TKR Larger Size Knee Prosthesis<

Hi @Jockette. I had a LTHR in December 2014 and a fall in October 2017 wherein I sustained many fractures including the stem slipping fracturing my femur and making my leg 5cms short. I had been suffering knee problems also and my surgeon suggested it best to fix knee first as he would not do knee and Revision same time.. Not being able to straighten leg adds to the shortness of the leg ... hence walking tipey toe on my left leg. I cannot walk unaided at all but figure a straighter leg may help a bit.
 
Oh, ok. I’m sorry you have so many issues going on.

When I first read you were walking on tippy toes I thought it was an exercise you were told to do. :yikes:
 
There are a couple gentle back of the knee stretching exercises you could try. Walking isn't going to get the job done for you because, well, you don't have a normal stride at this point. I did the first two and they were helpful.

1. In bed (sitting up or lying down) or seated using an ottoman with leg(s) outstretched and knee on the ottoman. Using your own muscles press the back of the knee down onto the mattress/ottoman. Hold for a few seconds or to a count of ten for a nice stretch.

2. Seated with open space between chair/sofa and ottoman, with leg outstretched and heel or ankle on ottoman. Gravity will pull the suspended knee down and stretch the back of the knee. This exercise might be painful at first and you will not be able to stand it for long. When it starts hurting too much, stop. You can do the exercise again throughout the day. The idea is to stretch, not be in agony.

3. If your bed is so situated, or you are good getting on and off the floor, you can lie on the bed or floor near a wall and put your leg up on the wall with knee straight. Again, you'll get a bit of gravity stretch (just not as much so it might hurt less) and you can tense your knee to cause it to straighten just as in exercise #1. A few members have said they like this one because they read in this position. I never tried it but it sounds interesting.
 
@SusieShoes Thank you so much for responding. All of those are doable for me so I will add them to my repertoire.

@sistersinhim Thank you also and I will look at that again when I am able to walk.
 
Wow! That's a very old thread. It dates back to 2008.
 
Well, it was 8 weeks yesterday and knee is doing fine except still working on the straightening and strength exercises. Some days I think I am almost there then the next not!

Walking is still uncomfortable using tipeytoe steps but that cannot be corrected till I have the Hip Revision to correct the 5cm shortness due to the slipped stem. Maybe I'll know when I see my Surgeon on 27 July. In the meantime I did 30 minutes on the cycle today, half the time going full rotation with ease making up for not being able to walk more than 30 steps with the walker. Due to my groin fracture, sitting is uncomfortable for any period of time consequent;y I spend too much time in bed lolling around. I don't sleep well at night snatching an hour here and an hour there so I try to get some dozey naps in when I can.

I wish time would go faster so I can lead a normal life again.
 
My mom didn't like walking too much after her knee replacements (one at a time), so she rehabbed her knees by way of stationary bike. Hardly ever went for a walk. The grocery store was her big walking for the week. But her knees recovered beautifully thanks to her biking. She got back full ROM and more. Walking is a great exercise but if you can't do it for any reason, the bike is just as good!
 
Thanks for the lovely story of your Mum @SusieShoes ... it was truly encouraging.

I suffered having done the 30 minute cycling and spent all day icing my thigh and the muscle just above the knee to the left hamstring/tendon? Sheesh, did it hurt! Needless to say another sleepless night.

Today I have already done my walk (out of the bedroom, left up the hall to the fireplace room and back. I put a heel lift in my shoe and I seemed to have walked better. Just having a quick icing before cycling ... but only 15 minutes today! If the sun keeps out I will have husband wheel me outside for an hour. I keep my bedroom windows open all the time, even at night, so always have fresh air and the bed faces the so I can look into the garden.

Mentally gearing up for a relative coming down from Germany for 17 days (staying elsewhere but close by) so know I will have to be up daily socialising. Normally we go out frequently for lunches but he appreciates this will be limited due to my wheelchair restrictions.

Off to cycle now ... :biking:
 
I woke up yesterday morning with severe quad muscle pain just above the knee, it feels like it is gripped in a vice. What caused this and how should I treat it? I had a heat pad on it, the pain goes away and then bam it is back with a vengeance.

Has anyone experienced this? I don't think I slept oddly.
 
It's quite normal for different pains to crop up here and there. They should go away with time. You could have done something in your sleep that aggravated your knee. Try icing it instead of heat just to see how it does. You can always go back to the heat. But, not directly on your knee yet.
 
Thank you for responding @sistersinhim. In the evening it moved to my shin also. It was really quite distressing. I tried ice but as there was no swelling it did not work so I reverted back to the heat which eased it. It came back this morning ... and then I suddenly fell asleep for two hours ... something I do not do! This journey is certainly full of (painful) surprises.
 
Those unexpected naps can feel so good!
Ice isn't just a swelling reducer, it's also a pain reliever. But, if the heat is working, I'd say to stay with that.
 
Definitely go with the wisdom of "if it helps and isn't hurting you, keep doing it." We usually say not to put heat directly on a TKR until three months after surgery... that said, you are two months after and maybe, for you, heat is doing more good than harm.

Muscle pain could be due to cramping, and heat is really good for relaxing cramps. You could apply the heat just above the knee rather than on the knee and see if that works just as well. But whatever gives you relief, go for it.
 
12 week (tomorrow) update. I had an appointment with my Surgeon next week but got it brought forward to yesterday. He was pleased with my knee but not so with the colour, looked fine to me except slightly bruised from getting in and out of the car. He said it was a problem with my circulatory system which he has mentioned before, so Monday I have an appointment with a vascular neuropathy specialist. I told him about my spasms and I have an appointment on Tuesday for a lumbar MRI!

He still will not do a revision on my hip and has put me on three more months of Calcium, D3 and Acido Alendronico. He suggested a lift in my shoe (which I told him I have) and walk, cycle and water exercise as much as possible. He also prescribed Oxy-Codiene 30 for bad days. I have to build up muscle before he will operate.

Had a bad night and today am achy all over ... think it is from the 3 hour venture yesterday.

Sigh ... I want my life back! :gaah:

The good news is he said the femur fracture has healed. :yes!:
 
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That's a lot of news and new orders to absorb at once. You're probably suffering from test fatigue. Just having to go through so many tests and procedures drains the life out of a soul. Stay in there. :console2: You will get your life back!

Building up muscle will help your knee weather 3 hour outings much better. It takes time to build muscle, so give yourself a long leash. Walking, cycling, some water work... all will help with your knee. Just take it very gently. Let your knee tell you if you're doing too much. It will get stronger and you will start to really notice.
 
Thank you @SusieShoes and @sistersinhim for your continued support. It is much appreciated. So far this has been a painful eight month journey which I would not wish on anyone. Husband is great but it is comforting to know folk who can really appreciate the pain we go through. He hates the dentist and goes today to have two root canals finished. I have had two and would trade places any day. I often think what have I done to deserve this.
 

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