Re: Knee Replacement and swelling

[Guest guest]

This much swelling is not normal. I would be going to the emergency room.

Celeste

[ ] Knee Replacement and swelling

<<I had a total knee replacement last Weds. My leg is so swollen it has turned

black>>

[Guest guest]

Are you on an NSAID as well as coumadin?  Is it possible your blood is so thin 

the swelling is a gigantic bruise because you have bleeding under the skin and

it can't clot?

Janette in Indiana

[Guest guest]

Hi! My mother had a knee replacement about six months ago - and she never

mentioned swelling that severe. Are you sure the swelling is turning your

leg black? Or could that be residual bruising from the surgery?

I'll ask her, but from what I heard they had her trying to bend the leg

almost immediately. They told her if she didn't, it would be harder to move

later on and she might not regain full use of it. They put her on a special

machine that actually moves the leg for her (exercising the muscles and

getting them back into shape). I used the machine myself after a knee

surgery. It hurt - but it sure worked. Mom said it was pretty painful for

her, but it did help.

I would contact your rheumy as well - and ask them what they think. I did

have knee surgery about two years ago, which triggered a horrible flare.

The resulting swelling was pretty bad - and it was caused by inflammation.

So they put me on Lasik (with potassium) to reduce the swelling each day. I

was literally gaining 8 to 10 pounds a day in water weight!! So you never

know. Some of the swelling could be your PA acting up as well. The Lasik

eventually worked wonders on me (it drained the excessive fluid from my body

each day).

The splitting of your skin sounds odd as well. Here's how I would view it.

If it's bad enough for you to be seriously concerned, go back in to see your

doctor - or at least see your rheumy. Or ask to see one of his colleagues.

Better to have it checked out and have him reassure you - than to wait and

have it get worse.

Good luck! I'm probably going to have my knees replaced in the next ten

years, so it's interesting to hear about your experience.

Hang in there!!

Patty

From:

Subject: [ ] Knee Replacement and swelling

I had a total knee replacement last Weds. My leg is so swollen it has turned

black,

[Guest guest]

Hey, I've had several joint replacements and can guarantee you that splitting

skin and an appendage turning black are not normal, not common, not a " take two

pills and call me in the morning " kind of a thing. I don't mean to alarm you,

but if this is still getting worse and you have not yet seen your doctor your

next step should be an emergency room.

RA

From:

Subject: [ ] Knee Replacement and swelling

I had a total knee replacement last Weds. My leg is so swollen it has turned

black,

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the information. According to the Physical Therapist and Home Health

Care Nurse, I am doing fine. Hard to believe, but guess this is why everyone

says knee replacement is no picnic!! Home health care monitors my blood, blood

pressure, lungs, etc. and the PT works those swollen muscles.

My foot is literally ugly black, but that is normal. In fact, because I took

three months of PT before surgery to strengthen my muscles, it has proven very

helpful. Just hurts like the dickens!!!!!

Thanks again for all your input.

[Guest guest]

I've had both knees replaced and had nothing like you describe.

It's been almost 2 years since last replacement and my knees are swollen, not

like post surgical swelling, but I never got back my " little knees " . They are

big enough that I can't bend them as much as I'd like.

Does anyone know...is this PA or arthritis in general, and what to do?

Holly