PKR Poorlyknees Returns!!

[PoorlyKnees]

August 25th - Day 37

Back to the routine…
Rest over back to exercise an recovery.
Today I competed in my first golf competition with my new knee. I took the precaution of hiring a buggy; I didn’t feel ready to walk the course. Although I didn’t rack up the 25000 steps a round of golf demands, I felt well exercised by the end of it. Best of all, there wasn’t the first hint of pain from either knee. Oh yes, and I shot the same score as before my operation, I’m very happy with that.

Left vs right…
Thinking back to my left PKR, I played my first round of golf 60 days post op. That competes to 35 days for my right knee. Just goes to show different recoveries can be.

Physio vs physical…
I am in no doubt that my recovery benefits from getting up and doing stuff. I think it’s all the small movements that help build strength and restore balance. I still had enough energy to do a good amount of physio and stretching when I got home. On to the weekend I have a bit of gardening to do tomorrow, then it’s another golf competition on Sunday morning.

 

[JusticeRider]

Congratulations on an exceptional recovery! I enjoy reading your well written, organized, and interesting posts.

I am in no doubt that my recovery benefits from getting up and doing stuff. I think it’s all the small movements that help build strength and restore balance. I still had enough energy to do a good amount of physio and stretching when I got home. On to the weekend I have a bit of gardening to do tomorrow, then it’s another golf competition on Sunday morning.

I am a highly active person, but for the first few months after my surgery, just about anything I did caused my knee to swell terribly. Getting up and moving a lot was not an option for me. I know that can be the case for many. I hope you realize how fortunate you are! So play a round of golf for those who can’t and enjoy every minute of it. You’re doing great!

 

[PoorlyKnees]

Congratulations on an exceptional recovery! I enjoy reading your well written, organized, and interesting posts.

I am in no doubt that my recovery benefits from getting up and doing stuff. I think it’s all the small movements that help build strength and restore balance. I still had enough energy to do a good amount of physio and stretching when I got home. On to the weekend I have a bit of gardening to do tomorrow, then it’s another golf competition on Sunday morning.

I am a highly active person, but for the first few months after my surgery, just about anything I did caused my knee to swell terribly. Getting up and moving a lot was not an option for me. I know that can be the case for many. I hope you realize how fortunate you are! So play a round of golf for those who can’t and enjoy every minute of it. You’re doing great!

I do understand how lucky I am. My first (left) knee replacement was a lot more problematic. I really struggle with range of motion and my quads/hamstring were so atrophied that I could barely move my leg unaided. 6 months later, it’s a lot better but still really weak. If it’s any consolation, I truly sucked at golf and the buggy caused more discomfort than I would have got walking.

 

[benne68]

My first (left) knee replacement was a lot more problematic

Another example of "every knee is different, even in the same person."

Thanks for your detailed updates!

 

[PoorlyKnees]

August 28th - Day 40

Bank holiday weekend…
So much for the gardening. Using the buggy got me round the golf course, but for some reason, my knee hated it. I had a terrible nights slew and the tendon at the top of my fibula was extremely sore in the morning. The knee joint was fine, but the outside of my knee….ouch!!

Keep doing the same thing, you’ll get the same result…
Playing in the Sunday competition, I started well, but the pain on the outside of my knee soon ruined my round. I hadn’t quite realised that it was the buggy that was making my knee uncomfortable. It was only when I went for a long walk with my lovely wife Claire that I realised… walking is fine, the problems start when I sit with my knee bent past 90 degrees for any time. It doesn’t make sense, but the evidence is there. I don’t know but I may have a bit of tendonitis or bursitis. I’ll talk to my physiotherapist.

 

[EalingGran]

I was like you for a long time after my PKR. I was first able to walk 10,000 steps at around 6 weeks. But standing still or sitting too long in one position was uncomfortable for months after that.
I remember going to the theatre at around 6- 7 months and the legroom was poor so I was miserable. I found a rocking stool ( which had accompanied a nursing rocking chair, my daughter had used) invaluable for watching TV in comfort. Just elevation and gentle movement was perfect.
I don't think it is evidence of bursitis - just a normal part of healing that the joint prefers movement. So long as it isn't excessive. I can stand and sit pretty freely now- I am more limited now by my spinal arthritis than my knee.

 

[mendogal]

Mine are TKAs. At over 6 months my first, which I consider functional though a bit weak, still stiffens with prolonged sitting. My baby knee from midJune can stiffen in 15 minutes of sitting or standing. Doing longer than a half hour is asking for pain. Have to walk it off and might need to ice and elevate.

 

[JusticeRider]

I do understand how lucky I am. My first (left) knee replacement was a lot more problematic. I really struggle with range of motion and my quads/hamstring were so atrophied that I could barely move my leg unaided

Isn’t that amazing? Like @benne68 said, how different different knees can heal, even on the same person! So you have experienced two very different recoveries. These bodies of ours can be so unpredictable! But I’m glad you are doing so well now and able to do so much

 

[Finallydone]

@PoorlyKnees

“walking is fine, the problems start when I sit with my knee bent past 90 degrees for any time. It doesn’t make sense, but the evidence is there.”

