Guest guest Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Dear Diva Mom, I had some bruising as well, not quite as bad as you describe your leg, but it was also painful. I rubbed ARNICA GEL (you can get at Whole Foods) on the bruised area and that helped reduce both the pain and the swelling. It is not a cure-all, but I found that it provided some relief. You will feel better soon. It is still pretty early after your surgery. I had my tkr about 10 days before you had yours. As I have said before, my PT told me this is a game of patience. I imagine each and every one of us wants to be up and about doing all the things we haven't been able to do for so long due to the pain. I really have had to reach out to all possible resources (friends, meditation, this forum) whatever it takes to not push myself into a situation that will cause a setback in my recovery. It isn't easy. I am pretty hard headed! I wish you the best and hope you find some relief soon! In need of opinions I mostly have just been reading the great information from everyone and just now getting the courage to ask a question, mostly because I am about at my wits end and don't think I can take it much longer. I had TKR on 12/17. Everything went well and I felt I was doing well and even above the curve so to speak since I am walking unaided and the pain in the actual knee is getting better every day. I have been on Hydrocodone since surgery. The part that I have not seen anyone speak about and maybe I am an odd case, is the severe bruising on the back of my leg. The bruise on my calf is so severe that it is extremely painful. I was told that because the hospital allowed me (and I was not unwilling, because it was comfortable) to sleep with my leg in the passive motion machine that the blood had pooled in my calf creating this bruise. Please, can anyone give me any advice on how to deal with this while my tissue naturally absorbs the bruise? I have had heat on it that seems to make it more comfortable for me, but there is literally no way to lay the leg down that is comfortable. I am so tired of the pain, is there a better alternative to they hydrocodone? I am to go to PT tomorrow again and I will talk to them also, I can not do the home exercises without a good deal of pain and I know that is not good either...anyone?    (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. ~ Rick Warren ~ Need a website? look me up: http://www.divadesignsonline.net http://www.kidnkaboodle.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 I had surgery on Oct 14th. I had so much blood pool in my calf and shin that I still have some left from then, you can see it in my shin bone area. It takes a long time to go away. My pain was mostly from this pooled blood from the get go, and not the actual surgery. I even demanded an ultra sound of my leg to rule out a blood clot and they did that. So I expect that it will just take time. I massaged as much as I could and started aspirins to thin the blood after I got off the Coumadin. dash In need of opinions I mostly have just been reading the great information from everyone and just now getting the courage to ask a question, mostly because I am about at my wits end and don't think I can take it much longer. I had TKR on 12/17. Everything went well and I felt I was doing well and even above the curve so to speak since I am walking unaided and the pain in the actual knee is getting better every day. I have been on Hydrocodone since surgery. The part that I have not seen anyone speak about and maybe I am an odd case, is the severe bruising on the back of my leg. The bruise on my calf is so severe that it is extremely painful. I was told that because the hospital allowed me (and I was not unwilling, because it was comfortable) to sleep with my leg in the passive motion machine that the blood had pooled in my calf creating this bruise. Please, can anyone give me any advice on how to deal with this while my tissue naturally absorbs the bruise? I have had heat on it that seems to make it more comfortable for me, but there is literally no way to lay the leg down that is comfortable. I am so tired of the pain, is there a better alternative to they hydrocodone? I am to go to PT tomorrow again and I will talk to them also, I can not do the home exercises without a good deal of pain and I know that is not good either...anyone?    (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. ~ Rick Warren ~ Need a website? look me up: http://www.divadesignsonline.net http://www.kidnkaboodle.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 my bruising was on my ankle and was also horribly painful. Aside from using Arnica gel to speed up the breakdown of the bruise, I was not able to find much relief. At one point I had massage approved, but then there was a concern about a blood clot and massage was cancelled and some additional tests were done. it probably took 3 weeks for it to resolve? On Sun, Jan 3, 2010 at 9:59 PM, DivaMom <dzoo@...