's always someone out there to listen. 

 

Thanks everyone for all the post on this.  I'm hoping something can be done.  I'm willing to try many different things, but I am going to lick this problem.

 

God Bless!

Shannon

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