TKR New Left Knee . . . Check!!

[Mimi]

I agree with Jamie and Carolyn. I used a cane for over a month when I left the house. My fear was that I might fall and it gave me stability. When I was ready to lose the cane, the limp was gone and I could walk again. You do not want to undo any of the great work you have done up to this point in time.

Also someone mentioned a Jacuzzi. I have an indoor pool with a hot tub in my community. I go at least 2 times a week, and do a bicycle motion in the hot for 10 min. before walking and constantly moving and stretching in the big poo for 45 min.l. This really helps my ROM and no matter how much stiffness I have going in, coming out is heaven!

Mimi

 

[editor98]

Ooooh, it's a new day! And all of you are so right! I have been using the cane pretty much all of the time since I got home from PT yesterday. Although my muscles are still talking to me, they are no longer screaming. I don't know what I was thinking trying to go from being immobile to walking unaided just like that! Guess I thought I would just pick up where I left off in September. It has helped A LOT to have the support of the cane.

And....I went to the gym today and I GOT ALL THE WAY AROUND ON THE BIKE--first backwards and then much to my amazement I did it forward as well. I did have the seat up one more notch, but I could still reach the pedals at the bottom (barely though). That first time over the top did not feel good, but it got easier as time went on. I was trying hard not to grimace cause the gym was packed! I rode for 15 minutes in both directions. I think I was probably cheating a bit because I did have to slide my hips just slightly to each side to keep my foot on the pedal at the bottom. But I'll take it. It still felt like an accomplishment.

After that I went into the jacuzzi for about 15 minutes. Ahhhhhh! I almost didn't go in cause there was a guy in there--but I tried not to think about all of the other bodies that have been in there! :th_heehee: And the dude was very nice. We had a nice conversation until he left. I really stretched my calf muscle and Achilles' tendon in that hot water. Felt great. Did a lot of flexion and extension stretches as well. It was a bit of a pain and time consuming--changing clothes and all of that--but I felt so good and limber afterward. I think I am going to have to make time to get to the gym on the days that I don't have PT. Like all of you have said, I think it will be one of the best ways to get my flexion moving. Wish I could head to PT right from the jacuzzi to have him measure my flexion! For once he might be impressed! :hysterical: Niki

 

[Diney]

Amazing! Really brilliant Niki. You weren't even walking a few days ago and now you're cycling. I'm very impressed with 30 minutes. I thought I was doing well at seven minutes today. I'm building up slowly! You must be so pleased.

 

[Jamie]

Great job on the bike!!! That's a significant milestone and you need to be very proud of yourself!

 

[editor98]

Ha, Diane! I guess I didn't write that very clearly. No way I did 30 minutes. I did a total of 15 minutes, alternating a few revolutions forward and a few backward. Today I'm going to skip the exercises because I'm going grocery shopping for the first time. Also went to church this morning and plan on making dinner tonight. A lot of on my feet time--although I will either ride a motorized cart or the kiddie cart at the grocery store! My husband is coming along to help me. Should be interesting..... I am icing now in preparation.
Niki

 

[Dhare63]

Congrats
Niki, must feel great to have the ability to do the things you haven't been able to do for so long. Just be careful not to overdo it! I know because I have done that myself only to pay the price afterwards! Keep up the good work

Dawn

 

[Diney]

Phew! That makes me feel better! But still 15 minutes is no mean achievement. I pulled out all the stops and did a gentle 10mins. I can see you will be adding resistance, lowering the saddle and adding hill programmes before we know it.

 

[rubysue]

Congratulations on doing the bike revolutions! I'm still working my way up to ten minutes!

 

[editor98]

I know I'm 10 weeks out tomorrow, but since I've only been walking for 5 days, who knows where my recovery really stands. I have a question. Now that I'm walking I am dealing with a lot of stiffness and swelling. I am icing and elevating as much as ever, but the minute I'm up I'm so stiff I can't even bend my knee enough for a normal walking motion. I know this is probably normal since walking is new to my knee, but I'm wondering how long I can expect this to last. Probably comparing apples to oranges, but those of you who have been walking, how long did you have this kind of swelling/stiffness in the beginning?

It's not really painful, but it sure is a pain! :th_heehee:
Niki

 

[Pumpkin]

Niki,
I am just two weeks ahead of you, started walking in the house at three weeks. TKA Knee still stiff and swells with activity. Others have indicated this can go on for months. Stiffness and swelling seems to be decreasing in intensity, I consider that progress. Your knee will heal on it's own time. WOW look how far you have come in the last week!
Chris

 

[referee54]

Congrats on the bike and the revolutions! Take it slow and easy, and those minutes will build up, and so will your strength, your stamina and your ROM.