> wrote: > > > I mostly have just been reading the great information from everyone and > just > now getting the courage to ask a question, mostly because I am about at my > wits end and don't think I can take it much longer. > I had TKR on 12/17. Everything went well and I felt I was doing well and > even above the curve so to speak since I am walking unaided and the pain in > the actual knee is getting better every day. I have been on Hydrocodone > since surgery. The part that I have not seen anyone speak about and maybe I > am an odd case, is the severe bruising on the back of my leg. The bruise on > my calf is so severe that it is extremely painful. I was told that because > the hospital allowed me (and I was not unwilling, because it was > comfortable) to sleep with my leg in the passive motion machine that the > blood had pooled in my calf creating this bruise. Please, can anyone give > me > any advice on how to deal with this while my tissue naturally absorbs the > bruise? I have had heat on it that seems to make it more comfortable for > me, > but there is literally no way to lay the leg down that is comfortable. I am > so tired of the pain, is there a better alternative to they hydrocodone? I > am to go to PT tomorrow again and I will talk to them also, I can not do > the > home exercises without a good deal of pain and I know that is not good > either...anyone? > >    > (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) > «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» > ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) > > Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, > WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. > ~ Rick Warren ~ > > Need a website? look me up: > http://www.divadesignsonline.net > http://www.kidnkaboodle.net > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Three weeks from your surgery? I am right on that cusp now and it appears that it is yellowing around the edges, but still so painful. I've not heard of Amica gel, I'll look into it today. (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD.Every moment, THANK GOD. ~ Rick Warren ~ Need a website? Visit me on the world wide web: Kid'n'Kaboodle DivaDesigns -- Re: In need of opinions my bruising was on my ankle and was also horribly painful. Aside from using Arnica gel to speed up the breakdown of the bruise, I was not able to find much relief. At one point I had massage approved, but then there was a concern about a blood clot and massage was cancelled and some additional tests were done. it probably took 3 weeks for it to resolve? On Sun, Jan 3, 2010 at 9:59 PM, DivaMom <dzoo@...> wrote: > > > I mostly have just been reading the great information from everyone and > just > now getting the courage to ask a question, mostly because I am about at my > wits end and don't think I can take it much longer. > I had TKR on 12/17. Everything went well and I felt I was doing well and > even above the curve so to speak since I am walking unaided and the pain in > the actual knee is getting better every day. I have been on Hydrocodone > since surgery. The part that I have not seen anyone speak about and maybe I > am an odd case, is the severe bruising on the back of my leg. The bruise on > my calf is so severe that it is extremely painful. I was told that because > the hospital allowed me (and I was not unwilling, because it was > comfortable) to sleep with my leg in the passive motion machine that the > blood had pooled in my calf creating this bruise. Please, can anyone give > me > any advice on how to deal with this while my tissue naturally absorbs the > bruise? I have had heat on it that seems to make it more comfortable for > me, > but there is literally no way to lay the leg down that is comfortable. I am > so tired of the pain, is there a better alternative to they hydrocodone? I > am to go to PT tomorrow again and I will talk to them also, I can not do > the > home exercises without a good deal of pain and I know that is not good > either...anyone? > >    > (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) > «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» > ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) > > Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, > WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. > ~ Rick Warren ~ > > Need a website? look me up: > http://www.divadesignsonline.net > http://www.kidnkaboodle.net > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 OH my gosh...that is a long time...I pray it doesn't take that long, I will be a zombie (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD.Every moment, THANK GOD. ~ Rick Warren ~ Need a website? Visit me on the world wide web: Kid'n'Kaboodle DivaDesigns -- Re: In need of opinions I had surgery on Oct 14th. I had so much blood pool in my calf and shin that I still have some left from then, you can see it in my shin bone area. It takes a long time to go away. My pain was mostly from this pooled blood from the get go, and not the actual surgery. I even demanded an ultra sound of my leg to rule out a blood clot and they did that. So I expect that it will just take time. I massaged as much as I could and started aspirins to thin the blood after I got off the Coumadin. dash In need of opinions I mostly have just been reading the great information from everyone and just now getting the courage to ask a question, mostly because I am about at my wits end and don't think I can take it much longer. I had TKR on 12/17. Everything went well and I felt I was doing well and even above the curve so to speak since I am walking unaided and the pain in the actual knee is getting better every day. I have been