So, today is four months since my surgery. Where has all the time gone? It's been a difficult week, as I am so very tired, stiff and sore from returning to work full time. But, I've come far and I'm happy with my recovery so far. I actually had a moment yesterday where I realized I had gone over 30 minutes without even thinking of my knees. I also often forget to take my Tylenol or Aleve during the day (probably why I'm so sore at work) which shows that I am getting on with life and forgetting about them little by little. I do wonder sometimes why I'm still so stiff and sore and think I should be better - but BS has been great to show me that it does take time, and I need to keep working on my patience.
Here's a brief update on where I'm at:
PT - I had my last PT last week, other than one appointment in three weeks just to do a check in. I have started working at the gym with my trainer. We are working on strength, flexibility and balance right now. I am also trying to either bike, walk or swim as well. I have to admit that other than the trainer, I haven't done much the last week or two. I also think my achiness is due to the cold weather as well. But with work and being so achey, swollen, etc. I really haven't pushed myself to exercise, as I think work itself is probably enough for now. The lack of exercising isn't helping my weight loss, but it is helping my knees I think. On my last day of PT, my ROM was 125/0 on left and 120/-1 on right. I still have a very hard time straightening my legs when I first stand up, and I need to focus constantly on my gait and making sure I straighten my legs. I know they can straighten, but I don't put it easily into practice. I feel like I've lost some ROM this week but I think it's due to swelling. I have two painful areas that won't go away. On my left leg, I continue to have IT band problems. On my right leg, I have an area on my calf that is very sore. I also have some hamstring spasms at night still. I got a prescription today for Flexoril and will try it and night to see if it helps. Also, my trainer suggested I look into massage for the hamstrings/calves/IT band issues. I will probably give that a try next week too. I'm also having a lot of hip abductor pain, I'm just real tight. My PT feels it's due to limited range of motion for so long (i.e not moving a lot, taking smaller steps, etc.).
Pain - After 3 weeks of working part-time, I can go about 4 hours at work without too much discomfort. I still get very stiff sitting, driving to work, etc. but the achiness doesn't usually bother me until the afternoon. I take Aleve in the morning before work and that tends to be enough until the afternoon. I still take one Tramadol many afternoons, but if not, then I'll take some Tylenol.
Stairs - I can walk up stairs without holding on and most days it's not difficult. When I'm stiff and achey it will be harder, but I can still do it. I was so late walking down the stairs "like a big girl". So I've only been doing it for about a month now. I can go down without holding on but it still scares me, so I tend to use the railing. But, I can do it the right way finally which is nice. I still have ankle pain going down, but they seem to be loosening up some finally.
Random Thoughts - I've been thinking of what I would do differently, what I wish I knew, etc. Hopefully this might be helpful for someone.
- I am so glad I did both knees at once. I don't know any differently, but it just seemed to be the perfect way to do it and I don't regret the decision at all.
- I have such issues with tight ankles and hip abductors. I wish I knew to stretch them or do something proactive after the surgery to avoid these problems. I did do ankle pumps at the beginning, but that wasn't enough. In addition to my simple ROM exercises I was doing at home, I should have been working on stretching.
-I was told by my doctor, friends and even here in BS about depression. I was so prepared to be depressed at some point. I never was. Yes I was (and am still) impatient, frustrated and tired of this recovery, but I never truly felt depressed. Just pointing this out so you don't assume that it's a given that you will be depressed.
-I definitely needed not only my 13 weeks off of work, but going back part-time for three weeks was a lifesaver!
-I never realized how low toilets are until this surgery!!! (again, just a random thought!)
-I still feel very uncomfortable walking in not just the ice (yikes) but also the rain. I'm not sure why I don't feel steady, but I just feel like my feet are going to slip out from under me. I'm very glad I had my surgery in the summer.
-I think I lost multiple brain cells with the surgery, as I didn't even remember how old my son was the other day.
-I thought I was going to read during my recovery. For some reason, I had no interest in anything other than mindless TV.
-I love bending my knee! Yes, I still have pain if I bend it too far......but, I just can't get over how smooth it feels to bend. It's just amazing and I do it all day long, just to show myself that there really isn't any snaps, crackles or pops. It's pretty awesome!
I had a few more thoughts/bits of advice I was going to post. But since my brain is now mush, I don't remember what they were. I'll add more as I think of them!!!
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If I can set my new knee aside for a moment, my triplet to your twins is much the same except it gets to be lazy all day and not go to work. I'm still (was, before #2....back to square one now) scared to go down stairs the normal way. I have visions of just toppling forward so I think it will be quite some time before I'm brave enough to go without hand rails. Falling is a big fear for many of us I think. The thought of wrecking our knees and having to have surgery again is 
. Shudder!!!! Ditto on the toilets 
United States
