TKR Getting somewhere at last!

[Roy Gardiner]

With TKR the exercise bike is used for two separate things; stretching and training.

Stretching: Set the saddle as high as you like. The higher it is, the more likely you can complete a full rotation as your knee is bending less. It is perfectly OK to set it so high that your feet aren't really touching the pedals at the bottom of the stroke.

Then you progressively lower the saddle to get greater and greater knee bend.

Keeping zero resistance is correct, this is not training.

Training: There is a correct height. Rule of thumb: sit on the bike with the pedal at its furthest position from the saddle. With your heel on the pedal, your leg should be straight. Then you pedal with the ball of your foot on the pedal and your leg will be slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

Some resistance is good. If your knee swells up in the 24 hours after exercise, lower the resistance and decrease the time on the bike.

 

[speccybecky]

I am trying to get back on exercise track after my ten days sick. I still have that occasional 'wobble' when walking which almost makes me lose balance, hence still on sticks. Also get a pain behind knee when doing slides. Seems to be the same pain I get when wobble happens! It also seems to be the same pain when I hang on, grit my teeth and try to walk properly downstairs (can't do up). Can anyone tell me what this might be . Is it a particular muscle/tendon? Any particular exercise help?

 

[sandyk]

sure one of the more knowledgeable bonesmarites will give you the right advice but i think it sounds like it could be the hamstrings - i'm having issues with them too they are stopping me from lifting my leg backwards - the exercise they do in physio was to try to kick your bum - i couldn't manage this but am working on getting that one under my belt too xxxx

Glad your on the road to recovery and hope that the nasty virus is well behind you = take care xx

 

[Jamie]

Becky....you are wobbly because you are still early in recovery and things are still healing within your knee. Same reason for pain when doing steps. It's going to take a while. Trying to push with exercises will not make recovery come any faster. When something hurts, you need to not do that for a while yet or do it with the aid of your sticks. Be sure you're still icing, elevating and taking pain meds. All of those help!

 

[Campervan]

Hi Sandy, where's the pain? Is it just above the knee at the base of the quads? My weak quads make my knee give way. Was doing it more about a month ago, but now getting stronger so doing it less and less. Just once today.

 

[Pleinair5]

Roy, I am wondering, how soon after TKR can most people use the exercise bike? I want to get back on my bike so badly---TKR is this Tuesday (20th). I told my husband wait to bring the exercise bike into the living room---I almost bought one of the indoor trainers but I don't know if that money is better spent elsewhere. I can probably use the exercise bike for rehab and will look forward to getting outside on my Cannondale.

 

[Jamie]

The exercise bike is fine for rehab. In fact, it's a very good therapy tool! You will probably not be able to do much for a couple of weeks. Even then, you may just use it to rock your leg back and forth. Sometimes it takes a while for you to be able to make that full rotation.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Roy, I am wondering, how soon after TKR can most people use the exercise bike?

I can only speak for myself, I'm afraid.

The first hurdle is getting a complete rotation, obviously. You can make that easier by raising the saddle so that your feet are barely touching the pedals at the bottom of the stroke.

Once you've done one full rotation, then just following the pedals round I found a good way of just easing all the muscles and tendons. Flexion can then be improved by lowering the saddle progressively (maybe 1mm at a time).

But I found the clicking and popping of my knees, in the early weeks of recovery, so uncomfortable I barely used the bike. It's only now that I can get on the road I'm actually using the bike to train.

 

[Jazyb]

Hi Nancy

With all this business with the website being down it's been hard keeping track on everyone but I am sure I read a report from you yesterday, that you were having some terrible problems. I was about to reply and it all crashed again so I gave up!! Now, this morning the post has gone?? I do hope you are ok and feeling better today and please don't fret about what you can and can't do at the moment. For a start you have been so unwell and need to recover from that. You will get there with your knee and if you need to use canes for a while - that's ok too.

I will not post a super long one just in case it disappears. I will check in with you later today. I am off to the hairdressers this morning - yay!!! Take care.

