TKR KathyH New Knee

[KathyH]

Titianlady, I doubt I could even try putting ginger in my tea. I don't like any herbal teas at all. Only builders tea will do me Though we do have some ginger ale somewhere, so I might give that a go, thank you.

 

[KathyH]

Hey Linda, good to hear from you again. I'm impressed that you've gone from size 14 to 10. That's fantastic and makes you feel so much better, doesn't it. Usually it puts a lift in your step, but I guess that will come

I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble walking today after your visit to the supermarket. It must be so frustrating when you make good progress and then all of a sudden you are brought down to earth with a bump. Obviously Mr Allen has never had a TKR otherwise he wouldn't have said you should be walking one mile at six weeks

I agree with you that it certainly does help to come on here and be spurred on by everyone. It does give you hope.

Went for my second walk earlier tonight when Ray got home from work. Sasha, our dog, came too. Went a bit further today and I felt absolutely fine when we got back. I also notice when I do the stretching exercises that my knee feels so much better for a while.

I ordered myself two pairs of boots online last week and they arrived today. One pair are ankle boots and the other are knee high - both flat heels. They are for when I go back to work. So that cheered me up. Little things....

One things, well two things I feel very luck about is that I have no trouble sleeping at night, even if I catnap during the day. And the second thing is that I have no pain. Wondering if I might cut down from two Tramadol to one, four times a day. Though I don't want to tempt providence.

Take care for now, my good friend

xxxxxxx

 

[Lindy Lou]

Both of my legs were numb for the full length of the incision on the side away from the other leg; the inside area was unaffected. It went away. My knees clicked all the time. That's just about gone too. Good 'ere innit?

It sure is , should be available on prescription felt 10 times better reading this. Don't mind the numbness but rather not have it Thanks xx

 

[Jacky48]

Wow Kathy, you are marking progress! Walking with hubby and trusted Sasha and you're dealing with less pain. I hope your nausea starts to say good bye soon!

Ahhhh, you got new shoes too! Isn't life wonderful when it's the little things that make us happy!

Life is starting to look up for you, stay well my friend!

 

[Dhare63]

Congrats Kathy, you are starting to get out more and that is always a good thing! And buying new footwear is a sign of things to come, so enjoy every moment of it, soon you will be in those shoes showing off your new knee!

I know what you mean about the concentration thing. I had high hopes of reading, catching up on stuff, and bam, none of it got done. But, that's okay, it will all be waiting for us when we get to it!

Take care,

Dawn

 

[KathyH]

I am wondering if perhaps I overdone things yesterday? Our walk yesterday was not a long one by normal standards, but was by far my longest since my op. I done a couple of exercises before I went to bed last night. The one where you sit with your legs outstretched - your operated knee under your good knee and you press down with your good knee. I worked that one so hard. Last night I felt like I was turning that magical corner at long last.

Wham bam, today my knee is not good. Didn't go for a walk, nor done any exercies. It is so stiff and really does ache. So is this the one step forward / two steps back famous thing? It's not fair is it?

 

[KathyH]

Thanks Debbie and Jacky. Glad I'm not the only one regarding the voice.

Also, my eyesight has deteriated slightly. I wear glasses for reading, writing and computer work and have always had good long sight. However, when I try to read a newspaper or do a crossword, I am struggling a bit as a lot of it is blurry. I notice I'm also squinting while watching the telly.

Again, I blame the painkillers - why not, I blame them for everything else

 

[katydid3]

I haven't noticed any voice change but I HAVE noticed I don't see as well. Squinting a lot. Weird.

 

[Jacky48]

I like the pain killer blame game! Works for me too! I wouldn't mind the Loren Bacall(sp), but this croak is for the birds!
I must say I am realizing is happening less and less now a days!

 

[Titianlady]

Oh, isn't fair is so true. Two steps forward, one step back alright. That fine line between doing too much or just enough is a tough one to find. And the fact that our 'boss' knee doesn't tell us it's angry until the next day is frustrating as can be!!
I sure stepped over that fine line more times than I care to admit, and the "boss" let me know about it!!

 

[Dhare63]

Don't worry Kathy, you will have days like these. It's okay, just ice, elevate and rest, soon you will be back at it. It will be frustrating, and make you wonder where all this will lead. Just keep the faith that better days are ahead. It's still very early days for you, although it may not seem that way.

Please take care, we are all here for you!

Dawn

 

[Nyland]

Hi Kathy!
Oh yes! In a few weeks, you'll have more good days than bad and that one bad day will take you by surprise. HUGS!

 

[KathyH]

Yesterday morning I woke at 5 am and just couldn't get back to sleep. I tried cat napping all day, but couldn't get off. I was soooo tired all day and my knee was soooo stiff. Before bed last night I took my usual Tramadol plus two Paracetamol because I didn't want my knee to keep me awake. I was badly in need of some shut eye. This morning I vaguely remember Ray coming in to me before he left for work and then I was off again and didn't wake until 12 noon Boy, did I need that sleep. Knee feels so much better today, thank heavens

 

[KathyH]

I would like to invest in an exercise bike for my knee and future fitness. For those of us who have had a TKR is it necessary for us to have a recumbert bike, i.e. where you have back support and the pedals are up front, as in this one:

broken link removed: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390470053853?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

However, I rather fancy this one, which is also an elliptical trainer as well, but has no back support and the pedals sit below the seat:

broken link removed: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380454570102?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

In other words, is it important where the pedals are situated?

 

[KathyH]

I have been icing three times each day for an hour at a time (ice packs right the way round my knee and covered by the Cryo Cuff for compression, which is also filled with ice cold water).

Now I have read that it is more beneficial to ice little and often. They suggest icing for 15-20 minutes every hour.

Any ideas? I am trying the second method today to see how it goes.

 

[tkrme]

I think it does not matter about the pedals. A normal outside bike has pedals under the seat. Will u be comfortable without back support? I can not do an elliptical because my other knee is bone on bone, so how is your non surgery knee? I have a mountain bike for outside so I just bought a twenty-five dollar peddaler that sits on the floor and I sit in a chair to pedal to use indoors.
Just choose whatever fits your needs and comfort or you won't be anxious to use it.

 

[Nanners]

I have the more upright stationary bike. In fact, I sat on it yesterday and did as I beleive it was Jo who said she just rocked the pedals. I kinda like it. I look forward to the day I can go all the way around. I hear PT prefers the recumbent, but I like my upright stationary. Hugs!

 

[Jacky48]

I have a recumbert bike because I have a bad back. I'd probably kill myself on a elliptical because of arms and feet doing different things at the same time. I do my upper body weights while I'm on the bike, but I don't have to hold on to something else.

Might I suggest finding a store near you that sells them both then you can try them and see which one you like best. Then you can buy it where ever you want with confidence. Good luck on your pick!

 

[Jacky48]

You're doing great Kathy, isn't this all such a wonderful learning process! We learn more about ourselves then we could ever have imagined. Our goods, our bads, our inner strengths and our weaknesses. And who says we're to old to learn!
Enjoy your goods day my dear friend!

 

[hbark]

Might I suggest finding a store near you that sells them both then you can try them and see which one you like best. Then you can buy it where ever you want with confidence. Good luck on your pick!

I think the suggestion from Jacky is a good one.

Also, at the PT place I go to, they have both recumbent and upright stationary bikes, and they have me using the upright type. It works fine for me, although I admit I've never tried the other type.