TKR One Year Post Surgery

[Tykey]

I reckon that soon you will have got to the point that you don't even consider your knee, you'll just get on and do whatever is in your mind. Being a bit stiff will just be part of your life, which half an hour after you get up will have gone away.
A couple of days ago, I went up into the loft crawling all over to find the Xmas decorations, then up a wobbly ladder in the garden to decorate our tree in the garden. Never gave it another thought, before, during or after.
You'll soon be at that point, I'm certain of that

 

[Sara61]

@Tykey Yes I think so too, once up and about I'm less and less thinking about what I can't do, funnily enough I didn't once notice the click yesterday Just as you said ...
So glad you are enjoying life to the fullest.
We are leaving today for the North as weather conditions aren't great for tomorrow so running around trying to get car packed up we look like a bunch of morrocans haha

 

[Tykey]

Did you pick up Helizabug's joke, which you could use over Xmas?

Knock knock
Who’s there?
Nobody, it's just my knee clicking.

I thought of you

 

[Helizabug]

I thought of @Sara61 too when I wrote it.

 

[Sara61]

Almost 11 weeks post op, no major changes to report I think my progress may have stalled a bit there was so much progress at the beginning.... so now it's hard to see any progress at all - Im probably a bit stressed as weather has been ghastly and our home (in the North) took a huge battering in terms of post building leaks, mold, no hot water as thermostat to boiler out of sync ....Unfortunately in this "neck of the woods" no-one want to work and our builder is full of useless promises, usually I would laugh it all off but as I am unable to get out and about ( hiking or walking as the terrain is very uneven so even smaller walks are hazardous ) I'm getting cabin fever and my mood is not good at all.
Still battling with nights, I sleep intermittently but knee so stiff and tight so I'm not sure whether to sleep with it straight or bent but leaving it straight it's then difficult to bend. "Catch 22" -some days I regret having had surgery, despite knowing it will improve and eventually I will be better than before, but it's such a long open ended road.
Other than DLA I haven't been exercising, I have however spent loads of time cooking etc,etc, so I'm not inactive but feel Im missing my PT sessions (they will resume on the 7th) I also feel I need to shed a few kilos as all the Christmas festivities have started to pile on the kilos and this in turn is not good for my knees nor my general health.
Roll on 2020...Sun is now shining so Im gonna kick myself in the butt and try n buck up hopefully today a better day xx
Hope everyone else is having a better day
Sending healing hugs to all xxx

 

[Sara61]

To add insult to injury yesterday I decided to use the bidet - ( very common here in Europe)as I didn't fancy a full cold shower ( see previous post about lack of hot water) anyway I didn't have the strenght or force in my knees to get off it as I would have had in the past so lost my balance and ended with my butt on the cold bathroom floor ( almost like a beetle) I then had to figure how I was going to get from floor to feet without placing my knee on the ground ... I was mortified and indignant at my situation ( typical no one at home) anyway unfortunately I had to get on both knees and with using the edge of bathtub and side of the bloody bidet managed to get myself up.....


That was a weird sensation with the knee on the floor not to be repeated in a hurry - me thinks a bidet a bit too challenging for this stage of recovery- cold showers it is for me from now on
At least today I can laugh at it

 

[Tykey]

I reckon it's the nature of this recovery at our stage, slow and frustrating. I can do almost anything, but I haven't got the strength or energy to do things for long. Everything seems to get done in 10 or 15 minute sessions before I go for a sit down.
I suspect Seasonally Affective Disorder has a part to play. I must find my Sad Light! The days are now getting longer!!!

Xmas doesn't help where we always seem to be under pressure to fill our lives with family, parties, visits, boozing, and eating. Of course we can't, then go on a guilt trip, imagining everybody but us is doing that.
Hang in there, fings can only get better

 

[Helizabug]

Ugh. Your bidet story is the epitome of how humbling this recovery is. We just can’t make it go any faster.

BTW, I haven’t put my left knee on the floor for decades. So, when I remembered that, I remembered how to get up from the floor. It takes a space not wider than me, but almost as long as me, so it won’t work everywhere. I do a kind of one-legged plank and walk my hands toward my feet until I can stand. I hope you never need this tactic, but, just in case the bidet tackles you to the ground again, you have it.

I hope you get your hot water back soon! Good luck and good days!

 

[Izabel]

Sarah

It was good having a natter with you earlier and pleased you got some sunshine.

I have to say your bidet adventure was funnier with you narrating it because I had these hilarious visions!!!!

Shame you forgot to take your pedaller ...I knew I should have reminded you. Just do some gentle marching on the spot to keep the joints loose.

Rest, have a good Ano Novo and we'll catch up soon.

