Joe, take it from someone who’s been there, if you remember, I’m a bilateral BKA. You need to take it easy and work your way into your prosthetic gently. One area where your prosthetic rests is at the notch below the kneecap, that can be a major area of discomfort for a new amputee. Make sure your prosthetist is aware of your issues. Best of luck getting used to your new prosthetic.
I was having the same issues with my BK prosthetic. Turned out I was sinking to far into my socket and my knee was being pushed up by the socket and I got a bunch of 3-5 ply socks and started wherein them and it lifted the pain to normal feeling then I got a definitive socket and it was great for about a week now I’m wearing more socks again and it keeps me on my feet. Hope this helps.
If your prosthetist has not told you, you can cut your socks down to half height so you do not get too much bulk around your knee. My wife was at 1 ply with her latest BK socket but has needed up to 11 plies in only 5 weeks. She is 11 months since first socket.
A new amputee will experience volume changes in their stump after being fitted with a new prosthetic. Adding socks to the outside of the liner is a good way to make up the lost volume. I have been a BK amputee for forty two years and still experience these changes. Other amputees may only experience these types of changes for the first five years, then are fitted with a definitive prosthetic after these changes in volume settle down. After that you need to keep from gaining too much weight as you get older.
@@lawrencefure2102 Yes, We know others who are decades out and still need to carry socks to add plies during the day. Jo appears to have not been told about her ability to customize the fit during the day with socks until her most recent visit to a different prosthetist. Most muscle atrophy is settled by 1 year. Fluid and weight account for the changes after that.
i think that "waiting for the other shoe to drop" feeling is so common with chronic pain. As soon as we start to feel one ounce better, there's that thought in the back of our minds that it's going to be short lived, or we are going to pay for it with pain later.... 😞
Diane S yes this is something I feel so often. I like to go out and do things and get back into my life when I feel better but your just waiting for that pain.
Diane S - yessssssss.....i almost get nervous ever saying that I have gone x weeks without a pain crisis or x weeks/months without an infection......so very true.
So true!! I understand how you feel. I one day will feel pretty good and my mind always thinks, wait but how am I going to be tomorrow. So I have anxiety over some silly reason.
Jodi L - sometimes I almost feel like I set myself up for a bad day because on the good days I feel like I need to « fit everything in » so I way over do it....but having been sick for almost 7 years now, I just feel like I never know when my next good day is going to be so I better get it all in!! But- since early July, I have been sooooo much better
I'm guessing in addition to getting the socket right you might need some PT for that knee/leg, you've not been using it in a "normal" way and the muscles might be unequal, which with knees can cause horrendous problems.
The fear you have is completely normal jo . I have it all the time especially with exams in dental school. Whenever I have a bad grade on a test , I just know I'm gonna fail the subject when I'm clearly studying it and doing good at it. It's normal and it happens to everybody , dont worry about it. Love you Jo ❤❤❤
You’ve had to be patient for such a long time, Jo. It’s okay to be disappointed when you hit a temporary red light. And I know you’ll be quick off the mark when it goes green, which is great. Keep on pacing! Also, I resent using precious spoons for showering, too. Honestly, most people just don’t need to shower every day. And as someone who barely sweats enough to not overheat, I simply don’t need to. Plus my skin gets so dry if I wash it too often. My wife usually tells me if I’m looking a bit “sticky” and haven’t yet started making my way to the bathroom! This time of year I can easily go a week or 10 days and still not smell bad or look grubby. Let’s lead a revolution in removing showering shame from people with chronic pain or fatigue!
The idea of daily showering is an extremely recent invention in human history. Weekly or less is far more common. Personally I feel really good with short daily showers, but there are plenty of people who just find it dries their skin and hair.
Good!! Prosthetist appointment coming up 👍👍 physical therapy starting soon 👍👍 icing and resting for now 👍👍 you're doing great Jo 👍👍 They will give you more information about your knee and you can keep doing all the good things together with your team of experts to keep getting better and better 👍👍 I've had issues with my knees a lot as well, and my guess for yours would be: inflammation. Which is kind of a bummer, but as you (and your friend 😅) said, the knee is going through huge changes, I can totally understand it needs time and care to get used to it all. You'll get there. 🍀 I know it sucks, but TAKE IT SLOWLY !!! Give that poor body some love 😉💜
I like the term 'speed bump' not 'roadblock'. You have to slow down for speed bumps but you get over them and keep moving forward. Its going to be a bumpy road but you'll figure it out and push through. (Not too hard though 😉)
Wearing medical devices is always an extremely hard adjustment! I remember after my shoulder surgeries with 24/7 shoulder immobilizer use, I hadn't used my shoulders or elbows for 6 weeks each (my surgeries on each side were only 13 weeks apart), like you with the lack of use and immobilization of the knee for 4 weeks. It takes a lot of work and a lot of orthopedic PT to regain strength and re-learn how to use the body part, given the new biomechanics, especially for you because you not only had it immobilized for 4 weeks, you hadn't used it full-time for a year!! Always important to check with your physician that this isn't a sign of a greater issue and it also might be good to ask for orthopedic-specific PT not only with learning how to use the prosthetic leg, but for re-training your knee for full-time use and new biomechanics. Sending you my best! 💚
Hey Jo, since you’re hypermobile (possible EDS), be aware that could be causing or contributing to this. A lot of us have knee issues. If you do have EDS (I think you do), a really good PT who is very knowledgeable about hypermobility (look up the Muldowney Protocol) is your best friend. I realize you’re still looking into this, but I think it’s worth saying. With EDS, our ligaments are like overcooked spaghetti, so our muscles have to do double duty. We need strong muscles to keep our joints stable. Also a comment about showering. I’m not an amputee, but one of the best things I ever did was to start using devices to make things easier for myself, improve my safety, and ESPECIALLY conserve energy. I have 3 faves - a stool in my kitchen, my wheelchair (I love her! I can participate in SOOOOOO much more and still function reasonably the next day!), and my SHOWER CHAIR! It makes showering possible without yanking 3 spoons outta my pocket. Plus it can feel a bit luxurious. I know you’re averse to the idea, but just thought I’d say that I was too. Now I LOVE it!
