Bilateral TKR Recovery Diary

[Roy Gardiner]

Week 8 day 53

Fourth day of scheduled daily walking.

I had forgotten that when you start some new activity then improvements are very rapid to start with and slow down with time. I'm at that early stage now and have gone from a cautious few yards up to 3/4 mile today. Still no extra swelling after walking, or any pain at all during.

NO PAIN AT ALL WHEN WALKING.

Just thought I'd say that again.

And taking long strides, to stretch the calves and hamstrings.

My walk today went past my local curry house. Before The Day when I wanted to avoid driving :cocktail_martini::cheers_wine: I'd walk down slowly, stopping several times on the way, get stiff legs from the walk, walk back a bit faster (but still dead slow) due to the anaesthetic effects of drink. Today, non-stop walk past it and back.

Tomorrow, 1 mile I think.

 

[Jazyb]

All sounds good Roy - how great that you have no pain at all when walking and say it as many times as you like (fantastic!!!). A curry and a couple of glasses of wine sounds soooo good to me; I can't wait to go out for a meal!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Week 8 day 55

Another milestone

Yesterday/today first weekend away from home. Went with friends (4 of us altogether) to Exeter to see son (and their daughter) in Uni Footlights performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie

Tube, lots of stairs changing from Central Line to Drain, then to rail station. Mainline from Waterloo 3 hours - and the seats are as cramped as any airline - lunch in Exeter, walking around with friends shopping (carried walking stick but didn't really need it), theatre, dinner, then today train and tube once more.

No pain whilst walking or standing; some stiffness today, and overnight in bed some easily bearable sharp pain down the side of the knee on turning over.

Fantastic to spend a weekend NOT thinking 'when can I sit down?' 'Will I be able to get up again?' but actually socialising with friends and family. Just fantastic.

 

[Randi]

Wow. Sounds so good. Gives me great incentive. I'm at day 45 and just starting real walking again. Did 25 minutes today with only a little discomfort and not too much swelling- then home to rest, elevate, ice. I'm learning .. Thanks to all of you

 

[Deeden]

Excellent Roy! You really are doing brilliantly.

I'm further on than you and only had one knee done and consider my recovery to have been very good. But I still get some pain when walking and some stiffness - you've had both knees done, only 8 weeks in and you are doing that well! Congratulations, absolutely wonderful.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Did 25 minutes today with only a little discomfort and not too much swelling- then home to rest, elevate, ice. I'm learning

If I find an activity causes swelling then yes ice and elevation -- but I then cut back on the activity for a while, because the swelling is a damaged body's reaction to stress.

 

[Jazyb]

That is great to read Roy and gives me hope that one day soon I could be doing something similar. I see you were in my neck of the woods!!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

That is great to read Roy and gives me hope that one day soon I could be doing something similar.

Pretty much why I'm doing it.

Slight word of warning: this morning after two hectic (by knee recovery standards) days, there is an increase in stiffness and 'clicking' this morning. Slight loss of mobility in coming down stairs 'gingerly' and with a bit more pain. But no increase in swelling. So, an easy day today.

Recovery has been good partly because I'm young :th_heehee:, partly because I was relatively fit to start with, but largely IMO because (here I go again) of my do-nothing approach.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

...after two hectic (by knee recovery standards) days, there is an increase in stiffness and 'clicking' this morning.

And this afternoon I go for massage. If I had hurt myself over the weekend, then as he touched the stiff parts I'd jump off the table. If, however, the stiffness was an exertion-reaction rather than an injury-reaction, it'd feel good and my mobility would be improved.

:hapydancsmil::egypt-dance::happy dance:

I now recommend massage even more strongly than previously.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Week 9 day 57

1.3 miles today; downhill from my house to tube station, uphill all the way back. Tried to keep it brisk, but flagging a bit at the end.

 

[Josephine]

You are doing so well!

 

[KathyH]

Agreed, you are doing exceptionally well, Roy

Kathy
x

 

[Ditzzeechick]

I'm 3 weeks from a bktr and I have to say reading the recovery stories is ever so helpful. Roy, your journey reassures me that like you and so many others here, that we all come out on the other side and at the end of the day, everybody walks again...most with minimal pain. Keep those posts coming, we newbies need all of the information and encouragement we can glean from the boards. Thank you!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Week 9 day 58

Today, 1.6 miles on the flat my house to The Traveller's Friend

Didn't even go in for beer, just turned and went home.

Tired at the end -- but then I haven't walked that far in one go for maybe 10 years.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

...Roy, your journey reassures me ... Keep those posts coming, we newbies need all of the information and encouragement we can glean from the boards. Thank you!

You are welcome. I had hoped to be able to chronicle a normal recovery, which would have been enough. You may be sure it pleases me no end to be able to recount a (so far) super-normal one.

 

[Jamie]

Roy, each day I am amazed at your progress. It is certainly wonderful to read and I hope it continues until you are skipping on those daily walks!

 

[Josephine]

You got all the way to the pub and didn't go in? I don't belieeeeeeve it!

 

[Jazyb]

Well done on your walk Roy and extra well done for not stopping for refreshment :wink1:

 

[Josephine]

​

 

[referee54]

Week 9 day 58

Today, 1.6 miles on the flat my house to The Traveller's Friend

Didn't even go in for beer, just turned and went home.

Tired at the end -- but then I haven't walked that far in one go for maybe 10 years.

My goodness! You are a much stronger man than me---I would have gone in just to savor the atmosphere....:biggrin::biggrin: