TKR GrandyGirl's Recovery Story 1/14/12

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Ah, yes, Dori, I did forget to mention that pedaling backwards in the beginning is much easier and gets you ready to pedal forwards.

Once I could get completely around, I spent more time pedaling backwards for the first week or two. Although, I mostly pedal forwards now, I still do some back pedaling. Its really a great way to stretch and loosen up those knees; and I always feel better after a 5 to 15 minute session on the bike.

Hope this is more help. :cat-kittyandsmiley: Judy

 

[Randi]

Hi Dori - I prefer the recumbent bike too but maybe because my back is more comfortable that way. I may be one of the few but I was able to go all the way around , forward , the very first time I tried , at 3 weeks post-op and now I can't wait to do my 20 minutes about 3 or 4 times a week. Just go at your own pace and be proud of whatever you can accomplish.

 

[Jazyb]

Dori, how strange I have been using my bike for the last few days and today I went all the way forwards for the first time and I can tell you it didn't hurt in the least - it felt so good!! I have an upright bike and it works well for me. I have been doing the rocking backwards and forwards up until today and I feel that has really improved my ROM. Good luck!

 

[Josephine]

All of which is also described in here Some suggestions for home physio (PT) and activity progress

 

[GrandyGirl]

Thank you all. It will be an exciting day when I can post that I made my first revolution.

Today I plan to just take it easy around the house. I think I have been doing too much. The reason I say that is because last night, out of the clear blue, I developed a fever. I am very sensitive to fluctuations in my body's temperature and 1-2 degrees just zaps me. So I took a couple of Tylenol PM's and went to bed. The fever broke and I felt better.

But I really think I just need to slow down even more and stop being so "busy" around the house. A friend came by yesterday to clean my pool and I sat outside chatting with him the whole time, walking around showing him different gauages and where the chemicals are, etc., rather than relaxing while he worked. I got up at 10 am yesterday and it was 4:30 before I actually sat back down and rested. That's just too much. My body couldn't take all that.

So this morning, I am feeling fine and I plan to take it very easy today. I don't want any company today...Thanks

Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[referee54]

Thank you all. It will be an exciting day when I can post that I made my first revolution.

Today I plan to just take it easy around the house. I think I have been doing too much.

But I really think I just need to slow down even more and stop being so "busy" around the house. I got up at 10 am yesterday and it was 4:30 before I actually sat back down and rested.

Congratulations on the victory achieved on the bike! Those little victories mean so very, very much.

You are basically just a tad over four weeks removed from the surgery. I believe that it is very wise of you to slow things down somewhat! You can be as active as you like, but you also must understand that, by being that active, you are going to slow down your recovery; I did the same thing by returning to work at eight weeks.

Slow down, ice/elevate/rest---by being a month removed from some major surgical trauma, you need to recognize that your TKR is still healing, and you need to let it do just that.

The more active you are, the more angry your knee will be.

 

[GrandyGirl]

I AM still very new to this whole process. I also am beginning to understand that the more I do, the angrier my knee will become. So I am seeking that balance between activity and rest that will allow me to make maximum progress with minimal pain. It's different for each of us.

 

[kneeper]

^true. Maybe consider time to rest and elevate part of your "activities" for the day. :wink1:

 

[GrandyGirl]

That's a very excellent suggestion!

 

[referee54]

I am seeking that balance between activity and rest that will allow me to make maximum progress with minimal pain..

Less is more. Where you are in your recovery will allow you to understand that you cannot rush this---maximum progress is obtained by staying within your knee's envelope and not trying to exceed that. We have all been there---we feel a little too good, so to speak, and say, "Why not?" We find out later "why not"!

Please try to be patient and understand that healing may take months! The harder you try to work, the more frustrated you may become, and the more you may actually slow down your progress.

Be the turtle and not the hare. When you think about how long it took for your knee to reach the arthritic stage that demanded a TKR, suddenly, the time frame of recovery is actually very reasonable.

 

[speccybecky]

Here the advice is not to use a bike until after the 12 week point so haven t tried this yet? Amazing how it differs from area to area

 

[referee54]

I was using the bike at about three -four weeks---perhaps a tad bit earlier than that!