If you're in pain you need to see your doctors and get it checked out. Show them how your leg fits and how it moves against your kneecap. Don't just push through and hope it gets better. The last thing you need is knee problems bc your leg fit improperly. Make sure you are heard and are taken seriously. Don't stop until you have answers! ❤️❤️ I hope things start getting better soon.❤️
💜 thanks for talking about this Jo Tbh, I’m not sure if I remember ever not being in a state where I feel like I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop...
Sounds like they might have to do some tweaking on the prosthesis. Do they have you doing any kind of exercise to strengthen your knee. I’m sure they are going to be to get you up and walking again soon. You are a breath of fresh air and an inspiration ❤️❤️❤️
I read the title and was like "Noooooooooooooooooooo" I've been going through issues this year too, different to yours, but I totally feel the impending doom feeling about things going wrong. Proud of you for trying to handle it in the way you are. You're doing great ❤
You only mentioned it briefly, but I would be cautious with how much weight you give the concept of stoicism, because it can be really damaging if you don't take it with a grain of salt. The concept can be good within a larger framework of mental philosophies, but on its own it fails to recognize that we need to emotionally process our pain to move through it. I tried to be stoic all through University with a severe chronic illness, and I just ended up ignoring my needs and my feelings so much that I broke myself emotionally. Only through processing my emotions and being gentle with myself did I start to heal again.
I absolutely agree with this 100% - and I think that is a really important distinction. I like a lot of the general principles that stoicism advocates for and what I’ve personally got from it is basically “recognize what is your mind vs. your emotions so you can know where you’re making decisions from”. That’s how I’ve applied it to my life, anyways. 😊 I agree that emotions need to be felt, respected, given room, and shouldn’t be squashed or ignored. They’re here for a reason. 💜
@Footless Jo >>> Reading a comment by another poster (Jamie*) that mentioned showering, this just occurred to me: YOU {Jo} give NEW MEANING to the expression, *_"HOP into [or out of] the shower."_* 😁😁😁
I hope you haven't hurt your knee. I remember hearing the ortho talk about how difficult and how much harder it is to get back to normal when you lose so much time. Physical therapy was tough.
Jo being so proud she showered is my constant mood. Also, trying to find the balance of pain is so tricky. Mine is very different from yours, but for me trying to find how much pain I should be in after recovering from 3 surgeries and trying to come back to gymnastics is difficult. My doctors said any pain, you should stop, my coaches however said that as long as I can manage it, pain is good. Also, that feeling that something bad is going on, is awful. Sorry this is happening to you, love you so much.
Oh, I was so hoping not to see a video like this-as soon as I saw the title I shouted, “Noooooooo!” We’re relatively new to your channel (and RUclips in general) and sincerely didn’t expect to get so attached to my new (virtual) friends!! But we are! We feel so invested in your well-being and progress that we don’t want obstacles for you! But we love your optimism in this and trust along with you that this is just a bump in the road and some growing pains along the journey! Trusting fully that you will be walking on two legs again soon and reaching your goals and aspirations! Sending love and prayers your way! 😊🙏❤️
So know and hate the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Sending good positivity your way to stay rational. Fingers crossed for a simple fix ♥️
I've had foot surgery and was non weight bearing for over a month. maybe this comment will not be seen or noticed but you've given many people hope and optimism. I am still in recovery and it will take a while until i can walk without a cane. I'm also in my late 20s and its frustrating, we really don't deserve this. What happened to you is definitely worst but at the end of the day our happiness is controlled by our mind, not just our health. This is easier said than done, but it seems like you understood this well. You are still young and im sure youve already seen and passed the worst of your problem. Prosthetics will only get better in time and you will get more and more used to using them. I dont need to tell you to be optimistic, because you already are.. Just keep it up, and don't ever get discouraged.
Bummer about the knee issues (I have chronic knee pain and it suuuucks) but so wonderful to see how well your stump is healing! Particularly after the zombie scare, it is so wonderful that the issue is NOT with the stump :D progress!
@Footless Jo >>> If you ever get a powered {bionic} prosthetic leg, you cold nickname it *_"Solar Photon."_* {Yeah, I THINK of stuff like this when I am stuck at home with a strained back...😝}
I hope you resolve your issues. For me its the back of my knee. My prosthetic cuts into it when i bend my leg to stand or to walk. Im fact its cut me open. Now ive got to heal that before they fix the problems. So best of luck to you. Your not alone in this, it happens to alot of lower leg amputees. Chin up girl its fixable im sure.
