TKR kmak's TKR recovery thread
- Thread starter kmak81230
- Start date
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Fire wolf
graduate
I don't think so! Looks really good!
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
Mine are still red, too. Nice and straight and all, but not skin-colored. 
Polkadot
graduate
Well, i have certainly missed quite a bit on your thread! May I just say that your list of "can do's" is now quite impressive, and boo on that doctor for not being more pleased with you!
OP
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kmak81230
post-grad
Thanks @Polkadot. I'm over the doc -- he's right that my extension needs to be better but I just wish he wasn't so paternalistic sounding - he's probably at least 15 years younger than me. I know I'm slowly getting better, finding myself lounging less and wanting to do more so that's a good sign I guess. Like many of us I struggle with the "feel good, do more, uh oh, feel bad, need to rest, repeat" cycle. Guess I'm just a slow learner, in addition to being a slow bender and slow straightener. 
OP
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kmak81230
post-grad
Week 13
Woke up to the alarm at 5:15 for the first time since before surgery so that I could go to spin class. I've been a Tue/Thur spinner for years as cycling was one of the few relatively painless activities that I could do prior to TKR. It felt good to be back in the saddle with the other regulars who welcomed me back with enthusiasm. It was hard to hold back but I was good and only pedaled for about 20 minutes at 0 resistance at my slower pace. I will have to work up to actually getting a workout - but it's fine for now. Then, since I was at the gym, did some upper body weightlifting (I was a little sore from lifting on Sunday). Then off to PT - my first appointment with my new person. The clinic I go to is committed to the gentle, functional mobility philosophy and she reassured me that we while we would work hard to increase extension - along with balance, functional movement, and strength in the supporting muscle groups - we would not be "doing whatever it takes to get that leg straight," that our progress may not fit neatly in the OS' 3 month window (also OK), and that there are lots of things to try (right in line with my session with Gary @Pheebs52). Felt much better about everything after some good conversation, fun activities, and massage. We had been observing and interacting with each other over the past months while I worked with my other PT so it was not like totally starting over - yeah for that. I will only be going to PT twice a month which is also ok and I have things I can work on at home. She made me promise no "frowny" faces on my exercise spreadsheet - I have a compulsion for color-coded spreadsheets to keep my activities organized. I also made a therapeutic massage appt for next week. I'm not really a massage person but am looking forward to some attention on these tight calves and hamstrings.
All in all a good start to week 14.
Woke up to the alarm at 5:15 for the first time since before surgery so that I could go to spin class. I've been a Tue/Thur spinner for years as cycling was one of the few relatively painless activities that I could do prior to TKR. It felt good to be back in the saddle with the other regulars who welcomed me back with enthusiasm. It was hard to hold back but I was good and only pedaled for about 20 minutes at 0 resistance at my slower pace. I will have to work up to actually getting a workout - but it's fine for now. Then, since I was at the gym, did some upper body weightlifting (I was a little sore from lifting on Sunday). Then off to PT - my first appointment with my new person. The clinic I go to is committed to the gentle, functional mobility philosophy and she reassured me that we while we would work hard to increase extension - along with balance, functional movement, and strength in the supporting muscle groups - we would not be "doing whatever it takes to get that leg straight," that our progress may not fit neatly in the OS' 3 month window (also OK), and that there are lots of things to try (right in line with my session with Gary @Pheebs52). Felt much better about everything after some good conversation, fun activities, and massage. We had been observing and interacting with each other over the past months while I worked with my other PT so it was not like totally starting over - yeah for that. I will only be going to PT twice a month which is also ok and I have things I can work on at home. She made me promise no "frowny" faces on my exercise spreadsheet - I have a compulsion for color-coded spreadsheets to keep my activities organized. I also made a therapeutic massage appt for next week. I'm not really a massage person but am looking forward to some attention on these tight calves and hamstrings.
All in all a good start to week 14.
Pheebs52
big-cheese
This is ALL such great news @kmak81230! I can't believe you were able to spin for 20 minutes; yikes! I admire anyone who can get themselves up and out the door for such an early morning exercise class, so huge kudos on that achievemnet as wel. You rock, Kmak, you really do!
