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TKR Melisa’s new knee (3/20/23)

mahscott72 said:
From my 18 year old daughter who was behind me going up the stairs earlier “Hey, I’d didn’t take you a million years to get up the stairs!”

Yes, stairs are easier, up and down going one over the other.
Biked 6 miles on Monday!
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You are doing amazingly well for so early.
I have only been able to do stairs normally in the last couple of months. The bike riding is brilliant too.
 
mahscott72 said:
Interesting I see many here sharing ROM/flexion, at my PT they didn’t measure very often and were not focused on the numbers, nor was my OS.
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My OS was the same way. He just asked to see what I could do with my bend and extension. That's all. The function is so much more important than numbers!
 
Happy Three Month Anniversary!
You're doing so well. Bravo! :yay: May it only get better.
Enjoy the rest of the week!
@mahscott72
 
I was just coming in to post. Crazy that it was just three months ago!
Been biking anywhere from 6-9 miles a day. Or on chillier days I go to the gym. Lake Michigan just likes to keep us cool here.
Up and down stairs pretty well.
Work has been super busy as we are short staffed and getting ready for Vacation Bible School next week. I’m pitching in where I can.
Next week we are having our floors refinished (living room, dining room, stairs, halls and bedrooms). It happened very quickly after 2 years of waiting on getting a grant from the city which covers half. So with that, we are basically moving out and back in within the span of a week. Been busy packing up stuff. Daunting project that will be worth it in the end. And needing to take breaks because the standing and bending a lot can be a bit much for me.
 
mahscott72 said:
...Yesterday my head wanted to do the pre-replacement 15-20 mile ride, I kept it to 3.5. Today I did 4.3. Maybe by end of summer I’ll be able to handle a longer ride again. Rather do a short ride than regret pushing myself
IMG_6434.jpeg
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Isn't that the truth. I am just cycling slowly on the side-walk on the university campus near off hours when no one is around, including circles in the empty parking lots. Got start slow I am telling myself. So glad just to be peddling again!
 
LD of Michigan said:
when no one is around
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I get that! People do not pay attention when driving. A couple summers ago I was nearly hit several times. I wear one of those fluorescent vests now. However I’m not sure how much it helps, folks are in so much of a hurry.
 
Yep M72. I too wear a bright yellow/ green vest. I may look kooky as I peddle mostly on the sidewalk about a campus off peak times but I don't care. Safety first. I see (or barely see) cyclist weaving in and out of traffic when I drive and wonder why they take the risk? Do they no drive and see the problem as driver?
 
I go to mainly bike trails only unless I ride around home, which is in the country. But, these country drivers can be even worse! They know the roads and go flying down them not realizing something else might be on the roads.
 
4 months!
Life has been busy. Recovery continues to go well. I’ve accomplished a couple of my initial biking goals. One was to ride a trail I like, kept it shorter, around 13 miles. The other was a big hill that runs along Lake Michigan. I biked up it yesterday and was so excited when I reached the top!
Some additional muscle aches later in the day in my calf. Kept it to flatter ground today.

Life will continue to be busy in the weeks ahead. Next week is our county fair and will be my youngest daughters last one showing with 4H. And then picking the oldest up from Iowa where she’s working for the summer. Getting her back to Alabama (that’s the husbands job) and then the youngest starts college but will be commuting.
Maybe some time to enjoy summer after that!
 
Happy Four Month Anniversary! Thanks for the update.
Wow...you've been busy. The bike ride along Lake Michigan sounds lovely. I'll bet it was beautiful!
It's good to read you're doing so well and enjoying activity outdoors.
I hope you have a great rest of the Summer!
@mahscott72
 
It’s been just over 5 months.

I’m going up and down stairs like normal.

Going to the gym and/or taking walks approximately every other day. I was biking until it started staying dark in the early morning. At the gym I ride the stationary bike for 30 min (max of level 4), then do either upper or lower body weights. Some of the leg machines cause me discomfort so I avoid those and do band exercises instead. I’m trying to keep it all at a lower level knowing I’m still healing and the times when I’ve done certain things or too much have had discomfort for a few days following. Which is also why I only go every other day for now to give a rest day in between. Mentally it’s hard, I used to go to the gym daily. Evening walks are around 2 miles.
I’d like to do some gentle yoga to and stretching to help with some other soreness from piriformis discomfort and IT Band but my knee wasn’t a fan of what I tried.

I’ve been back to most if not all regular life activities. Some bending/stretching I cannot do in the garden, so hubs will do what’s needed. I did notice when doing weeding the new knee was doing it’s job…bending would cause my old knee discomfort but now no issues.

My problem is taking time to rest. It’s all a mental thing and reminding myself it’s ok to sit. It’s needed. And my cat likes when I sit, gives her a chair (my lap).

At the end of September we have a 13hour road trip to visit daughter #1. I’ve told husband don’t expect much driving from me but do expect to make stops for me to stretch. Part of our vacation will include beach time. Hopefully walking on sand will be ok.

Thanks for reading all this! Good to record where I’m at in various stages.
 
Your path had a rough start. As if joint replacement surgery wasn’t big enough. Sorry for your family losses..:sorry:

Had my TKR done at 51 too. I’m sure it feels amazing to look back and see all the progress you have made. I absolutely love cycling and feel that it has to be one of the best recovery exercises. Let’s me reflect and reset. I am glad you are getting back into it. There is still more to go, I am at 18 months post TKR and still improving. Keep those turns and small steps goin. Life keeps getting better:yes!:

 
@Axx72 thanks for the encouraging words! I really miss longer rides, but don’t want to over do things right now.
There’s always next summer!
 
Thanks for the update. I like your approach toward recovery.
Your thirteen hour road trip will be here before you know it. How fun will that be!
Take lots of breaks and have fun walking the beach. Keep this in mind and take it slow -

Your gait changes while walking on sand.
It's more of a workout. Beach sand provides an unpredictable and uneven walking surface. This can place increased stress / strain and loading on your joints. Walking in the softer sand requires increased energy expenditure, forcing you to work harder, compared to walking on an even, firm surface. The foot will sink slightly into the sand. This will provide the least amount of stability, which forces you to use muscles throughout your legs more.

Safe travels and enjoy, if we don't hear from you again before your vacay. :)
@mahscott72
 
13 months with my knee! Just a quick check-in.
Doing great! Went to Disney World (Magic Kingdom) last week. With that and all of the airport walking no issues.
My only issue is a a tight piriformis muscle and tight IT band. Waiting for the weather to get warmer here and back to cycling outdoors. However I know the repetitive motion doesn’t help.
Have only tried kneeling a couple times. Mainly on the bed or soft chair.
My 1 year appointment was great. Go back in 5 years.
 
:wowspring: Great update! My 15 month old and 10month old knees salute your 13 month old!!!
 
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