Hi all,
I'm at nine weeks post op from having a tibial tubercle transfer (patella realignment), lateral release, capsulorrhaphy and arthroscopy. I was in a straight leg brace for two weeks post op and my main challenge is to get flexion back into my knee.
I was just wondering what everyone else's routines are like; are you still seeing a physical therapist of some sort? How are you tackling your home exercises?
I've been going to see an osteopath/occupational therapist for my rehab three times a week since day three post op and we've been working on my gait and my posture as well as bending and strengthening the knee. On my other days I swim and bounce the leg in the pool, I do stair climbs and descends, and I also have my bike on an indoor trainer doing VERY slow cycling. He pretty much has doing everyday activities rather than lots of repetitive exercises. I was driving again at about 5 weeks and I ditched the crutches around the same time.
Cheers,
Jodi
I would say you are doing great. Sounds like you have a good common sense therapist. More often than not its just good slow steady progress.
See I call him a sadistic mongrel who likes to cause me pain and see me cry (to his face I call him worse)! 
Actually he really is very good; he's also a brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts instructor so in addition to the usual treadmill, bike and stretching work we also do grappling and boxing to get me moving around on the knee to fatigue it and work the stability. I'm pretty much stuffed for the rest of my day after our sessions.
Sleep should be seen as period of mercy with routine. Over here, grappling with a patient might be seen as medical malpractice. Not sure private insurance would see that as a proven healing art. If it works, go with it.
Very true. I'm a believer in the 'no (excessive) pain, no gain' theory.
My therapist has always preached , up to but not into pain. Age might have a bearing and the fact I am in my 4th complete rehab in 12 years. 9 surgeries, radiation, broken leg and staph infection has played hell with the leg so I'll never be running races. Just try to get where I don't walk bent over like an old man.........what the hell am I talking about, I am an old man and should be entitled to walk bent over. Nevertheless, the goal is out of pain and walk upright.
Oh wow, you have been through the wars! You know your body best and I'm sure that by now you know exactly where your limits are. I think that listening to your body is important, but I also believe that you shouldn't give in to your body's every little whinge and whine. Best of luck with your recovery!
Thanks...you definitely have to push but not to the point of reinjury
Hi Jodi, you are well on the way to total recovery! Kudos to you. I have 2 total knee replacements now after about 10 other surgeries including 5 reconstructions. I have recovered from 3 2-6 weeks immobilizations over that time. I am happy the the TKR allowed immediate mobility! It is more difficult recovering from 0 degrees. In addition to what you have described as your program of recovery (excluding the sparring! Lol), I have added cycling (recumbent and then regular bike, not spinning bike until healed very well) and pool work with a noodle. With the noodle under my instep I press it down and bring it up bent in front of me until it will not bend anymore. I do this for sets of 20 slow, then with more speed till I hit 60 reps. I switch the noodle to behind my back and hooked on my ankle, bent legged. I extend my leg (keep back from arching) for 2 sets of 20. I move from there to a straight leg in front of me with the noodle behind my ankle and press the noodle down into the water for sets of 20 with my other foot flat on the floor of the pool. I do 3-4 sets of this entire routine in chest deep water after walking and cycling in the deep end to warm up. I do an aquacize class along with this (modifying to suit my level of recovery) 5 mornings a week. Flexion improves slowly with quad and hamstring strength with this routine. I reached 125-130 degrees on my 11 month old knee at about 6 months. That is about the mechanical limit of the prosthesis. Try these exercises if you can. I recommend them. Cheers,
Mary
Thank you Mary, I will indeed try those exercises.
It seemed like most people here were getting better flexion than me, but I didn't realise that you have better range of motion immediately after TKR than the 0° after the type of reconstruction that I've had. It's valuable to have your comparison of both types of surgeries; I'm just sorry that you've had to go through them both on multiple occaisions. It sounds like you've really been through the wringer with your poor knees!
Best of luck with your recovery,
Jodi
It is just life Jodi. We get what we get; it's what we do with what we get that makes our life! I had a fabulous run at many sports for many year and even at age 55 I am very active and expect to be until I am 100 (or more)! In the lottery of life, having bad knees is a pretty good roll of the dice. I can really improve my life by effort and good choices. Other medical diagnoses can end my life pretty fast, but knee issues are unlikely to kill me! Lol
And a good attitude and sense of humour take me far....
Mary
I feel the same way. I have family members and friends with some truly awful conditions and I also consider myself very lucky that I only have stuffed knees (some of which is probably my own fault from a sporting youth and time in the army). My only regret is not finding my osteo years ago as he is sorting out my posture and movement, which may help prolong the surgery outcome for my left knee and stave off having to have my right knee done for another few years.
The power of the human mind is amazing and as you say, a sense of humour is crucial.
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re probably right.”
― Henry Ford
Jodi
I could not say it better myself! Hear. Hear!