TKR 9 months since my Surgery with problem

[sjm1027]

I will keep my appointment, Just don't want to come off as a Nervous Nelly. I am in the Engineering field and I am looking at this as Mechanical and not Soft Tissue... I am looking at the mechanics part of it.
Thanks everyone, thanks for keeping me in check. This recovery is a huge mind game too.

 

[susanne]

@sjm1027 I had my ltkr in jan. Still have no feeling on the outside of knee. When I bend on floor have no feeling, I put pillow under knee. To add to this I have had 2 hip replacements on rt hip and too afraid to get in floor, since I dislocated hip doing just that. I'm a special ed pre school teacher so floor time and running after kids not happening. Just to throw one more body part In to the mix Also had shoulder replaced. Yes I've become bionic but this cold NY weather is killing me. Beginning to feel like the tin man from wizard of oz
Feel good. My surgeon reassured me that the knee would never dislocate like a hip
Susanne


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[RestAssured]

I will keep my appointment, Just don't want to come off as a Nervous Nelly. I am in the Engineering field and I am looking at this as Mechanical and not Soft Tissue... I am looking at the mechanics part of it.
Thanks everyone, thanks for keeping me in check. This recovery is a huge mind game too.

I should have guessed you were in the engineering field! My husband thinks a lot like you! When my hinged knee came unhinged, (mine is a rotating platform and a one in a million chance of dislocating) He took it upon himself to analyze the situation.

I climbed into bed face down, tall bed, and when I turned over the bottom part of the leg stayed face down!

My hubby was on his computer, and when I said "Honey, look at my leg" he looked over at it; got up to inspect it and said, I have never seen someone's leg on backwards!

I said, wonderful or something that would be close to that , and then wanted to know how we were going to fix it! He started talking about the rotational angle, and ridge points, and I stopped him and said
"You misunderstood me!" I don't want a lesson on the knee, I want it fixed! Well, he took it and started to twist it slowly, and it yelled stop! I said, go fast ! He did, and we heard a pop, and a click, and I bent my knee.

No more problems since that day! LOL

 

[sjm1027]

Ok I have something to confess. When I went to my surgeon just after the surgery I asked him to give me the manual that comes with the knee. It was a PDF about 200+ pages of installation and specifications. So I went for my checkup and he had a student with him in the room. He said to her, this is Steve, had a TKR and is an Engineer. I saw him make the goofy eyes at her and I asked what that meant. He said to her, Engineers think very differently about the knee. Only interested in mechanics, not muscle/soft tissue. She said ohhh thanks.
I got it at that moment. BUT I read that manual from beginning to end twice. Also took pictures of the X-rays
Stop shaking your head!

 

[sjm1027]

Hi Susanne,
That is a great line: Beginning to feel like the tin man from wizard of oz... I know what you mean. You have been through so much, That would have done me in for sure. I am not looking forward to the next knee some day. It is already bothering me a little but I am sure I will have to have it done some day. Not going to volunteer that's for sure. So happy you feel good. I am sure we will all be much better by this technology. Imagine if we didn't have it. Good to hear the knee will never disjoint.

 

[RestAssured]

@sjm1027,

My hubby researched Dr. Maale, the Smith & Nephew HK knee, and biofilm that Maale discusses.

 

[sjm1027]

@sjm1027,

My hubby researched Dr. Maale, the Smith & Nephew HK knee, and biofilm that Maale discusses.

I'm sorry, I don't see the humor in that.

BTW: I just watched the Smith & Nephew installation movie, You have to be amazed at what the Doctors can do...

 

[RestAssured]

I'm sorry, I don't see the humor in that.

BTW: I just watched the Smith & Nephew installation movie, You have to be amazed at what the Doctors can do...

Of course you don't see the humor! Neither would my Hubby!

 

[Josephine]

my knee is numb the front to outside of my leg

I see you got the info on that. The sensation in my knee is finally restoring after 5½ years

Your exercises - my comments in bold
So listening to you all I may do the following:
More ICE per day and Elevate leg at night : try icing and elevating together about an hour at a time
20 minutes Elliptical, resistance 40% This setting is not very hard - maybe it's not but it's too much!
20 Minutes Bike, Resistance 40% This setting is not very hard - ditto
15 minutes Weights, All weights are upper body, no load bearing on legs meaning I am sitting or laying down - you don't say how much weight or how many reps. We need this info and are you absolutely sure none of this impacts on your knee at all?

