TKR October 6, 2016 2½ weeks post op'

[ks1960]

I see you are about a month ahead of me - when were you able to pedal the bike all the way around?

 

[little red canoe]

It depends on the bike and the seat adjustability. Three weeks ago I couldn't use the gym recumbent because the pedal throw was so long that my extended foot didnt reach far enough forward, and the pedal closest to me was just barely pain free. The upright was better but it was unstable and you could pull it over while mounting.
The PT had an upright very sturdy. I started using it about 25 days after surgery. It had a seat that would go high yet I could still reach the pedals. I did three rocks and then went around
So its as much about the bike as it is you.

Today I could do both bikes. If it weren't a sheet of ice outside I could probably do mine.. Not inclined to try below freezing in freezing rain.

before now I really couldn't say I am glad I had the surgery.. Week 7 seems to be a turning point. Now I am.

 

[KarriB]

When I first tried the bike I had not been allowed to bend my knee for a month and had been in an imbolizer. It took 2 weeks of rocking the pedals back and forth, then one day I lifted my right hip a bit and voila! I did a full rotation. A week after that the PTs worked me up to 5 min, my energy drain was substantial from 2 surgeries in a month and fighting an infection. But today I ride 10 miles a day on my own recumbent bike.

 

[little red canoe]

I know my recovery is boring.. Upstairs now alternate feet with power. Mastering downstairs alternate feet. With no railings I use my cane for reassurance

The funny thing I expect the knee to stretch, pull or hurt or collapse and it doesn't and I am surprised.

At this point confidence needs the most exercise.

 

[sistersinhim]

Good point! I think we all could use some exercise in that area!

 

[ks1960]

Littleredcanoe - personally, I am riveted by your recovery and watching like a hawk!!! I am alternating steps upstairs, but still using the cane. And you made me laugh, I keep expecting it to hurt, but it doesn't. Maybe today I will try putting more weight on it. I am surprised that it is still an effort to lift the leg to the next step, I can do it, but I feel the tightness.

 

[little red canoe]

Kate I have four weeks on you.. You are doing fine!
Stairs are seven inches high usually. I started with a gym stepper ( about $10 at Wal Mart) where you can adjust the height from 4-6 inches. I got it initially as my bed is high and needs a step to get into bed!

But maybe starting with one lower step and doing it several times a day will work for you. I think you started stairs reciprocally before I did.

I know..its not a competition!

 

[little red canoe]

Oh dear. I felt like I was rummaging in the attic for this original thread.. Couldn't find it right away

I have not been walking as much as I would like. Not only is it icy but its well below 0 Fahrenheit and the wuss wins every time

I feel I would make more progress toward getting more limber and less stiff with walking but fear the treadmill at the gym . I still have the tight band feeling in the morning

The good news: I have a exercise bike for spinning but its different from road or outside bike.. When I get it going its flywheel driven and maintains momentum.. If I move my foot wrong I get a twinge on the knee cap on the outside.

Same as going up too many stairs.

Have to back off a bit.

 

[Celle]

Oh dear. I felt like I was rummaging in the attic for this original thread.. Couldn't find it right away

How can I find my threads and posts?

 

[little red canoe]

Thank you Celle.. that is where I found it! The last box of course.

I upped the resistance on the stationary bike. That way it doesn't get going too fast.. and I think I might start building some strength.. We will see if the knee speaks.. Its not at max resistance and not at no resistance. I am just doing short 5 min "outings"

The other experiment today was kneeling on the bed. It feels weird and uncomfortable on the scar, which otherwise has been dormant and unnoticeable.. But I know if I have to kneel I won't die.

 

[zzevi]

thanks for the tip on using a stepper to help build up being able to do steps. I can go up fine and correctly. Going down our steps are the standard height, so I don't feel comfortable as of yet, step that aren't the height of ours I've managed pretty good.

 

[little red canoe]

12 weeks almost. Its almost a birthday! No meds, no PT. No bands! A little twingy on the outside of the knee when I get up off the toilet.. about a one inch area.
Things that bother me now.. just the scar when I kneel on it. I work on kneeling on a pillow a couple of times a day but it feels like I am kneeling on a pincushion
Will this dissipate or can I do something to hurry it along its way out the door?

Good ROM up and downstairs. No longer can I wheedle for help carrying up the groceries 15 stairs. Putting the bike seat on a lower setting today . I worked down from the top of five holes.. Now on the second from the top and ready to try the third. Any lower and my chin would be on the floor.

I had such fun shopping with my daughter the day before Christmas. For some reason she needed to buy a fry pan.. we spend 90 minutes ferreting around the store and never did I think of knee.

But.. I am not thinking yet of skiing.. I think my legs need more strength.. that guy at Whistler four months post op seems unbelievable.. Whistler is tough off piste..

 

[KarriB]

Some people can not kneel at all, so I'd think using a pillow as needed would help. Your scar will desensitize after a while, mine did. I know you want to kneel in your canoe. Can you use a waterproof cushion when it's time?

 

[little red canoe]

Some people can not kneel at all, so I'd think using a pillow as needed would help. Your scar will desensitize after a while, mine did. I know you want to kneel in your canoe. Can you use a waterproof cushion when it's time?

Of course. Its de rigeur even for a good knee. Grinding ones kneecap on grit and gravel is never fun!

 

[kneeper]

Good ROM up and downstairs. No longer can I wheedle for help carrying up the groceries 15 stairs. .

So the joy of grocery shopping has worn off already?

 

[little red canoe]

So the joy of grocery shopping has worn off already?

I actually like grocery shopping.. Our store is big enough but not too big like WalMart is.. My poor hubby doesn't move fast . I do.. I was constantly banging a shopping cart into his knees when I spun it around. I think doing my own shopping saves HIS knees.

My tender spot has a name. Spot. Spot spoke to me after 20 minutes on the bike at about a mid resistance. Spots words " I am the boss. Back off"
will obey

BoneSmart has saved me alot of pain and ajida.

 

[sistersinhim]

Tell Spot to leave you alone and let you ride!

 

[kneeper]

Yep, the knee is the boss.

 

[little red canoe]

Dumb move.
I wanted and craved leg resistance training.. Training. I rode at max resistance for five minutes last night.
This AM SPOT had gathered an army of cousins and my knee was clicking and wobbly again.. This I take to be internal swelling.. Not as much flexion either.
Payback.. a day with ICE.

No meds on board. Now I understand what the signs will be when I overdo it. Back to zero resistance on the bike to work on the flexion.. I could tell the difference at the start and the end..
Wondering when it will end and I can take off for the mountains for a three mile hike...

 

[Red's Mom]

12 weeks almost. Its almost a birthday! No meds, no PT. No bands! A little twingy on the outside of the knee when I get up off the toilet.. about a one inch area.
Things that bother me now.. just the scar when I kneel on it. I work on kneeling on a pillow a couple of times a day but it feels like I am kneeling on a pincushion
Will this dissipate or can I do something to hurry it along its way out the door?

Good ROM up and downstairs. No longer can I wheedle for help carrying up the groceries 15 stairs. Putting the bike seat on a lower setting today . I worked down from the top of five holes.. Now on the second from the top and ready to try the third. Any lower and my chin would be on the floor.

I had such fun shopping with my daughter the day before Christmas. For some reason she needed to buy a fry pan.. we spend 90 minutes ferreting around the store and never did I think of knee.

But.. I am not thinking yet of skiing.. I think my legs need more strength.. that guy at Whistler four months post op seems unbelievable.. Whistler is tough off piste..

I wonder how the skier dude felt the next day?


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