Bilateral TKR Recovery Diary

[Larosser]

Gradual, steady improvement continues. Yesterday walked to the post office and the off licence*, round trip of maybe a bit more than 1/2 mile.

* for our American friends: read 'liquor store'. It's a shop where they have a licence to sell wines and spirits for consumption off the premises.

Wonderful progress, Roy! Can't wait to be able to walk to the liquor store! And to be done with the Norco so I can have a squiff!

La

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Sounds like you are doing just fine Roy. Strength and tone will come back, just give it time. No doubt, you know how to get there.

Indeed I do; March 1st scheduled to start training, giving me six weeks before I go to Majorca for two weeks in the sun. Must bear in mind not to overdo it, or to treat March 1 as a totem! Take it easy is my mantra now.

I'm still surprised how weakened I am from my summer injuries, and how hard its been to get even a bit back. But hey, its all Time and Patience!!!!

Holy Moly you went through the mill though, nearly being killed is a bit of a trauma to anyone!!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

For those who need Executive Summary, I've now created it here: broken link removed: https://www.roygardiner.com/btkr/

 

[goodasnew]

I think the rest of us can happily retire now - you seem to have it all stitched up Roy! Thanks for all your great input!:biggrin:

 

[Jazyb]

Great work Roy - you have been busy! That daytime telly gets to you in the end, unfortunately I'm still in the phase of having to watch it! I can't wait to get my brain working again :wink1:

 

[Roy Gardiner]

... I can't wait to get my brain working again :wink1:

Me neither, I made a horrible dog's breakfast of the BMI calculator yesterday...:th_heehee:

 

[Josephine]

aawww!

You should have seen me trying to download my Kindle for PC last night! There was a real dog's breakfast!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

8 weeks, day 50 Eight weeks today since The Day.

Yesterday did some errands, car and walking. Probably walked maybe 3/4 mile, felt tired on getting home. Indeed quads ached like I'd ridden 50 miles, other aches as pains around the body as if I'd actually done something.

Fully expected knees to swell in the afternoon or overnight, but no. Stayed exactly as they were, still moderately swollen and with fluid there, but got no worse.

This morning, out for a walk, I hope the first of a daily routine. Not far, and still walking like a puppet with tangled strings, but doing it. Taking longer strides to straighten the rear leg on each step. Again, no subsequent swelling of the knees.

I am becoming more and more convinced that we should do no exercise at that hurts the knee, and that not doing things is better than doing them and using ice afterwards.

 

[Jazyb]

Roy, I can't believe it's 8 weeks - a milestone for you!! Happy Anniversary!! I have 8 weeks logged in my diary as an important day for me (can't wait).

When you talk about no exercise should hurt the knee - did you do all the exercises on the sheet they tend to dish out when leaving hospital?

I hope you had a glass of wine to celebrate your 8 week anniversary :wink1:

 

[Roy Gardiner]

When you talk about no exercise should hurt the knee - did you do all the exercises on the sheet they tend to dish out when leaving hospital?

Nope. I don't do any ROM exercises, the extension ones I do are (a) the leg up on a chair and press down on the thigh, several/many times a day (b) push back when standing into the 'lock' position, every time (c) take long strides when walking, all the time. But it's getting on time to start ROM, I found myself sitting down onto the couch today without hand support as my hands held my lunch tray. Unthinkable just a week ago.

I think my Lazyboll:th_heehee:bones nature has counted in my favour here.

Left knee still goes clickety-clack on the static bike, right as smooth as silk. Just waiting for the left to calm down, then I can maybe start some actual training.

I hope you had a glass of wine to celebrate your 8 week anniversary :wink1:

Oh yes. Several...

 

[Campervan]

Hi Roy, I thought BTKR was longer recovery but you've done better than most having one done. Wonderful! Margaret

 

[Jazyb]

Hi Roy, That is amazing that you haven't done any ROM exercises and from memory your figures were really good when you last mentioned them. It does make me think about the whole issue of ROM and being told to push it with the heel slides All very interesting the different approach to this subject. Just out of interest, why did you decide to take this route with the ROM?

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Hi Roy, That is amazing that you haven't done any ROM exercises and from memory your figures were really good when you last mentioned them. It does make me think about the whole issue of ROM and being told to push it with the heel slides All very interesting the different approach to this subject. Just out of interest, why did you decide to take this route with the ROM?

Well figures were good from the outset. Day 1 sat on the side of the bed with my legs dangling - like you do - and everyone was amazed. Now about 120-125. Yes I think that anything which causes pain to injury -- which is what we have -- is counter productive, which is why I decided to take it easy. And what Josephine and the other mavens said.

I don't mind pressing on with extension exercises, because they don't affect the injured bit of the knees, don't hurt and do work.

Now nearly midnight zzzzz

 

[Josephine]

Aah, my star!!!

Learned a new word - never heard of a 'maven' before! Neat!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Day 51

Red letter day

Preparing dinner; wife is doing the work, I am sat on the kitchen stool watching as usual (I'll answer the storm of criticism later :th_heehee. She has a pot of pasta on the hot plate of the Aga. It starts to boil over. I go over and pick up the pot from the heat.

"Wow", she says "I haven't seen you move that fast since forever."

I hadn't noticed, it didn't hurt, it didn't hurt afterwards either. To say I'm a bit happy is something of an understatement.

 

[Deeden]

Excellent! But you've no excuse for not helping in the kitchen now, Roy!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

But you've no excuse for not helping in the kitchen now, Roy!

I always didn't.

 

[Jazyb]

Nice one Roy and quite right Deeden :th_heehee:

 

[Roy Gardiner]

... quite right Deeden :th_heehee:

Feminine mafia. How do you know that stuff, who teaches it? We Are Baffled*.

*(In other breaking news, Titanic sinks, sunrise in the East tomorrow.)

 

[Dhare63]

Thanks for the chuckle! Love your posts!

Dawn