I would sit on it and rock the pedals back and forth---I would also "cheat" by lifting my hips from side to side, too.

I would do this throughout the day as I watched TV---or the telly as they so on your side of the pond.

I have to say that it was quite beneficial to me. When I went to outpatient PT, they would have me warm up by riding the bike---it got progressively longer and the tension increased, too.

 

[GrandyGirl]

What seems to be consistent is that the bike is a very good exercise for knee replacement patients. It seems that more people prefer the recumbant over the upright for knee replacement. When to begin using the bike is not so definitive.

I plan to purchase a recumbant bike this week and will give it a twirl this week. I will begin with the back and forth action and stay with that until my knee says otherwise. Of course, all this depends of whether my knee decides that she wants to go bike shopping in the first place.

 

[referee54]

I have a recumbent stationary bike at home and I use one as well at the gym. My road bike, though, is not an recumbent, although you do see them out and about. An actual road-type "'bent" can be very, very expensive.

I use the recumbent stationary bike at least four times a week in the cold months; during the spring and summer, as well as into the autumn, I normally ride my road bike about 120-150 miles per week.

Low-impact, great for cardio, and an excellent way to relieve stresses, too!

 

[jerseychick]

I love cycling and now my new love is spinning. It's great cardio exercise and great for my new knee. I joined a gym and just can't get enough spinning classes in.

 

[CLaudia]

Dori, I did the same thing on Friday--totally overdid it and I wouldn't be surprised if I spiked a fever too, had chills and bone-tired. After resting all day yesterday I'm much better today. Lesson learned!

I have not made a full revolution on the bike yet, but just going back and forth really loosens the knee up. I started that a week ago. Someday I want to do a Spinning class--my knee was never up to it, but it looks like fabulous exercise. That's going to be my new goal. I'm excited to think about the new things I can try in the future.

 

[GrandyGirl]

I believe you both, don't get me wrong. But I find it almost inconceivable that one day I will be able to do the things that you are describing.

In this moment, I am on my back (again), with my leg on a wedge pillow and my knee wrapped in this cryo-icing unit...trying to decide if I should take Tylenol PM or a percoet to get me thru the night.

No one will be more amazed that ME if I am ever able to bend my knee enough to cycle again. But again, I BELIEVE YOU. and Jerseychick, I have seen pics of you ROCK CLIMBING. I guess I just have to keep the faith and take it one day at a time. It's not easy sometimes.

Today I was bending my arthritic knee which still needs to have surgery and comparing it to my new knee which is all stiff and swollen and unable to bend very much. I was thinking, "Gee I wonder if my new knee will ever be able to have the ROM that my arthritic knee has?" Even though it cracks and hurts like heck, I can still bend it. I can't do much of anything yet with my new knee so its really hard to imagine that one day I will be spinning and cycling like you are able to do today. But God I hope so!!!!!!

:cry4:
Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[bottomshollow]

Dori, sweetie, give yourself a break!!!! :eeew: You are only 5 weeks out---and none of those folks doing those things were doing them when they were where you are right now.

You will get there---and it may take longer for you then for some others---but there will be those who take longer than you. Although the journey we're on is similar, each of us has our own individual path to take. If you spend a lot of time comparing what you can do to others, you're going to spend a lot of time feeling discouraged.:hate-shocked: Don't do that to yourself.

I guess I'm lucky because I don't care a thing about rock climbing, cycling, running, and any of the really physical stuff. So I never make those comparisons.

And remember---overdoing is going to cause swelling, which is going to keep that knee from bending. And also, the knee may be looking real good from the outside----but the inside is a completely different story. Just take it easy and think positive.:yes 4:

Keep us posted. We care. :cat-kittyandsmiley:Judy

 

[GrandyGirl]

Judy,

To be honest with you, I really don't have any interest in rock climbing either. I've always been afraid of heights. :hate-shocked: But being able to ride my bicycle again would be fun.

Thanks for snapping me back to reality. I got anxious because I was projecting far into the future and i just need to stay right here, right now and do the best I can, one day at at time...and try to enjoy the ride



Dori

 

[GrandyGirl]

Judy,

Did you have knee replacements 3 days apart??