9 week post op report

Bones, joints and muscles
1

- Totally off meds now for 9 days

- can do 20 min on bike at 60-65 rpm

- Joined Gym again (intend to hit the treadmill 20min/day or so. Will see)

- Still kind of stiff and sore depending on activity (all manageable).

- Bend is at 101 (thought it might be a bit better but it is what it is)

- Extension has gotten a bit worse. 3 weeks ago it was at 6 today only 10

  hmmmm. I think this is my own fault however. Have been paying more 

  attention to the bending and slacking off a bit on the extension. Lesson

  learned.

  Pay close attention to both flexion and extension. Muscles are quick to

  retract if you don't keep them stretched and well exercised.

- Sleep is also improving. 4 good nights this week. 3 not so good.

- Knee is still swollen and now using both Ice and heat at times.

- Still pain on inside of knee but improving

In summary, life is returning. Progress is not as quick as I thought it would be but who is ever really properly prepared for this? I sure wasn't.

When I look back to weeks 3-5, there is miles of progress. Sure there is still some discomfort and pain but all manageable now. I remember for a time I was stuck in one spot, other times when it felt like I was going backwards.

This is sure no linear recovery. Some old pains fade while new pains crop up when you least expect. Looking back now, they are all part of the healing process. So for those in their first few weeks, don't despair, there's some nice light not to far ahead.

I realize there's still a long hard road ahead (gotta keep those exercises up) But at least now I'm confident in working towards a full recovery. Even that stubborn extension. Haha

Oh and also thank you to the folks on this forum for all your support and encouragement. That's my story so far and I'm stickin to it.

Peter 9 wks 1day.

I always wait an extra day because that's when I have physio and get my official numbers.

2

So true! Yesterday I was sure I was really beating this, had an excellent night 's sleep, got up this morning and everything hurts! Really struggled to walk one km (usually do two) and cheated on the exercises. Tomorrow is another day! Congratulations on your progress.. Hope to be somewhere approaching that at nine weeks. (Five weeks and four days)

3

Hello Peter

excellent news well done! I have done too much today and my knee is sore and swollen. Nonethe less it felt good actually getting something done instead of moping around. The first 6 weeks I couldnt get interested in any of the activities I had earmarked for my convalescence. Still a long way to go until i am back at work but i am keen to get there.

4

Yes, this is no ride straight up hill that's for sure. Lots of ups and downs but all part of the healing process. I remember days I was just tired of the pain and relaxed a bit on the exercises to try and ease things a bit but now believe that was mistake. Mainly because my extension went backwards a bit. The muscles seem so quick to go right back to where its comfortable for them so I now believe they need to be constantly stretched to the point where that 125-135 degreee flexion and 0 degree extension is normal. In my case anyway.

Stay faithful to those exercises Martin and you will get there and MORE!

5

I can certainly relate to that Sally. I had physio today and must say they worked us pretty hard so I'm a tad sore as well. I was in a class today that had pool therapy first and then land physio right after, so it was a double session. Came home and iced right away and it's ok now. A bit more tender and swollen but it does feel good to have a good workout. Yup, still a long unexpected road ahead but we are all getting there.

 

6

I think my goal is way below yours ., struggling for 95 at the moment. But yes you are right Im sure. If you let up for one day you slip back three....

7

Hi Peter, so pleased to read and recognise what fantastic progress you have made. we have all been on an epic journey. Don't go rushing onto the treadmill. Your bend is increasing bit by bit which is the way to go. Remember your earlier concerns! I too am progressing. I get a regular 6 hour sleep and I only take the occasional paracetamol. My pain too has reduced. It's still sore the outer and inner knee pain is reducing. This substantiates the fact that it's all soft tissue and inflammation. It still lets me know  that it's there. My knee is still swollen and there's still scant tissue present which is hard to touch. Hopefully it will keep reducing. I too am happy on the bike and have been able to lower the seat significantly. Still have to do and we must continue with exercises especially early morning. Onwards and upwards we march to the next milestone in our recovery.

take care

Robert

8

Thanks Robert,

I realize theres a long unexpected road ahead and absolutely, onwards and upwards to the next milestone. Went to the Gym this morning and did take it slow on the treadmill for the first time. Did 10 min at 2.5 km/hr and then another 10 on the eliptical machine.

I still have all the soreness as well but it seems to be a bit diff now. hard to describe. I suppose the soreness will stay as long as we keep stretching and working those muscles. It's a must though, else we begin to regress. I'm glad to hear you are also continuing to improve.

To bad I didn't live a bit closer. It would be nice to meet some of the  folks here in person and have a TKR dinner party.  haha

Have a great day Robert and keep up the good progress!

Peter

9

Hi Peter,

So good to hear about your progress! You are on the way to a full recovery. I waited until today to respond so I would have my 15 week update to share. It will prove to you how well you are doing. My physio was pleased with my progress and especially impressed with my walking gait. I am glad because I have really worked to strengthen my ankle and hip and to keep my foot pointing straight ahead as I walk. But I have only as much flexion as you have and I am 6 weeks further along. Kudos to you!

My 15 week old knee was measured at 100 degrees of bend and 2 degrees from straight. She measured them as I leaned on stairs so that it was a true measure. She finds that sitting on the bed and measuring doesn't show the extent of our ability. This is less bend than most people have at this time and less than I had with TKR #1 but we were both happy with it as it is 5 degrees of improvement over a month ago. Slow and steady seems to be how this knee is recovering. My 12.5 month old TKR is now at 130 degrees and has improved 5 degrees in the past 3 months. This is supposed to be the technical limit of the knee so further gains in bend are not expected.  I have a bit of hyperextension (-5 degrees) that I have to fight a bit on this side but the strength is there so it is not a problem.

