Nick's 3in1 Diary FatPadTrim, Medial plica/Distal patella excision, AIR x2, LMR

[Snowy]

Glad to hear things are generally going well. I think you should give your surgeon's office a call about the brace if it's still slipping constantly - you don't want to change it without his agreement, but it's completely reasonable to check in with him and see if he recommends a different model or wants you to come back in to have it changed.

Kristin offers some really good advice on not being tempted to walk too far, and finding other ways to keep yourself busy while you're in the early stages of recovery. This is a new combination of procedures as well as being your third surgery, and advice that's often applicable to straightforward first surgeries may not be right for your current circumstances. Again, your surgeon is the only one to trust on this. If you receive conflicting advice from a physio, that's another good time to check in with the OS's office.

It's really great to see you making such a mark with your writing and advocacy work. That may be a good thing for you to focus on as you go through this frustrating post-surgery period.

[Puffy the Knee Slayer]

Hi Clarkey,

Sorry about your uncle and also sorry that your op revealed a meniscus tear. I am not sure about running on it or not. My physio seems to think over a certain age everyone has them and he still thinks he can get me back to running - I would take the advice of your specialist though and go with what they are saying. But please try to focus on your immediate healing rather than the future with or without running, I know that is hard to do as one of the reasons you wanted this surgery was that your goal is to get back to what you love doing.

Yeah I would take it easy with the gardening and lifting and carrying, you don't want anything to aggravate things and set back your recovery. Can't comment on the car as I don't drive and I know nothing about knee braces.

Hope you are managing a bit better with the washing.

Your knee brace photos are cool

Agree with Snowy about the writing and advocacy, that's a really positive thing to focus on, and well done you for getting there with the chapter.

Sorry if I'm not getting the full picture of what is going on in your posts, am finding it hard to absorb info atm due to anxiety/poor sleep due to other things. Hope I have not misunderstood anything or said anything dense.

I'm not on here much these days but will stop in now and then to see how you are doing.

Hope you are taking care.

[Clarkey]

03/02/18 Day 18 Post Op

Vicky, You are right no one can really comment or suggest what to do next with my stitches. I will book to see the practice nurses on Monday morning to take a look at the stitches and will let the hospital know if it does turn out to be adsorbable so they know they made an error in my amended discharge report. I am 95% certain the stitches will need to be removed, cannot see them growing out or dropping off naturally. Well and truly sown into the incision, I will let the nurse judge what needs to be done next.

Go ask the GP nurse at 10-14 days post op

No one here can tell you, Nick 

Snowy The knee brace is the only setback during the pre-op recovery and cannot be good for the knee if it drops all the time onto the top of my kneecap! Finding it is also putting the strain on my right hip impingement and had to take paracetamol tablets to reduce the pain. Think it is standard that a ROM knee brace is going to feel heavy. Thankfully the weather is not that great, wet and grey most days and the evenings are still long, it is slowly getting lighter each day with sunset at around 17:00hrs GMT was 15:45hrs in mid-December. Will be more active again when spring arrives. I am really pleased with my progress in raising autism awareness and the lack of understanding within the Brtish Justice System. 

Puffy, Thanks for the bereavement message my uncle had just celebrated his 91st Birthday a few days before he died. Got his age wrong in my posting about not attending his funeral, his two sons said how nice my email was when offering my condolences and said hope I recover well from my knee surgery, so feel less guilty for not going. Will not completely rule out not being able to run again, if I do will be short distances on soft surfaces not at a competitive level for my local running club. Would run at a leisurely pace if the day arrives and not like a 100m sprinter pace anymore which caused the whole knee saga?

Glad you like my knee brace photos my profile minions showing my childish side which is why I get on well with young people. Still, want a career supporting young people with disabilities despite the setbacks last year with my previous employers that need lessons in keeping staff with autism employed by not overloading them too much! Slow and gradual transition, someone none autistic would struggle suddenly doing 1-day week 7hrs with a 45-minute break to 5 days a week 35hrs without any break all day with the same service user all week. From hero to zero just for thinking I could manage full time with high praise at the Saturday Club from the leader and manager. They both ended my probation period is still hard to accept to this day showing I cannot read peoples body language well. Really missing it as the staff were lovely to me like one big family. My family and I feel they should have allowed me to carry on working at the Saturday Club and no longer at the holiday clubs. Would have been ok with that setup, the young people knew me well and find it hard if staff leave suddenly faced with a new one with their autism.

There are so many unfairly convicted autistic adults and young people that I am thinking of setting up an advocacy group campaigning to overturn and quash convictions that are not too serious or was a long time ago and have not reoffended again. This would make many autistic adults more employable, only 15% of adults with autism in regular employment. With unjustified convictions for being who they are with their autistic traits making it impossible to find an employer that will overlook the past by looking at them at the present.