Don’t let it get to the point of needing more surgery, you’re super stubborn haha! Not a bad thing mostly but it’s looking like it’s gonna be causing you problems with ya leg. Get your knee seen to, don’t hope it goes away. The sooner you catch something the easier it is to treat! If you start having pain in your leg when walking, take a break. A big break. Breaks don’t hurt in the long run, pushing yourself will! You have so so much time to get this done right, it’s understandable that you’re impatient after the year you’ve had but don’t let it do you long term harm. You can hop on sunshine too ☺️
You have a patellar tendon bearing socket, so the area you are pointing is your patellar tendon. Talk to your prosthetist. If your swelling is going down, then you may be sinking too far in and need more socks. Communication is key, and it is their job to make sure it is fitting correctly!
While I don't have a prosthetic I can understand the whole 'it shouldn't be comfortable, but if it's really painful you should stop' confusion cause I bind and it's hard to tell when it's time to take a break.
God I hope nothing is wrong with your knee...but you have EDS and well...shit spirals on its own with this frustrating syndrome. You will deal with it if you need to deal with it...come what may. Keep making videos and keeping your beautiful people updated please!
Hey beautiful Jo, be easy on yourself and take it one day at a time. I am sure that everything is moving in the right direction and you are not alone in your journey. We are with you for as long as it takes, never forget that it is ok to be down and discouraged sometimes, bravery is being afraid and moving forward anyway and you are brave. Namaste, you are doing great...
I'm sorry you are having knee problems. I think you have a good handle on how to proceed though. It seems to me that getting PT is going to make a big difference for you. When I've had leg injuries in the past, doing PT would help strengthen the muscles around the joint or injury site and help prevent the pain that was occurring. The body forgets how to operate sometimes so we have to teach it again. Take care!
I hope you have a shower chair if you have a stand-up shower, or a shower bench if you have a tub/shower combo. I-Walks are fine for temporary use but you used yours extensively and that may be part of your pain but I suspect that will clear up on it's own. Your socket trim line should not press against your knee cap, which is most noticeable when walking up an incline. The patella tendon just below your knee cap is where the pressure should be exerted. You may need your socket trim line lowered in that spot rather than adding socks. Your fit looks tight enough already without adding socks. Not lowered too much - just enough to get it off of your knee cap and onto your patella. Your prosthetist can do this with no problem even on your carbon fiber socket. My prosthetist did the same thing to my latest socket and it does not irritate my knee any longer.
Stupid knee! My right knee began to hurt a couple of months before my amputation and just did not want to play nice during rehab. It hurts like hell still but after having to compensate for almost 5 yrs I understand. Fingers crossed that its just a minor thing for you! Hang in there!! #amputeebuddies4life
Can they make changes to the cup for a better fit? I would think it would be a good thing to have a few different cups for normal changes the body goes through over days, weeks, months. The body is mostly fluid and it moves around and reacts to stimulus so if the cup is rubbing against your knee it will swell up causing an even worse fit.
Hi jo if all things were perfect with a prosthetic bkla you could do a 5/10k Marathon? I've ran 26 marathons and my goal is to do just one more once my operation has been done and hopefully things go well.xxxx
You should try learning not to think what could happen. If it happens it happens anyway, and there is enough time then to solve the problem. That is what i am trying to learn now, because of my anxiety. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. But i think it´s one of the keyˋs to success. Excuse my english, i am from europe. But i hope you understand what i want to tell you 🧐🐤
Yay shower! Your hair looks nice! I bet it’s impossible to shower with one leg so good for you. I hope your knee gets better. Don’t worry it’s just sore. If I kneel down all day it would hurt to! Maybe you can try and order a block of memory foam and use it as a little cushion? And remember you can use a wheelchair or crutches if you need. I know you hate them but there here to help even if it is just for a day while your knee is taking a break. And recovery isn’t a straight line just like life 🤷🏻♀️ Enjoy your day!
Have you tried a hard hinged knee brace? Years ago my dad blew his knee out skiing, and had pretty intense pain when standing. With one of these braces though, some of the weight was taken off of the joint and it allowed him to be more comfortable. Just a thought. Hope it all works out!
I agree with your fear issue. What if? What if? What if? If it is any comfort-- In my own life, these fearful ideations never added up to anything in reality. This is just a question. Is it possible to exercise your knee without it being attached to the prosthetic? Like can a weight be attached to your residual limb and you can work on your knee's strength without placing your body weight on it?
5:01 I totally get that! I’ve had issues with my right ankle for years and it’s very weak. So if I’m doing something like playing a sport or running I just get this thought in my mind that something is going to happen and if or when it does I’m normally like called it. I knew that was going to happen. Though I do try not to think that way cuz I know it’s not good. But it’s a habit that will take time to brake.
A "shit-ton" of weight? Girl, my left thigh weighs more than you do !! I think adjustments to Sunshine will be a life long thing - right? Sending you positive vibes of patience !!
I had surgery on October 3rd to put a shunt in my spine to stop the progression of another disease... Well that surgery caused more problems and pain so who cares about showering..
Would a knee brace help? Because @teamabri on Instagram is an amputee and has knee issues, and she has a knee brace that goes together with her prosthetic leg.
I relate to the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop way to much. I just got another script for pt and am waiting to see my old ot's reaction to her seeing me. Last time I was there was beginning of May. Over the summer I did not know what to do with my extra time because I wasn't in PT, cuz the past 10 months before that I've been in and out of pt. Not to mention I've had three orthopedic surgeons
I had.a similar issue. Turns out it was my gait. I would say out when u stepped. Try a cane on your right side instead of crutches. If that's the issue it should clear up in days.
