March 1st - Left knee 1 year post surgery
It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since the partial replacement of my left knee. So much has happened and the journey is not yet over. I appreciate that every knee is different (the recovery after my right knee replacement was entirely different) and people’s approach to recovery can differ greatly, but this is my story.
My full history and the events following my surgery can be found in earlier blogs. This article is aimed at those considering knee replacement surgery or anyone in the early stages of recovery when everyday feels like a battle… please read on.
So how has it been…?
Recovery was slow initially, because the muscles around the joint were so weak, but under the direction of my physio I pushed and got the joint working. Once my confidence had been restored I went from strength to strength and I now have full range of motion and am now able to do anything I want and I have NO PAIN. What does that mean…?
Working…?
I’m a landscaper by trade; I’m self employed and work on my own. I am able to complete ALL the work required which includes a lot of digging and lifting. I’m able to climb ladders without any concern and am happy to be on my feet all day.
What do you do when not working…?
I like to maintain my physical fitness and I regularly hit the road on my mountain bike. I ride an 8.5 mile circuit with a few challenging climbs. My first attempt post-op took 54 minutes… my normal time now is between 37 and 40 minutes. Last week I beat my own fastest time which I set long before the arthritis set in.
What else do you do…?
If the weather prevents me from getting out on my bike I do HIIT routines. These are 25 minute routines with NO breaks. They are designed to test both fitness and stamina. Basically 25 minutes of squats, jumping jacks and lunges.
And at the weekend…?
My wife and I enjoy walking and usually fit in at least 1 walk across the countryside at the weekend that is usually between 6 and 8 miles.
So what’s next…?
If started some gentle running. I have not been able to run since I was 20 years old, I’m 59 later this year
So was it worth it…?
Definitely. There are any number of nightmare tales of ongoing issues and loss of mobility but I have one simple statement the justifies any challenges during early recovery…. I HAVE NO PAIN, no matter what I throw at it. If you are considering knee replacement surgery and are worried about the process, don’t be afraid. With the right pain management and regular ice compression you will get through it.
Positively life changing!!
United States
![[Bonesmart.org] PoorlyKnees’ road to recovery](https://data.bonesmart.org/attachments/79/79294-11e66ad1b90c3e0a322ea26efa13967a.jpg?hash=EeZq0bkMPg)
