Passed My One Year Checkup!

[edk]

Had my LTKR done Mar 08 so I would be ready for the following ski season - which I was. Just before I went skiing the surgeon wanted to make sure I had quad strength for it - he gave me the OK and a big ACL brace to wear. (Normally he sees patients twice at 1 month and then at 1 year, but he saw me at 8 months to check before skiing and after to find out how it went).

He was quite pleased with what I did. I asked him if I was wearing it out.

We talked a bit about whether it ever felt unstable (which it doesn't), whether the knee brace was worth it (skied both with and without it and since it didn't interfere I usually did), and I left ready for next winter.

As he was leaving I said "you did good, doc" and he said "no you did good by building up your quads to make it stable".

I have to go back in not more than 4 years unless I start getting new pains.

I had to crow to someone and I guess I elected all you.

 

[Texas]

Congradualtions, that is so GREAT !!! Skiing, that is pretty amazing, You both certainly did a good job. I dont ski but the story makes me want to learn...lol...Keep up the good work. And much success to you.......Thanks for sharing that terrific story...........Go on with your life and have fun, thats why we did this right!!!

 

[loggon]

way to go

 

[Judles]

Very cool! Makes you really appreciate life now, doesn't it???

 

[Josephine]

You did it! All you wanted to do was get back to skiing and you did it! Well done you!

 

[ship4]

edk,
I am glad you were able to get back on the hill. I had my BTKR surgery on 6/18/08 and was back on the hill by February 1st. I was excited, anxious, nervous, and worked my way from the beginner chair to the rest of the mountain. i was able to get out on the boards 8 times. I had a great season, and hope to have an even better season next winter. Congratulations to you! I go next week for my 1 year exam and baseline x-rays of my spacers. My OS is going to x-ray them every 2 years to watch for wear & tear. Works for me! Enjoy this summer!
Best,

 

[Jamie]

Way to go!! So much for the naysayers that proclaim you can't go back to skiing after joint replacement. Your story will help others and I'm so glad you took time to post it! As your doctor said, you were the key to your success, though, by working so hard on developing your quads.

 

[Gretchendz]

Very cool!

 

[edk]

Thanks for all the kind words. Yes, it was worth it. My goal in life is now to live long enough to wear out the knee!

 

[Jamie]

Yep, that's a dream for all of us!!!

 

[backbay38]

Great going EDK! After all -- what's the sense of going through all this and working your tail off if you can't do what you really want to do? I'm sure your knee (and associated muscles) will get stronger and stronger as you continue to work out and keep building the quads and doing the knee bends. Actually last summer when I was limping around with an arthritis brace at the gym in Prague, a woman came up to me and said she had had TKR 8 months ago and was back to skiiing (I guess in the high Tatras which have snow pretty late in the season). She ws bouncing around the gym and made a huge impression on me and really set me thinking about my own life and goals. So I did it and I hope I see her again this summer so I can give her a big hug!!!