Everything you said about "Sunshine" are understandable. What can anyone tell your or counsel you with. You know your own body better than any one else. Talk with your "professional's" and evaluate from a non-emotional state. You seem a woman who know's herself. Be kind to you and let yourself find a comfortable "place" . Then let Sunshine catch up with your desire to do "too much". You will be fine, sincerely I think you will will be fine.
Hey Jo Remember that you need to have lots of adjustments to your socket. Not sure how faraway your prosthetic person is , but get used to many trips to have it fit right ,,, you’ll be fine . So happy you’re walking again
Is there advantages to getting an amputation below the knee as opposed to above? I realize people don’t usually get to choose. Full disclosure, I am not an amputee myself.
Very much so - and great question! Having control of as many of your natural joints as possible, if you can, is vital. It makes a HUGE difference in ease of adjusting to a prosthesis and a lot of other alignment issues. Think about it this way - would it be easier to walk with or without a toe? You want to keep your toe.....same here. We want to keep as many pieces of our natural bodies as possible, as our health allows. A human knee is still significantly better than even the most advanced prosthesis, and there are less risks. Plus, you can always take off more leg, you can't "put more on" lol, if you have complications. Thanks for the questions!
You live in a state where you can get your hands on some good, quality CBD cream. Get some(the higher the mg of CBD, the better), massage some in to the area that hurts *every time it hurts* , as well as along the scar on your residual limb. If you can find some with lavendar essential oil in it, it will be even better!
you were not using your leg for many months so she atrophied a little, as you may notice you have much less muscle volume in the amputated leg than in the other leg, so all the pressure of daily exercise with the prosthesis is going straight to your knee that has not enough muscle strength to support the joint, which already has old problems, I think a little physiotherapy on your knee to strengthen it would be very good
I can picture you now in an alternate dimension as a sweet blond headed little girl running around like crazy then bumping your knee really hard and crying. You limp over to your father for attention and comfort. He just grabs your head gently with one hand on each side and brings you in close so your foreheads practically touch and whispers, "Slow down you silly little girl." Then he hugs you and puts you on his lap till the pain goes away. I think you know what I'm trying to say Jo. You aren't a weak person, but Rome wasn't built in a day, and Rome is much bigger for you than it is for other people. You've had battles nobody else has. The last thing you should do now is compare your recovery time frame to that of others. You are unique in every other way, why shouldn't your recovery be unique as well?
That thought process is indeed an extra sneaky oponnent indeed. It will try to take on as mild a shape/tone as can be. And the absolute picosecond you let off your guard, it pounces with Teeth and Claws. You called it what it really is, a set-back. And a minor one at that. (Kindly note I never said that it was not capable of lowering the temperature of your hemoglobin to a flat 34.degrees F. It most certainly is. In Guiness World Record time to boot.) However, I know for a undisputed fact that you are a World Class actionable person when it comes to taking back your Power. That your fear just stole from you. Are you gonna let it get the better of you in that fashion? In front of the whole world like that? Those are your questions to answer. I know what my answers would be, but I am not you. What will your answer be?
My uncle was a news reader for his local area (Eugene, Or) and one time as a kid we went to see him at work. There he was, just like you see on TV with a suit jacket and tie reading the news. Then they cut to an ad and he came out to greet us... In shorts!
Not great news to hear I’m sure, but in the hundreds if not thousands of (literal) steps you’ve already taken forward since your most recent amputation, I hope this is only a couple of minutes break for you to stand and enjoy the view!
I can relate to so much of what u say. Distractions are extra good when im at my worst. Even negative ones like verbal altercations with the roommate, drama with the neighbor, dogs pooping in the house, temper tantums, etc. Anything to take the mind off the pain. Someone once told me to look on the bright side and be glad i didn't have all this pain plus be overweight. That would only compound my problems. Sad but true.
Joe, take it from someone who’s been there, if you remember, I’m a bilateral BKA. You need to take it easy and work your way into your prosthetic gently. One area where your prosthetic rests is at the notch below the kneecap, that can be a major area of discomfort for a new amputee. Make sure your prosthetist is aware of your issues. Best of luck getting used to your new prosthetic.
I was having the same issues with my BK prosthetic. Turned out I was sinking to far into my socket and my knee was being pushed up by the socket and I got a bunch of 3-5 ply socks and started wherein them and it lifted the pain to normal feeling then I got a definitive socket and it was great for about a week now I’m wearing more socks again and it keeps me on my feet. Hope this helps.
If your prosthetist has not told you, you can cut your socks down to half height so you do not get too much bulk around your knee. My wife was at 1 ply with her latest BK socket but has needed up to 11 plies in only 5 weeks. She is 11 months since first socket.
A new amputee will experience volume changes in their stump after being fitted with a new prosthetic. Adding socks to the outside of the liner is a good way to make up the lost volume. I have been a BK amputee for forty two years and still experience these changes. Other amputees may only experience these types of changes for the first five years, then are fitted with a definitive prosthetic after these changes in volume settle down. After that you need to keep from gaining too much weight as you get older.
@@lawrencefure2102 Yes, We know others who are decades out and still need to carry socks to add plies during the day. Jo appears to have not been told about her ability to customize the fit during the day with socks until her most recent visit to a different prosthetist. Most muscle atrophy is settled by 1 year. Fluid and weight account for the changes after that.
i think that "waiting for the other shoe to drop" feeling is so common with chronic pain. As soon as we start to feel one ounce better, there's that thought in the back of our minds that it's going to be short lived, or we are going to pay for it with pain later.... 😞
Diane S yes this is something I feel so often. I like to go out and do things and get back into my life when I feel better but your just waiting for that pain.
