bike

[janet2008]

Hi guys i just got back from pt and made it around the bike at 8 weeks and 1 day im happy im still a little slow still but my pt guy says im doing slow but ok so this hurting day turned out cool!

 

[dar]

Okay Janet, my turn to say way to go. My tears are gone and my perspective is back. I just wanted you to know that I can relate very well to that feeling of making the pedal move all the way around. I told everyone I saw I was so excited. But the truth is it means much more to us determined pushers than those who don't have a clue what this recovery is like. So...... celebrating with you!!! --- dar

 

[Cathie]

You go girl!!!!!
We need to support each other, because as Dar says, no one out there really gets what its like in our shoes! I know I am much better off than I was this time last year....BUT
I for some reason swelled up today and had a rough day at work. Each time I got up from my desk, I limped around til I could sit again. My ankle is swelling again. So My PT did not put me on the bike today. MY legs are both very sore - muscle wise that is. And I tried to clean my disgusting house this w/e. So I may have pushed it a tad too much.....UGH. I just wanna wake up and not think about my knees, ya know! Each day gets better, but then we have these minor set backs......POSITIVE thinking! Maybe in my dreams!! HEEEEE

 

[Gretchendz]

Hi guys i just got back from pt and made it around the bike at 8 weeks and 1 day im happy im still a little slow still but my pt guy says im doing slow but ok so this hurting day turned out cool!

Congrats!!!! That was a big red letter day for me too!

 

[Linda2]

Since we're talking about bikes in this thread, does anyone have a recommendation for one to buy? My OS thinks it's an essential recovery tool. I would like to be able to use it even after recovery for cold winter exercise.

 

[hess]

It is so true that we can truly appreciate the milestones of others! I made a full rotation the other day on my bike, and I sat and cried like a baby for a good 5 minutes! I was so excited to share this accomplishment with everyone, and everyone that I told acted like they were so excited for me, but deep down I knew that they could not relate! Please share your accomplishments with us, and let us show support. It is a good feeling to get accelades from others who have experienced the same problems, and have overcome!

Good luck and keep posting,
Hess

 

[lgobrien]

Hess -
You're so right about others not appreciating our "milestones". I went to the pool today for PT and my new PT says, "hey look at you going down those stairs!" No big deal to anyone else, but I WAS trying to show off and she did notice (even though I was in pain, I COULD DO IT!!!)

I also tackled another milestone today. We went to a funeral today (a friends elderly mother) and I could not genuflect before going into the pew, but I tried to kneel down and I COULD!!! Good thing the pew was there to help me stand back up and the pew behind me if I needed to sit down, but I didn't!

So, there are my little milestones that only you guys could appreciate!

Laurie

 

[Josephine]

Herein lies the success of this forum! Neat, you guys!

 

[dar]

Linda2,
Well, I don't really know what kind of bike is the best to get. But I am sure glad I have one. I'm sure it is helping me - I do like the way I feel when I get off. Here is my bike story from this weekend..... I've been having difficulty keeping my foot on the pedal. It keep sliding up so I was going around with the edge of my heal and not my foot. I knew I could get a much better stretch if I could get my foot to stay on the pedal. There was no strap on the side of the bike that I needed. I tried to move the one from my good leg over, but it was just not working. So, last weekend I took a bunge cord and strapped my foot to the pedal. WOW - did that make a big different in the stretching. There was a lot of grunting and tears, but after a few times around, it felt so much better. I hope it shows up on my PT measurement this week.

 

[MumzOil]

What is the general time line with TKR and doing things like -how many weeks of PT, going all the way around on the bike, walking without a cane, able to sit without feeling uncomfortable, rolling over in bed, and other things I haven't even thought about yet!? Thanks, Kathy

 

[ship4]

Since we're talking about bikes in this thread, does anyone have a recommendation for one to buy? My OS thinks it's an essential recovery tool. I would like to be able to use it even after recovery for cold winter exercise.

Hi Linda,
I am Crystal, BTKR on 6/18. I am 2 weeks out, had my 24 staples from each knee removed yesterday. It sure gave me a punch I did not expect. I have lots of steri-strips on holding me together as I heal. My ROM on each knee is over 100 degrees. I have PT again at home on Tuesday next week.
I purchased an upright exercise bike on e-bay. It was at a much lower cost due to a defective fan in the bike computer system. I really do not need a fan! It is an Upright Schwinn 113. I used it in preparation for the surgery and know it will be coming to good use in PT in the next couple of weeks for me. Check out this brand and # in a search is my suggestion! I got it for a little under 400.00 including shipping.

MumzOil,
I suggest you purchase the book on Amazon.com titled Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation. It is written by an OS and PT who both went thru total knee replacement. It is like a "bible" for me for this preparing for surgery, surgery & recovery.
Best,
Crystal

 

[Linda2]

Thanks Crystal. I have the book and will be checking out the bike.

 

[Gretchendz]

Since we're talking about bikes in this thread, does anyone have a recommendation for one to buy? My OS thinks it's an essential recovery tool. I would like to be able to use it even after recovery for cold winter exercise.

I'm happy with my Schwinn AirDyne. But they are very pricey--I'd watch for a used one

 

[Cathie]

Kathy-
Your questions cannot really be answered in a time line for everyone. We are all different. My first knee was different from my second even in using the bike. So I do not think anyone can give you a "general" time line.
Just as a for instance - I stopped using the cane just a couple weeks ago and I am 9weeks out. I do however, still use it for shopping mall trips because I just still get way too tuckered out!
I am excited tho, my PT pushed the bike up to 9 pegs out of 10. That is the second to the highest spot on the frame. And I am pretty proud of that. I rode it for 10 minutes that way. As for a type of bike, I was talking to my PT today about that. Make sure that you do not get an upright bike where you have no support for your back, is what she told me. I belive this is a recumbant bike. I would love to get one myself. But first I have to get my spare room in shape, then I can get one!!

 

[Teach4]

It's so good to hear that others have milestones. Congrats on getting around on the bike! Does your hip go up when you do it? When I bike my hip goes up and my food is not exactly straight. The PT says I'm compensating, but it's o.k. because I'm still going around and stretching my knee. Anyone else have this issue?

 

[lgobrien]

I had the issue a couple weeks ago and my PT told me NOT to use the bike until my ROM got better - she didn't like the way my hip was compensating for the lack of ROM. It didn't take long with other exercises to get so I could use it though.

Laurie

 

[Doug]

We've all had to deal with the TKR hip rock. I found that if I started with the seat back and warmed up well I could gradually lower the seat every three minutes. Although I absolutely hated the bike, it was critical to my getting ROM back. Don't forget that at some point you need to increase resistance to address leg strength as well as ROM.

 

[referee54]

What is the general time line with TKR and doing things like -how many weeks of PT, going all the way around on the bike, walking without a cane, able to sit without feeling uncomfortable, rolling over in bed, and other things I haven't even thought about yet!? Thanks, Kathy

there really is on "general" guidelines or timeline--some do things faster, others' bodies take healing at a slower pace. Patience, Ma'm, patience.

Tim C.