TKR Motorcycle riding????

[kbbroiler]

Hey guys. Thanks for the advice on the pillows. I actually bought a blue one with the imprint of a leg on it. It’s working. Now tomorrow I’m returning to the gym after 6 weeks since my RTKR. Is there anything I should focus on leg wise. Right now I’m bending at 110 degrees but getting my leg straight seems to be an issue. It’s like a -10.

 

[sistersinhim]

At the gym, make sure you don't use any weights on your new leg. Also, no pool or hot tub unless every scab is completely healed. Be careful of any leg machines. Even without weights they can be hard on a brand new knee.

 

[Arttie]

My surgery was on 11/14. We are about at the same stage in recovery. My extension has been -10, -5, -15, -10 over the last few weeks. Flexion 108 today. My daily exercise has been daily walks behind the snow blower. I'm starting deep water walking, jogging, running next week.

 

[KarriB]

My advice is to work strictly on upper body. It’s too early to do any strength work on a new knee. Extra weight work is going to aggravate a new knee, increase swelling and set back your recovery. I found walking to be the best exercise for my TKR.

Extention often comes later, but letting my leg bridge between a chair and ottoman helped me. Walking (again) is also good for extention, longer strides stretches out the knee.

https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/extension-how-to-estimate-it-and-ways-to-improve-it.9529/

 

[sistersinhim]

My extension increased by my taking longer strides, holding on to the walker or furniture and countertops. For me, it worked the best. It didn't happen overnight and took weeks, but it did increase and without pain!

 

[kbbroiler]

Ok thanks guys for the advice and I’ll probably to the upright bike and the elliptical machine for the first few days and then start upper body next week.

 

[mlwreader]

Ok thanks guys for the advice and I’ll probably to the upright bike and the elliptical machine for the first few days and then start upper body next week.

I was told to use the stationary bike at no resistance, simply to work on flexion. You are only six weeks or so out from surgery so I would not do anything in the way of strength training yet. Also, and this is crazy germaphobe me talking, but wipe the darn machines down with wipes before you use them, I suggest. You don't want to pick up the flu or a nasty cold recovering from surgery. (Actually it's probably the mom in me because you are my son's age.) Let us know how it goes!

 

[kbbroiler]

Don’t worry I’m way ahead of you mlwreader. I actually have OCD. No joking. Been in treatment for years for it.

 

[SuperSnapper]

My physio banned the elliptical for a few weeks after I went back to the gym as she thought it was too hard on a new knee until about 12 weeks. It’s easy to overdo things and at 6 weeks you are barely into healing. Just saying.

 

[smarttoys]

I started going back to the gym at around week two. I only did upper body for lifting and the arm cycle for some cardio. I only went a couple days a week since stamina was pretty low at the time due to the energy it takes to heal. I started doing elliptical around the 6 week mark but not for very long and with no or low resistance. I was careful not to overdo it and payed attention to how my knee was feeling.

 

[KarriB]

Yes, that bike should be at 0 resistance until month 4-5. There will be time for building muscle when the knee is healed.

 

[kbbroiler]

Next question but I started anyways. I only had one but I’m 6 weeks after surgery. I was lucky and the pain was very manageable. I stopped taking the pain pills after the first week. I’m not on blood thinners and I’m not on any pain meds. So having a few beers I would say about 2 or 3 is ok?

 

[kbbroiler]

Hi there. I'm actually 8 weeks after surgery today. I started back at the gym and I do know of some exercises but when I google online for more exercises I get home exercises. What are some good exercises for the gym? I'm doing leg curls, leg extensions, calf raises for straightening, and the leg press. I also use the elliptical and bike for cardio. I was planning to do the treadmill for walking. Is there anything else I can add that will help? Thx

 

[Celle]

Considering it's still less than 2 months since you had this major surgery, I think you are doing more than enough exercise. Your knee is still trying to heal. Please don't stress it with more gym work.
In particular, the leg press should be avoided for at least another month.

 

[kbbroiler]

Really? I did the leg press during physio. It was one of my physio exercises the physiotherapist got me to do. I’m referring to the machine not the free weight one.

 

[Celle]

Yes, some physios do use the leg press. But it's really not good for a new knee.

 

[Tanya76]

Wow, you are doing an awful lot! I'm almost ten weeks in and all I am doing is bike with no resistance for up to 10 mins. My physio said I can only do this as you have to be careful with machines.

 

[Arttie]

My PT told me that tread mill tended to shorten stride length and advised against using it for recovery. Perhaps you should consider regular walking inside where you can concentrate on stride, gait, and foot placement would be acceptable to you. I have found that I do not like the canted curves of my local YMCA's track for walking. If your gym has an indoor pool, you could do walking laps on the deck around it.

As for the pool, I am doing deep water walking several times a week. Joan Benoit used deep water during the year prior to her winning gold in the 1st women's Olympic marathon. It is a legitimate program

 

[SusieShoes]

My OS said no leg presses for the first three months. After that, I had the green light to do whatever exercises my knees would accept. The pool is a great place to do exercise. My health club has low intensity, medium, and high intensity pool programs. I just like to swim laps, though I started out with a low intensity class to work up to that. I do the elliptical machine now and like it. It takes the place of my favorite activity —outdoor walking— now that winter has made sidewalks treacherous.

 

[sistersinhim]

Oh my goodness, you are doing so much for a baby knee. You must not have read the articles that were left for you. Your tissues are still healing and need gentle movements and no weight machines for at least 4 months. Listen to your knee and if it hurts during or afterwards, don't do it anymore for a few weeks or even a month. You don't want to cause harm to you new knee.