So true! You think its gonna be 1 step forward 2 steps backwards, but in reality it's actually 2 steps forward 1 back
Diane S - yessssssss.....i almost get nervous ever saying that I have gone x weeks without a pain crisis or x weeks/months without an infection......so very true.
So true!! I understand how you feel. I one day will feel pretty good and my mind always thinks, wait but how am I going to be tomorrow. So I have anxiety over some silly reason.
Jodi L - sometimes I almost feel like I set myself up for a bad day because on the good days I feel like I need to « fit everything in » so I way over do it....but having been sick for almost 7 years now, I just feel like I never know when my next good day is going to be so I better get it all in!! But- since early July, I have been sooooo much better
I'm guessing in addition to getting the socket right you might need some PT for that knee/leg, you've not been using it in a "normal" way and the muscles might be unequal, which with knees can cause horrendous problems.
The fear you have is completely normal jo . I have it all the time especially with exams in dental school. Whenever I have a bad grade on a test , I just know I'm gonna fail the subject when I'm clearly studying it and doing good at it. It's normal and it happens to everybody , dont worry about it.
Love you Jo ❤❤❤
You’ve had to be patient for such a long time, Jo. It’s okay to be disappointed when you hit a temporary red light. And I know you’ll be quick off the mark when it goes green, which is great. Keep on pacing!
Also, I resent using precious spoons for showering, too. Honestly, most people just don’t need to shower every day. And as someone who barely sweats enough to not overheat, I simply don’t need to. Plus my skin gets so dry if I wash it too often. My wife usually tells me if I’m looking a bit “sticky” and haven’t yet started making my way to the bathroom! This time of year I can easily go a week or 10 days and still not smell bad or look grubby. Let’s lead a revolution in removing showering shame from people with chronic pain or fatigue!
The idea of daily showering is an extremely recent invention in human history. Weekly or less is far more common. Personally I feel really good with short daily showers, but there are plenty of people who just find it dries their skin and hair.
Good!! Prosthetist appointment coming up 👍👍 physical therapy starting soon 👍👍 icing and resting for now 👍👍 you're doing great Jo 👍👍 They will give you more information about your knee and you can keep doing all the good things together with your team of experts to keep getting better and better 👍👍
I've had issues with my knees a lot as well, and my guess for yours would be: inflammation. Which is kind of a bummer, but as you (and your friend 😅) said, the knee is going through huge changes, I can totally understand it needs time and care to get used to it all. You'll get there. 🍀 I know it sucks, but TAKE IT SLOWLY !!! Give that poor body some love 😉💜
I like the term 'speed bump' not 'roadblock'. You have to slow down for speed bumps but you get over them and keep moving forward. Its going to be a bumpy road but you'll figure it out and push through. (Not too hard though 😉)
Wearing medical devices is always an extremely hard adjustment! I remember after my shoulder surgeries with 24/7 shoulder immobilizer use, I hadn't used my shoulders or elbows for 6 weeks each (my surgeries on each side were only 13 weeks apart), like you with the lack of use and immobilization of the knee for 4 weeks. It takes a lot of work and a lot of orthopedic PT to regain strength and re-learn how to use the body part, given the new biomechanics, especially for you because you not only had it immobilized for 4 weeks, you hadn't used it full-time for a year!! Always important to check with your physician that this isn't a sign of a greater issue and it also might be good to ask for orthopedic-specific PT not only with learning how to use the prosthetic leg, but for re-training your knee for full-time use and new biomechanics. Sending you my best! 💚
Hey Jo, since you’re hypermobile (possible EDS), be aware that could be causing or contributing to this. A lot of us have knee issues. If you do have EDS (I think you do), a really good PT who is very knowledgeable about hypermobility (look up the Muldowney Protocol) is your best friend. I realize you’re still looking into this, but I think it’s worth saying. With EDS, our ligaments are like overcooked spaghetti, so our muscles have to do double duty. We need strong muscles to keep our joints stable.
Also a comment about showering. I’m not an amputee, but one of the best things I ever did was to start using devices to make things easier for myself, improve my safety, and ESPECIALLY conserve energy. I have 3 faves - a stool in my kitchen, my wheelchair (I love her! I can participate in SOOOOOO much more and still function reasonably the next day!), and my SHOWER CHAIR! It makes showering possible without yanking 3 spoons outta my pocket. Plus it can feel a bit luxurious. I know you’re averse to the idea, but just thought I’d say that I was too. Now I LOVE it!
If you're in pain you need to see your doctors and get it checked out. Show them how your leg fits and how it moves against your kneecap. Don't just push through and hope it gets better. The last thing you need is knee problems bc your leg fit improperly. Make sure you are heard and are taken seriously. Don't stop until you have answers! ❤️❤️ I hope things start getting better soon.❤️
Showers are *such* a hassle after big medical things!!
💜 thanks for talking about this Jo
Tbh, I’m not sure if I remember ever not being in a state where I feel like I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop...
Sounds like they might have to do some tweaking on the prosthesis. Do they have you doing any kind of exercise to strengthen your knee. I’m sure they are going to be to get you up and walking again soon. You are a breath of fresh air and an inspiration ❤️❤️❤️
Maybe you and Sunshine need to go back to the experts and see if your suspicion is a valid one.
Oh Jo you are doing so well. This is normal I’m sure. Keep positive sending love XX
I read the title and was like "Noooooooooooooooooooo"
I've been going through issues this year too, different to yours, but I totally feel the impending doom feeling about things going wrong. Proud of you for trying to handle it in the way you are. You're doing great ❤
This was actually my exact reaction
Footless Jo!
