TKR ONE DOWN ONE TO GO

[mendogal]

May I suggest that during this busier time you consider putting a temporary hold on PT, or reduce it to once a week?
You'll get more enjoyment from your friends and social commitments, and just as much "therapy" only better spread throughout each day.

 

[Jockette]

Doing outpatient PT three times a week now on both knees. I overdid it the first day and had ridiculous pain in the newbie but after following the docs recommendation that I slow it down a bit it was up and running again 2 days later. I have friends in town and tons of commitments the next two weeks so we shall see how the “Irish twins” behave !!!

I agree with @mendogal to consider taking a break from PT during this busy Christmas season. You will get all the healing mobility you need by participating in these upcoming activities (this is what I call natural PT) and there’s even a chance that these activities will cause you to overdo, in and of themselves. If you end up overdoing in PT, which happens to a lot of us, you might miss the Christmas festivities.

You are very early in recovery. You can do gentle PT things on your own for a few weeks and get back to PT, if you want to, next month.

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary, Lefty!
I hope the Irish twins are behaving as you create memories with friends.
Best Wishes for the New Year!
@cibia

 

[cibia]

Happy January everyone !! Sorry I’m kind of tardy in all these forum responses !!! The Irish twins are doing amazingly well. I’m no longer in “legit” PT but going to the gym on my own. Figured that whatever they taught me in PT would lead me just fine on my own. I’m riding the stationary bike like a champ !!! 45 min and about 8.5 miles. Happy with the ROM I’m experiencing. I can see the progress since my knees are 6 weeks apart.

 

[mendogal]

What a wonderful recovery!!!!!

 

[Layla]

Tardy is better than never. We’ll take it!
We love reading progress reports. You are doing great, cibia!
Happy Three Month Anniversary, Righty!
@cibia

 

[cibia]

Hello TKR team !!! Today marks 14 weeks for my first knee and 8 weeks for my second. Some days it feels like I’m moving full speed ahead and then there are days, like the past entire week, where it feels like my knees are stiff and have regressed. Of course I’m always concerned about experiencing frozen knees and needing surgery to correct this problem. I’m going to the gym 3-5 days a week riding the stationary bike for 45 min and then doing leg presses, calf raises, etc. Help !!! I need some expert advice !!
Also, the weirdest thing is happening on the newest knee. I felt like cold water was running down my knee and when I looked at it there was nothing there. This has happened several times. Anyone have any idea what this could be ? I see the surgeon in 2 weeks and will address this with him. Just thought someone might have some insight into why this might be happening.

Happy 2024 to everyone !!! Praying that this year is one for the record books !!

 

[CricketHip]

I think that cold water feeling is a symptom of your nerves healing and coming back to full feeling.
It gives a new understanding of what amputees go through, doesn't it? Their's is phantom pain but its all the same.
When I would work on people after plastic surgery on their faces, they would jolt up and say that. That they thought there was cold water running out of their ear ! There wasn't, we would check, just to be sure.
TKR's are known to feel stiff during the first year of recovery, sometimes longer. It's actually amazing that you can do all that you are doing!
Are you icing or using any heat on your new knees? I am willing to bet that if you iced after your gym workouts, that it would help.
In fact, I'd love for you to document your workouts and try to pay attention to when the stiffness and feelings of regression happen. There might be a correlation there. Oh! Another thing could be that it's weather related? We've had many members who can "predict stormy weather" after a joint replacement. I am one of them.. Especially in the bones that were fractured here and there, not just related to joint surgeries. That would be interesting to pay attention to, also.

You are amazing! Two new knees in a short amount of time...Irish Twins! then I read your recovery pages and marvel at what you are already able to do. Please try not to worry, you are doing very well.

 

[MSuki]

@cibia I have had a much wider variety of nerve related symptoms on this knee than the first. I’m starting to chalk up anything that happens and then goes away to nerves. First knee the only thing I noticed was shocks similar to static electricity now and then. This time I’ve had a creepy crawly feeling like something was either crawling on my skin or just under it. A few days last week I had some throbbing pain that lasts about 8 throbs then goes away only to come back a while later in a different spot. Early on our knees just hurt, but as we get further along the symptoms can be really odd. Although my first 2 weeks my foot hurt more than my knee, so it can be strange early on too.

 

[mendogal]

The cold water is a known form of "dysesthesia" - sensory nerves being inappropriately stimulated (can be wet, dry, hot, cold, pain, itch, or friction/crawling). And yes, some people get "zingers" when the nerves reconnect but I'm a dysesthesia gal! (Mine is the weird sensation of my clothing sticking to my lower outer leg as I walk - which totally isn't real!)

