THE post-TKR limp. A possible solution. Worked for me.

Bones, joints and muscles
1

After 10.5 months since my TKR, 2 MUA's and a final ROM of -10 and +90, I can hardly describe my TKR journey as a success... After being told by my surgeon and 2 of the 4 physios I have seen, that 'if I couldnt get my leg straight in 4 - 6 weeks post-op and then post-MUA, I would always have a limp', didnt help with my state of mind...

However, until a couple of weeks ago, I did indeed have 'the limp', but took the two following courses of action last month and now I dont. Start to finish 4 - 6 weeks.... Best thing thats happened to me since June 2017..... Give it a go....

1 - Lengthen your step/stride. i.e Dont take your TKR leg off the floor at the back of the step so soon. It will feel a little strange, but stick with it... I had access to a treadmill. I would set the machine at a slow pace (do hang on to something) and gradually increase this, but NOT the speed of my step. You take up the greater distance traveled with a longer stride. Try and take your mind off your knee and focus on simply walking... Its what you used to do before all this TKR stuff !

2 - Work on stretching your TKR leg, calf muscles. Tight calves will make step 1 above harder, so get stretching. 

Easy to determine if calves are tight. Sit on a bed/floor/flat surface and ask someone to bend your toes towards you. My TKR foot wouldnt bend anything like my other, indicating tight calves.

Dont think I need a walking stick any more, but have a lightweight walking pole for 'security', as walking 'properly' is still a little strange. A month ago I was able to shuffle round with the dog for 40 mins. Today I was out in the woods for 80 minutes and didnt stop once. Im now typing this with some ibuprofen on board and an ice-pack on my knee, but I cant stress how much Ive improved in 5 weeks....... 

Would love to know if this works for anyone else.....

2

The Physio’s idea that your leg ‘must’ be straight in 4 to six weeks seems utter rubbish and more than likely worry yo. I worked on my first TKR up to 12 weeks before the Physio discharged me. This second op the Physio was happy at 8 weeks. My bend was as good as 12 months. Running throughout these posts tiger is an overall opinion that all ops are different. You have to PERSIST in what works for you and no one else. I am confident just this week that my second op is going to be OK. Earlier I wondered if I’d made the right decision to go ahead with the second op. Now I know I’m going to be OK for summer.

3

Ignore the ‘Tiger’ spell checker error.

4

That sounds great, thanks for sharing it!

I found using two walking poles best for me, just helped keep an even gait. I could walk faster too which was exciting and liberating!

Roll on with the walking!

Best wishes for your continued recovery!

5

Great post!!!

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After 8 weeks I abandoned my crutches then gave up a walking pole when it became neither ‘use nor ornament’ as my mother in law used to say.

7

Peter, it’s great to find that suddenly you’ve made a sudden leaf forward. I did when one week I was doubtful about my progress then the next, like you an 80 minute revelation. Keep it up. It’ll be the London marathon, with the dog next.

8

Damm the spell prompter ‘sudden leap’ not leaf.

9

Delboy. You might be right in that the '4-6 week window' was a scare tactic. Problem was, that I did everything possible to achieve the target, which on reflection was probably too much, as I was fighting the swelling, which worsened the more I did... 

I have a mate who was pretty mobile after TKR 1 in 6 weeks and cycled in for his 3 week TKR 2 followup. so its swings and roundabouts .

I too was thinking London Marathon, but my dog has a problem with hats, so regrettably, its not for me..