TKR Ready Set Go!

[1ELISEA]

My first outpatient Physical Therapy went pretty good! She basically progressed my PT and showed me great new stretches. I love how the muscle building exercises are actually doable and not really scary. Also the new stretching techniques are great! When I arrived she measured my flexation at 105 and before I left it was up to 112.

PT is going well then, good for you! :yes 4: I look forward to PT but it's still a few weeks out for me.

 

[lonewolf121]

Day Number 22!

Yeah; over the three week mark!! I can't believe how fast time is flying by! I was a bit sore this morning. My PT graduated me to the stationary bike; but I'm not aloud to do a full rotation. I explained that I was a tad swollen and tighter than normal so she put me on the bike and had me slowly rotate the pedal from about 2 o'clock to 6 o'clock; using my other leg to turn it. She said it would loosen up my knee and make it feel better and wouldn't you know it, it worked! When I got back to the torture chamber and sat down my knee was visibly less swollen and my flexation was back to normal. Plus my knee felt wonderful.

Here's something that I keep forgetting to mention. My hips are hurting; especially the one on my left side. My wife and physical terrorist think that it's because after 15 and a half years of wearing in the wrong place the ball in my hip need to re-wear a new pattern. This sounds logical to me. At any rate sometimes the pain from my hips drastically out weighs the pain in my knee; and the pain meds don't really seem to have any affect on them. No worries though, as I'm sure it's all part of getting back to my new normal.

Here's something interesting. My Mom read about eating cherries is supposed to help to alleviate some of the pain associated with arthritis. I'm not sure if it works but I did buy some so we'll see. :biggrin:

 

[1ELISEA]

Here's something interesting. My Mom read about eating cherries is supposed to help to alleviate some of the pain associated with arthritis. I'm not sure if it works but I did buy some so we'll see.

Hmmm.... if it works you can share it with us in the library. At the very least, it should help keep those of us on strong pain meds regular. And taste better than say prune juice!:hysterical:

 

[TheHistorian]

Here's something interesting. My Mom read about eating cherries is supposed to help to alleviate some of the pain associated with arthritis. I'm not sure if it works but I did buy some so we'll see. :biggrin:

I hope not for arthritis of the knee - because you can't have that.

Also, people on Coumadin or other 'blood thinners' should check to see if cherries are OK to eat. Anti clotting drugs are often scripted for the first month after surgery, and these drugs interact with many types of food.

 

[TheHistorian]

Day Number 22!

Yeah; over the three week mark!! I can't believe how fast time is flying by! I was a bit sore this morning. My PT graduated me to the stationary bike; but I'm not aloud to do a full rotation. I explained that I was a tad swollen and tighter than normal so she put me on the bike and had me slowly rotate the pedal from about 2 o'clock to 6 o'clock; using my other leg to turn it. She said it would loosen up my knee and make it feel better and wouldn't you know it, it worked! When I got back to the torture chamber and sat down my knee was visibly less swollen and my flexation was back to normal. Plus my knee felt wonderful.

Here's something that I keep forgetting to mention. My hips are hurting; especially the one on my left side. My wife and physical terrorist think that it's because after 15 and a half years of wearing in the wrong place the ball in my hip need to re-wear a new pattern. This sounds logical to me. At any rate sometimes the pain from my hips drastically out weighs the pain in my knee; and the pain meds don't really seem to have any affect on them. No worries though, as I'm sure it's all part of getting back to my new normal.

Here's something interesting. My Mom read about eating cherries is supposed to help to alleviate some of the pain associated with arthritis. I'm not sure if it works but I did buy some so we'll see. :biggrin:

That hip may not need to "wear" a new pattern, but the muscles and tendons need to adjust to a new, improved structure. As I wrote elsewhere:

<b>

As for the goal of PT, at the basis for it is the concept that their is an ideal human form and each part has an ideal way of moving. As we deviate from that ideal we create stresses. The body copes remarkably with stresses, and develops coping mechanisms. But the coping mechanisms are just workarounds for a body that isn't working as designed.