Fingers crossed. Prayers & good wishes.
Please don't go TOO hard.
Incremental improvement OK?
love
Steve Holliday
Ugh knee problems are the worstttt take care, girl! You can do this!
"waiting for the other shoe to drop" he he he he
You only mentioned it briefly, but I would be cautious with how much weight you give the concept of stoicism, because it can be really damaging if you don't take it with a grain of salt. The concept can be good within a larger framework of mental philosophies, but on its own it fails to recognize that we need to emotionally process our pain to move through it. I tried to be stoic all through University with a severe chronic illness, and I just ended up ignoring my needs and my feelings so much that I broke myself emotionally. Only through processing my emotions and being gentle with myself did I start to heal again.
I absolutely agree with this 100% - and I think that is a really important distinction. I like a lot of the general principles that stoicism advocates for and what I’ve personally got from it is basically “recognize what is your mind vs. your emotions so you can know where you’re making decisions from”. That’s how I’ve applied it to my life, anyways. 😊 I agree that emotions need to be felt, respected, given room, and shouldn’t be squashed or ignored. They’re here for a reason. 💜
@Footless Jo >>> Reading a comment by another poster (Jamie*) that mentioned showering, this just occurred to me: YOU {Jo} give NEW MEANING to the expression,
*_"HOP into [or out of] the shower."_*
😁😁😁
So glad you are sharing this
Have a good day. I am glad that you have an appointment with your " leg person" 😊 Hopefully they can help you get it figured out quickly.
I ordered one of you sweatshirts for my son who had a foot amputation this year. He loves it. Thank you!
I hope you haven't hurt your knee. I remember hearing the ortho talk about how difficult and how much harder it is to get back to normal when you lose so much time. Physical therapy was tough.
Jo being so proud she showered is my constant mood. Also, trying to find the balance of pain is so tricky. Mine is very different from yours, but for me trying to find how much pain I should be in after recovering from 3 surgeries and trying to come back to gymnastics is difficult. My doctors said any pain, you should stop, my coaches however said that as long as I can manage it, pain is good. Also, that feeling that something bad is going on, is awful. Sorry this is happening to you, love you so much.
Try adding more socks. Cap socks are kinda helpful too. Your prosthetist will make adjustments and add some pads probably. Be careful.
Oh, I was so hoping not to see a video like this-as soon as I saw the title I shouted, “Noooooooo!” We’re relatively new to your channel (and RUclips in general) and sincerely didn’t expect to get so attached to my new (virtual) friends!! But we are! We feel so invested in your well-being and progress that we don’t want obstacles for you! But we love your optimism in this and trust along with you that this is just a bump in the road and some growing pains along the journey! Trusting fully that you will be walking on two legs again soon and reaching your goals and aspirations! Sending love and prayers your way! 😊🙏❤️
So know and hate the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Sending good positivity your way to stay rational. Fingers crossed for a simple fix ♥️
I'm nervous about getting my leg. Hearing you let's me know I'm not the only one on this journey.
I've had foot surgery and was non weight bearing for over a month. maybe this comment will not be seen or noticed but you've given many people hope and optimism. I am still in recovery and it will take a while until i can walk without a cane. I'm also in my late 20s and its frustrating, we really don't deserve this. What happened to you is definitely worst but at the end of the day our happiness is controlled by our mind, not just our health. This is easier said than done, but it seems like you understood this well. You are still young and im sure youve already seen and passed the worst of your problem. Prosthetics will only get better in time and you will get more and more used to using them. I dont need to tell you to be optimistic, because you already are.. Just keep it up, and don't ever get discouraged.
Everything’s going to be fine Jo don’t worry ❤️
Bummer about the knee issues (I have chronic knee pain and it suuuucks) but so wonderful to see how well your stump is healing! Particularly after the zombie scare, it is so wonderful that the issue is NOT with the stump :D progress!
@Footless Jo >>> If you ever get a powered {bionic} prosthetic leg, you cold nickname it *_"Solar Photon."_*
{Yeah, I THINK of stuff like this when I am stuck at home with a strained back...😝}
I hope you resolve your issues. For me its the back of my knee. My prosthetic cuts into it when i bend my leg to stand or to walk. Im fact its cut me open. Now ive got to heal that before they fix the problems. So best of luck to you. Your not alone in this, it happens to alot of lower leg amputees. Chin up girl its fixable im sure.
Don’t let it get to the point of needing more surgery, you’re super stubborn haha! Not a bad thing mostly but it’s looking like it’s gonna be causing you problems with ya leg. Get your knee seen to, don’t hope it goes away. The sooner you catch something the easier it is to treat!
If you start having pain in your leg when walking, take a break. A big break. Breaks don’t hurt in the long run, pushing yourself will! You have so so much time to get this done right, it’s understandable that you’re impatient after the year you’ve had but don’t let it do you long term harm. You can hop on sunshine too ☺️
I hope your knee feels better soon.
Jooo ! This is something you should discuss with your prosthetist! The socket might need to be adjusted since you didn’t have a test socket !
You have a patellar tendon bearing socket, so the area you are pointing is your patellar tendon. Talk to your prosthetist. If your swelling is going down, then you may be sinking too far in and need more socks. Communication is key, and it is their job to make sure it is fitting correctly!
While I don't have a prosthetic I can understand the whole 'it shouldn't be comfortable, but if it's really painful you should stop' confusion cause I bind and it's hard to tell when it's time to take a break.
