TKR Another small step forward to reclaiming my life!

[Jamie]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Sounds like an excellent plan, Catherine. Go for it and I'll be anxious to hear what the doctors have to say about MAKOplasty and your particular case.

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

here I am! I have so few pictures of me,
broken link removed: https://www2.brightroom.com/browser.aspx?eid=79341&bib=198
left to right my friend Laurie on the edge, me in the center and my friend Holly on the right finishing the 5k walk on Saturday!!!!!! I'm now looking for more pictures in the lost and found pile <G> (when they could not read the bib numbers.

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm 12 weeks post op, left knee feels GREAT! I had finished my obedience lesson with my dogs and was running 2 of them at my instructors field.

my puppy was ranging a bit far maybe over 100 yards, so I called and she came BARRELING down the hill at me!!! I love it and encourage a fast recall. As she is getting closer I'm wondering if she is going go to by me? as she is NOT SLOWING DOWN. So I bend my knees a bit widen my stance a bit (brace for impact), it looks like this 35# cannon ball is going to to through my legs and then about 5 or 6 yards out starts to put on the brakes (chances I said something but don't recall and might not have been family friendly!) as she puts on the brakes she starts to slide on her hip and her shoulder and rib cage hits me HARD SQUARE on the shin of my left leg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! she YELPED and it knocked the wind out of her!

OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I had one of those oh NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! I hope I have not hurt my leg, my new knee! and am worried as I had screws removed in that leg and I don't know if they have filled yet and I LOVE my knee! I do NOT want to hurt it!

I did take a pain pill, (I had not taken one in about a week) but this morning I seem no worse for wear other than some additional soreness in a few spots where I have had off and on aches and pains that I attribute healing!!
geesh I need a lot less excitement.

 

[Jaycey]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Oh dear Catherine! Sounds like quite a collision! But you know what - I'll bet your dog is worse off than you or your new knee. These joints are pretty darn strong once they are healed. If you are not feeling the worse for wear today I would say it was a lucky escape!

How's your poor pooch? I'll bet he is not so quick on the recall for awhile! :doggieshmooze:

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

My pup, "Flirt" is quite fine I think she was VERY surprised that she made contact with me! she took about 30 seconds to say she was sorry..... and then was off and running again!

 

[Jamie]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Catherine, I had a new puppy during my recovery and she hit me hard like that, but more from the side. I was new to BoneSmart back then and was scared to death I had hurt something with my knee. It was painful for a while, but nothing was damaged. Jaycey is so right that our parts are very, very strong!!

 

[RunA42K]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Hey Catherine...I just had a thought! I saw your pictures finishing the 5k it was very nice to see you!! Doing those activities requires good shoes, not that you don't have good shoes, but...next time you need some, stop into Fit Right Northwest down at NW 23rd and Raleigh. My sister Linda works there. She is a runner too. Her name is Linda, I would love for you to meet her and have you tell her how we know each other. She will take good care of you!!

I am happy that you and your pup were not hurt, when he came at you like a cannon ball!!

Have a great day!

Bonnie
RTKR 3/28/11

 

[Josephine]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

am worried as I had screws removed in that leg and I don't know if they have filled yet

Coming up 3 months? Bone generally takes about 12-16 weeks to heal so I think you're pretty safe!

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Bonnie

I saw your pictures finishing the 5k it was very nice to see you!! Doing those activities requires good shoes, not that you don't have good shoes, but...next time you need some, stop into Fit Right Northwest down at NW 23rd and Raleigh.

Good to know! I got the pair I walked in at the Portland Running store I am happy with them so far but I know I will need another pair sooner or later. I can't wait to find another event to walk, it was so much fun

Jamie

I had a new puppy during my recovery and she hit me hard like that, but more from the side. I was new to BoneSmart back then and was scared to death I had hurt something with my knee. It was painful for a while, but nothing was damaged. Jaycey is so right that our parts are very, very strong!!

I have a pretty good sore spot below my knee on my shin, but I think my knee is no worse for wear!

Josephine

Coming up 3 months? Bone generally takes about 12-16 weeks to heal so I think you're pretty safe!

Yup I am at 12 weeks. GOOD to know.
it was a bit scary there for a second!!!
I must of also torqued my right knee it is of course been very sore since the impact and it didn't get hit. It will be good to see my OS on the 11th and see if we can come up with a plan. It is strange after 23 yrs of sleeping in a way to make my left knee feel better I'm now doing it to help my RIGHT knee!!! I really was not expecting it to be an issue so soon but now that I can do more! I am doing more, I walk more and I walk fast like I used to when I was YOUNGER. feels GOOD.

thanks for all the feedback and support!!!

 

[carousel66]

3 months Post TKR - Oh happy day

I changed the thread title, but it is my same thread I have worked for the last few months.

Today is the day~! 3 months ago I had a LTKR and it has changed my life so much for the better!
this morning I rode my stationary bike for 66 min!
ate breakfast and took 2 of my dogs for a 1 hour walk! I figure it was between 2.5-3 miles.

