Finally Got The Knees Worked On.

Bruce! Don't put heavy items in storage above the front seats. Crutches?!?!? You are indeed extremely fortunate you didn't get knocked out or worse.

Bruce! Don't put heavy items in storage above the front seats. Crutches?!?!? You are indeed extremely fortunate you didn't get knocked out or worse.

Why didn’t you tell me this before it happened? I thought we were cyberspace friends. Lol

BTW, what do you keep up there in your truck?

Crutches were a no go for me. I was able to get around with a walker for short distances, otherwise it was the chair for me. After almost a year I was able to graduate to a cane and now I’m completely off the medical equipment but I still keep the cane in the truck just in case. I’m climbing in and out of the tractor several times a day now and it doesn’t seem to bother me much unless it’s cold or raining. Funny how that works. Time to move back to Florida!

Well, my 2nd injury to my bad right leg/knee 2 years after healed and working at a shop again. Is when I slipped and fell, doing the splits, my butt landing on my right foot under me. Snapped my shin bone diagonally about 6+ inches above the ankle. It didn't even hurt, but I thought broke foot, wiggled it, its ok, hmm leg got hot and so did I. They got me water and into painters van for ride across the road to ER.

7+ months in a cast (black) lol mid thigh to my toes. I went monthly for x-rays, checking progress of healing. Once the cast was off, my right foot, standing straight, was turned maybe 15 degrees outward?? I kept telling the doctor, my foot is crooked !! He swore was nothing wrong etc like I'm nuts. I said "Look, I KNOW how my foot was before, and I'm telling you it's NOT right!"......Everyone else noticed it ! the old guy delivered me a pizza, says "oh your foots a bit crooked?" I said you see that right?? lol Yeah !

First time here in Phil's at hotel elevator, Korean guy in suit next to me seen and commented same about my foot ! I'm like everyone see's this but the ortho Dr, said it was fine! I'll just live with it, and I use Aleve's for any pains....Probably why doctors are only "Practicing Medicine" HA .... Long distance walking, I have to stop n take a break now n then, and my left leg's doing most of the work now. At times,my tibia/shin, feels like am walking on a stump of wood. Never expected such long term (8 years now) effects from a simple shin break. To get my foot straight like my left, I have to twist my knee inward, while standing, awkward to say the least, and it sure don't feel natural. I'm no DR, but am not an Idiot either, and KNOW how my foot was before lol.....Ya CANT fix STOOPID, is soooo true lol

Anyways, enough rambling, Bruce, I sent my buddies wife that name of your condition, told her maybe check into her getting that done for now....

I’ve been tying to get a procedure performed on my knees for almost 5 months. Yesterday I had the final procedure done at the hospital on an outpatient surgical basis. It resulted in instant relief and I can now walk around almost like a normal person. I’m cleared to go back to work on Friday, so only a two day waiting period just to make sure I don’t have any negative affects from the surgery.

The procedure is called a Genicular nerve block.

I went into the hospital at 1300 and walked out at 1530. They gave me anesthesia of some sort which didn’t completely knock me out, but put me into Lala Land. Got several hours of great sleep! They required me to have someone drive me to the hospital and back, but frankly, I could have driven myself home. I understand that not everyone has such a perfect experience with this procedure. They told me to take things easy for 24 hours, but this evening I took a walk of about two blocks and it was so wonderful to walk without pain after all this time. Definitely worth the wait.

For those drivers dealing with knee issues, this may be something you can look into. My procedure is supposed to provide relief for approximately one year. It’s not a cure. It only treats the pain, not the root cause. But it does buy me some time to look further into getting knee replacements. I see many questions here on TT about health issues that affect one’s ability to continue to drive. My problem had the potential to take me off the road but I was lucky enough to find a solution, albeit temporary. From my experience, I would encourage others to be patient and persevere with finding a solution. The medical profession can do some amazing things, but in the final analysis, it’s up to each and every one of us to take care of ourselves. There is no magic bullet, only self determination.

BK,

Your last sentence speaks tremendous volumes; in more ways than one. Did YOU pen that? I'll be using that quote, so . . . I'll make sure I credit the author!!

I wonder if that nerve block works for anything besides knees ?!?!? Are you sure you spelled it correctly? I'm going to look that up, wondering if it'd be something for Tom's hip. All he does now is dang cortisone shots, periodically. Sucks.

This:

(Anne, I saw a sign recently that said Shoulder Work Ahead. Thought of you, lol)

That's hysterical !!! (Did you grab it for me, on the down low ?!?)

I'm hoping this REALLY helps with your knees, BK. I'm still working on my P/T ~ patiently! (Or not ?!?)

You've gotten some great advice and kudos, above. Hang in there, mi mano~!

~ Anne ~

ps:

Annie, how bad are your rotator cuffs anyways? Mine are bad from years, working on cars overhead. Especially, r&r transmissions, where my arms are up for long periods during removal. It got so bad a few times, I lost all strength and couldn't lift my arms past an elbow bend.....Soc Sec Dr, once said I needed em fixed someday, lol yeah right doc!.....Besides NOW, I really don't have to worry bout em, since no longer doing that line of work...Only hurt now days when I sleep on 1 side too long, and have to rotate shoulders (side sleeper)

Bruce! Don't put heavy items in storage above the front seats. Crutches?!?!? You are indeed extremely fortunate you didn't get knocked out or worse.

BTW, what do you keep up there in your truck?

In the open storage areas (not having a door), I have Truck Stop Guide booklets, duct tape, clear tape, Febreeze, dusting brush, spare ink pens, safety vest, small flashlight, EFS checks, sidewalk chalk in a ziploc bag, extra trailer seals, tire pressure gauge, and cough drops.

BK, glad you are out of chronic pain now.

Annie, how bad are your rotator cuffs anyways? Mine are bad from years, working on cars overhead. Especially, r&r transmissions, where my arms are up for long periods during removal. It got so bad a few times, I lost all strength and couldn't lift my arms past an elbow bend.....Soc Sec Dr, once said I needed em fixed someday, lol yeah right doc!.....Besides NOW, I really don't have to worry bout em, since no longer doing that line of work...Only hurt now days when I sleep on 1 side too long, and have to rotate shoulders (side sleeper)

Hay, Stevo buddy!!

It's my left one, and I can't get it healed past 80 / 90 % .... It doesn't 'hurt' per se; just reallly bad with R.O.M. ~ afraid of 3 pt. contact epic fail. I'm still working on it.

The Athlean X guy on YouTube really has some great suggestions. Athlean X .

That BOOK from AMAZON (posted before) really helps with MANY injuries/worn out joints & tissue, too.

Built from Broken: A Science-Based Guide to Healing Painful Joints, Preventing Injuries, and Rebuilding Your Body Paperback – June 7, 2021

Highly recommended for all y'all ~!!! *And it's got Brett's approval!* Helps you understand what's causing what pain. Recommended by my Doc and my P/T. Worth the $12.

Feel better, guys & gals ~!!

~ Anne ~

ps: My main pain, will be gone when Tom gets set up with a new job, replacing the 'disappearing' one. More in the other thread soon!