Izzy xx

 

[Sara61]

My knee is definitely could do with a jolly good spray of WD40 the joint is so tight and swollen tonight and quite painful which I haven't noticed it a while, I have definitely overdone something (maybe too much pressure yesterday on the floor ) who knows .... totally agree with you @Tykey these shorter days are awful and the cold damp evenings are hell on ones joints I just been invited to a "bread baking" session on Monday in a old barn up in the mountains - transport provided but the thought of standing and then kneeding bread is a cold draughty barn for several hours is not very enticing-other times I would have jumped at the idea but my good sense suggests I give it a miss...
@Helizabug Thanks for the tip...although I have no plans to be in that position again ever haha I'm paying a high price tonight knee is so very sore :-(
@Izabel it was good talking to you today always helps talking to someone who has "been there and done that" looking forward to our coffee next month xx

 

[Sara61]

Finally 3 consecutive days of warm sunshine and solar panels have kicked in and hot water at last.
Not sure if I caused damage to the inner layers of the skin by briefly kneeling on my knee last week or maybe it's just lack of daily exercising ( no PT as we are away ) but my knee is so dreadfully stiff at the moment it's all day long and gets steadily worse by bedtime to the extent I'm having trouble bending /straightening it.
Feeling very disgruntled as I'm at a standstill in progress at almost 3 months. I see my surgeon on the 8th so hopefully by then this will have eased off a bit.
Doubt I will be dancing tomorrow night

Anyway wishing all you Bonesmarties a very
Roll on 2020 & knee swelling free days xxx

 

[Helizabug]

I hope your knee settles down enough for you to get down and boogie for the New Year’s festivities. (Terrible disco reference there!)

Maybe the hot water will ease things.

 

[Sara61]

Thankfully all festivities are now over I'm looking forward to getting back to my daily routine and as from Monday we'll be back home in the South and PT can then resume.
I had,had high expectations thinking I was going to be able to go hiking in the hills but sadly reality is that I think the knee is not yet ready nor mentally am I, fear of falling / extra swelling has prevented myself from even trying, maybe I should be braver...
Surely the tight band feeling should be easing off by now- it does make me so very conscious of the knee is there anything I can rub on it or would a massage help ?

Here's hoping for us all a big improvement in 2020 and thereafter xx

@Helizabug I did manage a wee boogie- I had earlier in the year made a pact with a dear friend whom had, had a hip replacement at the same time as my knee we both promised that we would dance together at midnight on NY eve, after a good load of champagne we fulfilled our promise. He expertly waltzed me a few times around the room I think the knee was well anetheised

 

[Jockette]

Surely the tight band feeling should be easing off by now- it does make me so very conscious of the knee is there anything I can rub on it or would a massage help ?

This tight feeling can last for months, for some of us. You are not quite 25% healed yet, in this year long recovery.

I don’t think anything rubbed on your knee will actually help. It’s a Time thing.

 

[Sara61]

Have decided to follow @Tykey incentive and "get off me bum" and stop feeling sorry for myself...stiffness I see here on BoneSmart is part of the healing process - I have 2 choices I fret about it or I just get on with it...I choose now to "get on with it "
Yesterday we went sightseeing there is still so much to discover in the beautiful corner of the North we drove towards Régua which is situated along the Douro River ( This town was where the Port Barrels were sent down the River to Porto) we braced the cold 1.5 degrees and walked around the town stopping for lunch and then followed the valley along the river to Pinhão a delightful village- the scenery is breathtaking - vineyards on every available space - as the inclines are so steep they have all to be harvested by hand, unfortunately time did not allow us to visit Sandeman or any of the many other Port vineyards ( for another day out nor did we have time to sample a boat ride or the famous steam train) but I did manage to walk for several hours without giving a moment's notice to Mrs. Knee.
Hopefully a new chapter in life begins ...

 

[Tykey]

That's great to hear, Sara. That's the way

I've been medicating myself over the holiday with Cockburn's No1, beautiful stuff
I've got one dose left, so tonight I'll drink it to your health! (And mine)

--- and everybody else's

 

[Izabel]

Sarah

So pleased you and Carlos have got out and about ... but I sure don't like those temperatures up there! We have only been going down to 8c and up to 18c. Yesterday was gloomy but the sun is out to play today.

Hubby is up to Lisbon today for his yearly cancer checkup so it is just me and the cats ... and Phoenix as she arrived yesterday so she is escorting me around the house. It is getting easier and the knees not so stiff so still doing the balancing act.

Have a lovely weekend, don't overdo things and have a safe journey home.

Izzy xx

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

So glad you got some decent walking in @Sara61
I must admit my knee is still very stiff at times... stamina, too still needs some work...
as you say the only way is to get up & get going... hoping your New Year brings only good things...
Ive just taken all my Christmas decs down & I hate it!!!
Much love Chrissie xx

 

[marieltha]

Beautiful scenery! And walking for hours? How delightful. So happy for you!

 

[Sara61]

Yesterday I celebrated 3 months post surgery, I was finally discharged by my surgeon having completed all the post op examination etc, etc, my PT sessions have now been reduced to once weekly and I have basically been told to " get on and enjoy life" no mention of roms or extensions as my gait (walk) has proved that the operation was successful- my previous limp has completely gone
From reading BoneSmart I feel that my knee is where it is supposed to be at the 3 month stage, there is swelling and tightness mainly at the end of the day ( depending on what has happened during the day ) the usual stiffness on waking - "My friendly reminder the "CLICK" is still with me but I now think of it as a reminder of a better life ahead and when I really concentrate I've finally learnt to ignore it- one day hopefully it will be a click of the past if not hey ho... a small price to pay for a pain free knee.
For those of you starting on this rough and occasionally tough journey positivity really helps, it genuinely does get better, I'm not interested in achieving high ROMS or extensions as long as I'm able to live my life normally without the constant previous nagging knee pain from the bone on bone and as my surgeon said upon my discharge "it's only going to get better with time ..."
I'm not posting as much but am always keeping an eye and occasionally offering a word of encouragement for others in the hope that they too get thru this.
It's Thanks to all my Bonesmarties friends that I am doing ok j