TKR Mariposa's Journey

[Mariposa]

@EalingGran thanks so much, nice to hear from you too!
I'll check your pilates exercises on YouTube

How are you now? I hope well and recovered.

 

[EalingGran]

Thanks for asking. Doing well at nearly 10 months. Walking lots( up to 5 miles at a time) with little or no pain/stiffness. No need for icing anymore and don't really think about my knee as much.
I do have some crepitus and the odd ache in my unoperated femoropatellar compartment- so interested in @JusticeRider comments about exercises to avoid.

 

[Mariposa]

Thanks for your update @EalingGran.
I'm pleased about your excellent recovery and good walking now!
I can understand your interest about the PTF exercises compartment..

The whole thing on my second knee (the non tkr leg) really took me by surprise, as the sensations and pain were completely different to the ones felt before the TKR on my right leg.

I have just had a look at your Pilates teacher on YouTube, Katja. I like the exercises, she seems excellent, thanks for the tip! I will do them.

Keep up with your good walking!

I'm looking forward to getting rid of the crutches one day (!) The tendinitis on the RTKR leg adds to it too.. still being treated for it.

I never thought I'd have so much patience.. I have promised myself that after my recovery, I won't complain about anything ever again!! Maybe it's a bit ambitious haha, but I will definitely see the bright side of life!! ;-)

 

[JusticeRider]

Mariposa, I understand what you mean about patience. I had to reach deep down inside and find stores of patience I never knew I had. This stuff is tough! You are strong and resilient and you will get through this (oh so long) journey.

Swimming it's one thing I can do better now without hardly any pain.. so I'm mainly doing that with pool walking (gently).

That’s a great indication that you should keep doing this!

@JusticeRider : did cycling hurt you?

For a while (after my arthroscopy and first few months post PKR) I didn’t have the ROM to pedal the bike. Once I had a little less swelling and more flexion, I started using it verrrry slowly. Since then it has been a godsend. If it doesn’t feel good for your knee yet, I would just hold off for a while and try again later.

I'm looking forward to getting rid of the crutches one day (!) The tendinitis on the RTKR leg adds to it too.. still being treated for it.

I really feel for you on the crutches, and other conditions complicating things. After my second L hip surgery, my L knee was so bad I couldn’t get off the crutches even after my hip might have been ready. I ended up on crutches for about 4 months, and used the cane for a couple more. Now things are going great with the left hip and knee, but my R knee does prevent me from doing certain things like squats, etc.

Multiple issues can complicate things so much! It’s taking a long time, but you will be so excited the day you walk unaided. It’s going to be sweet!

 

[Mariposa]

@JusticeRider hi again and thank you for your answers and encouragement! I can sympathize about your L hip and knee. I see that you have to be careful with your right knee too now.
But I'm really happy about your outcome, honest. That encourages me too.

I'm determined to get there but I know it's important to tame the impatient mind to rehab sensibly. The tricky bit.

I'll go slowly with the bicycle .. patience again.

Great news that you can hike those hills over there!

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary, Mariposa!
I hope you're doing well and enjoying life. A great end of the week to you!
@Mariposa

 

[Mariposa]

Hi Layla! Thank you very much for your message.
Indeed it's been 3 months since my left knee arthroscopy.

Things are improving, I still use a crutch but I have started to walk a little without too.

I have tried to persevere with the exercise:
A bit of stationary cycling, swimming laps, walking in the little pool and a few strengthening exercises.. and I think that it's already showing a few benefits.

I'm trying to stay cautious though.

My feet have been hurting for a while (I used insoles prescribed by a podiatrist after the tkr..) as after my first failed knee surgery of 2007 I developed a bunion on the opposite foot.. and then a hammer toe (same foot).

I'll see if I have to go back to my podiatrist (he's a very good one) to have a proper check all over. I confess that, after the arthroscopy on the 28/06, I used sandals as it's really hot over here..so I didn't use the insoles until recently.. but I was using 2 crutches though.

I'm actually seeing my surgeon this afternoon for a control visit.

I'll ask him.

Overall, I'm fairly happy with the results of the arthroscopy and I think I will be able to slowly ditch the crutch over the next few weeks.

