Bless you all from a Newbie !

[Pookerbear]

Another great idea! LOL!! Actually I have caller ID, and must admit I have, um, failed to get to the phone once or twice in time to answer when her name popped up We have to do only what we feel we have the energy for (physical therapy notwithstanding!), right?

 

[calling_all_angels]

Pookerbear,
I do believe that we have to do what is good for us. Not jumping through hoops
for someone's else's enjoyment. You have to let yourself be #1 now so you can heal.
Just be careful I am 2 weeks out and today I fell in the basement. I just can not
use a cane my leg gives out for no reason at all. But like Jo said you can not hurt the
new knee so I am not worried!! It hurt like h___. But that will pass.
Just take care of yourself.
^i^

 

[Pookerbear]

Angel, which leg gives out on you? I assume your non-TKR'd leg? You said you fell in the basement...how did you get down in the basement?! At two weeks out I could barely manage the stoop into the house! I hope you are doing okay with no damage from the fall...how terrible. Also..how did you get up?

 

[calling_all_angels]

The right knee the one with the TKR, The muscle just isn't there when I need
it. I hope that I will be able to get the muscle back to giving me a leg to stand on.
That is why I am safer with the walker. But to get down the sairs I have to use the cane. and then when I walked accross the floor the leg gave out. I hope that PT
will help me figure out what to do about the leg.
^i^

 

[Linda2]

I hope the PT has some answers for you. My TKR knee has been the trustworthy one from just a short time after surgery. You, however, are still only a couple weeks out from surgery if I have it correctly in my head. You really should still be using the walker. It seems you are trying to an awful lot for someone who's only a couple weeks out.

 

[Jamie]

I agree with Linda2, Calling.....it would have to be a pretty important thing for you to be doing a lot of stairs at this stage. You don't have that muscle strength yet.

 

[calling_all_angels]

I was lead to believe that I should go up and down the sairs every day
because stairs are important. And so I have tried to go up and down to
do clothes and trying to get knee to love going backwards on bike. Bike is
in the basement. I have to whip this leg in to shape if I am going to be able
to take care of myself when I have the left done. Is something special I can do
to get the muscle to wake up?? Would the tens unit wake it up??
^i^

 

[Linda2]

My physical therapist worked on making sure all systems were firing appropriately. Yes, you need to work your new knee, but EQUALLY IMPORTANTLY you need to rest and give it time to heal. I don't think whipping anything into shape really works. It is better to have a systemized training program with all components in place--IMHO.

 

[Jamie]

I think Linda2 is right. When I was working on stair therapy, I would go up and down 5 steps (not the whole stairway) once or twice a day to start. Then gradually worked up to bend the knee more and more. The stairs were more for bend than for leg strength. If you want to work on your quad, the bicycle is best for that. Why don't you have someone bring it upstairs for you. You're in recovery....it's okay to have it right in the middle of your living space if you need it. Mine went in the middle of the den near the window so I could pedal it day or night when needed. The bike will help your quad muscles develop. Talk with your therapist also about some exercises for balance. When the leg muscles atrophy, balance goes also.