TKR kmak's TKR recovery thread

[Jockette]

@Pheebs52 thank you for that pep talk! I so wish my surgeon felt the same way. I am already dreading my next appointment with him and it's still a month away!

 

[Pheebs52]

@SusieShoes, you and Gary together should have a Reality Show, lol. "Bend the Knee," just...Not Too Much! LOL! He really is quite a guy and sometimes, we do have soulful discussions on non-knee related matters. I will miss him and his staff once my PT ends. The only reason I am still going is really secondary to my knee rehab; the funky back and fake hip to be precise. Naturally, both of these issues affect my gait and so, indirectly affect my knee. So far, they've both proven a bit more difficult than the knee in terms of *cooperation.* But, they are old injuries. Both negatively affect my ability to go upstairs properly, so that's what we continue to work on. And on, ad infinitum.

@Jockette, why are you dreading your visit to the OS? Is related to ROM?

 

[Jockette]

@Pheebs52 I will answer this on my thread.

 

[kmak81230]

The frost was on the pumpkin this morning. So I have officially been in recovery from the last frost in May through a whole summer to the first frost this fall . I am definitely not getting #2 done in May -- I'd like to be able to enjoy some part of next summer (or the summer after if Righty behaves and I can postpone). On a good note, I took my bike off the trainer this weekend and rode it to work today. It has enough gears that I can pedal pretty easily going up the few hills on the way. I also bought some new hiking boots this weekend - the old ones were pretty worn so decided that Lefty and I deserved a new pair. Tried on some Hoka's for walking while I was at the shoe store (ooh, are they comfy!) but will probably wait on that splurge until after I get #2 done. Did some garden harvesting prior to the frost with no ill effects on the knee. The end of week 19 is off to a good start.

 

[liam2015]

wowza kmak81230 that is fantastic! did you feel balanced on the bike right away or did it take awhile to get used to being on the road?

 

[kmak81230]

Hi @liam2015 - I felt pretty balanced. I had been riding my "townie" bike on and off for short distances for a few weeks - it does not have gears and is an easy "step through" so I had worked out the balance issues previously. Because of the gears, this was actually an easier ride this morning. Since it was in the 30s I had to wear mittens and ear muffs .

 

[Jockette]

Yay for your accomplishments,
Boo for temperatures on the 30's already!!!

 

[Canada35]

I agree with Jockette 100%! We are having a very warm week here. Hovering around 80 degrees Fahrenheit all week. Yay! That's better than it's been most of the summer! Way to go riding to work Kathleen!

 

[Polkadot]

Good for you! Love to hear the milestones being ticked off.

 

[Pheebs52]

What a fab report @kmak81230! Woot on the cycling to work! You continue to set the gold standard for cycling! I remember many days of cycling with ear muffs and gloves. Nuthin' wrong with that; hah!

I'm with you on when to do Knee #2. It will most definitely NOT be in May if I have anything to say about it, lol! I'm thinking early March or mid-September would be best to ensure a decent summer. Summer is short and we deserve to enjoy them, eh?

 

[kmak81230]

Absolutely agree on deserving of a full summer without too much recovery @Pheebs52. I suppose since the recovery is a year long summer will be impacted in some way but we should try to avoid having the worst of it in summer, eh?. Here's hoping neither of us have to make semi-serious plans for awhile which would mean that knee #2 is behaving. Feeling pretty good this morning so thought I would attempt stairs 2 at a time ala @Fire wolf. I'm incorrigible - I can't be satisfied with feeling great without thinking about what else I can try. Only did a few - so no damage done. But like @SusieShoes with jogging I know I can do it if I have to make a quick getaway from zombies. I expect since I never did 2 at a time prior to TKR it won't be high on my activity priority list

 

[Fire wolf]

You crack me up! Great job on the cycling, but Spence should NEVER be used as a role model for anyone! He is incorrigible and a trouble maker! I would vote a big no on a May replacement as well. Thankfully I don't need to worry about my 2nd, and hopefully it will stay like that for many years! I scheduled mine in Nov/Dec, and May was the 1st opening OS had. I could have moved it later in the year, but I thought, sure, May, that works as I will be recovered by summer! Ummm, yeah, well we know how that went.

 

[kmak81230]

Just watching a story onPBS about a 74 yo woman who is a powerlifting world champion. She weighs 132 lbs and can deadlift 273 lbs!!! I have work to do! I can barely deadlift my Lounge Doctor.

 

[JJ65]

@kmak81230 wow you are incredible !!! Riding a bike to work... that is wonderful !!! Does the cold weather bother your other knee at all ?

 

[kmak81230]

Thanks @JJ65. So far both knees are fine in the cold. It's only a mile to work so not too strenuous.

 

[sistersinhim]

You are doing so well! Be careful next summer and don't do like I did and step in a hole and break bones. That would mess up your next summer, too, like it has mine!

 

[kmak81230]

I'll certainly try not to @sistersinhim! Grace has never been one of my best attributes

 

[sistersinhim]

Grace has never been one of my best attributes

Mine, either! I was finally able to walk normally, with my head up not watching every step, and that's when I stepped in it. Now, I'm back to watching every step! Don't you do the same thing I did! Watch those feet!

 

[kmak81230]

I still am watching the ground in front of me - particularly on trails - though even the sidewalks are sometimes treacherous.

 

[Polkadot]

I vote for not doing this again in May. I can't even say that had I known I would have lost a summer, I would have scheduled differently. My situation was dire enough that I took the first surgery appointment available. Here's (for all of us) to going as long as possible (comfortably!) before doing the other one, and to being able to schedule the surgery at the best time of year!

@sistersinhim, how awful!I guess that's why my PT wants to "save" some of my benefits "just in case."

@kmak81230, 2 at a time? Are you tall like @Fire wolf, or just crazy like Bio Spence? Just kidding, FW. You know you're my hero. If I had any hope of being able to do so, I would attempt it, too!