Latest update in general which may be of interest to some. I visited my hip/knee Surgeon yesterday for a six0month hip/infection follow-up.
My X-Rays show knee and hip prosthetics are perfectly in place. There are no 'holes' in my bones but they are still weak so I must continue with the Calcium/D3 and strengthen them with gentle exercise. My Surgeon got up from behind his desk and proceeded to demonstrate exercises ... this is for the knees because he said hips don't need exercise ... now where have I heard that before I ask myself?
He said it will take time. I walked in pushing my wheelchair as support ... thank you
@Hoppy Nanny xx X-Rays show no infection in hip nor had it migrated to knee. I don't need to see him for six months ... unless I need to.
Now the not-so-good news ... my right knee is bone-on-bone on the outside and eventually .....
Hubby asked Partial or Total and he said he does not believe in Partial or Resurfacing as they are only temporary fixes which may last ten years! In the meantime he suggests I do gentle bends/stretches with it and avoid full pressure on it. Under no circumstances do squats ... again, where have I heard that?
He mentioned ROM (never heard him say that before) and he looked at me sitting and said I have perfect 120 and that is how it should be for young people and adults alike after TKR. He said this is the standard for USA and Europe but in Asia it is 150 because of how they squat/sit.
So, all in all, I am delighted to say the least, and now I must push myself that little bit more so I can walk properly again.
Hubby asked Dr Pinto how was the best way for me to go up our individual steps around the house. Answer: handrails ... difficult with a 12 foot curved one to the lounge and a half moon shaped one into kitchen through arch and two outside to kitchen patio and front patio. Sigh, Hubby is pondering things!
Hubby also asked how I should go 'up and down steps'. I promptly said "up with the good, down with the bad" and Dr Pinto said "not necessarily". He got up again and proceeded to explain. When you go down a step, you should lead with your strongest leg, and when you go up you should also lead with your strongest. The reason being the lead leg in each instance is taking all the pressure and the other leg is just following behind.
Tips from Dr Antonio Pinto, Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital Particular do Algarve for living with dodgy knees:
- Gentle exercise frequently such as short walks, inside and outside. (no marathons nor football)
- Whilst sitting, hold legs out in front parallel to floor, flex feet and push knees down, hold for a few seconds, repeat several times.
- As seated but standing, hold leg up in front.
- Standing, pull leg up behind bottom and hold for a few seconds.
- Standing legs at hip level, perform gentle stretches to the left and right with flexing foot keeping knee straight.
- Perform above standing exercises holding onto a back of sturdy chair or counter.
- Never do squats, always bend from hip.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
So, I will love you and leave you for now, wishing you ...
Izzy xx