I have run, walked, biked and lifted for years and years and even with limitations this last year becauer of my bad knee I managed to keep some muscle strength in the quads and hip flexors. Before my TKR 3 weeks ago I spent a few months doing extra isometric quad sets because they were the only thing that seemed to work even a little. It all paid off after the operation and now - even at just 3 weeks and with my surgeon limiting how much resistance I can use on my new knee until 6 weeks -- I can see my quads beginning -- just beginning to rebuild. Muscles have memory (works really well for marathon runners) and my muscles, weakened as they were, are now remembering. ANd strengthening faster than if I had never done anything. Plus I have a very good PT who keeps challenging me within the surgeon's limits. Nothing beats exercise properly done. ANd just walking as much as possible rebuilds all those muscles too. Funny they always have to do a study to prove the obvious.
And Jo -- I too have done my exercise bike at home in bare feet, slippers, flip flops -- whatever -- at least for short runs and without a lot of resistance. Plus you know you can take an old pair of sneakers or running shoes and cut out a place for your sore toe. I recall having to do that when I broke my little toe by hitting it on a doorway - klutz that I am. It took forever it seemed to heal.
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