speccybecky
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I get that Claudia, and I'm sure it's the nerves tingling, sometimes like a little shock as well as the crawling feeling
TKR Claudia's Recovery
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Yes, I had that sometimes too and I think it is a good sign that the nerves are coming back.
As for the walking it is good you had your husband to hang onto for security in the tricky spots. Relearning how to walk does take a while for some of us. We've compensated for the bad knee for so long. Even now I have to sometimes remind myself to get a good heel strike,particularly when I'm tired.
As for the walking it is good you had your husband to hang onto for security in the tricky spots. Relearning how to walk does take a while for some of us. We've compensated for the bad knee for so long. Even now I have to sometimes remind myself to get a good heel strike,particularly when I'm tired.
speccybecky
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We're all normal.......just different!
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CLaudia
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Josephine, I love the visual, that's exactly what it feels like. Went on all day yesterday, something is definitely waking up!!!
Becky.....it might be advised not to do this early in recovery, but if you were told you should NEVER walk in sand or swim in the ocean, that just doesn't make sense.
Initially, when your muscles are weaker, you would need to be careful walking in dry sand because it tends to shift unexpectedly and that can torque your knee when it's still tender. This would not be a problem on wet sand because it is more firm. Once your muscles have strengthened, even dry sand should not be a problem at all.
And swimminig....maybe the people you talked to had an unnatural fear of sharks or something.:th_heehee: I can't imagine why you would be told not to swim in the ocean.
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CLaudia
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Thanks Jamie, I asked my physical therapist and she said at this point in my recovery walking in/on sand on the beach would help strengthen my muscles. Im looking forward to it.
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I was told walking in sand would be good for me but to be very careful when starting out. Let us know how you make out in the sand.
speccybecky
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I think it was in first 12 weeks , not to do it . And the swimming was because the sand undersea would not be a smooth surface. Sorry if I confused the issue but as well to make sure
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CLaudia
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Hi Nancy, no confusion! Best to know so we can check it out beforehand. I will be at 13-1/2 weeks when I get to Florida so should be ok. As for the ocean, I prefer a nice clean pool. My physical therapist has given me exercises to do in the pool to continue strengthening my muscles.
Also, I am starting to walk up the stairs foot over foot. It takes a lot of strength for me to do it, but I can do it. Coming down still an issue, but I will get there! I'm so excited by each bit of progress that I see!!
Also, I am starting to walk up the stairs foot over foot. It takes a lot of strength for me to do it, but I can do it. Coming down still an issue, but I will get there! I'm so excited by each bit of progress that I see!!
speccybecky
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Hi Claudia, I just got myself in and out of a bath, hubby was in shouting distance but didn't need him
I can sometimes go upstairs if holding on for dear life! Other times it hurts. Same coming down but pain is behind knee which physio thinks is hamstrings. I walked a bit in the morning and cycled about 2 mins this afternoon!. It was such a sunny day,unheard of in march , that I sat in sun with a book and only did some gentle stretching where I sat. I like swimming in the sea when on holiday but might not venture from the pool in June. But not sure how I'll get on going down a ladder into pool. It's a few weeks off yet so just have to wait and see. I am so looking forward to some sunshine as I am afraid I am a sun worshipper!
I can sometimes go upstairs if holding on for dear life! Other times it hurts. Same coming down but pain is behind knee which physio thinks is hamstrings. I walked a bit in the morning and cycled about 2 mins this afternoon!. It was such a sunny day,unheard of in march , that I sat in sun with a book and only did some gentle stretching where I sat. I like swimming in the sea when on holiday but might not venture from the pool in June. But not sure how I'll get on going down a ladder into pool. It's a few weeks off yet so just have to wait and see. I am so looking forward to some sunshine as I am afraid I am a sun worshipper!
It will do that!!! Just do be careful when you start out and I'm sure you're going to do just fine!!!
That makes sense, then, Becky. I was thinking more of the actual "swimming" instead of trying to walk on the bottom. If the waves are strong in shallow-ish water when you're standing, that could present some problems also for someone early in the recovery process.
Hopefully your pool will have steps as well as a ladder as they would be much easier for you to use.
speccybecky
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I know there are no steps, only ladders, I've been before. I know I'll get in just not sure my arms are strong enough to pull me up and out. Guess I'll have to get hubby to give me a shove!
No shoves....but it would be good to have him there to help if you need it. I don't know about you, but sometimes I have trouble with the steps on a swim ladder even without the complications of surgery!
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CLaudia
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Claudia's Progress Report
Thank you Nancy for letting me know my original thread was closed -- returning to normal life has taken all my time lately, and although I have been lurking on the forum I haven't posted since at least April. I went off for 2 weeks of vacation in Florida, returned to start my job, and it's been crazy busy ever since.
In two days I will be at the 5 month mark--so much has changed for me: I graduated from Physical Therapy about 3 weeks ago -- what a marvelous feeling. It was a lot of hard work, some pain, but worth every bit of it. I am still exercising the knee a lot, muscles aren't as strong as the non-tkr knee, so I still have some work to do, but it's coming along nicely. My physical therapy office allows the graduates to use the facility free of charge for 60 days after graduation, so I try and get there at least twice a week.