Then after dinner:
10 minutes Bosu ball - I'd give this a miss. You don't need to do all this at 9 months out
10 minutes Yoga - okay
10 minutes TRX (Straps) to help do knee bends - you don't need to do knee bends at 9 months!
10 to 15 minutes rowing machine - give it a miss for the time being

I am looking at this as Mechanical and not Soft Tissue.

Well you be wrong, my friend!

You also need to read this PT: the seriously grave consequences of doing too much of it.

 

[sjm1027]

I see you got the info on that. The sensation in my knee is finally restoring after 5½ years

WOW 5.5 years, well that's good to know. I was told in a year you would normally have what you will get.

Your exercises - my comments in bold
So listening to you all I may do the following:
More ICE per day and Elevate leg at night : try icing and elevating together about an hour at a time
20 minutes Elliptical, resistance 40% This setting is not very hard - maybe it's not but it's too much!
20 Minutes Bike, Resistance 40% This setting is not very hard - ditto
15 minutes Weights, All weights are upper body, no load bearing on legs meaning I am sitting or laying down - you don't say how much weight or how many reps. We need this info and are you absolutely sure none of this impacts on your knee at all?
Let me give you some answers:
45 Pounds Butterfly Chest press while sitting 40 reps, 70 Pounds Chest press 60 reps sitting down, 100 pounds crunches sitting down.

Then after dinner:
10 minutes Bosu ball - I'd give this a miss. You don't need to do all this at 9 months out
10 minutes Yoga - okay
10 minutes TRX (Straps) to help do knee bends - you don't need to do knee bends at 9 months!
10 to 15 minutes rowing machine - give it a miss for the time being
Well you be wrong, my friend!

You would be surprised what I was doing at 3 months out per my PT.

You also need to read this PT: the seriously grave consequences of doing too much of it.

Thanks

 

[trailspud]

@sjm1027

I have read through this thread including your responses to requested information. I don't think noticing more numbness or having some swelling at 9+ months is out of the ordinary. I also agree that the resistance level on the elliptical and bike are not difficult. I don't think your time is excessive, but this is not muscle enhancing work.

I didn't see any reference to cadence or speed. Maybe you are going too fast? In any case, I think you would help build muscle strength better by trading higher resistance for lower speed on the elliptical although a gradual transition is probably safer. Biking, maybe the same, but it really depends on a lot of factors so I'm unsure there. The only other issue is: Are the machines you are using completely stable? Unstable fitness machines can cause injury to anyone.

Rowing, depending on your flexion, does take the knee into much deeper flexion than the bike (which is deeper than the elliptical). Rowing on a good machine, like a Concept2, is a great, smooth full body workout, but I would check with your doc and PT on their thoughts.

Assuming mechanical issues are nonexistent, and it sounds like you will be having X-Rays to check, the one thing you mentioned that I would address is the "looser" feel. I would get with your PT. The looser feel could be remedied by strengthening any imbalances. Sometimes less is better as some have suggested. Sometimes different is better. Good and stronger muscle support is usually beneficial.

Best wishes.

 

[Krynn49]

@sjm1027
In regards to the suggestion of Yoga, I was taking a class at my local Y called Gentle Yoga. It is hard for me to get down on the floor so I, with the help of the instructor, structured the moves to be done in a chair. The room in which we had the class was one that was used for some dance classes with the bars alike to a ballet studio. I also used them for some of the moves. It was really helpful and I intend to return to the class next week as I will be 4 months out from my L TKR.

 

[sjm1027]

@sjm1027
My Answers in RED
I have read through this thread including your responses to requested information. I don't think noticing more numbness or having some swelling at 9+ months is out of the ordinary. I also agree that the resistance level on the elliptical and bike are not difficult. I don't think your time is excessive, but this is not muscle enhancing work.
I actually do this for weight loss, to burn calories. About 4 years ago I was 291 pounds heavier than I am now. So exercising is a huge part of my life now. I feel if I don't continue to exercise I will go back to my old ways. Yes I agree it's not difficult or excessive. I need to keep limber and I am not trying to build excessive muscles. Just want to be in shape.

