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TKR 2active getting her life back!

Yes... I plan on getting a booth and propping my leg up while I'm eating, and this particular theatre has electric reclining seats, so when people walk by in front of you, your legs are actually reclined still and there is room in front for people to walk, so no one can bump my leg. I will be taking my cane in though because I still walk with a limp. I will support my knee until the swelling and stiffness goes down.
 
Enjoy your visit to the movies.
I remember how much I enjoyed going at 4 weeks post-op. It was a small theatre, with armchairs and plenty of space. I used my crutches to prop my leg up.

The outing did wonders for my morale.
 
It does feel wonderful to be normal for a bit. You'll probably be wiped out the next day, but totally worth it!
 
Yes! I plan on coming straight home to ice and elevate.:) My husband and I went our for dinner tonight, and I was just fine the whole time with my leg down. I'm icing now though, just in case my knee has delayed anger.lol
 
I take my cane with me in crowded places for extra support. If no one is around, I don't use it. But, I can use it to prop up my legs when sitting; a built-in footrest!
 
It is so great that you are driving!!! You seem to be making great progress in the past week. Congrats!!! I can't to drive!!! I love doing errands by myself. I feel I am still too stiff for driving. Hoping to in a couple of weeks.
 
I found driving OK. Main problem was getting into the car and trying to find a space where I could get the door open wide enough. Big problem if someone parked next to me though!!
 
Girls day out today went well.:) Left at 11am and returned at 6:30pm. I wasn't in pain at all, but it wore me out! I'm assuming from supporting my new knee all day. As much as I loved being out with my daughters, I couldn't wait to get home and rest. My limp is getting better, and my leg is getting stronger, so I'm hoping to set my cane aside soon for only those possible "bad" days, as I know they may come.:( I'm an optimist, however I know recovery can be touch and go, so I stay prepared. My OS told me on my 4 week post op that I was definitely fine to go back to work, but to pace myself, and know when it's time to rest, ice and elevate. He said that extension is most important in the first few weeks, and that ROM will improve with time. Sounded a lot like BS! :) I use my stationary bike to rock my legs back and forth, and I raise my hip just a little to go all the way around. My goal is to keep my bottom planted on the seat! I also walk a lot.... keeping my steps normal with heel first and bending my knee normally without swinging my leg out. This also helps with ROM. I found that the longer I sat, the stiffer I got, so I try to stay as mobile as I can within reason. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I just go on as normally as I can, keeping my new knee's needs in mind.:)
 
You're making good progress. Don't rush back to work, because, even if your knee is doing well, you will still have the post-op Energy drain for TKRs
It will linger on for much longer than you'd expect.

If you lengthen your stride a bit when you're walking, that will also help with extension.
 
The energy drain stuck around for me longer than than the pain. Going back to teaching part time was exhausting and I spent most afternoons napping, icing, elevating. So if you're planning on returning to work, be prepared to do little else due to that pesky energy drain.
 
Yes. I agree. Since I'm the owner, and I have a competent staff, I'm able to rest, ice and elevate as much as I need to in my office. I just like to be present at least.:) My extension is 1 and my ROM is 115, so I'm getting there. I'm using my cane less and less, and I still have 0 pain. Just the swelling and stiffness remain, and I know that can take quite a while to go away. I'm just glad to be PAIN FREE!!!!:)
 
Wow! Your ROM and extension is fantastic! You are blessed!
 
You are really doing very well. Use your cane if you are limping at all so you don't get into any bad habits with your gait.
 
That old bone on bone is gone, so you are pain free in that regard. But the stiffness and swelling are a different type of pain. If you're feeling good I think it would be great to show your face, but I know how difficult it can be to walk out when you know there's work to be done. If you need to go in, set a time you're leaving and stick to it. You don't want to join the ODIC! :)
 
Does your gait mean how you move your leg when you walk? And yes... I definitely need to set a certain amount of time at work. Today, I got really busy catching up with the parents as they were picking up, and before I knew it, I was getting stiffer and swollen. I came straight home to ice and elevate. Also, what is ODIC..
 
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Yes, your gait is the way you walk. My PT was very helpful in advising me as he observed me walking. It's a good idea to use new shoes that don't have that old and probably weird walking pattern (if you limped or penguin walked) as you begin to work on heel-toe and lengthening your gait.

ODIC = Over Did It Club , I hope you didn't join today!
 
Your heel should strike first and then roll through to your toes. Have someone watch you when you walk to see if they can see any limp present.
 
Okay, got it! My doctor actually looked at that while I walked. He said I was walking properly, but at that time, I still had a limp. I read a lot about people swinging their leg out and scooting instead of actual stepping, so I started practicing proper stepping and strides very early on. I think I did join the ODIC yesterday, and today the kiddos are having a Valentine's Day party, so I know I can only stop in and give some kisses and hugs, and then be on my way. Otherwise, I know what will happen....Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!:)
 
Help Please..... After all the success and good reports I've had about my recovery, I am now very scared that I am having a delayed allergic reaction to the metal in my knee. After 6 weeks, everything was going great, and then BOOM, I develop a skin reaction and retain swelling in the upper portion of my knee, right above my knee cap and on my thigh. The rash is very small bumps, but also resembles hives, especially in the morning. It's only on my new knee leg and nowhere else on my body. It is on my calf, around my knee and half way up my thigh, and is very itchy when I'm not taking benadryl. My leg is moving great, with minimal swelling, except for where the rash is. I called my OS Friday, and he said to use Cortizone cream and take Benadryl, and if it's still there on this coming Tuesday, to call the office. So I go out and get what I need, and it helps, but I can't help but worry that it's only helping the symptoms of something that might be brewing inside me that won't go away on it's own. I started to research rash and hives after KR, and all this stuff came up about skin reactions after KR, and people being allergic to the metals used for KR. I am calling my OS tomorrow, not Tuesday because this is scaring me to death. The rash is still there, and I would like some answers. Has anyone had or known of anyone who had this kind of reaction to the metal? If so, can you PLEASE send me some feedback? The last thing I want is an infection, or the need for a revision due to an allergy. Just when I thought I was doing so well!:( WHY????!!!
 
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