Howdy folks, an update on me...

[Kimgrif]

I had my RTKR on 08/22/08. I've now been released from PT. I don't need to go back to see my OS until February.

I'm pretty much back to my normal routine and finding myself delighted in doing things I haven't been able to do for years. Today is Thanksgiving Day and I'm so very thankful for this surgery that has given me back my "freedom" of life. I have a very large extended family and on big holidays, it falls to me to do the potatoes. That would be peeling, cubing, cooking, and mashing 20 pounds of potatoes for each holiday meal. For years, I've had to sit on a stool in my kitchen do to anything from frying an egg to this huge undertaking of mashed potatoes. I can now stand in my kitchen and cook away, with NO pain! Twenty pounds of potatoes later, I'm feeling GREAT instead of in tears from the knee pain.

I do find that I still have difficulty going down the stairs. I *can* go down stairs without a problem, but my brain just will NOT let me go down them without extreme caution. Most people can descend steps as easily as breathing. My doctor described it as a problem with proprioception and said it should ease up with time. To me, it is just years and YEARS of habit of going down steps leading with my right leg always. I work on this daily, telling myself as I head towards a set of down-going stairs that I *will* step down with my left foot and then my right foot, and then the left, and then the right... It doesn't always work. Anyone else battling this?

I've also found that I can sit in a chair and not have a need to get my leg up most of the time. I do medical transcription so I spend a LOT of time sitting at a computer. I have an ottoman under my desk that my right leg goes up on whenever I need it, and I'm finding that I'm working my entire shift without needing to put it up.

And...the last BIG...I can now finally sleep like I did pre-surgery...all night...with no sleep aids! WOOT!

Wishing all my American friends a very happy Thanksgiving indeed!

 

[Josephine]

Well, slap my thigh and call me a dame! All these old friends calling in. This is jusr sooooo cool! Wonderful to see you again, Kim, and to hear you are doing so very well. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Kim!

Hang in there - the steps get better - Down is a breeze for me - its the up I have to think about!

Congrats on the great progress and Happy Turkey Day back at you!

Marianne

 

[Simon]

Kim

I have the same problem going down the stairs and I do think it is the head. Like you I have to think about it. some of this might be the basement stairs are pretty steep and I go down them at least once a day to bike but I am working on it.

I know what you mean about cooking. I had company in mid October and I was able to make every meal with no problem. If I had even tried one of those meals before I would be in bed for 2 days.

Sill working on stretching out the muscles and get the ROM which has slowed up a bit to do some ligament inflammation but over all I also am finding things are great.

I also have almost stopped looking down when I walk as I was always worried about cracks and things. We will see how it goes this winter with the snow and ice.

Glad you are doing so well

Simon

 

[twoyearspost]

Kim I had TKR over 2 years ago and I still have trouble with steps. At home sometimes I go down backwards as it seems easier(only when my hands are empty of course!) I am sure it is mostly in my head that I can't do it because when I REALLY tell myself to do it I usually can but I am scared. The worst part is I am having my other TKR in less than 2 weeks and "I will be up a creek" when it comes to doing stairs. I am glad I am not the only one who has this problem. Good luck to all of us.
Mary

 

[Gretchendz]

If you're pretty sure the stairs is "in your head", here's a suggestion that helped me.

Get a gym type-riser or a block of wood or similar that is about the height & width of a stair step.

Then PRACTICE like crazy going up and down the one step. Depending on what you can handle, do ten steps at a time at least three times a day--build up to at least 30 steps at a time.

Do it slowly, carefully and straight--build your confidence and your muscles.

This helped me greatly.

Best of luck!

 

[Linda2]

My surgery was at the end of July. I make it a point to go up and down the steps at least once a day--leg over leg--no handrail holding. Now I will admit that sometimes I reach out for the rail, but I can actually do it most of the time, even if it is rather slowly still.