TKR Round Two: Bring It On!
- Thread starter Mumu
- Start date
Austria
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Mumu
junior member
I took VW54's advice and got up very early the last two days to walk the dogs before the heat settles in. Both days I was able to go six blocks (1/2 mile.) yay! Today I saw many of the morning regulars who asked me where I've been, it's been so nice to be back into a routine again. School starts in 5 weeks and I am hopeful I will be there on the first day, maybe with reduced hours.
kmak81230
post-grad
Congrats on the longer walking Mumu. Walking is great medicine for these new knees, particularly if it is not too hot, and it's always nice to add in a little social activity. I am fortunate that it is cool in the mornings here which makes for pleasant walking weather.
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
Agree, those walks are pure gold. Doing it in the morning when it's maybe cooler is also a great way to wake up.
Yay for your walking! It's so good for you and the knees need it! I have to get out early in the morning to do any weeding. When that heat and humidity get together is zaps all your energy! I'm a fall girl! I love the cooler weather. Summer is my least favorite season.
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Mumu
junior member
It will be four weeks on Tuesday, I feel cabin fever lurking ahead. Still do not have the concentration to read. Drove myself to PT today, but have no desire to go to the store, or anywhere out in public. Plus it's so hellishly hot in Los Angeles, ack! This must be some kind of middling stage where the worst is behind, but patience is still heavily required!
in terms of pain and discomfort of the first few weeks. You are so correct about needing patience for the remainder of this journey.
It does get better from here on out. It's terribly hot here, also, and the humidity is a killer. Try to get out early, over there on the other side of the country, and do a little walking. Walking is really good exercise, doing what the knee was designed to do, I find that lifts my mood! But, be sure careful!
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Mumu
junior member
Four weeks today! Yay! My flex is 115 and extension 3. My problem seems to be with gait, I just can't seem to walk smoothly. I keep swinging my surgical leg out which makes for a very pronounced limp. When I truly concentrate on bending and walking normally, my knee feels like it's going to buckle about 10% of the time (which scares me.). My PT showed me an exercose, but I just can't seem to duplicate it at home.
I am going to attempt an outing this eve to a concert in the park, looking forward to being out in public. Tomorrow I may try some very light grocery shopping. Like I said above, I feel cabin fever setting in. I may be the only teacher who can't wait for schools to start, LOL.
I am soooooooo appreciative of everybody's kind comments and encouragement. Writing here enables me to nip all medical chat in the bud when friends come to call!
I am going to attempt an outing this eve to a concert in the park, looking forward to being out in public. Tomorrow I may try some very light grocery shopping. Like I said above, I feel cabin fever setting in. I may be the only teacher who can't wait for schools to start, LOL.
I am soooooooo appreciative of everybody's kind comments and encouragement. Writing here enables me to nip all medical chat in the bud when friends come to call!
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
A concert in the park sounds like such fun! There are benches, I hope, or you will bring a folding chair. Light grocery shopping is a good start. For one thing, you get to pick up those foods, treats, and necessities you really want!
Gait comes late, I've found. At first, it's just enough to lurch around in a reasonably steady manner (at least it was for me). I've found that just walking outside has helped me most. Each day strengthened my muscles--ankles, calves, thighs and hips--in ways walking around the house, which is all stop and go, had not. Weeks of post-surgical inactivity, piled onto years of horrid walking habits, means all those muscles need toning and also to learn how to work well together again.
Gait comes late, I've found. At first, it's just enough to lurch around in a reasonably steady manner (at least it was for me). I've found that just walking outside has helped me most. Each day strengthened my muscles--ankles, calves, thighs and hips--in ways walking around the house, which is all stop and go, had not. Weeks of post-surgical inactivity, piled onto years of horrid walking habits, means all those muscles need toning and also to learn how to work well together again.
Jennszoo
post-grad
Give it time on the buckling. My left knee buckled a lot, so I used a cane all the way up to my second surgery for stability. It comes from weakened quads. My quad was not nearly as damaged in my right reconstruction so I haven't had nearly the buckling. But it definitely got better with time. No need for special exercises, just do whatever you're doing to strengthen the quad - short arcs, straight leg lifts, walking in general. .
kmak81230
post-grad
I still get an occasional "wobble" - though it has lessened in frequency quite a bit. I always take the cane on longer walks as it happens more when I get tired, or at the end of the day if I have been on my feet a lot. Congrats on your "kneeversary" Mumu.
I bet you had a bad gait for years before your tkr. Old habits are so hard to break. Just concentrate on the heel to toe stride and the smoothness will come!
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Mumu
junior member
Today I had the most marvelous pedicure, it was heavenly. I ran into a few people I know at the salon, and it felt great to be semi-socializing. Then,feeling buoyed, I attempted my first trip to the grocery store. The shopping was easy, but I got in the worst check-out line ever (even though it was short!) and came close to flinging myself on the floor and screaming "don't you know I just had surger!!!" LOL. All of this activity required a deep nap when I got home.
