TKR 2 weeks out

[karmigirl]

JM,

So sorry to hear you guys lost out last week, but there is always next year.

We have our 2nd last game tomorrow, will keep you posted. Nephew was born in GA, our little GA peach, and I think it was the first time he had to play in the snow. (Baltimore) Talked with him and teased him, he was the only one with long sleeves and high sock, basically covered head to foot. He said didn't we noticed he had his hand in his pants too, the whole game.

Waiting to see you sexy knee pictures after you coffee date tomorrow.
Glad to hear you are doing so well, hang in hopefully this will be all over for all of us soon.

 

[mbitney]

Hey Jo,

I think you may be right. This photo has to be a first, two BS'ers from the same town (crazycatlady (Lynn) and mbitney) out for coffee after working out at the gym this morning showing off our "sexy" new knees.:biggrin:

Lynn's is the tan, good looking leg on the right. Mine is the pale, freckled one on the left.:hissyfit: After working out, talking & feeling each other's knees we concluded as follows:

-Lynn's knee bends further than JMB's, but
-Lynn's knee clicks more than JMB's, and
-Lynn's knee is definately sexier than JMB's!:th_heehee:

Lynn is a good friend and I am fortunate to be able to get together with her from time to time to share our ups & downs, compare our progress, and enjoy lots of laughs together..

I wish more BS'ers could do the same.

All my best to everyone. JMB

 

[crazycatlady 6-20-2011]

OMG, I'm still laughing!!! My husband said we are nuts :hysterical:. But seriously, I want you to shave your knee and let me know what sensations you experience . Good luck on Monday. Let me know how it goes.

Have a good day!

 

[karmigirl]

Lynn and JM,

Those are sexy knees. They both look great. Hope they feel as good as they look.

JM, just finished watching our game today we won but it was a close one, 28-23.

 

[Josephine]

That's almost as good as the one I had taken with nursepair (Sue) when she came over to the UK. I was 6 weeks out and can't believe how swollen my leg was!

 

[jerseychick]

Wow....those are some great looking legs!!:biggrin:

 

[mbitney]

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!:biggrin:

Well, I'm at 4 mos post LKTR and my new knee still gets stiff & sore if I stand on it for any length of time. Also, the knee clicks all the time when I bend it.

When I stand for prolonged periods and then begin to walk, it feels like the tendons on the outside of my kneecap bind against the joint causing pain. I end up taking the weight off my left knee and massaging it, while bending it to make it feel better.

Are these symptoms "normal?" Should I talk to my OS about them? Is there anything I can do to improve the functioning of my new knee?

Or will these things simply resolve with time?

I'd appreciate any feedback from follks who've experienced the same issues.

Thanx much. JMB

 

[Josephine]

Well, you're only 4 months out yet, JM, so still in the early-ish days of recovery. Take a look at The Chart and see where you are. You've still got a way to go before you get to that elusive "I forgot about the knee" situation. You might even do well to take some simple otc pain meds like Tylenol or ibuprofen. And perhaps ice it now and again. It's nothing to worry about.

 

[Jamie]

Most people report that they start feeling more normal around the 6 month mark. But it can be later....even up to a year. So just pay attention to how your knee feels and adjust your activity accordingly. It is only temporary!!!

 

[mbitney]

Update from the frozen Tundra of N. WI.:snowman:

I'm coming up on 5 mos post LKTR. Went back to PT last week after last seeing them just B4 Halloween. Why the layoff? Read on:

Since then, I underwent BAHA Implant surgery to correct my hearing loss in my left ear. Now I've got a titanium post or "abutment" as they say, sticking out of my skull just behind my left ear. (It's kinda like a one-sided, tiny Frankenstein bolt only instead of sticking outta my neck, it sticks outta my skull?):eeew: After my surgery, I had some complications when a large hematoma formed under my scalp at the base of my surgical incision which had to be drained followed by antibiotics and daily dressings/cleaning. Yuk! However, when my surgical site completely heals and the bone which it was drilled into completely fuses in & thru the abutment, my ENT doc will fit me w/a digital processor which will restore the hearing on my left side. It'll be the first time in nearly 40 years that I'll have total bi-lateral hearing in both ears!

Now back to my new knee. While I've been focused & concerned about all of the above, I've been letting my new knee rest/coast/slide. In the six-seven weeks since I was last in PT, I lost only a couple degrees of flexion. I was disappointed that I hadn't gained any ROM, but my PT said I should be happy that I kept my ROM numbers from sliding back further. Currently I'm at 0-123 ROM.

Doing PT 2x a week. Also, trying to get to the gym to ride their stationary bike and do some leg strength training 2-3 times a week, but it's been hard with my crazy work schedule, the holiday season festivities & all.

I'm hoping to see more progress with my ROM in the next six weeks or so. I'm thinking that my next big break through(s) will come by my six (6) month mark. (July 22nd, 2011 to Jan. 22nd, 2012.) Once we get thru the holidays, I'm also gonna make my New Year's resolution to lose some weight.

