TKR Cece’s new knee

[Cecelia]

9.5 weeks out from TKA

There is life at the end of this journey. Every week brings improvements.
I drove to PT for the first time.
Walking is getting easier with less stiffness.
ROM was 0/113. Exercises and stretches two times a day. No pain just pushing into the stretches.
Only pain is when overdoing it.
Feeling more positive and less obsessed with my knee.

Taking the advice here. Rest, ice, and elevate after every task.
Nap whenever the tired feeling hits, one to two times a day. Sleep is still elusive sometimes.
Do not overdo it. I have joined that club a few times.
When I get blue about what I can’t do, I start thinking of what I will be able to do in a few more months.

Thanks for all the advice here.

 

[SusieShoes]

Cece, you're doing wonderfully! Yes, once you embrace the rest, ice, and elevate rhythm, it starts to make so much sense. It's really hard to notice how well your knee is healing when thinking about it 24/7 and nagging it to get better. They can seem to have a mind of their own, at times, but it's really just us being discontent. And do keep thinking of all the things you will be able to do soon, because that's coming right around the bend!

 

[KarriB]

You’re right! It doesn’t pay to overdo things and giving your knee time is the best thing you can do.

 

[Cecelia]

12.5 weeks out from TKA

Life is returning to normal and for that I am grateful.

Positives:
Up and down stairs with no pain. Before TKA it was unbearable and I had to drag myself hand over hand up the rail.
Went out to dinner with friends. Knee elevated on a chair for comfort.
Walking 5000 to 9000 steps per day.
Driving longer distances, doing errands, using disabled parking permit less and less
PT going well. Rom 0/121, starting strengthening exercises.
Energy better each day

Improving:
Tylenol still 2-3 times per day
Stiffness by the evening
Aching at night if overdoing it
One nap per day

Thank you BoneSmart for being there for me. Everyone is kind and supportive.

Cecelia from Washington State in the US

 

[sistersinhim]

 

[Cecelia]

Surgery January 8th, 2018. Sixteen weeks out.

What a difference in a month. About 14 weeks the tiredness was gone.

I can now bike for 3 miles with my electric bike.
Swim class 3 days a week.
Walk 1.5 miles.
No more naps.
PT has ended after 30 sessions.
My surgeon was pleased with my progress and just said, get on with your life.
ROM is 0/135 and still improving.
Doing all the shopping, housework, and a little bit of gardening.
Sleep has dramatically improved.

There are some improvents to come.

Taking Tylenol 2 times per day.
Still stiff at the end of the day, sitting to long, or driving over a half hour.
Hard not to overdo when I feel better.
My goals of hiking 5 miles or biking 20 miles are going to take more time.

Things that helped the most:

PT every day but never did anything that caused more than a bit of discomfort.
Resting when needed
Never let anyone cause me pain. No is a great word.
Belief that I could get better.
This forum.

Thanks for being there.

 

[SuperSnapper]

Great to hear that you’ve recovered so well

 

[Mutti3]

Great report!

 

[Cecelia]

Surgery January 8th, 2018. Twenty weeks post surgery.

I reread the 16 week posts as I was feeling there had been no progress this month. There was progress thank goodness.

Walking 2.5 miles on uneven surfaces.
Climbed a steep hill.
Bike ride for 11 miles.
Gentle pool exercise 3 times a week
Gardening for 2 hours at a time. Finished putting in a large vege garden.
Tylenol now only at night.
Up and about most of the day.
Back to painting and sitting at a chair for hours.
My knee does not hurt, now everything else does.


Still need to improve:

Back to pm naps because of increased activity.
Elevation and ice in the evenings for the same reason.
Still pay the price for doing too much.
I had to reread the posts here and realize 5 months is early if it takes 12-18 months for complete recovery.

Thanks for the support.

 

[Marguette]

HI Cece
I've just read through your post. Thank you so much for your progress reports. They are very encouraging. Makes me realize that at 11 weeks, I'm not doing so badly. Although some days are worse, overall I'm doing well. Today is a good day so far. Cheers!

 

[SusieShoes]

That's a great report! These "middle recovery" months can seem like not much is getting better, just day after day and week after week of being the same, only to find out that yeah! There's improvement going on behind the scenes!

Everything else hurting is progress for sure. It means your knee is getting to where it needs to be and now your muscles that have been underused for months are catching up!

 

[Cecelia]

Thanks for the responses. Some days I feel like progress and other days it feels sooooo slow. I have found new friends at a gentle water exercise class at our local pool. Everyone there has had a joint replacement. It’s like BoneSmart with the encouragement plus they can give me practical advice in person.

A good bit of advice came from a friend when you can’t lie down and ice. Wrap a tea towel around your knee, place an ice gel pack over that, then wrap am Ace bandage around everything. I can drive with this on and wear around the house. Every bit of cooling helps.

 

[Cecelia]

Seven and a half months out and progress is still ongoing.

I can walk 3-4 miles now on level trails. Some steep hills with walking sticks.
Bike riding is perfect.
Doing all activities with no problems. Gardening, walking, and stairs.
No Tylenol or meds for pain.
No swelling or stiffness unless to much activity.

Still get more tired than before surgery. Naps are wonderful on really active days.
Kneeling is not super comfortable but doable.

Hopefully at a year or more I will be able to hike 5-6 miles in the mountains.

Thank you BoneSmart.

 

[Jockette]

Awesome!!

 

[SusieShoes]

How wonderful! So happy to hear you are back doing the things you love.

 

[sistersinhim]

 

[KarriB]

Wow! Sounds like you’re doing wonderfully!