TKR Had a difficult time, feeling better<

[Tabbycat]

Hi @mamazipp
I missed everyone too! I felt quite depressed yesterday, like my support system was cut off. I think it's the two way thing of receiving advice and help and giving back when you can. No one else understands. Someone said to me today " Are you still having trouble?" I said, "Well, it's a year long recovery" but they don't really get it.
I'm glad to hear your appointment with the OS went well, I'm like you I need to strengthen the quad muscle too. I hope the exercises help.
Tabby xxx
PS. Max says to Bella

 

[sistersinhim]

Both of my quads are really weak due to having no kneecaps now and for the last 20+ years. I have no idea if I'll get enough strength back to ditch the cane of not. But, with the arthritis pain gone, as soon as the surgical pain is gone, I can start quad strengthening exercises. This right knee has always been the weakest and will need much more strength before I can get the left one replaced. @mamazipp, I think the more you use them, the stronger they will automatically get.

 

[mamazipp]

@Tabbycat Bella says back, to Max.

She is very touched. .
At least our pets don't ask us if we're still having trouble!

@sistersinhim you have been very active all those years without kneecaps!

I guess we all have to get those quads stronger. The work continues.

 

[sistersinhim]

@mamazipp, I have been active all these years. But, I'm slow. It takes me longer to do things than a person with kneecaps. The weak legs slow me down, but doesn't stop me!!

 

[mamazipp]

My knee at 6 months. Healed nicely on the outside. Now hoping for continued improvement on the inside.

 

[Tabbycat]

@mamazipp
That scar is practically invisible. I hope mine ends up like that, but I don't think so, it's very hypertrophic. I'm sure your wish will come true and your knee will keep getting better little by little until it's good as new.

 

[Floridagal]

That looks great! I really don't care how my scar looks over time BUT do care about the healing inside. At 77 I am not going to enter an beauty contests!

 

[TML]

Your scar barely shows. Awesome!

 

[uva55]

Your scar looks great!!

 

[sistersinhim]

Where is your scar?? Let me look more closely. Oh, there it is!

 

[mamazipp]

Having a bout of insomnia tonight along with a rare migraine. Meds not working...so I'm posting my recent X-rays of my new knee next to my old knee. I can see the narrowed space on my left knee and thinking how it better last! I can also see how my leg was straightened. It's all pretty incredible.

 

[mamazipp]

I realized a few days ago that I've stopped having those weird zingers zapping me at night in various places in my leg. Amazing. Progress is being made!!

Sometimes I need to stop and think about how far I have come. I haven't even felt the knee hammering pain I complained to the OS about last week.

Things do really change.


I am going to give myself permission to feel positive today. I've been wallowing in misery for far too long.

 

[dianehelen]

Good for you!! I know all too well that wallowing thing. I am really happy to see you making some good real progress back to a normal life. Its such a good thing when you forget certain pains...

Keep up the great progress!!

 

[uva55]

You absolutely need to feel positive and celebrate another victory, each day that we can say that something that bothered us last week is no longer a problem this week is a positive step in the right direction!!!

I'm so happy for you

 

[Tabbycat]

@mamazipp, your good news has cheered me up no end, there is light at the end of the tunnel after all. You've had a rough time for too long with this, you deserve a change for the better. I hope this is a sign of how things are going to be from now on.
Your X-ray looks amazing, makes me marvel at the skill of these surgeons.
Tabby xxx
P.S. I'll post the banana cake recipe tomorrow on my thread, a few people would like it.
I'm off to bed now, good night!

 

[uva55]

@mamazipp I saw your question about the discoloration of the skin where there was a previous bruise, I also have an area where th skin looks a little darker where I had a bruise, it is not very obvious but I can see it.

 

[mamazipp]

Happiness? Can it be so?
I can now walk up and down hills with NO pain. It's actually easier than stairs which remain a challenge on my weak quad. But it must be improving as yesterday I spent the day with my 16 year old granddaughter helping her pack for her new boarding school, and I took many trips up and down the stairs in her house with much less discomfort, very little, in fact.....usually when I'm there I will only take one trip up and down, at most. I was carrying stuff and doing normal activities! And NO rebound pain later when I got home. NONE. It has been a long road. Now I want to increase my stamina for walking longer distances.

And every time I try to wear any pair of my pre surgery shoes they just don't feel right. Do I really have to get rid of all of them? I've got a lot of shoes that I really like. That's a substantial investment....

 

[Pumpkin]

And every time I try to wear any pair of my pre surgery shoes they just don't feel right. Do I really have to get rid of all of them?

Best you get rid of your old shoes, see if you can replace them with the same shoe, but new.
Frustrating and $$$$, but is probably the right thing to do for you and your new knee.

 

[LaylaHips]

@mamazipp, your scar looks beautiful! Congrats on being able to walk up and down hills with no pain!

 

[Tabbycat]

I'm so happy you are seeing real progress at last, and no pain after all that activity!