I didn't see any reference to cadence or speed. Maybe you are going too fast? In any case, I think you would help build muscle strength better by trading higher resistance for lower speed on the elliptical although a gradual transition is probably safer. Biking, maybe the same, but it really depends on a lot of factors so I'm unsure there. The only other issue is: Are the machines you are using completely stable? Unstable fitness machines can cause injury to anyone.
Some good points here. Cadence is about 50 watts on Rower, 70 Speed on Elliptical, Bike is 4 minutes sitting and 1 minute standing on spinning bike and most of the time I use a recumbent bike and just do approx. 60 watts... Nothing crazy, a little faster than a good clip. I have commercial equipment, very stable.

Rowing, depending on your flexion, does take the knee into much deeper flexion than the bike (which is deeper than the elliptical). Rowing on a good machine, like a Concept2, is a great, smooth full body workout, but I would check with your doc and PT on their thoughts.
In fact I do have a concept2 rower. I have checked with my doctor and have been doing all these exercises for 6 months believe it or not. I was on my bike 2 weeks after surgery. I only did 3 revolutions but my PT made me do the work. That's after going down 10 steps to the basement.

Assuming mechanical issues are nonexistent, and it sounds like you will be having X-Rays to check, the one thing you mentioned that I would address is the "looser" feel. I would get with your PT. The looser feel could be remedied by strengthening any imbalances. Sometimes less is better as some have suggested. Sometimes different is better. Good and stronger muscle support is usually beneficial.
So I am happy to say I have no mechanical issues, I have been using ice, elevating. I believe your correct, I am spending to much time doing the same old thing. I need to mix it up and build muscle to stop the looseness or thumping. All I have to do is figure out what I need to do. I could go back to my PT days and do all that stuff over again but I think I need more or different. If anyone has any ideas please pass them along.


Best wishes.

 

[sjm1027]

@sjm1027
In regards to the suggestion of Yoga, I was taking a class at my local Y called Gentle Yoga. It is hard for me to get down on the floor so I, with the help of the instructor, structured the moves to be done in a chair. The room in which we had the class was one that was used for some dance classes with the bars alike to a ballet studio. I also used them for some of the moves. It was really helpful and I intend to return to the class next week as I will be 4 months out from my L TKR.

Yes, Yoga has interested me. I have the TRX System at home that is suspended from the ceiling. I use this to assist in knee bends. Again I lean back like they showed me in PT so I have a angle and it takes pressure away from knee. I have a new Yoga book so if you can suggest some positions I would really appreciate it. I really don't have time or maybe it is out of my comfort zone to go to a class as a male. My wife goes with my sister weekly but I just can't get myself to go I can't kneel either but am working at it. My doctor told me if I work at it I may be able to. I usually kneel on the couch just to get the bend going. I have no trouble getting to the floor and up... I just don't know what to do once I am there. I don't know Yoga that well soI am doing my reading. Please suggest if you have time.
Thanks

 

[trailspud]

@sjm1027

Glad to hear there are no mechanical issues and the equipment you use is commercial grade. If your doc is fine with rowing then by all means use your Concept 2. That is a great machine. They have a ski machine now that simulates the Nordic double pole motion and I've heard great things about it...might be my next home machine. It can be used standing or seated...should be very easy on the knees.

I would definitely look at PT again. Maybe a new guy/gal? New take on things? If your knee feels loose that might be an indication of what is called paradoxical motion...due to the fact your bionic knee is different from nature. I think strength building is important to remedy this.

One thing you might do is separate out your exercises. Don't do the elliptical, bike, and rower all on the same day. Rotate daily, or otherwise, and see if one is the issue.

Congrats on getting your weight down. And, again best wishes. I'll try to follow your posts.

 

[sjm1027]

I just looked at the Concept2 SkiErg. Great looking piece of equipment. Will have to look into it a bit.
I will also ask about additional PT to get some feedback. I like the idea of mixing things up too. I have actually been doing that with some Yoga and Bosu (half ball) used that in PT. Thanks for the help and great comments.