Bless ya good job your 💪 x I'm sure you'll be fine and it's just part of the process x keep smiling beautiful Xxx
God I hope nothing is wrong with your knee...but you have EDS and well...shit spirals on its own with this frustrating syndrome. You will deal with it if you need to deal with it...come what may. Keep making videos and keeping your beautiful people updated please!
you are looking so much happier and up! Keep it up :-)
i hope it all sorts itself out soon joe so that you are able to do what you dream to do
Awh, I hope it's nothing big and just a normal part of your body adapting. Sending you healing vibes and here's to more walking on sunshine ☀️🌞😎
Sorry for your minor set back and you cant use your prosthetic leg your awesome jo hoep things work out for you sooner rather than later love you jo
I hope its get better soon🙏🏻
I’m sorry you’re experiencing roadblocks. That can be so frustrating. Hopefully things turn around soon.
my biggest problem is the sweat.... especially in summer { a lot of hot} and days with a lot of humidity....
Hello I'm bored so I'm watching u jo love ur story ur soo brave love u
Hey beautiful Jo, be easy on yourself and take it one day at a time. I am sure that everything is moving in the right direction and you are not alone in your journey. We are with you for as long as it takes, never forget that it is ok to be down and discouraged sometimes, bravery is being afraid and moving forward anyway and you are brave. Namaste, you are doing great...
You light up my day so much :(
I'm sorry you are having knee problems. I think you have a good handle on how to proceed though. It seems to me that getting PT is going to make a big difference for you. When I've had leg injuries in the past, doing PT would help strengthen the muscles around the joint or injury site and help prevent the pain that was occurring. The body forgets how to operate sometimes so we have to teach it again. Take care!
I hope you have a shower chair if you have a stand-up shower, or a shower bench if you have a tub/shower combo. I-Walks are fine for temporary use but you used yours extensively and that may be part of your pain but I suspect that will clear up on it's own. Your socket trim line should not press against your knee cap, which is most noticeable when walking up an incline. The patella tendon just below your knee cap is where the pressure should be exerted. You may need your socket trim line lowered in that spot rather than adding socks. Your fit looks tight enough already without adding socks. Not lowered too much - just enough to get it off of your knee cap and onto your patella. Your prosthetist can do this with no problem even on your carbon fiber socket. My prosthetist did the same thing to my latest socket and it does not irritate my knee any longer.
Love from Texas
Stupid knee! My right knee began to hurt a couple of months before my amputation and just did not want to play nice during rehab. It hurts like hell still but after having to compensate for almost 5 yrs I understand.
Fingers crossed that its just a minor thing for you! Hang in there!!
#amputeebuddies4life
Jo ask for help to fix that! hope you can get it!
Can they make changes to the cup for a better fit? I would think it would be a good thing to have a few different cups for normal changes the body goes through over days, weeks, months. The body is mostly fluid and it moves around and reacts to stimulus so if the cup is rubbing against your knee it will swell up causing an even worse fit.
It takes one foot in front of the other a bit at a bit. First crawl then run 🏃♀️
Hi jo if all things were perfect with a prosthetic bkla you could do a 5/10k
Marathon? I've ran 26 marathons and my goal is to do just one more once my operation has been done and hopefully things go well.xxxx
You should try learning not to think what could happen. If it happens it happens anyway, and there is enough time then to solve the problem. That is what i am trying to learn now, because of my anxiety. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. But i think it´s one of the keyˋs to success. Excuse my english, i am from europe. But i hope you understand what i want to tell you 🧐🐤
U r amazing
I'm having the same issue with my knee
Yay shower! Your hair looks nice! I bet it’s impossible to shower with one leg so good for you. I hope your knee gets better. Don’t worry it’s just sore. If I kneel down all day it would hurt to! Maybe you can try and order a block of memory foam and use it as a little cushion? And remember you can use a wheelchair or crutches if you need. I know you hate them but there here to help even if it is just for a day while your knee is taking a break. And recovery isn’t a straight line just like life 🤷🏻♀️ Enjoy your day!
Have you tried a hard hinged knee brace? Years ago my dad blew his knee out skiing, and had pretty intense pain when standing. With one of these braces though, some of the weight was taken off of the joint and it allowed him to be more comfortable. Just a thought. Hope it all works out!
I agree with your fear issue. What if? What if? What if? If it is any comfort-- In my own life, these fearful ideations never added up to anything in reality.
This is just a question. Is it possible to exercise your knee without it being attached to the prosthetic? Like can a weight be attached to your residual limb and you can work on your knee's strength without placing your body weight on it?
5:01 I totally get that! I’ve had issues with my right ankle for years and it’s very weak. So if I’m doing something like playing a sport or running I just get this thought in my mind that something is going to happen and if or when it does I’m normally like called it. I knew that was going to happen. Though I do try not to think that way cuz I know it’s not good. But it’s a habit that will take time to brake.
Subscribed 👍
A "shit-ton" of weight? Girl, my left thigh weighs more than you do !! I think adjustments to Sunshine will be a life long thing - right? Sending you positive vibes of patience !!
I had surgery on October 3rd to put a shunt in my spine to stop the progression of another disease... Well that surgery caused more problems and pain so who cares about showering..
Would a knee brace help? Because @teamabri on Instagram is an amputee and has knee issues, and she has a knee brace that goes together with her prosthetic leg.
