MikeF
new member
OK...
Not much feedback a few months back concerning the effects of "Long Haul""
flights following TKR'...so here goes.
Bilateral TKR proceedure completed 11/03/08...Return to active Flight Status
03/10/09...not quite 4 months...Doc was gonna clear me at the 90 day point,
but there were still issues in my mind negotiating stairs...it hurt like he!!, so
we waited...as so many others have said, "don't push it".
Back to the line in March. Normal Schedule: Washington,D.C. to Tokyo (13 Hours)
Tokyo to Singapore (7 Hours) then return Tokyo...D.C. Days gone= 6.
Things I noticed:
1. I have to get up & stretch every 1-1.5 hours.
2. It's absolutely amazing how strong the "new" joints are.
3. Swelling...a definite issue...when the airplane cabin climbs to 8000' there is
going to be some expansion...LOTS of expansion for the first month.
Get and wear over the knee compression socks for at least the first month...
For us guys, they slip down ALL the time. options are: shave legs (NOPE)
Garter Belt (NADA)...Panty Hose...Dont Even Go There! Hey it's a guy thing! It Wont last forever.
Second month went to knee highs...relatively comfortable...and they work.
Probably am gonna stick with them till the 1st anniversary.
There was no pain involved with the swelling, just un-nerving.
4. Keep working out...this is important...I know cause I didn't!
If you do not keep the joint stretched out, range of motion suffers...
It took about a month to figure it out...now back on track.
So, all and all, an uneventful recovery. Most of my concerens (fears) were
unfounded..but untill you fully stretch em out, and gain confidence that the
new ones are as good, or better than before, you will miss the potential.
Cheers,
Not much feedback a few months back concerning the effects of "Long Haul""
flights following TKR'...so here goes.
Bilateral TKR proceedure completed 11/03/08...Return to active Flight Status
03/10/09...not quite 4 months...Doc was gonna clear me at the 90 day point,
but there were still issues in my mind negotiating stairs...it hurt like he!!, so
we waited...as so many others have said, "don't push it".
Back to the line in March. Normal Schedule: Washington,D.C. to Tokyo (13 Hours)
Tokyo to Singapore (7 Hours) then return Tokyo...D.C. Days gone= 6.
Things I noticed:
1. I have to get up & stretch every 1-1.5 hours.
2. It's absolutely amazing how strong the "new" joints are.
3. Swelling...a definite issue...when the airplane cabin climbs to 8000' there is
going to be some expansion...LOTS of expansion for the first month.
Get and wear over the knee compression socks for at least the first month...
For us guys, they slip down ALL the time. options are: shave legs (NOPE)
Garter Belt (NADA)...Panty Hose...Dont Even Go There! Hey it's a guy thing! It Wont last forever.
Second month went to knee highs...relatively comfortable...and they work.
Probably am gonna stick with them till the 1st anniversary.
There was no pain involved with the swelling, just un-nerving.
4. Keep working out...this is important...I know cause I didn't!
If you do not keep the joint stretched out, range of motion suffers...
It took about a month to figure it out...now back on track.
So, all and all, an uneventful recovery. Most of my concerens (fears) were
unfounded..but untill you fully stretch em out, and gain confidence that the
new ones are as good, or better than before, you will miss the potential.
Cheers,