Progress Feels GREAT at 4 Weeks

[Jamie]

Okay....I'm gonna brag. I was able to get my pain meds straightened out a couple of days ago and today when doing my exercises, I had a sudden improvement. I could actually go UP a stair on my new knee!!!! And my bicycling speed went from 5 mph (how humble) to 10 mph. I am so amazed and happy. My therapist comes tomorrow and I can't wait to show her. Considering I posted my first thread here Sunday and was in such a funk because of pain med problems, I feel like real progress has been made since my surgery on February 29th.

 

[Doug]

Jamie, that's great work..I can remember barely spinning the pedals for a full three minutes..
I think the four week mark was really the toughest period for me... Keep up the good work and really, it isn't bragging. It is a milestone we can all celebrate together.

 

[JenniferG]

You brag girl. You've worked hard. I think i'm going to buy a bike for home. i can't stand this stiffness.

 

[Jamie]

Thanks, Doug. It's wonderful to have someone to share this type of news with that understands how great it feels. Hubby was happy, but just doesn't quite get it. I thank God every day for this forum and all the great folks who participate in it. I'm still "woo hooing" all around the house. But gonna settle down here soon and ice the knee after that workout.

 

[Jamie]

You know, Jennifer, I bought my bike last year about this time when I had difficulty recovering from a "simple" arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage. THAT'S a WHOLE 'nother story!!! But, anyway, I bought a recumbent bicycle that has different programs, resistance, and speeds with a cardio feedback. I couldn't use it because of problems from the "simple" surgery until now. But it has been my saving grace after the TKR! I can stretch with it better than ANY of the exercises my therapist gave me. She told me to use it as much as I wanted because it was the best tool for progress. I'm believing what she told me is true. If there is any way you can swing getting one, I'd vote to go for it. Mine is a Schwinn and I purchased it at Sears for about $350. It's very sturdy, which was something I wanted after using this type of bike at the gym. It replaced an old upright bike that was sorta wobbly. Thanks for helping me celebrate!!!

 

[Doug]

The icing is very important. Today is my 10 week post anniversary. I still ice after every workout or if I've walked around allot.
You're right too I don't think anyone who hasn't been through it can truly celebrate those little victories we get in recovery.

 

[JenniferG]

What is the difference between recumbent and just whatever. I've been eyeing them in the seras web site and not sure as to the details. And I'm liking the ones that look more like a chair. better seating arrangement if you know what I mean, getting on and staying on.

 

[Skeet]

Way to go, girl! Brag all you want. We love to hear about successes and great progress. So happy to hear you're getting things under control. Four weeks was a milestone in many ways. Then again at 8 and 12. Now at 14.5, things are pretty danged good. Hang in there. You'll have your ups and downs, but soon the ups will outnumber the downs. God bless!

 

[Doug]

The recumbent is the bike with a chair seat. And yes, I know what you mean.
There are many different types. My mother who needs double TKR got a very good one from Sears this past Christmas.--I had to put it together. Very stable though. The resistance was easily adjustable.

 

[JenniferG]

What model was that Doug? Those little bicycle seat ones don't even look comfy for lance A. I had one years ago like that. Awful! i did see the Schwinn one on the web site. My PT said it was one of the best ways to avoid amnipulation.

 

[Doug]

I don't know what the model was but knowing my mother, she got whatever the heavy duty one was.
I used to really like the Schwinn Air-dyne.(not sure about spelling). It was a regular wind resistance bike. I agree with the pt on that. I would think it really was the main contributor in getting my ROM. Just keep pushing the seat down or closer..Hurts but works!

 

[JenniferG]

"Down low to the floor!?!?" says the lady with bad knees

 

[Doug]

No, No. I wouldn't recommend it if it was.

 

[JenniferG]

what do you mean by just keep pushing the seat down or closer?

 

[Doug]

You have to start cycling and warm up with your leg getting good extension. After warm up, (I'm on an upright bike), I will ride at seat level 8 for 5mins., get off, stretch, lower the seat to level 7, ride for five, stretch. I keep going until I'm down to level two now. Makes you really bend the knee. Too cool down I raise it back up to 8 and do a slower pedal. You can adjust the times and play with the intensity. Great workout and burns calories. When your through....Ice and elevation...And pill.

 

[1jt@atime]

Jennifer, A recumbent bike is better for your back. No stress whereas you are fighting gravity on the upright, not to mention the pain in the tushey. I've used both and find that I like the recumbent better but I seem to get a decent aerobic workout with both. I think you also use more muscles in your tush with the recumbent.

Push the seat down or closer to get more bend in your knee. You'll start real high when you first get on a bike and just rock back and forth until, eventually, you'll get all the way around. What a great feeling that is because you feel like a reject until it happens. Once there, you'll start lowering the seat more and more to get more bend.
Karen

 

[JenniferG]

I'll be right back, I've got to click over to sears.com

 

[Doug]

Gotta go pick my son up..Back in about 30.

 

[Jamie]

What is the difference between recumbent and just whatever. I've been eyeing them in the seras web site and not sure as to the details. And I'm liking the ones that look more like a chair. better seating arrangement if you know what I mean, getting on and staying on.

Jennifer....a stationary bike is like one you ride on the street. You sit upright and pedal. A recumbent bike is the other type you are looking at with a "chair" type seat. I like it better because it allows you to have some back support as you pedal. You can move the seat up and back to get more or less bend in your knees as you pedal. I guess it's personal preference, but when working with my trainer at the gym, I really like the feel of this type of bike. Hope this helps!

 

[Jamie]

Let me check the Sears site and I'll see if I can find the Schwinn model I bought. Be right back.....