Bilateral TKR Recovery Diary
- Thread starter Roy Gardiner
- Start date
megbabyrn
senior
Roy, if nothing else, I have learned that patience will get me there. I cannot rush this recovery. Every time I tried, I paid for it. Thank you for your update, you should be proud of all you have accomplished!! I certainly have learned quite a bit from your responses. Thank you!!
OP
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Megan you are welcome, every little helps.
Week 15
Monday 19th 23 miles. On a hill near home overtaken, so of course I had to have a dig. Heart rate to 164 which is good* but couldn't catch him. Big effort, no effect on the knees yet. Rest day tomorrow anyway so I'll find out then.
There is no doubt that a couple of hours on the bike reduces the fluid around the knees. Maybe the rotation has some kind of pumping action?
Progress on the bike is amazingly rapid. I was looking forward to just pootling about in Majorca (April 14th-28th) but I may be able to do half-day rides -- i.e. ride to the cafe stop, maybe 30-40 miles, then get in the car to ride home. This will have the HUGE advantage that I will be able to drink beer at the lunch stop, not the coffee or chocolate you have to have if you're riding home.
*normally the fitter you are the lower the heart rate for any given effort. But if you're not even on the fitness scale and the muscles can't work enough to boost the heart, its rate will stay low. So by being able to get to 164 at all, I've scraped my little toe on the bottom ('useless fat knacker') rung of the fitness ladder, right on!
Week 15
Monday 19th 23 miles. On a hill near home overtaken, so of course I had to have a dig. Heart rate to 164 which is good* but couldn't catch him. Big effort, no effect on the knees yet. Rest day tomorrow anyway so I'll find out then.
There is no doubt that a couple of hours on the bike reduces the fluid around the knees. Maybe the rotation has some kind of pumping action?
Progress on the bike is amazingly rapid. I was looking forward to just pootling about in Majorca (April 14th-28th) but I may be able to do half-day rides -- i.e. ride to the cafe stop, maybe 30-40 miles, then get in the car to ride home. This will have the HUGE advantage that I will be able to drink beer at the lunch stop, not the coffee or chocolate you have to have if you're riding home.
*normally the fitter you are the lower the heart rate for any given effort. But if you're not even on the fitness scale and the muscles can't work enough to boost the heart, its rate will stay low. So by being able to get to 164 at all, I've scraped my little toe on the bottom ('useless fat knacker') rung of the fitness ladder, right on!
Ditzzeechick
senior
you know what I've learned, some days are better than others and don't be discouraged when you go backwards. It seems like we all leave the gate at a gallop and then find there are times we can only cantor or trot. You on the other hand.....show off!!! 
OP
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Yes, I know.You on the other hand.....show off!!!
Actually I have, seriously, thought about posting less just in case it hacks people off -- but then I said beforehand that I'd keep a diary whichever way things went.
It's not just luck I think. I adopted the approach of doing nothing, no PT, no strength exercises, and so on, not only because it fitted my bone idle nature but because I believed in it. And it works.
The accelerated recovery I'm going through now (see my 'drunk' analogy a few posts up) I am sure is due to my not compromising on 'proactive healing' (watching telly) in the early days.
Also, I'm 2 months ahead of you. The first few weeks are pretty awful aren't they, you feel like nothing's happening. But it is!
Great report Roy and it certainly doesn't hack me off reading good straightforward progress reports. That's why I joined this forum many months ago, to read positive reports and to encourage me that this surgery can be successful and uneventful for so many folks. Keep it up and lucky you holidaying in Majorca :wink1:
PooShay
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Well, I like to read all reports ... from people who need no pain meds the next day to people who are struggling weeks and weeks post-op. This gives credence to our saying "everyone heals differently."
Roy, I sorta patterned my recovery behavior after yours, except that I do PT. I enjoy exercising and none of the exercises I do are taxing except the quad stretch, which I do in moderation.
Tomorrow is the end of my 4th week. I'm very pleased with my progress so far. I walk with a cane mostly, and very often i forget it and start off with no support (I'm trying to be more aware of using the cane). I see my surgeon Wednesday and the first thing I'm doing is give him a kiss and a hug for straightening my legs!