Pheebs52
big-cheese
My DH says he is not a *massage* person, but I've never really understood it, especially since he could really use some! It's something that has helped me so much over the years with assorted problems from shoulder to back, hip to knee. For me, it's also literally like taking a mini-vacation and I'm sad when the session ends. Maybe it's their tacky, Polynesian decor? Hahaha, no, I don't really think so. At any rate, just try to relax while there and enjoy the feeling of muscle tightness melting. :smile2:
OP
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kmak81230
post-grad
Thanks Pheebs - I am a bit swollen and stiff now after all that activity before 9 am!!! No more downstairs walking today! But spirits are good and I feel like I have a bit of a plan, vs limping aimlessly through recovery. I do need to get on a better sleeping schedule though - not fun getting up at 5:15 when you don't go to sleep until after midnight 
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kmak81230
post-grad
My DW is a massage person and many years ago I took a massage class to learn how to give them but it was tiring and caused flare-up of my carpal tunnel. Had that fixed a couple of years ago so now no excuses for giving massage or pulling weeds in the garden.
Thesoutherncook
post-grad
- Joined
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I'm impressed that you were up and out so early in addition to all of your physical accomplishments!!
liam2015
post-grad
wonderful report kmak81320. sounds like a fun spinning class getting back in the saddle with the regulars. nice that they welcomed you back with enthusiasm. it will be interesting to see how you feel tomorrow after all those activities ~ do let us know.
What drive and motivation you have, Kmak! Actually getting up to work out at 5:15! Wow, amazing! I hope your knee does OK after it's good workout.
Fire wolf
graduate
Amazing day for you! So happy!
I bet it felt great to have some semblance of normal in routine! So happy to hear about session with new PT, and glad that went well! Nice to have someone who is on your side instead of focusing on what your OS wants! Burn those spreadsheets!
I am hoping that tomorrow you only feel that good soreness that comes from a nice workout and let's you know that you worked your body, and not any evil, angry TKR ODIC soreness!!
I bet it felt great to have some semblance of normal in routine! So happy to hear about session with new PT, and glad that went well! Nice to have someone who is on your side instead of focusing on what your OS wants! Burn those spreadsheets! I am hoping that tomorrow you only feel that good soreness that comes from a nice workout and let's you know that you worked your body, and not any evil, angry TKR ODIC soreness!!
flyaway79
graduate
I have always loved my massages! They have helped me through a myriad of issues. I book them months in advance because I love my therapist and she books up fast! She knows my issues and I don't want to start over with a new person.
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What a great update! Congrats on getting up that early for a spin class. I love all of the steps back toward a new normal.
You can put me in the "not a fan" of massages column. The fitness center where I used to work offered massages. I did it once and was really uncomfortable. I went because my shoulders were uneven from how I was holding stress. I think I was more stressed at the end of the massage than I was going into it. I will say that he did get my shoulders even again.
You can put me in the "not a fan" of massages column. The fitness center where I used to work offered massages. I did it once and was really uncomfortable. I went because my shoulders were uneven from how I was holding stress. I think I was more stressed at the end of the massage than I was going into it. I will say that he did get my shoulders even again.
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
Few things feel better than getting back to your normal routines. I'm so glad the spinning class worked out for you and that you got in the upper body training. I'm a morning person too and totally get doing your exercise early. It leaves the rest of the day free for other things, like work or your choice of fun.
I enjoy massage, but Mr. Shoes LOVES it. He gets massages--facial, foot, neck, lower back, depending on what he wants--just about every night, courtesy of yours truly. I haven't formally studied, just read some books, but those and my knowledge of anatomy have helped me do a fair job. He gives me massages, too, and all that hands on can get romantic at times. The knee and leg massages I got at PT sometimes hurt (my therapist had an unbelievably positive view of pain) but I found them beneficial.
I enjoy massage, but Mr. Shoes LOVES it. He gets massages--facial, foot, neck, lower back, depending on what he wants--just about every night, courtesy of yours truly. I haven't formally studied, just read some books, but those and my knowledge of anatomy have helped me do a fair job. He gives me massages, too, and all that hands on can get romantic at times. The knee and leg massages I got at PT sometimes hurt (my therapist had an unbelievably positive view of pain) but I found them beneficial.
OP
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kmak81230
post-grad
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. So for so good with just some tightness after the morning activity - hope to be back in good form tomorrow. @SusieShoes I do enjoy the romantic aspects of massage as well and am also hoping that the non-romantic massage at the clinic will loosen up my legs some. You are a good spouse to provide all those massages to Mr. Shoes.
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