For example, imagine since childhood you wore your right shoe on your left foot and vice versa. You learned to adapt, your friends accepted your odd habit, and your girlfriend thought it cute and married you anyway. But you discovered your foot pain, which you've lived with for years, was getting worse. You saw a podiatrist who told you to put the right shoe on the right foot and the left on the left. Even though you would now be correct, you would be in pain, and probably severe pain, while the body adjusts. But when you were done, you will feel better since you would be functioning closer to the hypothetical ideal. So it is with PT. And especially MY PT, since I spent years developing coping mechanisms.

Now you know what its like to walk in my shoes. And on the right feet. ​

</b>

 

[AussieBill1962]

Hi Lonewolf,
Cherries are excellent, so if they help with the pain great. Sorry to hear about your hip pain. I don't have any, but did prior to TKR. My gait is a bit funny now. I have been walking during my lunch break at work. Trying to keep the speed for each leg even, so I don't limp, but it is like a swagger, like the keep on truckin style of the 70's. FUNKY. Rode my Mountain Bike with my Daughter this afternoon. It was great participating and teaching her what the gears do. Did the cross trainer and bike on training stand as well this morning. Long Weekend ( The Queen's Birthday on Monday) so two more days off before going back to work. Gotta love the National Holidays.
Hope your hip settles down soon.

 

[lonewolf121]

<b>

Now you know what its like to walk in my shoes. And on the right feet. ​

</b>

I really like the way you put that! Thank you for sharing that with me. :ccheers:

 

[lonewolf121]

My gait is a bit funny now. I have been walking during my lunch break at work. Trying to keep the speed for each leg even, so I don't limp, but it is like a swagger, like the keep on truckin style of the 70's. FUNKY. Rode my Mountain Bike with my Daughter this afternoon. It was great participating and teaching her what the gears do.

I'm so glad you brought this up!! I had a break through with my re-gait training just yesterday. The primary reason my Mom came up here was to help me with driving; while I'm on pain meds. We were running a tad behind on time and I still needed to get get some milk for the kiddoes, before we went to pick them up. There was no parking at the store so I had her drop me off near the front. The milk is in the back and you have to walk down the freezer isle to get to it. This is key. As I'm walking down the isle I catch a glance at my reflection and notice right away that I'm limping. So keep watching myself walk and straighten up and walk right; it sounds easier than it was. However by the time I got to the end I had it figured out.

It was definitely an "Ah Ha" moment. I never did get my wife to video tape me walking; mainly because even if I could see how I was walking wrong then it would be hard to make tiny adjustments. When I saw my reflection in the isle length glass doors I had a dynamic method an could instantly tweak my gait.

I can just imagine the looks I'm going to get but I'm adding this one to my self PT. I may try to find other places, store fronts and such with block length mirrored windows to walk and correct; so that I'm not just "wondering the isles." Haha! :hysterical:

 

[PooShay]

LW121: TART cherry is supposed to help with inflammation. I don't know how much you're supposed to have. I tried it, but it was waaaayyyyy to acidic for me.

 

[AussieBill1962]

G'Day Lonewolf,
When I saw my PT for the first time he had mirrored walls for that reason to check your gait. He was happy with how I was walking. I just found if I tried to walk fast I was not in sync, so the Funkadelic style swagger seemed to work for me. I find after walking in the pool I am walking more normal on land. It is the pathways to the brain, nerves firing in sync and muscle rebuilding that all need to happen to have a normal gait with power walking anyway. Not really important, but something to be aware of I guess.

 

[lonewolf121]

Day Number 24!

Sitting on the couch this morning I noticed something funny, my hips aren't hurting; not even a little. We all know what it feels like when there is an ache that has subsided; yet you know it's going to come back. The pain is just gone. I did my PT waiting for something to start to hurt; but I had nothing (well in my hips anyway :th_heehee. I have to wonder if it really was the cherries.

It's also a beautiful day outside, so then again it may have something to do with that. At any rate it's really a nice day! :flowerysmile:

 

[referee54]

I am glad to read that your hip pain is gone! That is a wonderful post! Please keep posting and let us know how everything is going!