I did not walk my dogs today, like I have done the last three days. I think it was just too much for me and realize I need to dial it back a bit.
I am off the narcotics, just Tylenol now as I start week #5. Pain has not been my main issue, it's the exhaustion that is whooping me. Still cannot concentrate to read.
Hope everyone is having a restful day of recovery. Thanks, as usual, for the kind words.
I did not walk my dogs today, like I have done the last three days. I think it was just too much for me and realize I need to dial it back a bit.
I am off the narcotics, just Tylenol now as I start week #5. Pain has not been my main issue, it's the exhaustion that is whooping me. Still cannot concentrate to read.
Hope everyone is having a restful day of recovery. Thanks, as usual, for the kind words.
You had a busy day today doing normal things! Doesn't it feel wonderful! I hope you have a very good night tonight.
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Mumu
junior member
I should change the title of my thread....how about Are We There Yet? But don't know how to do It!
Ok, starting week #6. I think I had a superstar first 3 weeks, but now feel like things have plateaued out. Still have plenty of fatigue. Walking my dogs most everyday, PT is going well, haven't needed a cane since the 4th of July. I had been taking Tramadol, tapered it down, stopped it on Sunday. It's possible I had a few withdrawal symptoms ( headache, mild depression, diarrhea.). I am done with aspirin therapy and have now switched to ibuprophen (approx 1200mg per 24 hours.)
I have gone out in public a bit...short grocery trip, concert in park, a staff party last night ( where I was able to socialize for 2.5 hours.) My 2 year old granddaughter blew in like a typhoon on Sunday for the day, fun but exhausting. Today I went into school for 2 hours to do some minor preps for the beginning of the school year (Aug 16), which whooped me!
My incision looks really great , pretty much a thin line. I am thrilled because I was so horrified the first time I saw it!
Will see OS for the first time on Monday, my "numbers" will be acceptable. I am In Los Angeles, hellishly hot, wantb the official ok to go swimming. (I gave myself permission to drive already, LOL.)
Hope everybody is having a smooth recovery. As I have said many times, I am so grateful for the advice and kind words of encouragement I have gotten here!
Ok, starting week #6. I think I had a superstar first 3 weeks, but now feel like things have plateaued out. Still have plenty of fatigue. Walking my dogs most everyday, PT is going well, haven't needed a cane since the 4th of July. I had been taking Tramadol, tapered it down, stopped it on Sunday. It's possible I had a few withdrawal symptoms ( headache, mild depression, diarrhea.). I am done with aspirin therapy and have now switched to ibuprophen (approx 1200mg per 24 hours.)
I have gone out in public a bit...short grocery trip, concert in park, a staff party last night ( where I was able to socialize for 2.5 hours.) My 2 year old granddaughter blew in like a typhoon on Sunday for the day, fun but exhausting. Today I went into school for 2 hours to do some minor preps for the beginning of the school year (Aug 16), which whooped me!
My incision looks really great , pretty much a thin line. I am thrilled because I was so horrified the first time I saw it!
Will see OS for the first time on Monday, my "numbers" will be acceptable. I am In Los Angeles, hellishly hot, wantb the official ok to go swimming. (I gave myself permission to drive already, LOL.)
Hope everybody is having a smooth recovery. As I have said many times, I am so grateful for the advice and kind words of encouragement I have gotten here!
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
Mumu, it sounds like you're doing wonderfully. I also have had a "superstar" recovery, so far anyway, and felt like I plateaued a bit around week 4 to 5. Things got better around week 6 and went full speed ahead from there, though I still have "off" days where the knees are achier than on my best days. It's all a journey and the main thing is to keep an eye on the destination.
Teachers have such demanding jobs, I can't imagine how you do it!
Teachers have such demanding jobs, I can't imagine how you do it!
Jennszoo
post-grad
Great update.
OP
OP
Mumu
junior member
Thanks Susie- this plateau is slightly disappointing, but I have gotten encouragement from several people (including you) that things pick up after weeks 6-7!
I did not mention this: I still have no powers of concentration for reading or complicated TV, grrrrr.
Thank god my teaching job is not too physically demanding. I mostly work on Special Ed paperwork/meetings these days, maybe only 5-6 hours a week in the classroom. There is NO WAY I could return to full time classroom work on August 16th!
I did not mention this: I still have no powers of concentration for reading or complicated TV, grrrrr.
Thank god my teaching job is not too physically demanding. I mostly work on Special Ed paperwork/meetings these days, maybe only 5-6 hours a week in the classroom. There is NO WAY I could return to full time classroom work on August 16th!
kmak81230
post-grad
Nice update Mumu --- I hope you will find that with each week you get a little more energy and start to feel better. Glad you are getting out more - even though it is still tiring to do so. It's nice to start to do "regular" activities - make you feel less like a patient.
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