You do not have to apologise in any way you really helped me through the bad times last year with my employment and knee issues that got me down and now things are looking up. Sleep deprivation is very physically and mentally demanding with all the stress you are going through is going to raise your anxiety and stress levels. Maybe posting on your posting section might help you through the bad times getting advice from other members has helped me come through the rough times, writing how I was feeling helped me through my depressions by writing my own book. You will get through it like I have done, six months ago I thought my life was going to go downhill and now it is going uphill. The same will happen to you, things will start to improve slowly and gradually you will feel more yourself again. Nice to see you posting again and thanks once again for thinking of me while going through your own personal barriers and obstacles
 
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[Clarkey]

04/02/18 Day 19 Post Op

Have a got a few things to sort out on Monday morning with my main priority to see the practice nurse at my local GP practice to remove the stitches. Starting to become painful to touch that should have been taken out 9 days ago. Will let the hospital know about their mistake, at the same time, I will try and get another knee brace fitted as my present one keeps on slipping after a few steps.

Still keeping on top of my physio exercises 12 leg raises twice day not to strain the knee too much, sliding my foot back towards me with a towel beneath my foot on the kitchen floor while sitting down. Straighten the leg is also a good exercise to go through. The only problem did not realise straight away is some of the hip PT sheet exercises clashes with my right knee PT sheet with some of the suggested exercises have had a line put through it. Only did two days thankfully and have stopped the hip PT exercises that were putting the strain on my right knee, sticking to the safe ones. Also, remember being told straight leg raises should be avoided or limited after AIR surgery! Hope I am not causing scar tissue build up excessively, have eased back as soon as I realised hope it has not caused any damage.

The pain is coming through from the bruising that is clear to see on my attached photo behind and on the side of my hamstring, normal recovery side effects.

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[Clarkey]

05/02/18 Day 20 Post Op

Rang the medical centre, have to wait until Wednesday afternoon to see the nurse to have the stitches removed, they will not dissolve and some skin is starting to cover over the stitching. Living in a smaller town is just as bad as Birmingham when I lived there for a long waiting time to see a certain GP or practice nurse. They should have a walk-in clinic where you explain your problem to the receptionist at the practice. The NHS walk-in centre is an alternative option that is a long travel to Birmingham as the one in Worcester city centre has closed down.

Have now removed both compression stockings that you can remove 2 weeks post op or longer if you are not very mobile. Should be safe now not getting DVT anymore as I am reasonably active. Had to get out of the house today going by car shopping to Aldi that is not too much walking around. The right hip was more painful than the knee after walking down the aisles.   

My sister gave me a foot spa today after removing the compression stocking in warm bubbly water was nice and relaxing not to have any more tightness and irritation on the skin with some dove lotion afterwards. Icing the knee 3 times a day for about 15 minutes each has helped reduce the swelling still being careful still not to overdo by thinking it is ok to push that bit further.

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[Clarkey]

06/02/18 Day 21 Post Op

Have reached the halfway stage of my 6 weeks post op seeing gradual improvement day by day. Now taking 2 paracetamol pills a day 1 after breakfast and 1 before going to bed. With the knee brace in the same position can get sore during the night even with a pillow between my legs. I always slept on my right side and now sleeping on my left that I have got used to. In future will sleep on my left to take pressure away from my right side with both knee and hip not being in the best condition.

My book writing is going well that is a long time in the making since January 2006. Have it all written down what I had to go through that needs to be polished up more since writing my chapter for The ERC Voices Project. On page 23 out of 44 halfway with another 40 plus pages after for my 2nd part. All connected with autism and the criminal justice system and mental health.

Will finally have the stitches out tomorrow afternoon that's long overdue, be nice not to have them anymore that becoming annoying and agitating. Compression stockings have gone and the stitches removed is a nice feeling, slight progress has been achieved in a short space of time.

Bingo night has come round again being picked up by the lady that runs and does the calling out that has a son up in Scotland the same age as me 39 that also had 3 knee surgeries. If you know someone close to you that had knee problems and surgery they are more understanding and supportive. The walking stick and crutches bingo evening with older people and 3 younger with 1 of them also with 2 crutches with her knee also playing up from arthritis. She had all her benefits taken away and is appealing at the moment and should get her deserved benefits she entitled to. More of a social gathering evening having a laugh together is a good mental health therapy session for our disabilities.

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[Clarkey]

07/02/18 Day 22 Post Op

Finally had the stitches were taken out this afternoon, one less thing to worry about, the incisions look nice and clean with no signs of infection that are healing up nicely. One paracetamol is not enough after 3 weeks post op took me longer to get to sleep feeling more pain than the previous nights. Will take 2 tablets instead of 1 before going to bed until the knee brace is off that is putting pressure on the kneecap. Natural to move in your sleep causing the knee brace to fall down onto the knee.

