Should I be able to cycle at 6 weeks post op?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all

I'm 46 days post op now. I'm doing well but have a few concerns. I was back to see the consultant and he's happy with me overall...

How long did others wounds take to fully heal?, I have two areas that aren't healed yet..he said they were stitch abscesses probably ..means I can't swim yet which I'm dying to do...I'm hopeful it will heal up soon..

Secondly I booked an appointment with a rehab therapist to get a gym programme and get going...I thought I'd be able to cycle by now. But my knee won't GO fully around...it will go forward and back a certain amount but not fully around. It's too tight yet...when could others cycle?? Am I just being impatient??

Thanks

How are all the other new kneebies doing?

2

I understand you frustration.  I'm 42 with a partial knee replacement.  Found out this past Wednesday I have a stitch abscess.  I'm on Keflex and constantly draining the area, it's slowly getting better.

I also cannot get a full cycle around or backwards.  I've been scheduled for a manipulation this Monday.  Anxious to get my knee moving.  It's been STUCK at 74 degrees.  

Best of luck, I'm following your discussion, curious to hear how others are doing.

3

Hi Linda - what did you have done?

I recently had a double meniscus repair but have really bad muscle atrophy - im just over 4 weeks post OP and my surgeon also advised that I should be able to start cycling and swimming again after 6 weeks. Im looking at 6 months + before I can do some of the exercises though.

4

Hi Linda I am 5 weeks post o.o and have been cycling for 2 weeks,at physical therapy.You need a sit down bike with adjustable seat.What is the bend in your knee? At therapy I started at position 13 going backwards and forwards pushing which stretch the muscles and give you more bend.It is,hard and when you finally make it over it hurts but will be well worth it.I just made it over on # 10 on wednesday.Hope this helps and good luck to you

5

Hi everyone, I’m 7 weeks p/o on Sunday and I can just about turn the pedals fully but the seat is higher than it normally would be though. Seeing a private physio this afternoon to see if he can give me any extra advice or support. The GP has upped my meds slightly today as the nerve pain I’m having is tremendous 😐 really sensitive to touch so hopefully it will do the trick and I can get on with my recovery 

😊 hope your all having a good day 

6

My bend is 90 to 100 .....I wasn't able to cycle for a few years befure this op..I'm on the right bike...I had the rehab therapist with me...my knee just gets stuck.. she said I'll be able to do it within 2 weeks...I hope so too...I want to cycle by the summer 😁

7

Hi Linda. I am 15 weeks post TKR and still can't cycle which I find very frustrating as I was spinning three times a week beforehand.  I still attend a physio gym class and they have told me to never force the knee.  It will come.  In the meantime I just sit on the bike and move my legs back and forth.  I know some people can cycle early on but my knee is still very swollen.  Just keep doing the exercises.

8

Today I am at 8 weeks post op for a Right TKR.  My ROM is -2/100 and -2/110 with help.  Like you I still have areas of my wound that haven't healed so no swimming for me either.  I am not sure when my is going to heal...it is frustrating since my rehab therapist thinks the wound and the swelling around my knee is why my ROM stuck where it is.  My surgeon used "glue" to close the wound and it seems I am in the minority of folks that are allergic to this "glue".  

I can cycle but I have recumbent bike that I set the seat back a bit so I can pedal.  Even then it takes me a good 8 minutes (I am timing it) for my knee to be "happy" about going around.  I scream a bit. (I am at home and my dogs and hubby are use to the sounds by now!)  So I agree with the others, adjust the seat if you can so you can make it around but it is not too "easy" to do.  It really helps with the stiffness in my knee.  

I do love this site.  I read it everyday so I don't get depressed about how long all this is taking. i know I am impatient.   In the words of Chico Marx who is the knee replacement guru for me...We will get there when we get there...everyones recovery is different...failure is not an option!

9

Hi Linda I too make a lot of noises when I cycle especially when you do make it over that hump for the first time.But forcing the muscles to stretch is what my therapist wants.My bend has gone,from 94 to 114 in two weeks.Good luck to you Linda and I agree with you Chico Marx is the guru and I have used information from him to make it easier on me

10

I am exactly same as you. My surgery was Jan 31.  I cannot go full circle with the bike either.  far from it.  i have swelling, pain alll the time.  my doc won't let me in pool yet either....  I am so OVER this tKR...  never have another one.

11

Hi. I’m just about 2 months post op after bilateral TKR.  I’m also unable to go fully around on the cycle due to my left knee. It’s too tight ( bend is at 74 degrees). The right knee on the other hand is ready to go.  I guess everyone recoups differently. Hang in there. 

12

Having loved the spinning class prior to my TKR I was very keen to get back on a bike quickly.  I still can't cycle 15 weeks post op but a friend gave me some really good advice which was don't get so hung up on it but concentrate on building my fitness and strength in other ways.  This is what I am doing now and hoping one day the leg will do the full rotation when I least expect it.  

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please keep us updated on how the manipulation goes....

14

Your knee won't go fully around because it's not straight yet...you don't have the full extension.  Try #3...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053

Make sure you have a pillow you can scream into.  Gravity is a real b**ch...

15

Thanks for all the reply....I'm pretty much able to straighten my knee Chico..so that isn't the problem I think..it feels caught when I get to a certain point...I'll keep going backwards and forwards til I get over that hump...I think I'm doing well overall..my limp almost gone..my ability to stand from sitting is normal compared to what it was pre op...I'll get there...I think on the continuum f kneebies I'm pretty much in the middle...leaning towards good...😁

16

That is good to hear.  "Caught"...hmmmm,,,maybe you're dealing with a lingering fragment of scar tissue.  Keep up the work...see if it goes away with more full rotations.  If that's what it is and it doesn't resolve, maybe the doc would scope the knee to remove it.  Haven't heard a case of that but just sayin'...  Again, these things are not uncommon.  Once you are fully recovered, it will all be in the past.

17

Hi Chico, I live in the UK and think they do things differently here.  I have been attending a weekly physio gym class at my local hospital.  I am so close to doing the full rotation on a bike and yesterday asked one of the physios to help (thinking if it all goes horribly wrong at least I am in the right place).  They wouldn't as they say you should never force the knee.  So, desperate as I am to get back on my bike, I am taking their advice.  In the meantime I also go to my local gym twice a week and do a routine that should help like leg press, cross trainer, rower, squats etc. Plus going for walks on a regular basis.  

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This is the program my daughter "The Pro" put together...maybe some tips will help...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527

 

19

So today I managed to backwards cycle a few times in the gym ...made me feel kinda weird.....sore now..knee still very tight..still can't frontwards cycle as bend not far enough yet....Anyone else around week 7?, I'm tryiing to be positive and keep going ....

20

Hi I’m in the same position you are in. Stuck at 74  going to see my doctor on Friday and check if I’ll need a manipulation.  Frightened. Please let me know how yours goes. Good luck.