 

[pmonroe]

I have also heard that cherries are good for gout, so maybe there is something to it. Who knows?

 

[BJ Mac]

I am happy to hear that your hip pain is gone.

 

[AussieBill1962]

Glad your hip pain is gone Lonewolf. Went to see the Avengers with my oldest son this afternoon. Took along the Cryo/ Cast with the cooler unit to the mall. Got some strange looks, but very comfortable sitting for the movie.
Excellent action movie, and I would recommend the Cryocast for anything that requires sitting for any length of time.

 

[lonewolf121]

Glad your hip pain is gone Lonewolf. Went to see the Avengers with my oldest son this afternoon. Took along the Cryo/ Cast with the cooler unit to the mall. Got some strange looks, but very comfortable sitting for the movie.
Excellent action movie, and I would recommend the Cryocast for anything that requires sitting for any length of time.

NOW you tell me! :hysterical: Just kidding; but I skipped out of going up to the coast because it was going to be a four hour round trip (well that and other things).

I've been thinking about taking the kids to see the Avengers. I've heard it was really good.

 

[skigirl]

I use Ginger for inflammation--and yes, tart or red cherry juice. I drink about a 1/2 cup a day--it is pretty sour. I like the taste, but it is not for everyone. My husband took one sip and told me it needed copious amounts of vodka to become palatable!!

It sounds like you are doing great!! I also have always had good rom--but I am on a short leash because of the scar tissue issue. On my right knee I was able to take a 12 mile bike ride on week eight. I am pretty sure 4 weeks is rather optimistic at best. I also love the pool as a workout place for bad knees. after my knees were normalize, I had no interest in the pool. But, now it is calling my name again. K

 

[lonewolf121]

I use Ginger for inflammation--and yes, tart or red cherry juice. I drink about a 1/2 cup a day--it is pretty sour. I like the taste, but it is not for everyone. My husband took one sip and told me it needed copious amounts of vodka to become palatable!!

It sounds like you are doing great!! I also have always had good rom--but I am on a short leash because of the scar tissue issue. On my right knee I was able to take a 12 mile bike ride on week eight. I am pretty sure 4 weeks is rather optimistic at best. I also love the pool as a workout place for bad knees. after my knees were normalize, I had no interest in the pool. But, now it is calling my name again. K

I like your husband! :cheers_wine:Then again red cherry juice and vodka would probably make everything feel better...for a while. :th_heehee:

My outside scar doesn't bother me; but the inside stuff can really be a strange and unpleasant feeling at times. Like this morning we went to my little girl's award ceremony; afterward I had to head straight to PT. So on the way there, while my wife was driving, I put my leg on the dash and put one of my ice packs on my knee. That way I could get the most out of my PT when I got there. Anyway, I thought I was tugging on my pants leg but must have pinched some of my skin with it and gave it a good tug up/back towards my hip while I was arranging myself in the seat. It felt like I had just unstuck an old bandage or something, under my skin on the left side of my knee. Then it started to burn, just like it really was a bandage, but about two millimeters under. Talk about a weird sensation; but I'm glad it happened, I just didn't realize how much the fascia had seated together as in a connective adhesion. I was glad I had the ice. Now if I can just remember to continue to keep it worked so it doesn't form again. :rolleyes:

I asked about swimming and they said one more week; possible two. However I was cleared to do full rotations on the exercise bike.

 

[lonewolf121]

Tomorrow is my 1 Month mark!

I have another question for those who have been there. I had never taken Celebrex until this surgery. I counted my pills yesterday and it looks like I have about four days left worth of pills. I'm not sure if I need to get a refill on them; but I'm calling my doctor's office tomorrow to find out. What I'm curious about is if there are any withdrawal symptoms associated with Celebrex. Anyone out there experience anything?

 

[bottomshollow]

Celebrex is not a narcotic so there will be no withdrawal symptoms. It is a Cox 2 inhibitor and works similarly to NSAIDS (ibuprofen). You might have some increase in pain when you stop taking it, but that's all.