I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again for your concern!

 

[EalingGran]

Glad to hear you are making progress! Good luck for the future.

 

[Mariposa]

@EalingGran thank you!

I have started to see the light at the end of the tunnel.. and it's not a truck! Lol

I'm cautiously happy for now. I'm hoping to still improve in the next few months.

I'm aware of the fact that I'll need to stay fit for the rest of my life (that sounds a bit overdramatic haha) to preserve those joints !

How are you doing yourself?

I hope good!

Speak soon.
Thanks for your reply.
Mariposa

 

[Layla]

Thanks for the update, Mariposa.
It's good to read things are improving and you're happy with the results.
I hope you had a good visit with your surgeon today.
Take good care! @Mariposa

 

[EalingGran]

I'm cautiously happy for now. I'm hoping to still improve in the next few months.

I'm aware of the fact that I'll need to stay fit for the rest of my life (that sounds a bit overdramatic haha) to preserve those joints !

Know exactly what you mean.
My operated knee is now pretty good. Mostly it doesn't bother me at all and I am not even aware of it. Very occasionally by night there is one spot that is fractionally warm and slightly tight.
I am still doing lots of pilates but mainly now for my back. I have other health issues I am managing ( cystitis/ congenital kidney problem). My main knee related worry is the risk of infection.
I think most of us here have multiple joint problems and other health issues. It really is about keeping fit. Also knowing when to go for surgery/ medication and when to just manage things with lots of exercise. I occasionally lurk on the hip and back forums, but my bad hip is behaving beautifully and I think back surgery is a whole new level.....

 

[EalingGran]

P.S. I still wear insoles in my shoes.
Although my leg is now fairly straight and matches my good leg, I still have a tendency to turn inwards. I find the soft insoles cushion my knee and slightly turn my feet back outwards.
I think a good podiatrist can help to keep the feet healthy and correct any remaining alignment problems.

 

[Mariposa]

Thanks for the update, Mariposa.
It's good to read things are improving and you're happy with the results.
I hope you had a good visit with your surgeon today.
Take good care! @Mariposa

Thank you Layla! The visit went fine. He replied to my questions and confirmed the need to keep strengthening : "the more muscle you'll have, the less pain you will feel"..He added that I'd need PRP injections (from your own blood), once a year, on the second knee.

So, although I have always been sporty (mainly outdoors) I'll stick to a regular programme of exercising to build more muscle and then maintain it.

All my complications came from the original muscle atrophy before the surgery (something I fought against, as I was aware of it, but the surgeon in France misled me.. and made me wait those months.. to deny the surgery in the end..not intentionally I believe, but it changed everything).

So I "wasted" 5 precious months during which I was in extreme pain and I could hardly move. Therefore, the atrophy afterwards.

Now, I have promised myself I won't take my coming full mobility for granted anymore. Ever.

And I'll try to be as healthy and fit as I can.

This site is great and all the staff and many members are really humane and supportive, I won't forget that.


A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO WHERE THERE AND GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE.

 

[Mariposa]

@EalingGran
Thanks for your precious feedback.
I see and feel for your other issues at your back and your hip.

I'm glad your hip is fine and I really hope your back issues will resolve.

Just in case it's worth it, swimming (backstroke especially) has really helped for my back. Stretching too.

But I'm sure you must know that. I know you enjoy Pilates, which works a lot on stretching, which is great.

I'm also happy to learn your new knee is doing fine.
I have the same tendency when I walk (a bit inwards, like many women I think)

I'll keep using the insoles too.

I wish you the best of luck with your back now.

On a positive note, I think that all these health issues make us not to take life for granted at all.

It's "easy" to read about other people's stories and lives.. but to experience it.. that's another story.. and I believe a big learning process.

All the best.
I'll comeback to check the site from time to time.

Mariposa (looking forward to flying a bit again ;-)

 

[Mariposa]

Hi @Layla !

Thanks for that.

Could we name it "Mariposa's left knee journey" please?

I might not feed it often.. but I'll try to report once a month, till next summer at least.

Have a great day over there!
Over here, it's already the evening ;-)

 

[Layla]

Yes, of course. I'll edit it now.