I relate to the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop way to much. I just got another script for pt and am waiting to see my old ot's reaction to her seeing me. Last time I was there was beginning of May. Over the summer I did not know what to do with my extra time because I wasn't in PT, cuz the past 10 months before that I've been in and out of pt. Not to mention I've had three orthopedic surgeons
I had.a similar issue. Turns out it was my gait. I would say out when u stepped. Try a cane on your right side instead of crutches. If that's the issue it should clear up in days.
Poor thing
I’m sorry 😐 you’re having more problems. I wish I could make it better.
Everything you said about "Sunshine" are understandable. What can anyone tell your or counsel you with. You know your own body better than any one else. Talk with your "professional's" and evaluate from a non-emotional state. You seem a woman who know's herself. Be kind to you and let yourself find a comfortable "place" . Then let Sunshine catch up with your desire to do "too much". You will be fine, sincerely I think you will will be fine.
Is leaking from the surgery seem normal?
Hey Jo
Remember that you need to have lots of adjustments to your socket. Not sure how faraway your prosthetic person is , but get used to many trips to have it fit right ,,, you’ll be fine . So happy you’re walking again
Is there advantages to getting an amputation below the knee as opposed to above? I realize people don’t usually get to choose. Full disclosure, I am not an amputee myself.
Very much so - and great question! Having control of as many of your natural joints as possible, if you can, is vital. It makes a HUGE difference in ease of adjusting to a prosthesis and a lot of other alignment issues. Think about it this way - would it be easier to walk with or without a toe? You want to keep your toe.....same here. We want to keep as many pieces of our natural bodies as possible, as our health allows. A human knee is still significantly better than even the most advanced prosthesis, and there are less risks. Plus, you can always take off more leg, you can't "put more on" lol, if you have complications. Thanks for the questions!
Imagine taking a bath with one foot😳
Ok that would be very hard,unless if you had a walk in tub.
Caroline_cat Bridges_kitty shower chairs are quite useful thankfully
You live in a state where you can get your hands on some good, quality CBD cream. Get some(the higher the mg of CBD, the better), massage some in to the area that hurts *every time it hurts* , as well as along the scar on your residual limb. If you can find some with lavendar essential oil in it, it will be even better!
I'm studing physiotherapy and I think maybe consultacion with physiotherapist might help you and your leg :)
I actually just had a friend tell me I need to get in with one as well! I'm looking for one in my area currently - thank you!!
you were not using your leg for many months so she atrophied a little, as you may notice you have much less muscle volume in the amputated leg than in the other leg, so all the pressure of daily exercise with the prosthesis is going straight to your knee that has not enough muscle strength to support the joint, which already has old problems, I think a little physiotherapy on your knee to strengthen it would be very good
I can picture you now in an alternate dimension as a sweet blond headed little girl running around like crazy then bumping your knee really hard and crying. You limp over to your father for attention and comfort. He just grabs your head gently with one hand on each side and brings you in close so your foreheads practically touch and whispers, "Slow down you silly little girl." Then he hugs you and puts you on his lap till the pain goes away.
I think you know what I'm trying to say Jo. You aren't a weak person, but Rome wasn't built in a day, and Rome is much bigger for you than it is for other people. You've had battles nobody else has. The last thing you should do now is compare your recovery time frame to that of others. You are unique in every other way, why shouldn't your recovery be unique as well?
That thought process is indeed an extra sneaky oponnent indeed. It will try to take on as mild a shape/tone as can be. And the absolute picosecond you let off your guard, it pounces with Teeth and Claws. You called it what it really is, a set-back. And a minor one at that. (Kindly note I never said that it was not capable of lowering the temperature of your hemoglobin to a flat 34.degrees F. It most certainly is. In Guiness World Record time to boot.) However, I know for a undisputed fact that you are a World Class actionable person when it comes to taking back your Power. That your fear just stole from you. Are you gonna let it get the better of you in that fashion? In front of the whole world like that? Those are your questions to answer. I know what my answers would be, but I am not you. What will your answer be?
Ok Jo...take a “shit ton” off for a quick red light stop then you are gonna rock the green light. Baby steps with Sunshine. You got this.
As time goes on your skin on the bottom will get harder as you use the prosthetic.
My uncle was a news reader for his local area (Eugene, Or) and one time as a kid we went to see him at work. There he was, just like you see on TV with a suit jacket and tie reading the news. Then they cut to an ad and he came out to greet us... In shorts!
💕🧡
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Have you tried a shower chair?
In her video about her bathroom mods she said she wasn't a fan of sitting in it she uses it to kneel on while she showers.
What not talk to your doctors about your problems?
Not great news to hear I’m sure, but in the hundreds if not thousands of (literal) steps you’ve already taken forward since your most recent amputation, I hope this is only a couple of minutes break for you to stand and enjoy the view!
My two cents, pain means you're doing something wrong or there's something wrong that needs diagnosis and treatment.
You will only get better!! For reals this is your true amputation since they did it wrong to begin with. I'm so jealous of your amazing arch!!!
I can relate to so much of what u say. Distractions are extra good when im at my worst. Even negative ones like verbal altercations with the roommate, drama with the neighbor, dogs pooping in the house, temper tantums, etc. Anything to take the mind off the pain. Someone once told me to look on the bright side and be glad i didn't have all this pain plus be overweight. That would only compound my problems. Sad but true.
Recovery is not a straight line - is what I have to keep reminding myself. Love to you.
I saw the title and yelled "NO!!" 😱
Hope your knee feels better soon ❤️
Hi Jo! Have you thought of using a shower chair in the shower? Hope your knee feels better!!