I tell you about my first TKR so people will understand that they CAN achieve impressive gains if they continue to do the physio to stretch and strengthen their muscles etc. even nearing and after a year has gone by. Doing the work is not always fun but it is incredibly satisfying to know that it is possible to improve if you truely want to.

I expect that my month in Mexico, bicycling and walking outside, swimming and snorkeling and especially being out of the cold, snow and ice, will continue this improvement. I may not be on this forum much but I will report occasionally as I access the internet and read the discussions.

Cheers to all! And to the newbies and those soon to have surgery: Hang in there; trust your medical team; listen FIRST to your physiotherapist when it comes to recovery and MOST importantly, do the work. Finally, stay active on this forum because the support is fabulous and the sharing is therapeutic. I have learned so much that helps me every day.

Mary

15 weeks and smiling!

10

Thank you Mary, that’s also a fantastic report!

Your right on the money when you say slow and steady and continue to stretch and strenghten those muscles.

I haven't had a 130 degree bend in my right knee for ten years. If it takes a year or even longer, I'm not stopping till I get here. Haha

I also believe that trip to Mexico will do wonders. If I was headed to Mexico I Think I'd already be at the door with my bags packed sitting on the suitcase!

Keep up the good work Mary!

and everyone else reading this post.

Stay faithful to the exercises and NEVER GIVE UP!

 

11

You are right Peter. Never give up. I haven't had anywhere close to 130 degree bend since my 20's and I was actually surprised today when we measured. I was just doing the same physio for both knees and living my life and I was improving. Yay!

Soon I won't be knee focussed at all. I am looking forward to that!

12

AMEN to that!

13

Morning Peter, I've concluded I have morning blues. Try as I may. Exercises won't wake my knee up. Afternoons are great. Good movement. Ah well time may alter this. How are you.

Robert

14

Hi Robert, my leg feels pretty stiff this morning. More than usual for some reason. I also have days like that Robert for sure. Sometimes it's a real fight to keep the spirits up. We keep working the knee and muscles and see improvement and yet get slammed on certain days with new pains and stiffness and think "when does it end?". Gotta focus on the progress made so far though Robert. Remember back to weeks 2 and three. I was saying to the wife yesterday, remember when I came out here to the kitchen with my walker and couldnt even sit long enough to finish dinner, and today I went on the treadmill in the Gym and am walking with no support at all. I figure it's a long road ahead with lots of hard work but can also see myself back on my mountain bike riding through the forests or in my kayak paddling through the lakes all pain free. We will get there Robert!

15

Hi Peter and how are you? Things are static from my end. No real change to report for now. Still get stiffness and twinges but not major. On the bike every other day and hydrotherapy . Not needing painkillers for now, so that's progress. Bend still 110. Able to walk upstairs with no problems and just about getting downstairs now. Back to my normal working week. Spoke to consultant today as needed to check why tissue above knee cap either side of strict scar is hard. He explained its all post op and will subside. I do get odd pain inner leg when standing. I now have a go buy new lounge suite as our current is too low for me now and my knees are suffering a bit. In sum I guess I'm ok. How's you? Where in USA are you? I'm in manchester UK

Regards

Robert

16

Hi Robert, good to hear from you. Things are pretty much the same here as well.

Not to much change from last week. Still doing physio and exercising each day to work  on bend and straightening. knee is more stiff than I figured on at this time but all manageable. Was away for the weekend out in the country which was nice. I need to concentrate on straightening the leg a bit more. It's improving as well but much slower and harder than the bend. I'm seeing the surgeon again next Thur. 

One real big bonus now is sleep. Even when I do wake up I'm right out again pretty quickly. That's a hugh relief.

I'm not in the US, I'm in Canada, Ontario. We have been going through a cold snap here,

temps sometime -40 with windchill. Could be why my knee feels a bit stiffer as well.

Just going to head out to the gym here for a bit. Walk on treadmill for 15min or so and then maybe Elliptical machine. All taking it easy though.

Have to keep up the exercises but Think changes will come more slowly now.  

17

Hi and how are you? I am going through what I can only describe as muscle ache and fatigue. It's slowing me down a bit. My leg is tired out after short walk. Hope this all settles. Bend is the same. Nothing extra to report apart the mentioned aches. Weird. How's your progress. 

robert

18

Hi Robert,

Things have improved a lot but I'm also reminded that theres a long way to go. My bend is at 105 now and extension at 9 so still working on exercises daily and intend to keep them up until I reach the limit of the hardware. There seems to be a fine line between to much exercise and not enough. Overdid it yesterday at the Gym so paying for it today. Never seem to learn. haha

Knee is still swollen but not nearly as bad and also still numb on either side but that’s improving. Stiffness is also with me most of the time so although my ROM has improved a lot I just have to go slow. I go to see the surgeon next Thur for a checkup and am actually looking forward to it. Another few weeks and I'll be back to work full time.

This knee replacement sure is hard work and takes considerable patience. Overall, recovery is SURE but slooooooooooooow.

Hang in there Robert, we'll be running that marathon in no time!

Peter 10 wks and 3 days

 

19

Hello Peter,

I am in Mexico as of last night and already snorkeled an hour and walked 5 km. to one of our favorite restaurants (it started to be a 3 km. walk but the restaurant moved). After cervesa and the El Foco especial we then walked another km. to the grocery store. And took the cab home! Knee was tired, but my sandal blister was the only pain I had.

:-(....... but YAY! Hang in there, soon you will be bragging about your daily feats of knee prowess too!!

Hasta luego amigo.

Mary at 15 weeks plus 2 days

20

Amazing at fifteen weeks!  Enjoy your holiday . . wonderful places in Mexico . . just a bit hot for me though!  dont overdo it!