on Hydrocodone since surgery. The part that I have not seen anyone speak about and maybe I am an odd case, is the severe bruising on the back of my leg. The bruise on my calf is so severe that it is extremely painful. I was told that because the hospital allowed me (and I was not unwilling, because it was comfortable) to sleep with my leg in the passive motion machine that the blood had pooled in my calf creating this bruise. Please, can anyone give me any advice on how to deal with this while my tissue naturally absorbs the bruise? I have had heat on it that seems to make it more comfortable for me, but there is literally no way to lay the leg down that is comfortable. I am so tired of the pain, is there a better alternative to they hydrocodone? I am to go to PT tomorrow again and I will talk to them also, I can not do the home exercises without a good deal of pain and I know that is not good either...anyone?    (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. ~ Rick Warren ~ Need a website? look me up: http://www.divadesignsonline.net http://www.kidnkaboodle.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Terri, It is ARNICA GEl. Good luck. Re: In need of opinions my bruising was on my ankle and was also horribly painful. Aside from using Arnica gel to speed up the breakdown of the bruise, I was not able to find much relief. At one point I had massage approved, but then there was a concern about a blood clot and massage was cancelled and some additional tests were done. it probably took 3 weeks for it to resolve? On Sun, Jan 3, 2010 at 9:59 PM, DivaMom <dzoo@...> wrote: > > > I mostly have just been reading the great information from everyone and > just > now getting the courage to ask a question, mostly because I am about at my > wits end and don't think I can take it much longer. > I had TKR on 12/17. Everything went well and I felt I was doing well and > even above the curve so to speak since I am walking unaided and the pain in > the actual knee is getting better every day. I have been on Hydrocodone > since surgery. The part that I have not seen anyone speak about and maybe I > am an odd case, is the severe bruising on the back of my leg. The bruise on > my calf is so severe that it is extremely painful. I was told that because > the hospital allowed me (and I was not unwilling, because it was > comfortable) to sleep with my leg in the passive motion machine that the > blood had pooled in my calf creating this bruise. Please, can anyone give > me > any advice on how to deal with this while my tissue naturally absorbs the > bruise? I have had heat on it that seems to make it more comfortable for > me, > but there is literally no way to lay the leg down that is comfortable. I am > so tired of the pain, is there a better alternative to they hydrocodone? I > am to go to PT tomorrow again and I will talk to them also, I can not do > the > home exercises without a good deal of pain and I know that is not good > either...anyone? > >    > (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) > «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» > ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) > > Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, > WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. > ~ Rick Warren ~ > > Need a website? look me up: > http://www.divadesignsonline.net > http://www.kidnkaboodle.net > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 I had TKRs 8 weeks apart...first one on 8-20-09 and the second one on 10-13-09. I had minimal bruising (slight discoloration on the shin and under the knee) with the first TKR. With the second TKR, I had quite a bit more bruising under the knee and all across the calf area which gradually resolved after approximately 6 weeks. The bruising that I did get both times was there when the compression bandage was removed after 24 hours. I came out of the recovery room in the CPM and stayed on it almost continuously while in the hospital both times. I personally don't believe that the CPM contributed to the bruising....you would have been mostly lying on your back with or without the CPM. (at least that was the more comfortable position for me those first few days.) It's more likely that it happened during the surgery....but yes, the blood will pool in the lowest place. It's a major surgery and varying amounts of bruising are just par for the course. Alternating heat and ice will be about all that you can do....along with keeping the leg elevated. Ankle pumps (pointing the toes and then pulling the toes back towards your body) might help to alleviate the calf pain. If the pain is severe (especially when you do the ankle pumps), you really need to check with your doctor about possible blood clots. Shirley in NM The part that I have not seen anyone speak about and maybe I > am an odd case, is the severe bruising on the back of my leg. The bruise on > my calf is so severe that it is extremely painful. I was told that because > the hospital allowed me (and I was not unwilling, because it was > comfortable) to sleep with my leg in the passive motion machine that the > blood had pooled in my calf creating this bruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Thanks, Shirley. I didn't know the ankle pumps would help with the pain, but I'm all over that if it will help. I went in for PT today and they were alarmed enough by my pain to put a call into the Dr's office who then sent me for an ultrasound. Nothing there of course, so they advised me to keep the compression stocking on, elevate and ice. I need to sleep through the next three weeks...    (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. ~ Rick Warren ~ Need a website? look me up: http://www.divadesignsonline.net http://www.kidnkaboodle.net -- Re: In need of opinions I had TKRs 8 weeks apart...first one on 8-20-09 and the second one on 10-13-09. I had minimal bruising (slight discoloration on the shin and under the knee) with the first TKR. With the second TKR, I had quite a bit more bruising under the knee and all across the calf area which gradually resolved after approximately 6 weeks. The bruising that I did get both times was there when the compression bandage was removed after 24 hours. I came out of the recovery room in the CPM and stayed on it almost continuously while in the hospital both times. I personally don't believe that the CPM contributed to the bruising....you would have been mostly lying on your back with or without the CPM. (at least that was the more comfortable position for me those first few days.) It's more likely that it happened during the surgery....but yes, the blood will pool in the lowest place. It's a major surgery and varying amounts of bruising are just par for the course. Alternating heat and ice will be about all that you can do....along with keeping the leg elevated. Ankle pumps (pointing the toes and then pulling the toes back towards your body) might help to alleviate the calf pain. If the pain is severe (especially when you do the ankle pumps), you really need to check with your doctor about possible blood clots. Shirley in NM The part that I have not seen anyone speak about and maybe I > am an odd case, is the severe bruising on the back of my leg. The bruise on > my calf is so severe that it is extremely painful. I was told that because > the hospital allowed me (and I was not unwilling, because it was > comfortable) to sleep with my leg in the passive motion machine that the > blood had pooled in my calf creating this bruise. ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Thanks, ...I understand totally about being hard headed. Unfortunately I have had to (more or less) return to work as of this morning, but it's not as bad as you think. I have an in home daycare. I have a full time helper who is pretty much doing it all for the time being, but I sure wish I had taken another week..    (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. ~ Rick Warren ~ Need a website? look me up: http://www.divadesignsonline.net http://www.kidnkaboodle.net -- Re: In need of opinions Dear Diva Mom, I had some bruising as well, not quite as bad as you describe your leg, but it was also painful. I rubbed ARNICA GEL (you can get at Whole Foods) on the bruised area and that helped reduce both the pain and the swelling. It is not a cure-all, but I found that it provided some relief. You will feel better soon. It is still pretty early after your surgery. I had my tkr about 10 days before you had yours. As I have said before, my PT told me this is a game of patience. I imagine each and every one of us wants to be up and about doing all the things we haven't been able to do for so long due to the pain. I really have had to reach out to all possible resources (friends, meditation, this forum) whatever it takes to not push myself into a situation that will cause a setback in my recovery. It isn't easy. I am pretty hard headed! I wish you the best and hope you find some relief soon! In need of opinions I mostly have just been reading the great information from everyone and just now getting the courage to ask a question, mostly because I am about at my wits end and don't think I can take it much longer. I had TKR on 12/17. Everything went well and I felt I was doing well and even above the curve so to speak since I am walking unaided and the pain in the actual knee is getting better every day. I have been on Hydrocodone since surgery. The part that I have not seen anyone speak about and maybe I am an odd case, is the severe bruising on the back of my leg. The bruise on my calf is so severe that it is extremely painful. I was told that because the hospital allowed me (and I was not unwilling, because it was comfortable) to sleep with my leg in the passive motion machine that the blood had pooled in my calf creating this bruise. Please, can anyone give me any advice on how to deal with this while my tissue naturally absorbs the bruise? I have had heat on it that seems to make it more comfortable for me, but there is literally no way to lay the leg down that is comfortable. I am so tired of the pain, is there a better alternative to they hydrocodone? I am to go to PT tomorrow again and I will talk to them also, I can not do the home exercises without a good deal of pain and I know that is not good either...anyone?    (`'·.¸(`'·.¸*¤*¸.·'´)¸. ·'´) «´¨`·..¤ * Terri * ¤..·´¨`» ( ¸.·'´(¸.·'´*¤*`'· .¸)`'·.¸) Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD. ~ Rick Warren ~ Need a website? look me up: http://www.divadesignsonline.net http://www.kidnkaboodle.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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