Sitting a longer period of time with little leg room is difficult and can result in stiff, unhappy knees; I think it’s the getting in and out of the vehicles that causes the most of the resultant knee pain. There is a lot of twisting of knees and unbalanced positioning with the entering and exiting of buggies and cars. Ice and elevation to the rescue, again. But enjoy your golf outings and know that this will resolve with time. Blessings

 

[PoorlyKnees]

I saw this link today. I feel like it defines 2023 and the cycles of recovery from my PKRs

 

[Scully2005]

That’s brilliant! Recovery and life are not linear

 

[PoorlyKnees]

Mine are TKAs. At over 6 months my first, which I consider functional though a bit weak, still stiffens with prolonged sitting. My baby knee from midJune can stiffen in 15 minutes of sitting or standing. Doing longer than a half hour is asking for pain. Have to walk it off and might need to ice and elevate.

That sounds very familiar

 

[Finallydone]

I saw this link today. I feel like it defines 2023 and the cycles of recovery from my PKRs

I wish I were as adept as he is at getting moving when back on the steps. Takes me a bit to get moving again!!!! Thanks for posting the link.

 

[PoorlyKnees]

August 31st - Day 43

Tweaky IT band…
I’m progressing everyday but I keep getting knocked back by a horrible dull ache down the outside of my leg, coupled with a sharp pain on the outside of my knee. The ache is very reminiscent of the pain I had after my left knee replacement.

Ask the physio…
I had my third physio appointment today. He was very happy with my range of motion (135 degrees), my walking and squatting. I asked him about the pain on the outside of my leg. After a few questions and a bit of prodding he found the spot. The subsequent deep tissue massage was one of the most uncomfortable and relieving experiences I can remember. He confirmed the root cause was TFL and IT band related….just like before.

What to do?…
Time is a great healer (apparently). I can continue with my trips to the gym as this will help with the recovery and relieve the dull ache. I hope it doesn’t take too long!

 

[PoorlyKnees]

September 2nd - Day 45

Back to the course…
I took part in my first golf competition walking the course today. I was a bit slow, but it was great to get out there. The pain from my TFL and IT band was annoying but manageable. The best bit was…. I came second in a field of 51.

A bit of hard work…
My gym work is paying dividends. Increasing the resistance on the cycle and leg machines has shown me that my new knees can cope and I can feel the effort in my quads, glutes, and hamstrings. It’s kinda nice feeling a bit of muscle soreness. I’m going to

 

[PoorlyKnees]

September 4th - Day 47

The challenge continues…
Whilst I’m not getting any pain from my joint, the discomfort coming from the muscles in my thigh and my glutes is still frustrating me. It’s just and intense, dull ache that seems to be aggravated by walking.

Working through it…
I’m still working both my knees at the gym and continuously increasing the resistance.
My confidence levels for both knees is high and I can work both legs quite hard. This seems to relieve the aching for a period of time, but it slowly comes back.

Everything comes to he who waits…
It’s very similar to the ache I had after my left PKR. I know that, in time, the muscles will activate and relieve the pressure on the TFL and IT band. I just have to be patient and keep working.

 

[Layla]

Good morning!
It is understandable that the ache you describe is similar to the ache you had after your first PKR because when you change the way you walk, your muscles, joints etc in other areas of your body all have to compensate. Wondering if a slower, less demanding approach will help ease the aches? It's still fairly early days in the entire scheme of things. I am a firm believer in the idea that "Pain Is Your Body Asking For Change". Hate to see you suffering pain / discomfort if the solution may be as simple as dialing it back a tad.

Wishing you only the best, PoorlyKnees, and appreciate the honesty in sharing your journey with us.
I hope you have a great week!
@PoorlyKnees

 

[PoorlyKnees]

Good morning!
It is understandable that the ache you describe is similar to the ache you had after your first PKR because when you change the way you walk, your muscles, joints etc in other areas of your body all have to compensate. Wondering if a slower, less demanding approach will help ease the aches? It's still fairly early days in the entire scheme of things. I am a firm believer in the idea that "Pain Is Your Body Asking For Change". Hate to see you suffering pain / discomfort if the solution may be as simple as dialing it back a tad.

I totally agree, my body is trying to figure out how to work properly again. Ironically, I get the best relief from the aches if I do exercise quite hard. My physiotherapist has identified that a lack of engagement from hamstring, glutes and quads is resulting in my TFL and IT band putting pressure on the nerve. They will release the pressure when the muscles are back in action.

 

[PoorlyKnees]

September 19th - Day 62

2 Month Anniversary…
It’s my new right knee’s 2 month birthday, time to reflect. It feels like more than 2 months, but I guess that’s because my left knee is only just over 6 months old. Whatever way I look at it the two journeys have been very different.

The good and the bad…
My right leg is my stronger/dominant leg; the arthritis was more advanced in my right knee than my left. The initial recovery on my right side was very speedy; 95 degrees bend after 2 weeks, 135 degrees after 3 weeks. However, whilst the strength has returned, the integrity and stamina of the joint seems to be taking some time to return. I’ve been through a similar cycle of aches and pains as with my left knee but it feels like the right knee needs a little more tlc. A little exercise one day and it needs a day of rest to recover.

What are the symptoms?…
Most of the discomfort presents itself as an ache in my glute and lower back, but I have been feeling a few sharp pains on the inside of the joint. I’m meeting with the surgeon and physiotherapist in a couple of days so I will be able to get their opinions.

A lot to be thankful for…
Golf is my passion. I was unable to play for 60 days after my left knee procedure. I was back on the course 30 days after my right knee. I struggle a bit with the walking (especially the hills) but I’m back competing, getting top 3 finishes and shot my lowest score for 2 years last time out. It’s not all bad.

 

[Layla]

Thanks for the update. Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you receive answers or reassurance when you meet with the surgeon and physio.
Enjoy your time on the course. Hit em straight and far!
@PoorlyKnees