My hope is that by my birthday in mid-March 2012 I'll be not only be feeling better, but hearing better, and getting around better than I have the last couple of months.:biggrin:

Wish me luck. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everyone!:xcandle:

 

[Pumpkin]

You have been through a lot, good luck!
:sleigh:

 

[srn]

Good luck to you, you can do it.

By the way I would say that a ROM of 0-123 is very good!!!

 

[Jamie]

That's fascinating about your hearing!!! I'd like to know more about how that works and if it is successful for you. I do wish you luck!!! I'm sure your knee will continue to improve. Even without these interruptions, progress can kind of ebb and flow sometimes. It sounds to me like you're doing just fine.

 

[mbitney]

Thanx for the support gals.

Went in for PT late this afternoon. Did cardio & strrength training exercises. Felt good to work up a sweat. My PT has me doing lots of balancing, core and stretching exercises too. Tuff but good:rolleyespink:.

From one who formerly kept his workouts primarily to weightlifting & cardio; I'm developing a new respect for folks who do core, yoga & isometric exercises. Pretty grueling stuff. Definately not for the faint of heart! :eek: I hope to continue it for the rest of my journey and beyond.

My ROM was 0-125 today. Not too bad eh? I asked my PT whether she thougth I'd eventually might have to undergo anotther MUA to reach my full ROM potential. She said definately NOT! She said that I'm progressing along quite nicely and that she's very confident that with additional time, my new knee will heal up completely and bend to 130+ degrees of flexion which is exceptional for TKR'ers.

I was thrilled to hear such a positive opinion from her.:happy dance:

Hope she's right.

I'll keep working at it and trying to stay patient & positive as we move into another long & cold winter season up here in God's Country:coffee:

I hope that all my BS'er friends will be filled with PEACE and JOY this holiday season and beyond:gbhouse;. All my best. JMB

 

[goodasnew]

Sounds like you're doing really well and you seem very positive about getting back to an active life! Your ROM is excellent! Really interested to hear about the surgery to give you back your hearing too, you'll be a new man!:wow2:

 

[mbitney]

Happy holidays everyone. Only a few days left before Christmas.:santa:

Went to PT on friday. Had a good workout. Legs are definately getting stronger. ROM was 0-130.

Went shopping yesterday and the mall & stores were just crazy! Happy to have my Christmas shopping completed.

By the end of the day, after having been on my feet for 6+ hrs., my knee was stiff & sore. Iced it for awhile then we had to go to a friend's holiday party. Thankfully, I was able to grab a seat on their couch for most of the evening.
Today, just relaxed and elevated my bones. :bathtub:
Tomorrow we head to the airport to pick up our oldest daugther who's flying back from Finland after studying abroad all fall. Lookin' forward to that. Please pray for her safe flight home.:prayer1:
I hope you all have a good week as we head into the holiday season. Take care & keep in touch. All my best. JMB

 

[referee54]

Don't even think about having an MUA---you do not need one. You are doing just fine! Remember, ROM can be gained for quite some time. It may take upwards to a year to fully recover, and your ROM will grow accordingly.

 

[karmigirl]

JMB,

Sounds like you have been work diligently at PT with a wonderful outcome. Be careful not to over do things with the holidays and all. Not sure if our knees know it is a very busy time of year for us all.

Thoughts and prayers for a safe return for your daughter. Please stop by and let us know that she made it home safely.

Happy Holidays to you and yours and a wonderful New Year.

 

[mbitney]

Seasons greetings everone!:santa:

Daughter Liz made it home from Finland just fine. My wife & I were getting nervous when it seemed like everyone except our kid had gotten off the plane and made it to the luggage area. Well, finally here she came w/a huge smile on her face and ran into our group hug:grouphug2:. When my wife asked her what took so long she replied that she'd been up for the last 48 hrs and on the darn airplane for the last 12+ hrs and just wanted to freshen up a bit in the ladies room.

Should've expected nothing less from our eldest who frequently ran us out of hot water in the mornings when she was in high school with her marathon morning showers!

It's great to have everyone home for the holidays!:xmasclap:

Knee continues to progress. Went to PT yesterday. Had a good workout. ROM 0-130.:biggrin: Now, if I can just make it thru the holidays w/o putting on more weight.:xmasgrin:

Hope everyone has a safe & joyous holiday season. All my best. JMB

P.S. Don't forget to put out milk & cookies for Santa!:sleigh:

 

[mbitney]

Well, survived the Holidays. Whew! Started my New Year's resolution to loose weight last week and I've already dropped 3 lbs.:biggrin: Yea!

And the sooner we get rid of the remaining Christmas goodies, the better, for my will power or lack thereof. Maybe I'll toss a few in the trash when the Mrs. & kids aren't lookin'.

Went to PT last friday afternoon. Rode the stationary bike, did some leg strengthing and did more balancing exercises. Had a good workout. My ROM was 0-132 degrees.

Was gonna get out and do some snowshoeing today, but after shoveling our sidewalk and snowblowing our driveway, I settled in for some NFL football and before you know it the afternoon disappeared???

Will hit the gym first thing in the morning and back to work tomorrow.

Hope everyone had a safe and joyous holiday season. JMB