 

[Diney]

Hi Niki
I relied heavily on two sticks around the house for the first week and a half and gradually cut down to one by about two weeks but my knee was very stiff all the time. I reckon that by another week's time if you keep walking and cycling it will improve steadily.

 

[Mimi]

I think stiffness/swelling is part of the healing process of these knees. Mine was not as pronounced after 6 months. But I only was able to walk without assistance from about 5 months on. Even now at almost 8 months, if I overdo it I will have stiffnessJ but the swelling has gone way down now.

You mentioned that showering and changing at the gym was a pain. Something I have been doing is wearing my swimsuit under a sweat shirt and pants. Then after drying off well, slip the sweatsuit over my suit and put on a coat. I save the showering and changing for home. Just an idea that works for me.

What a great week you have had and you have come so far. Keep it up and don't overdo.Slow and easy will get you to your goal faster!

Mimi

 

[editor98]

Thanks, guys. Diane, you brought up the exact point that I'm wondering about. Will the stiffness/swelling get better with being up and walking more so that my knee becomes accustomed to the activity, or do I stay off of it and ice and elevate as much as possible to keep the swelling down? Am I making the situation worse by trying to walk more, or am I making it better?

Mimi, I have thought of just wearing my swimsuit under my clothes to save on at least one change of clothes. But I wouldn't be caught dead in a bathing suit without a skirt on it! :th_heehee: So it's kind of hard to fit that under my pants! I'm not showering at the gym, but it does involve two changes of clothing. It's just time-consuming. I think I'm still not used to everything taking so much more time for me to do than it used to!

Yesterday when I was at the gym, I actually was thinking to myself, "You know, you could go over there and lay on one of those mats and do some ab exercises. And you could do some upper body weight training." But then I realized it was only my second day at the gym to get on the bike, so maybe I should wait till at least next week to start adding other exercises!
Niki

 

[Pumpkin]

I've noticed that a few women at my gym wear board shorts over their bathing suit, as an alternative to a skirt.

 

[editor98]

Asked my PT today about the "how much walking versus how much icing/elevating." I told him that I'm stiff and swollen from the new walking most of the time. He said to keep on walking as much as I can, but to ice and elevate a couple of times a day. He said it will eventually settle down and I'll have less and less swelling/stiffness. PATIENCE! That has got to be the hardest thing about this recovery!

Took a picture of my battle wound at 10 weeks today. My doc may have given me a fractured femur, but he also gave me a very pretty scar!
Niki

 

[Diney]

Hi Niki
I think your Physio is right. You have to keep walking and icing and elevating. The stiffness will ease off. I remember saying in an earlier post that it felt like I was dragging a cannon ball around for a knee. My stiffness and swelling has suddenly got a lot better but it has taken seven weeks. I think the cycling is helping too.

 

[Jazyb]

That is a lovely scar Niki, it so neat and tidy

 

[editor98]

Diane, I think you're exactly right--just need to find the right combination of walking enough and icing/elevating enough. I had PT two days in a row (because my PT was off on Monday) so I am pretty stiff. PT feels great while I'm doing it--but it sure hits me later!

Two milestones for me today! I have been working (part-time) since about 3 weeks out--but I've been doing it from my bed with my laptop on a hospital tray and my legs elevated on a bunch of pillows. Today I've worked for about 3 hours while sitting at my desk in my office at home. I did about 2 hours and then took a break. Came back and did another hour or so.

My second milestone was that during that work break I walked my dog for the first time. Only went about 3 blocks out and then back. Used the cane and went very slowly. Poor dog did not consider that a walk! Anyway, it felt kind of risky because I'm still not very stable on my feet, and my dog is a 2-year-old 80-pound Lab! She is not used to slowly meandering! I don't think I will attempt to walk her again for a while. But being out there made me realize that I can get out and walk myself. I think it will really help me.

So with PT two days in a row, sitting at my desk for 3 hours, and walking the dog--I'm headed for the ice! :biggrin:

Jo, Thanks for the compliment! I do think my scar is pretty awesome!
Niki

 

[Retsel]

Niki,
So glad to hear you are doing well. Milestones are awesome especially after what you have been through!! Way to go!!