He likes his ROM numbers, though; so we'll see how it goes. My PT is pleased with my progress as well.
Roy, I sorta patterned my recovery behavior after yours, except that I do PT. I enjoy exercising and none of the exercises I do are taxing except the quad stretch, which I do in moderation.
Tomorrow is the end of my 4th week. I'm very pleased with my progress so far. I walk with a cane mostly, and very often i forget it and start off with no support (I'm trying to be more aware of using the cane). I see my surgeon Wednesday and the first thing I'm doing is give him a kiss and a hug for straightening my legs!
He likes his ROM numbers, though; so we'll see how it goes. My PT is pleased with my progress as well.
OP
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Cool, bit of a responsibility though. Best make sure I tell the truth from now on...
I'm not against PT, I'm against anything which makes one's knees swell or hurt.
PooShay
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Roy: I should have said: except that I did PT from the very beginning.
I know you're not against PT. I've seen your exercise "helpers".
daisycats
junior member
I have a bike and I want to ride it but I am a little nervous about falling off and keeping balance. I can ride fine at the y but getting on a bike without the foundation is a little scary. This has just been since my btkr. I need some encouragement to go do it. The weather is o beautiful now.
Laurie....you SHOULD go ahead and ride that bike if you want to. You are far enough out that it should not be a problem. And....as for your worry about falling, should that happen you wouldn't hurt your hip. Actually, there is no more danger of you falling now that at any time you rode the bike. You won't forget how to ride!!!
OP
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What you need, IMO, is a giant, empty car park. An office, college, school or some such building on a Sunday (or a church on a weekday :th_heehee
. Put your bike in the car and go to try out, just ride around traffic-free for as long as you like.A clarification to PooShay - I also like to read all reports and have spent many years reading good and bad recovery stories but there is nothing wrong with enjoying a positive motivational report. I was only expressing my opinion to Roy that he should not think about toning down his reports so as not to come across as too boastful. These reports are so useful to anyone considering a TKR. There are too many forums where you can read negative recovery stories and that are full of doom and gloom regarding this surgery. Thankfully I found Bonesmart that I deem as a positive forum.
Just had to clear that one up :wink1:
Just had to clear that one up :wink1:
PooShay
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Hey Jo, I wasn't implying that you didn't appreciate ALL reports; I was responding directly to Roy and I just added my two cents to the convo. (I don't see the quote function on my iPhone.)
I've seen plenty of your replies to people who had good experiences as well as to people who encountered problems. You are always encouraging to all. Sorry I left room for misinterpretation. :-(. (no cute emoticons either!!)
I've seen plenty of your replies to people who had good experiences as well as to people who encountered problems. You are always encouraging to all. Sorry I left room for misinterpretation. :-(. (no cute emoticons either!!)
OP
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I have received an email from a member asking about 'walking practice' and saying that I am the only person on here who's ever mentioned it. Can't say I'd noticed, but anyway here's an update.
My OS pointed out that I was walking as if my feet were on two parallel lines ('traintracks'), which is unnatural and which I hadn't noticed. I was also shuffling and taking short steps, which I had noticed!
A natural walk is to swing each leading leg inwards, so that the path traced is much narrower. To exaggerate, imagine a catwalk model's step where each leading foot might even cross the natural line.
So my OS advised me to practice walking correctly (gentlemen, stop imagining now and keep up, that bit's finished). I found I had to think consciously about each step, taking it longer and deliberately putting the leading foot more on a centre line.
As soon as I did, though, I realised that what I'd been doing unconsciously before was wrong, I could feel it. And as long as I kept thinking, I could keep doing the correct stride. I used a stick at first, but to help a bit with balance, not to take weight if I could help it.
As I did longer strides, I found I'd get a 'pull' in my hamstrings and calves, a stretching effect. Good news.
Even now, weeks later, when I can walk well, if not fast, I keep on thinking about it -- and when tired will revert to that shuffle if not careful.