I am ok being stuck indoors with a cold spell at the moment across the UK better be indoors with the warmth of the central heating. Chosen a good time of the year to be stuck indoors while the weather is not great. Two new games apps to play on Toon Blast and Take Off both addictive to pass the day. Slowly getting through my book writing taking my time not to get too bogged down writing around 2 pages a day. 

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[Clarkey]

08/02/18 Day 23 Post Op

Went out on my 1st proper day post op trip out to the disability coffee morning being supported rather than the other way round. My friend who I normally drive to the centre drove me there and back home again. I did use the lift to go upstairs and was nicely greeted by everyone that are all really caring and supportive, like one big happy family. I even got back to my helping other playing games and lego building with a 19-year-old young person who is totally blind, he is always happy and smiling and has a caring nature telling me to take it easy as I had to ask others to get the lego out of the storage room. Might become his support worker as his step mum is too embarrassing when she drops and picks him up at the disability disco.

My friend and a few members went local Wetherspoons after the coffee morning at 1pm for drinks and chat and did not want to feel left out. Walked nice a slow down a gradual slope to the pub that was not too bad with not much knee pain more right hip pain. Had a chicken burger and chips special with a soft drink for £4.95 downstairs all the others went upstairs and with no lift was not worth risking the stairs. It was nice that another male with Asperger's sat with us both as he knows what it feels like to have knee problems and wearing a brace from his personal experiences with his left knee last year. His advice was sensible like everyone said on my post op diary listen to the experts' advice even if it becomes annoying and tedious have to be extremely patient that can be very frustrating. 

Also been to the same hospital Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital under another OS who a keen footballer. His left knee became too painful to run and was referred to an OS that his ligaments are inflamed and rest and gradual physiotherapy to build up his leg muscles should help before he considers surgery. Sure he said he had to wear his knee brace for 6 months but cannot see it being 24/7 even though he said he had to wear it during the night. Reckon he slowly wore it less and less over a 6 months period as his muscles got stronger and ligaments improved.

Do not think I overdid it today just about reached my limit asking my friend to pick me up closer to the pub so walking back was less distance. Just annoying the right hip impingement is flaring up more regular that was not too bad a pre-op to scope#3. Maybe the cortisone injection is wearing out or the knee brace weight is aggravating the hip socket labrum tear.

Nice to know most of the general public are caring and friendly when they see you have got mobility problems have an automatic door system for manual doors.

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[Clarkey]

09/02/18 Day 24 Post Op

Today would have been the official date for my 3rd right knee scope that was thankfully put forward by 24 days. I did too much walking yesterday so will know next time not to give in so easily. I actually said no at first then changed my mind. It is nice to go out for a meal rather than being stuck at home all day. I know that other joints will suffer post op with muscle imbalance and poor gait walking.

I am not going to do any gardening jobs this season that starts in 4 weeks time in March. Want to give at least 6 months not straining the knee by squatting and lifting, will stick to lawn cutting doing my lawn and the lady next door aged 87 and maybe another elderly lady who said can take a break anytime if my joints start to ache. I did have a list of clients, will have to turn them away for now even if the knee recovers ok need to keep an eye on the right hip problems with good and bad days. Hoping physiotherapy and last years cortisone injection will stop me going under the knife again the next option after a positive MRI scan of cam impingement and labral tear.

There are many celebrities that are still relatively young with hip problems Lady Gaga, Andy Murray and Craig Revel. Hope my right hip improves when the knee brace is off carrying less weight and can do more physio that is limited right now for both joints.

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[Clarkey]

10/02/18 Day 25 Post Op

When I see the Physio on Tuesday 27th February is it likely I will be crutch free or will I go down to one crutch,? The right knee will still be very delicate after only 6 weeks post op and have had a lot more done 3rd time around with at least 4 to 5 months before considering doing some more physical activities. Should be ok doing two gardens in my neighbourhood, both are more friends than clients and would like to carry on gardening for them both that might not be till the summer. 

Swelling is down apart from the bottom of the kneecap that normal at this stage post op the scabs are coming of the portals nicely. Pain is manageable if I do not do too much walking in the house and not using the stairs too much, mainly bruising pain coming through now more. What is best to take at this stage ibuprofen or paracetamol with swelling still visible?

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[Clarkey]

11/02/18 Day 26 Post Op

My knee is feeling pretty good and more and less pain-free taking fewer painkillers the last couple of days. It hard to tell yet with the knee brace set at 90 degrees how the knee will hold up once the brace is removed and can start to increase my ROM that has been limited since my surgery. Still having 2nd thoughts about the physio forcing the ROM beyond the pain threshold. My pain level is pretty high and still have visions today of the torture he put me through 5 weeks post-op. Been told by some to leave it while others say you need to report it. Might be other patients with a similar story hesitating to make a complaint. Know I mentioned it a few times now and certain something went wrong inside the knee may be a small labral tear that did not show up on the MRI scans that gradually got worse over time when my walking pace and limping got worse with an increase in effusion.

