Hello everyone. Just wondering how everyone is doing walking outside. I'm 4 weeks post left TKR. I can make it to the mail box (a fairly long driveway) with my cane for balance. I feel all right afterwards but am very nervous about trying more. I can ride my stationary bike but it gets my IT band annoyed if I go to long. Opinions?
Just do what you feel comfortable doing. If you are not sure, set yourself milestones. Pick a distance, ie 3-4 houses past the mail box, if you can do that comfortably for a few days, extend it again. At the same time lengthen your stride (remember the heel-toe mantra). Your knee is stronger and more stable than you think, its the muscles that needs strengthening. Instead of just riding your bike for given lengths, add inclines, don't push too hard. Sounds like you'll be ready for the marathon before too long. Just don't be afraid, you are in a good place, enjoy.
I agree with what Sue has written.
Jean
Deborah, four weeks is still a very short time for such serious surgery. Sounds to me like you are doing very well, particuarly if you don't have much pain. it's smart to use your cane for a good long time. It is so much better than taking a fall. You can gradually increase the distance. The bike is one of the best things you can do. Just give yourself more time and keep using the cane.
Sounds like you are doing great. Just let your body and brain guide you. Don't be overly anxious to away with the cane just because a therapist wants you to. Getting balance and strength is a process and pushing it so there is any chance of falling just worth it. Of course every case is different but I've personally come to the conclusion I may be on a cane the rest of my life and I'm not going to worry about it.....just going to keep pushing. Just stretch the distance by a few yards every day as you feel comfortable.
good advice. I have a meniscal tear so have to combine exercise with rest. Using a cane takes the strain.
Jean
You're doing very well. I was still using crutches at that stage...and still suffering.
Don't over-do it...just little increases and lots of ice.
Patsyrose
May I ask you if you have any advice re meniscal tears? I have one plus OA in my left knee and cannot have surgery or NNSAID or Steroid injections . I have Long QT syndrome. Do I have to endure pain all my life? Jean
Well done deborah! do as OFG says. Don't go too far too soon, take it steady. The bike is really good for your knee. What is an IT band?
It's an iliotibial band. It runs down the outside of the leg from hip to shin and helps stabilize the knee. I had trouble with it on the other side when I was favoring my operative knee. Now I'm upright and walking normally so yhe one on the operative side is in shock and has decided to act up. The pain is down towards the knee and somewhat behind it. It takes lots of massage, stretching and ice to calm it down.
Deborah
What did your physio say about exercises etc.
My PT said to do as much as I feel comfortable with as long as it doesn't hurt 😀 She really likes the bike but I'm afraid I don't like it because of the irritation of that band.
PS. I just came out of my Dr's office and he says I need my right one done! Think I'll wait til the beginning of the year though.
Did you tell her that the band was irritating?
Perhaps you could advise her what your MD said too. Kind regards
2deborah90838
Hi there. I'm 3 wks and 2 days post left TKR. Just started using a static bike for about 10 minutes twice daily. I am able to walk using one crutch around my large cul de sac. One lap takes me 14 minutes. Today I did 2 laps and felt pretty tired after, but felt an achievement. When I bend my knee in a walking on the spot movement I can get a good bend, yet I can't transfer that much bend when walking. Also I am making an improvement in bend my knee but I just cannot see an improvement in straightening. I'm far from 0% extension, and I worry that I will always walk with s bent knee causing a limp. Would love to hear from anyone else experiencing this same problem. Chin up all.
OFG, you're right on the cane. It's my go to for balance outside of my house. I'll be using it at least til I get my other knee done (soon) and recover from that surgery.
Good, its not worth taking the risk of falling.
I can't tell you all how wonderful it is to have so much support and advice from folks who are or have experienced what I am going through. So glad I found this forum.
Can you not have a pacemaker fitted or take beta blockers. That would be your main worry out of the way, thn you can concentrate on your joints.
Please do not think I am being insensitive
it takes 6 weeks before the bone itself has healed. add to that tou have muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves to heal. you are only half way there . You are doing fine, just a little impatience on your part might be the issue. When you walk, do the heel toe exercise when walking. Before you take off, before you get out of bed in the morning, slide your leg up towards your bedside, as far as you can go, hold it and then slide back; all the while tightening your quad muscles, when your leg is straight, point your toes, tightening your muscles and try lifting your foot u
of the bed all the while keeping your knee on the bed, very hard to start of with, but keep at it. You can exercise your good leg this way as well. When you get up, sit on the edge of the bed and just straighten and hold for a while then release. do as many as you can bear. When sitting in a hard chair pull your leg back, holding it with your good leg, hold for a while, then slowly release, straighten, tense your muscles and start over, these sort of exercises can be done breakfast, lunch and dinner, ever if you go out and dine, in the office, practically anywhere and no-one else is aware! When you walk down stairs, try going down backwards, ou are still bending your knee, but from a different position, when you are happy, try the normal way. You may just find walking a little easier
I am already taking beta blockers. These have contributed to peripheral neuropathy together with antibiotics which caused antibiotic toxicity.