 

[speccybecky]

Aah Jo. Yes I ve had a bad spell. Am worse off than before op at the stage wishing I hadn't bothered. In more pain than ever, still got 2 sticks. Knee feels like giving way, no stairs. Feel like I might never recover or get back to work again. Just felt like putting head under covers and staying there. Hospital on Wednesday and then I've arranged to stay with my aunt at seaside for a few days. See if a change of scene And sea air helps

 

[sandyk]

Hi Nancy so so sorry to hear that things are going bad for you but honey hang on in there take it easy and look after yourself - let us know how you get on on wednesday - you say your off to the seaside which one are you off to - love the seaside hope it's good weather for you and that you manage to be able to get out and get some fresh air xxxxxx take care honey love and blessings toyou xxx

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Nancy, I'm saddened and baffled by what's happened to you.

It can't be the same source of pain as before, those bits are in a bin somewhere. So it must be something new.

And giving way? The new joint itself presumably is solid, is it muscles giving up?

If it's ligaments and tendons hurting, they can and will recover. If it's muscles giving way, they can and will get stronger.

Good luck on Wednesday, if the people at the hospital confirm that the new joint is OK you can make a plan.

Or perhaps stuff plans for a while, stay with your auntie and enjoy the nice weather we seem to be forecast, and relax.

 

[Diney]

Hi Nancy
Just to give you some encouragement I have had a miserable week or two when I thought things were going backwards. I developed a pain in my knee and couldn't walk very far. That was at about six weeks. I have really cut back on all activity since then and rested. Now at nine weeks I think things are finally improving. The knee pain is mostly gone and I am starting to do more again. I think I expected too much too soon and like most of us I was very impatient for results. I am sure you will turn the corner soon. Your body is probably still rebelling after your sickness when it had to divert the healing process away from your knee for a bit.
I hope you enjoy your trip to the seaside.

 

[speccybecky]

Thanks all! I think I have to learn patience and to stop worrying. I was thinking too far ahead and could see me never getting back to work! I ll be happier once I ve been to hospital, I think. I am off to Prestwick on the west coast of Scotland and will do some walking along the sea front. We have booked a week in canaries for June so hopefully I'll make that. Something to look forward to.

 

[Jamie]

Becky....so sorry to hear you've had a setback. I'm glad you're going to see your doctor soon. You need that confirmation that everything is okay with your implant. I think you will hear that. Then it will be a matter of taking things easy for a bit to allow those tender tissues to rebuild themselves again.

I love your idea of spending some quality time being pampered by the ocean. Just be sure to plan a lot of rest, ice, and elevation along with the walks.

 

[Jazyb]

Hi Nancy
Bless your heart, I do feel for you and I agree with Jamie that you need confirmation from the hospital that all is well with your knee; which I'm sure it is I like your plan that you are going to the seaside to stay with an Aunt, that I'm sure will spoil you! Nice gentle walks will do your knee the world of good and I mean gentle (nice and easy does it!).

Keep us posted on your hospital appointment and in the meantime keep your chin up xxxx

 

[tashia]

speccybecky, Sorry about the setback but its not that uncommon but its a ruff when it happens. Now that done how is the ocean? I love the ocean and when I found you were going I told myself this person knows how to take care of themselves. Please tell us how you are doing. Remember rest, pain control and ice. take care . :doggieshmooze:Tashia:wink1:

 

[Jazyb]

Hi Nancy
I hope you are feeling better and your knee is behaving. I wondered how you got on with your appointment - good news I hope!

 

[speccybecky]

Said everything is fine .saw the x ray. Says I'm at the worst hot and it will get better. Took one of the sticks off me. Said I'm walking ok. Bend measured 120. Said to go back to taking tramadol to see if it helps me sleep. Says that not sleeping isvthe most common complaint. It will take at least a year to feel like ,'mine' . Keeping trying the stairs even if it hurts, not sure about that. Doesn't want to see me for a year. Just keep exercising . Pretty much what everyone said really. Be patient! It just took me a while for it really to sink in! Beautiful day walking in the spring sun by the sea. Thanks all

 

[Jazyb]

That is a good report Nancy, it sure is a long recovery with this surgery but we all seem to get there eventually Enjoy your break