I feel great! I can't express how good it feels to be able to STRIDE out with confidence! I still have some stiffness and soreness from time to time, but most my issues are with my OTHER knee not the replaced knee.

On saturday I put away 2 hours on the bike and a 2 mile walk! and took my puppy to a practice show, it was GREAT fun.

I'm now getting ready to meet my mother for dinner then I have plans for another hour on the bike tonight. I had someone I know caution me about over doing it. I just can't express to them about how good I feel. I seem to be able to ride the bike forever LOL I have to watch the walking a bit more.

My TKR is the best thing I have done for myself in years (that and loosing 55# to date! 40-45# to go, as my goal is to be at the "low" end of a normal weight for my height (5'9") to offer my knees and me the best chance at my best life!!)

I'm still in total awe about how well my new knee works, not perfect?? not as good as the knee I had before I HURT it 23 yrs ago! but WOW such a HUGE improvement for the HORRIBLE excuse for a joint I had replaced 3 months ago today!

I see my OS in a bit over 2 weeks to see if we can come up for a plan to help my right knee...........

I hope everyone is having a nice Easter.

 

[referee54]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

That is a wonderful post with a wonderful message! I am glad to see how great you feel! It makes the procedure and the ensuing rehab worth it. doesn't it? You are going fine now; enjoy your doggies and your bike rides---in short---enjoy your life!

 

[Jamie]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Catherine....what a wonderful report. I'm so happy for you and your joy comes through loud and clear in your post. Thanks for taking time to post of your success....it will help those who are following you in surgery to know what can lie ahead for them.

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

I saw my Doc's PA on Wed - we are going to try Euflexxa for my right knee. Then the next thought was an unloader brace. Then the PA said if those things didn't work I would be looking at a replacement.

I was honestly sort of shocked as my OS was talking Mako when I saw him 2 months ago. I don't know.... I didn't even ask, I like the PA okay but not great. I think the injections seem like a good enough place to start? time will tell. I do not see that another scope is going to help me. The first one did 3 yrs ago, with a bucket tear. It was really painful and I had a great improvement but I was back in surgery for another tear in less than 2 yrs and that surgery last year. I never really felt better after my scope and cleaning up my meniscus. I feel confident based on very familiar pain it is likely another tear as my knee flared up just 6 weeks from surgery when I was living with my folks. My dad was in his last days after a battle with cancer, I walked a ton of stairs... and knee got really sore.

I'm sort of bummed. I can walk and I can move, my LTKR has made a HUGE improvement in my life. My right knee does function pretty darn well. If it just didn't feel hot and sore ALL THE TIME. Maybe the injections will help....

 

[Josephine]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Sounds like no-one has told you that meniscus problems can be the result of arthritis. The uneven balance in the joint can very efficiently shred the meniscus. You might get a few weeks or even months relief from the injection but it's just a palliative measure not a cure, not even a long term treatment. Sorry and all that but best to prepare yourself for the inevitable.

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

I know I have arthritic changes in my right knee.
and it makes sense to me that they would result in more damage to my meniscus.
I guess I'm a bit bummed, or disappointed as my left knee is doing just awesome. My right knee feels pretty good in the morning, and gets progressively worse as the day goes on. I was hoping I was 10 or more years down the road for right knee, now I'm not so sure.
hoping I can get some relief from the injections. I tried those for my left knee and got nothing, but it was MUCH worse at the time.
thanks

 

[Josephine]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Ah if only we could make such predictions! Unfortunately, our bodies just aren't going to play ball with that!

 

[zjrog]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Catherine, one of my biggest fears during my early recovery had to do with my "puppy" brushing past on me on the stairs and knocking me down. She is a rather energetic 205# English Mastiff... I have always been aware of her tail though. She is quite accurate with it!

I had a good first round with Euflexxa, but the second was a non-starter. Won't do any good when you're bone on bone and wearign grooves. My right knee is OK according the XRays, but there is arthritis behind the knee cap and I reckon its a matter of time. I will be more pro-active with the right than I was with my left. Preserve it as long as I can, but I don't expect to be slowing down now that I'm moving.

 

[sunflower]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

She is a rather energetic 205# English Mastiff...

:hate-shocked: Oh my goodness! You must feel like a bowling pin trying to dodge one big bowling ball. :doggieshmooze:

 

[sunflower]

Re: 3 months Post TKR - Oh happy day

My TKR is the best thing I have done for myself in years (that and loosing 55#) ....such a HUGE improvement for the HORRIBLE excuse for a joint I had replaced 3 months ago today!

I smiled when I read this. It's stories like these that make it all worthwhile. :flowerysmile:

 

[referee54]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

I, too, wished for more time with my "Birth knees." I was hoping for more time, too, but the damage was done. However, after getting the BTKR, I cannot begin to tell you how much better my life is now.

SynVisc worked for me for three (count 'em!) three days. Cortisone worked for about 8 months.

I completely understand how you are feeling.