13 Weeks and Wondering

[Sylvia]

Well, I think I need a bit of a pep talk. This is my 13th week post TKR and I am no longer going to therapy. However, I exercise an hour every morning, ride my stationary bike, and do stretches in the evening. In fact, this weekend we went camping, and I actually hiked a little and rode a "real" bike around the campground for a few minutes. That was quite a milestone....hurt...but I did it. While I do appreciate my new successes, my knee still aches, is swollen, and quite stiff. I just work around it. Also, my ROM and extension are fine (if I warm up my knee with exercise) but I still have a tendency to walk with a strange gait unless I really concentrate, and if I walk too long, my knee begins to ache. Do you think I am where I should be after 13 weeks of recuperation? In one of my past posts I mentioned that my husband and I are going on a cruise to the Panama Canal in February. I now wonder if I'll be ready...I really don't want to be in pain and limp all over Panama. Any ideas???:pzld:

 

[Max Wallace]

Everyone heals at different rates, I went back to work at 7 weeks still stiff and a little sore no limping. You have had plenty of PT although you may need some targeting only the reason you are limping. Good luck and a Vacation will do wonders even if you are a little sore.

Best wishes!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Sylvia,
It sounds like you are doing good. 3 months out is still going to be ice and elevate when you knee hurts and swells up Time. And by Feb you will enjoy your trip to no end. Just keep the knee moving and everything will keep getting better and better.

 

[Texas]

Sounds good to me and if you did all that i would imagine some pain.maybe when it really hurts back off a lil and see what happens..............take is easy you still early and ice ice ice............lol.......hope you feel better but you seem to me just fine.........) big srg you had........

 

[cindy88fan]

To me it sounds like you are doing great! I think you should be fine by the time February rolls around. Try taking small walks each day and I do mean small you don't want to over do it. And I think by trip time gets here you will be walking just fine! Good luck! And if you happen to get sore just stop, relax, ice and elevate! Don't forget the pain meds if needed!

 

[Linda2]

Also, try the cane again for walking. The main trick to walking straight is concentrating on the "come down on heel, roll forward, push off from toe" movement. It can be easier to keep that up for longer periods with a cane. It is important to walk only as fast as you can still sustain the correct gait.

 

[Josephine]

Honey, this is your recovery and is special to you. You're doing good exercises and don't stop trying.

Only thing I could suggest is maybe using some heat to loosen up the tissues in your knee before you do your morning exercises?

 

[Jamie]

Sylvia, I think you are doing great and you should be fine for that trip in February.

 

[ship4]

Usually by the time you reach your 4th month you find a great change in your rehabilitation. Things just seem to fall into place and you are able to do so much more than earlier in recovery.
Patience is needed at this time and to continue to work at recovering.
I wish you well!

 

[tom67]

Hi Sylvia, Jo made a good point about heat. I just started using heat before PT and it seems to help a LOT! Best Wishes! and have a Great Weekend!!

 

[Janey]

Well done so far so good. Im only 2 1/2 weeks post op and doing best to be a patient patient!!! I think the long period of degen and seeking help pre op makes you 'champ at the bit'. it certainly does me!!
Ive developed strange gait off to the right too and have to make conscious effort to correct!!
Keep up the good work. Janey