Bone breaks around the knee :

Hot hardware - - Posted by sfmama (sfmama), 24 August 2004

My skin gets really really hot where my screwheads are, right where my incision is.

I know that this is my body reacting to the foreign bodies in me, but how long does it last?  My PT said expressed surprise today that it is still so hot there.

p.s.  it's also achy there all the time, more when I walk / exercise it.  less when I'm resting all day.

Is this what they mean by hardware causing pain?  So should I get it removed?
Posted by jennylind (jennylind), 26 August 2004

I don't know the answers to your questions, but I hope you're feeling better.
Posted by sfmama (sfmama), 28 August 2004

thanks jennylind.  I hope that didn't come off as too whiny, because I'm actually doing great in many ways.  I can walk!!! (albeit with a pronounced limp and with a cane if i'm walking more than a block)

I just described the achiness to my partner -- it's not really bad, it's just like having a chronic headache in my knee.

hope you and yours are doing good too!

hug,
skb
Posted by lizl (lizl), 28 August 2004

Hey, SF!

I haven't checked in for a couple of weeks, but I think you've been around the board long enough to hear some stories about infection. If that site gets too hot and tender to the touch, you really should mention it to the doc. Please don't let infection set up shop in that knee.

I just mentioned in another post that I remember having increased friction as my swelling lessened. It seems like the swelling cushions and separates things.  Could that be what's happening? . . .less fluid to protect your skin from the hardware rubbing on it?

LizL
Posted by sfmama (sfmama), 29 August 2004

Thanks Liz,
thank goodness not infection.  actually went to dr yesterday for routine check.  He said definitely not infection, but he didn't have any explanation.    He just shook his head with a "gee whiz" kind of look, and said "Isn't it amazing how every person heals diifferently?" to the nurse and me.

hope you're doing well!

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