League Bowling and Knee Replacement

[Star727]

I had a LKR on July 8. I am a bowler who bowls in several leagues but since the surgery, I opted to only do two leagues this season. I finally started back bowling last week. I immediately iced the knee when I got home and so far, no problems.

Today was my last day of PT. I was going three times a week for 10 weeks. I worked very hard to get my knee strong enough to bowl. I feel like I got my life back. Depression was a strong emotion I had since the surgery. I was a busy woman, worked two jobs, bowled in 4 leagues and had a full time job which I just celebrated a 30 year anniversary. Bone on bone arthritis crippled me so badly that I had quit the second job and stopped bowling in most of my leagues. I just couldnt keep up the pace anymore.

I went into this knee replacement kind of cold. Meaning, I had not studied or read up on what I was getting into. I listened to my doctor, talked to a few people who went through it already and had it done.

I was told the pain was pretty bad. That was an understatement. The pain for the first three weeks was worse than having a baby and I did that twice! I never before in my life felt so out of control and helpless. If it wasnt for my husband, mother and kids, I would not have recovered as well as I think I have.

The swelling comes and goes. I was told by my doctor that it will be with me for at least a year. Ibuprofen is really good with the swelling and ice is my best friend.

I have exercises that I do everyday and the gym where I work is right across the street and I use it on a regular basis.

I'm happy, no more arthritic pain, and I finally got my life back. I'm no longer depressed - feeling as though I will never feel better. I know I will have some bad days, but I also know those times are temporary.

I love life again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Star! Welcome to BoneSmart! I'm sorry you didn't have an opportunity to post earlier when you were going through the worst of your recovery. That's what this forum is all about....people who have been through joint replacement surgery helping those who are "newbies" to be process. Sometimes it easier for us to understand what a person goes through and provide support because we've been there.

But you're part of our happy family now and I welcome you. It sounds like you've done a fabulous job with recovery so far. Post any time you like. We'll help you with questions or concerns and celebrate your successes with you!

 

[kimberlyann]

WOW, thank you for sharing your story with us! You are doing great. I can't imagine going into this surgery without knowing all about it, it would be very scary indeed. You did so well considering that!
My grandmother was a champion bowler, and my husband currently bowls on a league. I went with him a few weeks before my surgery and the pain of it almost killed me. I only bowled a few frames and I was in terrible, sweaty pain. I have one more knee to fix, then hopefully I can bowl with him again.
Congratulations on your active recovery and congratulations on returning to your favorite hobby in such a fine fashion.
You are a big inspiration here.
Kimberly

 

[Star727]

Hi Jamie,
Yeah, I wish I knee about this forum 3 months ago. I had so many questions and the depression was overwhelming!!!!!

The one thing I have to face next is the winter time. I live in the Chicago area and the winters can be brutal. My main fear is slipping on ice. That fear is enough to make me want to stay in the house the entire winter!! LOL
My handicap placard is good until the end of March 2010 so at least wherever I go, I'll be close to the door.

 

[Star727]

Now that I've started posting, I can't seem to stop talking. Please bare with me.

I've been reading the posts and it seems like everyone still has pain. I massage the knee area, ice it, take ibuprofen, take vicodin (eventually they will stop prescribing it and I'll be on my own). I think I can describe the area as being sore because there are no shooting pains. It seems to come out of the blue and I'm wondering if there is something I'm doing that causes it.

The soreness is there while I'm in the bed and I've been sleeping with a pillow between my legs and a throw pillow under the knee. I tried not using a pillow at all and the knee area and shin area was hurting something awful so I'm back sleeping with the pillows.

Also, the outside of my knee area is numb. Has been since the surgery and some of the pain comes from that area. Does anyone have a numbness problem and do you know why and will the feeling come back?

I'm having fun with the forum so if I get a little wordy, its because I have questions and I feel like you all are a great bunch of folks to talk to and could answer my questions and understand what I'm feeling.

Thanks for listening!

 

[Jamie]

Star, you're not wordy at all!!! We LOVE it when our members post.

Some of the pain you may be feeling is from nerves reconnecting and recovering from the surgery. Pain like that can come suddenly and then be gone...can be shooting, tingling, burning...or all of those. Time is about the only cure. But it's a good thing because as the nerves get reacquainted with each other, that numb area will get smaller and smaller. It can take a year or so for all the feeling to come back, so don't be alarmed.

Believe it or not, you're still pretty new in the recovery process. Knee replacement surgery is a BIG DEAL and it takes 6 months, a year or sometimes even more before most people feel like they have "turned the corner." But you will continue to improve with time, so...again...don't worry about aches and pains here and there. Your muscles and soft tissue are all getting used to the new you and as you increase your activity level, they are bound to talk to you a little bit.