At two months out on your newer knee your workout sounds pretty intense to this gym goer. I suggest cutting down on both time and frequency on the bike (twice a week, 20 minutes?) and maybe reduce leg presses. Your newer knee at 8 weeks is JUST past the 6-8 week basic sprain/strain healing point and it's very likely your "regression" is from overtaxing your knees.

Going "faster" doesn't equate to a better outcome. Slow steady healing hand in hand with slow, steady rehab gets you there.

 

[cibia]

Wow !!! Can I just say how much I absolutely LOVE you guys !!! Every single one who has taken the time to respond to my post !! It helps me tremendously to see how much you care and how much we all have in common !!
I’m happy to have an explanation regarding the cold water sensation. Glad to know that my nerves must be healing right on schedule. Oh did I mention that I had Iovera injections on both knees which freezes the nerve and makes the healing process much easier. Well I do believe it helped because I have very little pain in my healing. Just pain from stiffness. Ugh … can you spot the type A personality people ??!! I expect to be back to normal wayyyyy before anyone else feels I should be.
As far as my workouts at the gym go … believe me. I don’t push myself to do things that hurt. Friday I just couldn’t get comfortable on the bike so I switched to an upright bike and it was much easier. I only did about 25 min instead of my usual 45 and didn’t beat myself up for it. Plus I left the gym right after that because I just didn’t feel like staying. I’m kind to myself and only push when I feel like I can handle it.
Thank you thank you thank you for all the love !!

 

[Layla]

As far as my workouts at the gym go … believe me. I don’t push myself to do things that hurt. Friday I just couldn’t get comfortable on the bike so I switched to an upright bike and it was much easier. I only did about 25 min instead of my usual 45 and didn’t beat myself up for it.

Atta girl! Glad you’re taking it slow and easy. It will all come.
Enjoy the rest of the week!

 

[MSuki]

You’re doing great! It takes a strong woman to go through this but also to know when to stop!

 

[cibia]

You’re doing great! It takes a strong woman to go through this but also to know when to stop!

Thank you MSuki for your kind words.

 

[cibia]

As far as my workouts at the gym go … believe me. I don’t push myself to do things that hurt. Friday I just couldn’t get comfortable on the bike so I switched to an upright bike and it was much easier. I only did about 25 min instead of my usual 45 and didn’t beat myself up for it.

Atta girl! Glad you’re taking it slow and easy. It will all come.
Enjoy the rest of the week!

Layla I appreciate all your kind words and encouragement. I can now pass on my experience and suggestions to others who are anticipating knee replacement surgery, or have just experienced TKR.

 

[Layla]

Thank you! It's my pleasure.
We appreciate you sharing your journey here for the benefit of others and hope you'll continue to update us on your progress. Have a wonderful weekend!
@cibia

 

[cibia]

Hey there TKR community !!! Just laying here in bed thinking about this question I have. How long does it take for your knees to feel normal when trying to wind down to get some sleep. I’m 3 months in on my oldest knee and I still have to physically lift my leg up to flip over. When does that weird sensation go away ?? Thanks !!!

 

[KAPHealey]

Hello cibia,

You are truly an inspiration! I am scheduled for a LTKR on February 1st and I know the right TKR will follow - just not sure when. You have answered so many questions I didn't even know I had! hahaha Congratulations on your valiant efforts and speedy recovery.

Warm regards,

Kim

 

[benne68]

I’m 3 months in on my oldest knee and I still have to physically lift my leg up to flip over. When does that weird sensation go away ??

I suspect the timing is different for each of us because every knee is different. And, while I can't pinpoint the exact time that my first knee reach that point, I can tell you that it did go away little by little.

Remember that this is a year-long recovery, so you are still only 1/4 of the way through. You are doing really well for 3 months out -- and it keeps getting better!

 

[mendogal]

My newer knee took longer than my first knee to feel really comfortable side-lying (at least on my second one I wasn't terrified of breaking the implant if I turned!!! Oh I was a nervous nellie on number 1!) and at this point I still from time to time think about getting up to put a pillow between them... but am too snug and lazy by then so don't bother!

The weird sensations? I'll let you know when they go away (yes on the first knee they are much better by now, and I often forget it's post op for a few hours at a time)... the baby knee is chock full of weird sensations sometimes, but better than a couple of months ago.