TKR A New Day

[MARYCOOL]

For the first time in 5 months instead of a shower I had a bath. Getting in was not graceful and the out was even worse. Things are improving all the time. I

Oh man, I had my first bath after 5 months TKR, and I know just what you mean! I actually had both knees done in the same year, 9 months apart!
Doesn't it feel great to be getting back to as normal as you'll ever be?
I'm once again loving my life!

 

[Jcx]

Coming up to six months. Every day is different and my energy level is high at the moment. Went for a walk yesterday it was a lovely day. I could not resist when I walked on a patch of grass. I tried bit of a jog it felt normal. Pleased with myself I jogged once more. What a difference six months makes if I can get through it all you newbies can. There is hope for us all. Take care Jcx.
.

 

[JojoFitness]

@Jcx that is so encouraging to hear! Good for you...

 

[Susie-Q]

Glad to hear your recovery is going so well, @Jcx

 

[Jcx]

High all. It's six months recovery time next week for my Tkr It was carried out on the 1st December 2021. What a journey it has been highs lows and pity parties. It's a journey I hope I don't have to repeat. For a little knee area the tight bands aches and pains have been second to none. But that's the downside for a Tkr hopefully I'm half way to full recovery. On the plus side the pain and the limp have gone. Every day is a new challenge and up to now it's been hard but it has to be done. It's a hard life and a big test happens this afternoon. My wife daughter grandkids and myself are flying to Ibiza. Looking forward to the holiday and I'm sure my knee will behave. Going to take it slow and steady and just have a relaxing time. Waiting for that New Day when I don't have to think or mollycoddle my knee. Take care everyone and hope your recoveries go well. Jcx

 

[JojoFitness]

My wife daughter grandkids and myself are flying to Ibiza. Looking forward to the holiday and I'm sure my knee will behave. Going to take it slow and steady and just have a relaxing time. Waiting for that New Day when I don't have to think or mollycoddle my knee. Take care everyone and hope your recoveries go well. Jcx

Jcx: hope you have a wonderful time in Ibiza with family! I am happy to hear the pain is gone. I'm just at seven weeks, and keep hoping this pain will end. Enjoy! And do take it slow and steady.

 

[campcol1]

Have a great time.

 

[Susie-Q]

Have a wonderful time on your trip!

Let us know how it went when you get back.

 

[Jcx]

Hi all. Back off my holidays and it went really well. The flight was one of my concerns sitting in a small space for hours was a worry. But at six months my knees were ok in the sitting position. I did a few walks up and down the plane to stretch my legs. At the hotel we spent a lot of time around the pool relaxing on the sun beds and I sat in a chair also. Getting off the sun bed was a challenge but I took my time and managed. In the pool was bliss and I did some swimming. We went on a few trips and I went off by myself for a few walks. All in all the holiday went well and was a great change of scenery. Looking forward to visiting Ibiza again in the future. The hotel was all inclusive and the food great and alcohol was flowing. Back home now and I have put on a few pounds so it's back on my exercise bike for me. I hope all of your recoveries are going well. Take care Jcx

 

[JojoFitness]

Sounds wonderful - good for you!!

 

[Jcx]

Advice and reassurance needed. I've past the six months mark and I hoped that I would be well on the mend. Every day is different and the feelings in my knee differ. Tight bands elastic bands and stiffness. My worry is that I need to contact my surgeon and discuss the matter of scar tissue and adhesions. The knee is moving in freely and I'm not in pain. But every step and every day my knee is a constant distraction when I walk or exercise. Advice and reassurance needed or am I still in early stages of recovery and and on course for a full recovery. Jcx

 

[Jockette]

For many of us, this recovery takes way longer than 6 months. For some, 12-18 months. I had a lot of improvement in my second year. Try not to worry about adhesions, they are rare. The tight band you mention is very common.

What are your activities like? Sometimes too much activity can maintain swelling which will maintain that tight band feeling.

Tight Band feeling across the front of my knee

That tight band is caused by scar tissue but not the adhesions type of scar tissue. When the surgeon opens up the knee, he has to undercut the skin and superficial structures from that centre line to each side of the knee in order to get good access all round the bones. Part of the healing...

bonesmart.org

Stiffness/Tightness is a normal occurrence after this kind of major surgery. Your surgeon did major carpentry work and disturbed every millimeter of soft tissue in this area. You aren't tight because your muscle is underused and needs to be stretched and rehabbed. You're tight because your tissue is healing...and full healing takes a full year or more.

 

[Jcx]

Thanks Jockette my activities are not been gym based. Walking swimming exercise bike and lots of gardening at my allotment. I'm having a day of rest today. Thanks for your reply Jcx.

 

[Jockette]

Even doing certain daily activities before your knee is ready for them can have the same effect as an over workout in a gym. My knee felt just like yours at 6 months.

 

[kneeper]

If you are functioning well but still feel some residual stiffness/tightness (particularly after activity) that sounds fairly typical of 6 months. If you're like me you'll continue to see gradual improvement. My OS told me I wouldn't feel 100% "normal" until about 1 year out.

 

[Jcx]

Hi kneeper I'm functioning well and hopefully I will feel 100% in the future. It's been a struggle for the last six months. Thanks for your input. Take care. Jcx

 

[FCBayern]

It's a long road to recovery and after 6 months you feel like you should be done, but this really is a 12-18 month recovery. Mine was a full 18 months but my knee is spectacular now, it was worth the wait.

 

[Jcx]

12 to eighteen months seems to be a long way off at the moment. But if that's what's it's got to be so be it. The surgeons never tell you that when you go for the operation. More info on recovery should be given. If it wasn't for this site I would be out on a limb. So I will keep reading posting learning and healing. Thanks FCBayern take care Jcx.

---

 

[JojoFitness]

12 to eighteen months seems to be a long way off at the moment.

I totally agree. I wish my surgeon had said much more about the road to recovery. Maybe it's because there are so many variables? Still, I had no idea, til Bonesmart, that it was going to be a long continuing journey.

 

[Jcx]

Nearly at the seven month mark. I've had a really busy week with my allotment. It's that time of year. Also I have been out for some long walks. Yesterday I went out for a meal with my wife son daughter and grandchildren to celebrate my 66th birthday. Today I know it's all caught up with me and my knee has said slow down a tad. Going to take it easy for the next few days. It's been fun doing normal activities but today and tomorrow my knee is the boss. Hope you're recoveries are going well. Take care Jcx