 

[Jamie]

Star, you might want to get yourself some of those slip-on ice "grippers" for your shoes. I'm not sure exactly what they are called, but they are prongs that attach to the soles of your shoes using elastic and they prevent you from slipping on ice.

 

[calling_all_angels]

Hello Star,
It is really nice to meet you!!! It sounds as though you are doing really good with your recovery!!!
And when it come to Ice this winter I am with you!!
Please, Please Lord don't let me fall!!
Here is one kind of silp on the shoe gripper that may help.
https://www.the-perfect-present.com/Pages_Yaktrax/NON_SLIP_SHOES.html

 

[cindy88fan]

Star...you are doing great!!! I have not gotten the courage yet to bowl! I used to work in a bowling alley and bowling was my life. My surgery was July 20 and I had BTKR. So I might wait til next year to start up again! I too bowled on several leagues. I was actually on 4 and I would sub on 3 while I worked the counter! Were you scared when you went to the foul line the first time? How did it feel?

Don't feel bad about posting a lot. I started out doing very little and now...I'm on all the time...they probably wish I would shut up for a bit...:hehe:

 

[Jamie]

Those look great, Calling. Thanks!

 

[FrogFeathers]

The one thing I have to face next is the winter time. I live in the Chicago area and the winters can be brutal. My main fear is slipping on ice. That fear is enough to make me want to stay in the house the entire winter!! LOL
My handicap placard is good until the end of March 2010 so at least wherever I go, I'll be close to the door.

Firstly, welcome!

I'm practically a neighbor, I live in a border town in Wisconsin- I can literally walk to Illinois. Slipping on the ice is my big fear as well. We had a very heavy frost last week on top of a day or two of rain, so when I stepped outside to take my dogs out, I almost fell. I did a weird shuffle-walk to get the dogs out.

My handicapped placard was only till June 2009 (surgery was March 18, 2009). I wish mine lasted longer!

Star, you might want to get yourself some of those slip-on ice "grippers" for your shoes. I'm not sure exactly what they are called, but they are prongs that attach to the soles of your shoes using elastic and they prevent you from slipping on ice.

I had trouble with those because they're designed for the toe of your shoes and I can't walk that way. (just informing, so's no one wastes their money if they can't walk sort of on their toes). I used them back when I was security officer but stopped because it was just easier to walk than to stop at every doorway to take them off. :hehe:

 

[Clunker]

I hate bowling,,my wife is a bowler and she just HAS to show me how good she is when we bowl. :skp:
Well when we use to bowl,
I don't go bowling with her anymore,
,I refuse to let her kick my butt,,:whis:

 

[Jamie]

That's interesting, Froggie....I've never known anyone that has bought them. They just looked like they might work.

 

[Texas]

Hey Star that is such an inspirational story really im so happy for you...........Im so glad you get to do the things you want and you will be back on top at bowling in no time.........congrats to you..........)

 

[Clunker]

Hi Hi Kim Kim,,now not to derail this thread,,how are u at bowling??:hehe:

 

[Clunker]

Quote
I love life again!!!!!!

Star
We love to hear that saying.
Welcome to bonesmart! Sounds like things are getting better for you all the time. Very good luck!

 

[mtngal67]

Star,
Talk all you want! I personally LOVE when people get wordy with their posts and share what they are feeling and experiencing. It makes it a lot easier to understand what to expect! It's great to hear you can still bowl, I used to bowl a lot too, till it just hurt too much, and our bowling alley shut down. Nice to know it's still possible!
Gale
RTKR 10/5/09

 

[FrogFeathers]

That's interesting, Froggie....I've never known anyone that has bought them. They just looked like they might work.

See, I used them around 13 years ago... I'm sure the ice-cleat world has come up with something less intrusive since then. They worked great, messed with your balance, and were a pain to loosen, slip around your shoe (in my case a steel-toed work boot), then slip back around... with cold fingers and no place to sit down.

But definitely- slipping on the ice is something I fear. My two biggest knee injuries came from slipping on the ice (ten years apart, but still).

 

[Josephine]

Star - what are you taking for pain relief now? And how often? Perhaps we could suggest something over the counter that would help, like Tylenol. It can be just as effective as the prescription meds

 

[Lakesideview]

Re: "Tylenol can be just as effective as perscription"

I agree Jo! I was taking Tramadol for pre-surgery pain for 4 years and decided to stop. Have been using just Tylenol now for a week and it works quite well. I was surprised but pleased! I take 2 Tylenol PM before bed and they really help me sleep also.