It, not a one-off incident with an article in the paper he was sacked from a private hospital and then set up his own independent physiotherapy clinic.

A FOUL-MOUTHED physiotherapy boss at a private hospital has been put under special conditions for swearing at colleagues and putting patients at risk.

The Health Professions Council (HPC) ruled *** *****, from ******, was guilty of a series of misconduct charges and imposed conditions on his licence for three years.

During that time, ***** has been banned from managing any other physiotherapist under the order.

***** worked as the rehabilitation and physiotherapy manager at *******, working there since the mid 1980s.

The manager admitted putting patients at risk by leaving them unsupervised doing physiotherapy exercises in order to carry out other duties, behaving improperly towards team members by swearing, being abrupt and rude plus also not limiting his practise when he was in a poor state of health.

I was left alone in the gym wearing my underpants as I came in my trousers thinking as it was my 1st appointment would be assessed first before putting me through an ordeal. There were ladies present in the gym and felt like a pervert being left alone without any supervision with cases of sexual misconduct in the media recently! Making someone feeling uncomfortable, does not have to be touch or using words of a sexual nature. Surprised he was allowed to set up again nowadays with tight safeguarding rules and regulations.

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[Clarkey]

12/02/18 Day 27 Post Op

Was nice to have family around during the weekend to pass the time and have a change to my boring routine being stuck indoors most of the day. At least the weather is wet and cold makes staying indoors desirable option. If I had surgery in the summer months would be hard to resist going out up the road for a stroll and walk in my local park. Not many people enjoy going outside this time of the year relying on watching youtube videos to make me feel I am back in the summer months with the long days and warm temperatures.

Find this music video relaxing and nice to watch in the mornings after breakfast with mother nature at its best that been spectacularly edited in the youtube music video. Starting in the crowded heavy traffic of the city of San Francisco to nature and animals. Also helpful before going to the operating theatre to ease the nerves.

Tiësto - Ten Seconds Before Sunrise

Enjoy relax and unwind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muNKZK5aSNQ

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[Clarkey]

13/02/18 Day 28 Post Op

Four weeks out of six already completed coming towards the final hurdle with my knee brace. Hopefully, two weeks today it will be removed starting my physio sessions with fewer limitations. The knee is more sore today that does happen during recovery good and bad days. Cancelled tomorrows physio appointment on my right hip that's a waste of time until the leg brace is removed as the weight is putting the strain on the hip socket.

Later posting tonight was busy writing my book that's going really, now over halfway through and hope it good enough to send to a book publisher once completed and proofread. Went to my local community centre evening bingo the lady with her arthritic knees told me that using crutches can put the strain on the hip if it is already dodgy that could be true? When I did a lot of walking last week Thursday after coffee morning hip was sore so won't be going out for a meal this Thursday will just attend the coffee morning.

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[Clarkey]

14/02/18 Day 29 Post Op

Bruising is slowly becoming less with some soreness, have not taken any painkillers for over 24hrs. Icing still 3 times a day for around 15 minutes. Only take the knee brace off to have my right leg washed and moisturised with E45 cream that becomes very dry as it the only part of the body I am not able to wash properly relying on my mum lying on top of her bed that nice and high without her bending down too much. Have a hair wash over the kitchen sink once a week as I do not go out much in public.

My hair is getting long and putting on weight which I knew would happen, can soon lose my podge belly once I am more active and no longer comfort eating between meals due to boredom not being able to go out much. Walking, cycling and swimming are good ways to lose the belly under supervision and guidance from Prof Snow. Been told to carry on do leg lifting and bending my knee in and out on a hard surface using the kitchen lino to glide my foot across. Do not want to push too far after being told some pain is good as long as I am not pushing myself by only doing a few sets a day should hopefully stop the scar tissue building up excessively.

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[Clarkey]

15/02/18 Day 30 Post Op

12 days until my physio appointment with the knee brace almost certain to be taken off so my ROM can go beyond 90 degrees. Hopefully, the knee is not too stiff and can gradually increase my ROM without too much discomfort. The left knee and hip are aching slightly from walking differently. My last 2 paracetamol pills were taken Tuesday morning for a slight cold and headaches, calf muscles are still sore from the bruising and three portals while doing leg foot slides. No coffee morning my friend's car went in for a service and went by train. Would have been too much walking and likely to fall over with 2 crutches coming off the train! Not worth risking it easy to lose balance on two crutches on surfaces that are not flat. 

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