TKR Moving forward.

[Cycle-Path]

Swelling is much better today. My knee almost looks like a knee again. Yesterday at PT I managed to reach 0 on extension without pain, 105 flexion, and swelling stayed minimal after the session. I think that has a lot to do with the Game Ready Ice/compression unit they use when we are done. Sure wish that I could afford one of those! Oh well, I'm happy for the unit that I do have that cost 10% of that one.

I'm taking only half of the prescribed pain meds at this point and it didn't seem to make a difference. The only time pain seems to be concerning is right after I stand up. About 50% of the time I feel what I would describe as a "bad bruise" sensation medially below the knee. Thankfully, it goes away after a minute or two.

I am so bad with being patient with myself and that tends to get me frustrated. I've dealt with knee pain for 15 years and it has seriously impacted doing the things that I love. Running, martial arts, working around my farm, trips to parks with family, etc...

I'm so excited to do those again while also being nervous that somehow it may be worse than before surgery. Wish I could just slow down my mind sometimes... which is why I used to enjoy running so much. That was the only time I could just focus on what was happening - foot strike, breathing, heart rate.

 

[sistersinhim]

I'm so excited to do those again while also being nervous that somehow it may be worse than before surgery.

Just remember that arthritis pain gets worse while surgical pain improves! It does take a while, but you have been dealing with knee pain for 15 years. This TKR pain should be mostly gone in a year. That's much better than 15 years! You are doing extremely well for only less than 10 days out! Enjoy your little improvements week by week.

 

[mendogal]

Hang in there!
It's been said the most important muscle to exercise after this surgery is the patience muscle!

Have you discussed your martial arts training with your ortho?

I had blown out my R knee in a training accident (aikido, ACL and medial meniscus) but after a year of rehab was cleared. I quickly developed traumatic osteoarthritis so learned to adapt my technique (no kneeling, standing pins only, and idiosyncratic ways to roll and fall) and continued training for another 15 years, stopping in 2017.

I have done a couple of informal sessions with friends at the dojo who wanted a refresher on falling. It didn't hurt my new knees but did reinforce for me that my partnered martial arts days are over. I can't entrust my body to others anymore. Fortunately I had started tai chi before surgery; it doesn't satisfy me nearly as much as a partnered art but meets other needs.

 

[Cycle-Path]

@mendogal

I started to discuss it with him and the look on his face made it pretty obvious that he clearly didn't advise it. To be honest I don't think that I would be comfortable doing any sparring at all.

For the last couple of years though I have been doing Jiu-Jitsu and it is not the same redgarding striking, footwork, and such. I'm kinda torn on it, but I may try drilling and practice some day. Probably not rolling and definitely not with people that aren't deeply trusted partners that understand limits.

I would love to do Tai Chi. Unfortunately I live in a pretty remote area of NW TN these days and there isn't anywhere around to do it. That's one thing I miss about living in VA Bch, Panama City, and San Diego (limited options for some things). Then again, I sit on my porch drinking coffee and watch turkeys, deer, and listen to the owls whenever I want now and that makes it worth to me.

 

[Cycle-Path]

Couple of little ouchies today:
#1. While napping I must have had a dream that caused me to jerk my legs. My knee woke me right the heck up!
#2. Be sure to focus going down stairs. I had my feet wrong and led with good leg. By the time I realized it, I was obligated. Fortunately I have enough ROM to prevent a fall, but I sure felt the bend/weight in my knee.
Other than that it has been a good day. Pain and swelling are getting better and I am satisfied with my at home exercise performance. That is largely due to y'all. Thank you!

 

[Jockette]

Be sure to focus going down stairs. I had my feet wrong and led with good leg. By the time I realized it, I was obligated. Fortunately I have enough ROM to prevent a fall, but I sure felt the bend/weight in my knee.

Been there, done that! Thankfully in my case it was only two steps, from front porch to the ground level, and they were shallow steps, but I did almost fall. I was in a hurry and just didn’t think.

 

[mendogal]

Oh my. I can add...it's definitely a complication of having a second knee done not long after the first.
I had memorized which was the good to go up with and vice versa... and suddenly it was the opposite!

If you have a repeat of muscle jerks or spasms, you might consider a magnesium supplement. Many folks find them helpful.

 

[sistersinhim]

I was in a hurry and just didn’t think.

Boy, does that happen easily and quickly. Before you know it, the 'bad thing' could happen. @Cycle-Path, thank God nothing bad happened with your miss placed legs!

 

[Cycle-Path]

Let's see, day 11 post-op:
- I was able to peddle a stationary bike today with no resistance. I felt very little stretching. It felt good.
- extension 0°; flex 110°.
- my quad is still very painful to extend against gravity, but it is getting better.

 

[Cycle-Path]

Two weeks post-op:
Seen the surgeon today for a follow up and he said that I am progressing well.
After that appointment I had PT and my quad decided to start working today! Quad sets and straight leg raises are no longer impossible. What a relief!

 

[Cycle-Path]

Anyone suggest a good antiscar cream or vitamin?

 

[sistersinhim]

As you heal, your scar will fade. I've had 12 knee surgeries, and you have to look closely to see my scars. I never used anything on them. Others might have suggestions for you, but I say just let time fade it.

 

[Cycle-Path]

115° flex today!

I'm still super excited that I am able to do leg extensions and straight leg raises since two days ago, but I can feel some muscle soreness when doing them. Pretty surprising how quickly we lose strength and tone when not using muscles. Early May I was jogging two miles 3x a week. Now my leg swells with minimal activity, but it is getting better every day.

 

[Jockette]

Pretty surprising how quickly we lose strength and tone when not using muscles

I think it’s more that they were so disrupted and moved around during the surgery. Plus, the energy drain of the body trying to heal from all the trauma the surgery caused.

Early May I was jogging two miles 3x a week.

That was before your body was surgically traumatized.

 

[Axx72]

It seems like a small step forward.

Those little wins are the best!!

 

[Axx72]

eg extensions and straight leg raises since two days ago, but I can feel some muscle soreness when doing them

Remember much of the quad soreness can be attributed also to the crush injuries you will have sustained from the tourniquet.

 

[mendogal]

You might do them on alternate days to allow for recovery.

 

[Cycle-Path]

Remember much of the quad soreness can be attributed also to the crush injuries you will have sustained from the tourniquet.

Very good point. I still have a ring around my upper thigh from that and it feels just like the day after running a distance race.

 

[Cycle-Path]

Day 16:
Starting to look like a knee again.

 

[Layla]

Sure does!
Icing and elevating certainly helps with swelling.
Happy Saturday! Enjoy the weekend!
@Cycle-Path