New Knee Brace Found!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Yesterday the Dr. told me that I had pulled my Right knee's medial collateral ligament. I needed to wear a brace but the brace that she and I found was too large and kept falling down to my ankle.

Today I went looking for a brace that fit and we found one in the warehouse down by the tennis court. It is black, slips on like a sleeve but has metal braces on each side of my RIGHT knee. It is a good fit, not too tight but it does not slip down. This knee problem is on my RIGHT knee, not my LEFT knee which I broke last year. That knee is "fine", as fine as it is going to get. Now I have two knees to "nurse". I makes getting up and down from certain chairs more difficult but I'll figure it out. It is also harder to bend to pick up something from the floor. Looking at me getting in and out of the car is probably not a pretty picture. I can still drive. I imagine that I will need to wear this knee brace until my knee pain is gone. Thanks to those who have been praying for this new (other) knee problem and also thanks to those who read my blog yesterday and have prayed that I find a brace that fit. Prayer answered.

Today's Positives:
1. I now have a knee brace that fits and is helping me walk with less pain.
2. The Ibuprofen is helping control my knee pain (and not causing me stomach problems).
3. I'm having company for dinner and have a whole chicken, potatoes, onions and carrots cooking in a pot on the stove. It smells so good!

Have a good day!!

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The moral of the story is......!

Monday, May 20, 2013

In preparation for getting an X-ray on my knee tomorrow I went down to the Hospital so the Dr. could write for the X-ray in my medical record book. Dr. does not work tomorrow. At the same time she wrote for the X-ray she did an exam of my knee and diagnosed my pain problem. When the Chair broke and collapsed under me on May 2nd my right knee's medial collateral ligament pulled/stretched.

Treatment? Ibuprofen and rest and use a knee splint/brace so that my knee will bend but not rotate side to side. Well, we went down to the supply department and there was only one such splint/brace. I put it on but it falls down when I try to walk. It is an XLarge. We'll have to look for another one, perhaps in the Surgery department. I will still have the X-ray tomorrow, to check on my osteoarthritis but that is not what is causing my pain these past 18 days.

The moral of the story is, if you are injured and you LIVE and WORK at a HOSPITAL, don't wait 18 days to see a Doctor!!



Here am I sitting with my splint on my right leg. No sense in using one though since it just falls down to my ankle when I try to walk!



More in a future blog about how I am getting around with a stiff left knee due to a knee break last year and a splint on my right knee! I'll say one thing, it's hard to get out of a chair!

Today's Positives:
1. It was a national Holiday here so I did not have to work at the hospital and could sit for another day, resting my knee. I did give two make up exams but the students came to the house for these.
2. I finally asked a Dr. to see my painful knee.
3. My computer arrived back today from being repaired in the States.

My returned computer!

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Just sitting!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

During the night I woke up with much right knee pain and took a pain pill and got relief. I got word from my Dr. here that I could increase my Ibuprofen if I took my Prilosec (which I always do) since Ibuprofen can be hard on my stomach and esophagus. So today I am upping my Ibuprofen. She also said I'll have an X-ray on Tuesday. Tomorrow is a holiday here. I had my left knee xrayed years ago when the osteoarthritis was diagnosed. I have never had my right knee xrayed so this will be good. If my pain is caused only by arthritis, at least I will be able to tell the extent of my osteoarthritis on that knee, if the "cushion" is mostly gone and my knee is "bone on bone". Here in our jungle hospital we do not have other scans, only Xray.

Today's Positives:
1. I stayed home from church today and have been in my recliner....just sitting!
2. Tomorrow is a holiday so I do not need to go down to the hospital to work. Another day to stay off of my knee. I do have two students taking make up exams but they are coming to my house.
3. I will have an X-ray on Tuesday.

I hope you're having a good day.

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Knees News!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Because I went so long without blogging on my SP blog, and since my last updates were on my alternate SP blog, I will update you as to my knees.

Left Knee.. the one I broke on March 5, 2012. I had five surgeries on it. The last surgery was a TKR (total knee replacement) on June 19, 2012. That leg continually swells some, especially in the lower leg and ankle but the swelling is not much compared to what it was last year I can only bend my left knee about 85 degrees so it limits my movement some (will never be able to get down on my knees) but it does not often hurt. It gets tired, I get tired when I walk. Perhaps it is the extra effort.

Right knee.. I have had osteoarthritis in it for over 15 years (in the other one too) and have had relief with Glucosamine and Chondrotin. I was off that medicine during my surgeries on my left side and after that had not been having much problem with the right knee, until two and a half weeks ago. I was sitting on a plastic chair which collapsed (broke into four pieces, not uncommon with these chairs out here). My left leg must have been out in front of me since I can't bend my knee enough. My right leg must have been bent at the knee and perhaps my foot was under the plastic chair some when the chair broke. I felt some pain, but not bad pain, in my right knee right away. It must have twisted or something with the fall. Since then my right knee has caused a LOT of pain. Nearly a week ago I talked with a Dr. and she said to up my Ibuprofen from 400mg to 600mg. I take it only twice a day. I get relief with the medicine for awhile. Anyway, I am "nursing" my right leg now rather than my left leg. It is keeping me from taking walks outside. I do some walking at the hospital but when I am home, I only want to sit in my recliner with my legs up.

Now you and this SP blog have been updated.

Today's Positives:
1. I have friends coming over for dinner tonight. I will make salsa chicken in the crock pot but still need to decide on a dessert.
2. It is Saturday and I have the day off.
3. My Ibuprofen is working right now so I'm about to get out of this recliner and go into the kitchen.

Thanks to everyone who visits my blog. Sorry I can't get to your pages to thank you individually.

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Friendship!

Friday, May 17, 2013

We all need friends. I appreciate my SparkFriends who support me when I'm "off track" which is most of the time. You never tire of encouraging me. And I will never give up the idea of getting healthier!

One of my favorite quotes since breaking my left knee is, "Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” ― Dean Karnazes

We all need friends to help us to keep going and not give up. Thanks to all my SparkFriends!

Today's Positives:
1. I have many SparkFriends.
2. I enjoyed Bible study with five student nurses at noon today.
3. I was able to nap in my recliner off and on this afternoon. I'm not sure why I as so sleepy.
4. It's FRIDAY!!!!!

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