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Change in length of leg

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Posted 6/5/2011 8:51 PM (GMT -8)
I had a total knee replacement 5 weeks ago and I seem to be well on the road of healing.  Am walking with a cane and have reduce the pain medication to only a few a day.  I have discovered something unusual though and wondered if this was particular to me or have others noticed this.

Let me preface this question with the fact that all good things come in small packages.  That said, I used to at one time in my life be 5' 1".  Ok... short.  Believe it or not I was the tallest kid in my 6th grade class.  Then I stopped growing.

Over the years I must have gotten "gooder" because I have gotten smaller.  I am 4 ' 9.5" standing tall.  Well now that I can walk fairly well after the surgery, I have found that my operative leg is a little longer than my other leg.  I think about 1 inch or so is the difference.  It has made me walk somewhat in a waddle which isn't much different than I was walking before.  Together with all this pain, my life hasn't really changed other than legally being able to purchase some wonderful drugs.

I was wondering if anyone else has noticed anything like this happening after your surgery and what did you do to help this problem.

I know that ultimately my other knee needs surgery.. the doctor could not pick which knee was worse before the surgery.  Unfortunately until the pain of this ordeal goes the way of giving birth - you know, when you forget the pain involved and gladly get pregnant again, I don't see surgery again for quite a while.

My hips are beginning to hurt which I would assume is because of the dainty gait I have developed.  I thought of buying a pillow top to place on my mattress which might make laying on my side easier.  Until 5 weeks ago I was a side sleeper but my knee is still fighting a battle with gravity to see which pain wins. I've tried the pillow between the knees but the operative knee doesn't like anything touching the skin - even light knit pants, nightgowns and sheets cause some discomfort.   I end up sort of sitting up or slightly reclining and my hip "wings" are really painful.  Anyone ever try one of those pillow toppers?  We already have a brand new mattess that does have a pillow top but it has divets all over the mattress and those seem hard on old tender flesh.

I thought that buying a separate pillow top might chushion some of my hip  pain.

Any suggestions?

Posted 6/5/2011 11:55 PM (GMT -8)
I've used a pillow under my upper knee when sleeping for years. It not only eases my hip pain, but also lower back pain from sacroileitis. I also have a pillow top mattress because hard mattresses cause me pain.

I haven't noticed any leg length differences, but if you had severely eroded the head of one of the bones in your knee, it might have shortened your leg?

My mother was five feet, one and one-half inches. And we'd better never have forgotten that half inch! We called her mighty mite. I agree that precious things come in small package.
Posted 6/6/2011 12:48 PM (GMT -8)
I use a 6 inch memory foam pad to sleep on. It's helped my back pains a lot. I feel cuddled in it.
Posted 6/9/2011 6:31 AM (GMT -8)
Good Morning,

A good friend of mine had both kness done at the same time and she was thrilled as she was taller.  Once you have your second surgery you will not be listing to one side.

I have heard that people  who use the memory foam pads truly find them a blessing.  My MIL has severe RA and we got her a memory foam pad for her bed.  She loves it.  She had not been sleeping at night as she had pain. Now she sleeps well and often goes back to bed after breakfast.  She is 85, bless her heart.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 6/21/2011 2:48 PM (GMT -8)
I use a foam mattress for my allergies, With a mild case of GERD, I use a pillow for that too. This puts the head up higher than the rest of the body. They sell them at bed and bath. I have had a herniated disk in my neck and bought a second hand wicker chair that has a big back so I can rest my neck back. (neck pain comes from being too prone forward)

I don't know about the other stuff...lone leg being longer than the other. It is VERY PAINFUL (the knee replacement) at first but it does GET MUCH BETTER.
Posted 6/21/2011 5:42 PM (GMT -8)
It has been 7 1/2 weeks since the surgery and I must say the pain is much better.  I am taking Vicodin/Tramodol only a couple of times a day... more for irritation feeling rather than outright pain.  They did raise the nurontin from 100mg/3 times a day to 300/mg 3 times a day because I felt like a lightening storm was going on in my knee.  I still find this happening.

The thing that is most distressful now is that the scar (not quite a keloid - more like a hypertrophic scar) is tight no matter how much cream/Vit E oil or stretching or exercising I do.  When I bend my knee it pulls.  I see the surgeon in a couple of weeks - not sure what he will tell me.  It might be something I have to live with. 

All in all this was not a pleasant experience or one that I intend to repeat anytime soon.  I will live with the pain in my other knee for the coming future.

The side effects, the recovery - being depressed because of all the issues... not happy right now.

Posted 6/22/2011 7:56 AM (GMT -8)
Good Morning,

I am sad to read that you are feeling depressed and I know that having a chronic illness and then surgery can send you into a downward spiral.  It is hard to stay positive and feel happy when you are in pain daily.

I am sorry that you are dealing with these felings, they are miserable, confusing and scary!

I wish you peace,

Kitt

Posted 8/12/2011 12:46 PM (GMT -8)
Well it has been almost 3 1/2 months since my knee replacement and I can now say it was a good thing. The pain is gone and I walk pretty good.

I am using a patch called ScarAway. It comes in a package of 8 and you are supposed to wear one for at least 12 hours a day and change it weekly and do this for 12 weeks. I know... the math doesn't work. Why didn't they pack it in containers of 12? It makes you have to buy 2 packages. I have been doing this for 6 weeks and I have seen an improvement in the scar. It is completely flat. The color is not as intensely red but it does still remain red. I don't feel the "pulling" of the scar as much when I wear the patch.

My doctor was impressed with the condition of the scar and my progress. I still take the nerve pills for the "lightening strikes" I feel in my knee nerves but other than that I am off of meds. I am able to step down off the curb and step up.

I also bought a mattress topper from Kohls that is 2 inches of memory foam with a 2 inch fluffy stuff on top. It has an elastic skirt that keeps it tight to the bed. I love it. It cushions my hips nicely.

Unfortunately I was laid off from my school job because of the budget in Texas. In over 40 years of working, I have never lost a job and had this one for almost 14 years. It is a strike to the confidence to lose a job and having just gone through this major surgery, I am going through a bit of a rough time right now.

Still not ready to do the other knee... the pain is too fresh. Glad this knee is feeling better.
Posted 8/14/2011 4:40 AM (GMT -8)
I'm glad you're finally feeling better. I only wish everyone could have the quick recovery I had from my surgery, but better a slow recovery than continuing to struggle with the old knee, eh?

I officially became s senior last week, by the way.
Posted 8/14/2011 11:18 AM (GMT -8)
Judy2

Congratulations on joining the club! I still think of myself as in my 20s and when I ache and hobble and look in the mirror, I swear it is my mother or grandmother looking back at me!

Did you get both knees done or just one? My doctor is pushing for the other knee since it is as bad but I just can't go into the surgery just yet knowing what I would face. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
Posted 8/14/2011 11:48 AM (GMT -8)
I got my right knee done. It had traumatic arthritis from an accident in 1978, and I'd been walking on bone for years. The left knee got a lot better when it didn't have to do all the work, so I've held off on it. I won't hesitate to have it done when it needs it, though.
Posted 8/14/2011 11:54 AM (GMT -8)
I had my right knee done and the funny thing is that my left knee doesn't feel that bad right now. I am also bone on bone and the doctor keeps asking me how I am able to get around. He said women in my condition with the colitis, on Remicade and all the other health issues are usually in wheel chairs.

My left knee will have to be done for sure, but for right now things are ok.

This whole getting old thing really is yucky!
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