My OS pointed out that I was walking as if my feet were on two parallel lines ('traintracks'), which is unnatural and which I hadn't noticed. I was also shuffling and taking short steps, which I had noticed!
A natural walk is to swing each leading leg inwards, so that the path traced is much narrower. To exaggerate, imagine a catwalk model's step where each leading foot might even cross the natural line.
So my OS advised me to practice walking correctly (gentlemen, stop imagining now and keep up, that bit's finished). I found I had to think consciously about each step, taking it longer and deliberately putting the leading foot more on a centre line.
As soon as I did, though, I realised that what I'd been doing unconsciously before was wrong, I could feel it. And as long as I kept thinking, I could keep doing the correct stride. I used a stick at first, but to help a bit with balance, not to take weight if I could help it.
As I did longer strides, I found I'd get a 'pull' in my hamstrings and calves, a stretching effect. Good news.
Even now, weeks later, when I can walk well, if not fast, I keep on thinking about it -- and when tired will revert to that shuffle if not careful.
darlpf
junior member
Great information Roy - good to know. Based on what you said, I think it would be wise for me to talk to my OS sooner rather than later. I couldn't walk like that with a cane or crutches, so it might be best for me to check on this.
I didn't post the question on the forum because I wanted to make sure you saw it and wasn't sure where to post it. To clarify for everyone, this is what I asked of you:
Hi Roy:
I follow quite a lot of what you say and do - thank you for all of it! Even posts to others I find very helpful.
I do have a quick question for you - I read your summary and saw this "practicing walking correctly and with long strides". My biggest obstacle, aside from the right leg issues is walking "normally". I walk like a prisoner in ankle chains - know what I mean? Baby steps. Although I do all the right things with PT, home exercises/stretches, and the recumbent bike, I don't seem to be making progress with the regular long stride I once had - so frustrating!
Since our surgeries were close in time, I'm wondering how you walk at this point. I do realize all surgeries and recoveries are different but your log is the first time I've seen anyone mention the practicing walking correctly, especially the long strides.
If you have time, would you update me on your progress with this - please and thank you very much!
Darlene
(darlpf)
I didn't post the question on the forum because I wanted to make sure you saw it and wasn't sure where to post it. To clarify for everyone, this is what I asked of you:
Hi Roy:
I follow quite a lot of what you say and do - thank you for all of it! Even posts to others I find very helpful.
I do have a quick question for you - I read your summary and saw this "practicing walking correctly and with long strides". My biggest obstacle, aside from the right leg issues is walking "normally". I walk like a prisoner in ankle chains - know what I mean? Baby steps. Although I do all the right things with PT, home exercises/stretches, and the recumbent bike, I don't seem to be making progress with the regular long stride I once had - so frustrating!
Since our surgeries were close in time, I'm wondering how you walk at this point. I do realize all surgeries and recoveries are different but your log is the first time I've seen anyone mention the practicing walking correctly, especially the long strides.
If you have time, would you update me on your progress with this - please and thank you very much!
Darlene
(darlpf)
NatalieMeadows
post-grad
Just read your report from start to finish Roy and loved every minute of it
You've had a great journey
You've had a great journey
karmigirl
post-grad
Roy,
Thanks for the walking description. I guess I should have known that being a breeder of Great Danes that is exactly how we want them to track, just never realized I should be doing it also.
Thanks for the walking description. I guess I should have known that being a breeder of Great Danes that is exactly how we want them to track, just never realized I should be doing it also.
Hi Roy,
Please keep posting about your progress!
There are so many people posting on this board who have problems that it is easy to conclude that everyone has problems - and that can be pretty depressing to a newcomer.
I'm not saying that those who have problems should not post - they have genuine problems and they need lots of support - but it does tend to slant the balance of the site towards the negative. So, to redress that, we need positive posts about excellent progress - like yours.
You had your bilateral TKRs a few days before I had my Revision to TKR and your posts were an incentive to me. I, too, have had a normal recovery and I am doing well.
Best wishes,
Celle