I can almost walk normally, although not as fast as I would like. The knee still clunks around a bit, though it seems to be easing up. Some stiffness remains, also easing up. No pain at all, other than an occasional zing of a nerve waking up. The numbness hasn't changed much--I'm curious if everyone else who had their TKR's in January are still experiencing it too?
I've come a long way on the stairs. Sometimes I get lazy and go up one foot at a time, and have to remind myself to go up and down normally. I'm getting better walking on uneven ground and going up inclines. I work for a petsitting company, where I mainly do the office work, but I have now started back to doing a few dog walks (for the more well-behaved pups).
I will share something exciting that I did this week: I golfed 18 holes on my golf league!!! I must admit I was really tired afterward and my swing is quite rusty, but I did have the occasional beautiful drive and made some nice putts. And I did it all with no pain -- until the next day that is! I didn't realize how little I've used my calf muscles and walking up and down little hills on the course made me feel like a cripple the next morning. The knee was perfectly fine, but my calves were screaming at me! However, if you had told me in January that I would be golfing at the beginning of June, I would never have believed it.
I think my only issue is with sleeping. My knee aches at night, no matter what position I get in. I have used regular pillows, no pillows, now I'm using a special memory-foam knee pillow from BedBath and Beyond. It has helped a bit, but I wake up several times every night with an aching knee. As a result I always feel tired. Anyone have any remedy for this situation other than time? I do take tylenol before I go to bed, it's the only time I take it now.
So that's my update -- nice to read about everyone's progress and you newbies hang in there, it DOES get better. Patience, patience, patience is the key, and listen to your fellow Bonesmarties -- it's the very best advice you will find anywhere!
Thank you Nancy for letting me know my original thread was closed -- returning to normal life has taken all my time lately, and although I have been lurking on the forum I haven't posted since at least April. I went off for 2 weeks of vacation in Florida, returned to start my job, and it's been crazy busy ever since.
In two days I will be at the 5 month mark--so much has changed for me: I graduated from Physical Therapy about 3 weeks ago -- what a marvelous feeling. It was a lot of hard work, some pain, but worth every bit of it. I am still exercising the knee a lot, muscles aren't as strong as the non-tkr knee, so I still have some work to do, but it's coming along nicely. My physical therapy office allows the graduates to use the facility free of charge for 60 days after graduation, so I try and get there at least twice a week.
I can almost walk normally, although not as fast as I would like. The knee still clunks around a bit, though it seems to be easing up. Some stiffness remains, also easing up. No pain at all, other than an occasional zing of a nerve waking up. The numbness hasn't changed much--I'm curious if everyone else who had their TKR's in January are still experiencing it too?
I've come a long way on the stairs. Sometimes I get lazy and go up one foot at a time, and have to remind myself to go up and down normally. I'm getting better walking on uneven ground and going up inclines. I work for a petsitting company, where I mainly do the office work, but I have now started back to doing a few dog walks (for the more well-behaved pups).
I will share something exciting that I did this week: I golfed 18 holes on my golf league!!! I must admit I was really tired afterward and my swing is quite rusty, but I did have the occasional beautiful drive and made some nice putts. And I did it all with no pain -- until the next day that is! I didn't realize how little I've used my calf muscles and walking up and down little hills on the course made me feel like a cripple the next morning. The knee was perfectly fine, but my calves were screaming at me! However, if you had told me in January that I would be golfing at the beginning of June, I would never have believed it.
I think my only issue is with sleeping. My knee aches at night, no matter what position I get in. I have used regular pillows, no pillows, now I'm using a special memory-foam knee pillow from BedBath and Beyond. It has helped a bit, but I wake up several times every night with an aching knee. As a result I always feel tired. Anyone have any remedy for this situation other than time? I do take tylenol before I go to bed, it's the only time I take it now.
So that's my update -- nice to read about everyone's progress and you newbies hang in there, it DOES get better. Patience, patience, patience is the key, and listen to your fellow Bonesmarties -- it's the very best advice you will find anywhere!
Claudia....it's great to hear from you and to know you are doing well.
I have reopened your original recovery thread and merged it and your newest post to keep your comments in the one thread. I hope you don't mind. If you ever find your thread is closed and you want to give an update, just send a PM to Josephine or me and we'll open it right back up. We close them after a month or so of inactivity so that people don't post on them and have their comments wander off into cyberland.
It is going to take time for your sleep to return to normal. You are taking Tylenol at bedtime (1000mg, I'm assuming....if not, that's what you should take). It only lasts 4 hours though, so if you wake up in the night and it's been at least 4 hours, take another 1000mg. You might also try taking some ibuprofen along with the Tylenol. They work well together.
I have reopened your original recovery thread and merged it and your newest post to keep your comments in the one thread. I hope you don't mind. If you ever find your thread is closed and you want to give an update, just send a PM to Josephine or me and we'll open it right back up. We close them after a month or so of inactivity so that people don't post on them and have their comments wander off into cyberland.
It is going to take time for your sleep to return to normal. You are taking Tylenol at bedtime (1000mg, I'm assuming....if not, that's what you should take). It only lasts 4 hours though, so if you wake up in the night and it's been at least 4 hours, take another 1000mg. You might also try taking some ibuprofen along with the Tylenol. They work well together.
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