Mumu, your recovery sounds super! For only 5 weeks you are doing a whole lot of things, and not paying for it! That's the key...knowing your knee and listening to it!
TKR Round Two: Bring It On!
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KarriB
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I am a newly retired teacher, but was teaching first grade when I had my TKR. Concentration was an issue for me, but by my 36 years of experience kicked in when I went back at part time at 12 weeks. My OS wrote a script for me to return mornings only for 6 weeks. He knew me well and even wrote the amount of hours per day, 3.5. Luckily my administration wanted me back anyway they could get me and I went back full time at 18 weeks. The 6 weeks of part time gave me the afternoons to rest, ice and elevate my new knee. If you're considering going back to a phased return you may want to get your ducks in a row.
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Mumu
junior member
I am just about done with week #6. Saw my OS last week, he just eyeballed my knee and flexion, then gave me the thumbs up. Did a lot of bobbing in the pool last week, and had several 2+ mile days walking.
This weekend I drove myself to San Diego (2.5 hours each way) to visit my daughter and family. Two days in a row without a nap, energy levels definitely improved. We walked quite a bit at the beach, and I tackled a mountain-sized heap of laundry that needed folding, LOL.
Pain is minimal (off narcotics for the last 2 weeks) but continue to ice. Knee still looks somewhat swollen, is very numb on the side, but scar is looking faint already. Still walking very slowly and deliberately; I know I am limping and trying to nip that in the bud! Hoping the gait improves by the first day of school (Aug 16th.) I have come a long way since June 13th!
Hope everyone continues to improve. Cannot believe it's almost August!
This weekend I drove myself to San Diego (2.5 hours each way) to visit my daughter and family. Two days in a row without a nap, energy levels definitely improved. We walked quite a bit at the beach, and I tackled a mountain-sized heap of laundry that needed folding, LOL.
Pain is minimal (off narcotics for the last 2 weeks) but continue to ice. Knee still looks somewhat swollen, is very numb on the side, but scar is looking faint already. Still walking very slowly and deliberately; I know I am limping and trying to nip that in the bud! Hoping the gait improves by the first day of school (Aug 16th.) I have come a long way since June 13th!
Hope everyone continues to improve. Cannot believe it's almost August!
5 hours of driving at 6 weeks is remarkable! You are certainly coming along really well! Numb spots are perfectly normal. I still have one on the outside of my knee. And I haven't even had a tkr on the left knee yet, and it's got numb spots from previous surgeries. I guess it takes quite a while for the nerves to heal back.
Your energy drain is easing up wonderfully! Great! It can be discouraging to feel well enough to do something, but no energy to do it! It sounds like you're past that! You go, girl!
Your energy drain is easing up wonderfully! Great! It can be discouraging to feel well enough to do something, but no energy to do it! It sounds like you're past that! You go, girl!
1delapisa
junior member
Powers of concentration! Thats what i deal with - like fog head. Not even taking medicine but tylenol. Looking forward to a clear head one day soon!
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Mumu
junior member
Delapisa-always like hearing from you because we had surgery the same day!
Starting week #8. Still have moderate stiffness and some swelling. 118 degrees at PT today, could have probably gotten a bit more, but didn't want to push it. Next week are my last two PT appointments, they have been a lovely bunch of people. (Today I ran into an old friend there!).
Also today I spoke with an old friend on the phone, she knew I was "down" all summer and asked me how many hundreds of books I read while recovering! Ha! I have read zip, zero, nada. Still cannot focus, even without the narcotics! Please assure me this is not a permanent condition, because I have to get my act together in 12 days for school!
Hot hot hot in Los Angeles. Actually hellish. I am off to go swimming" which = bobbing in pool and chatting. Hope everyone is doing A-ok!
Starting week #8. Still have moderate stiffness and some swelling. 118 degrees at PT today, could have probably gotten a bit more, but didn't want to push it. Next week are my last two PT appointments, they have been a lovely bunch of people. (Today I ran into an old friend there!).
Also today I spoke with an old friend on the phone, she knew I was "down" all summer and asked me how many hundreds of books I read while recovering! Ha! I have read zip, zero, nada. Still cannot focus, even without the narcotics! Please assure me this is not a permanent condition, because I have to get my act together in 12 days for school!
Hot hot hot in Los Angeles. Actually hellish. I am off to go swimming" which = bobbing in pool and chatting. Hope everyone is doing A-ok!
You'll be able to read before long.
KarriB
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I had my kindle loaded up for the hospital 
. Yea, that didn't work. I was able to focus enough to write lesson plans at 12 weeks, but reading for pleasure took about 5 months.
. Yea, that didn't work. I was able to focus enough to write lesson plans at 12 weeks, but reading for pleasure took about 5 months.
I was really bummed with my first knee b/c I couldn't focus on reading at all. Knee #2 was a bit better. You should be ok for school, though you may still be a bit more fatigued than usual at first.
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Mumu
junior member
Augh! Need to vent! 2 things:
1. This AM I ran into a yackety neighbor on my dog walk, hadn't seen her all summer. She asked about all my summer travels (ha!) and I told her of my surgery. Well, she told me about her friend who came home yesterday after a knee replacement who doesn't need narcotics AND is gong back to full time teaching in 3 weeks. I was incredulous! I truly doubt this was a TKR....maybe arthroscopy, especially since she said she had holes for the incision. But she insisted it was a knee replacement, and went on and on about how her friend is very fit, and wondered why I was limping at 7 weeks. Anyway, she made me fee like a slacker, sigh.
2. The PT assistant instructed me do squats on a balance board yesterday. It did not feel right, in fact it was quite a strain my "good knee" (which will be replaced next summer.) I said "no more" and she kinda lectured me. Very annoyed as this PT place has been terrific so far.
Ok, that's all! I just feel kinda cranky today!
1. This AM I ran into a yackety neighbor on my dog walk, hadn't seen her all summer. She asked about all my summer travels (ha!) and I told her of my surgery. Well, she told me about her friend who came home yesterday after a knee replacement who doesn't need narcotics AND is gong back to full time teaching in 3 weeks. I was incredulous! I truly doubt this was a TKR....maybe arthroscopy, especially since she said she had holes for the incision. But she insisted it was a knee replacement, and went on and on about how her friend is very fit, and wondered why I was limping at 7 weeks. Anyway, she made me fee like a slacker, sigh.
2. The PT assistant instructed me do squats on a balance board yesterday. It did not feel right, in fact it was quite a strain my "good knee" (which will be replaced next summer.) I said "no more" and she kinda lectured me. Very annoyed as this PT place has been terrific so far.
Ok, that's all! I just feel kinda cranky today!
kmak81230
post-grad
Those must've been mighty big holes to get the old knee out or did they just leave it in there to keep the new knee company -- I'm betting that is total 
. Sorry you had a rough go at PT. Sometimes those PTs try to push the boundaries of acceptable activities.
. Sorry you had a rough go at PT. Sometimes those PTs try to push the boundaries of acceptable activities.
I'm sorry you had two bad interactions. 
Of course your neighbour was wrong, or she knows the Miracle Man!
As for the PT assistant - you did the right thing. It's too early for doing squats, so continue to say you won't do them. They are very hard on a new knee.
As for doing them on a balance board - that sounds like a recipe for an accident.
Of course your neighbour was wrong, or she knows the Miracle Man!
As for the PT assistant - you did the right thing. It's too early for doing squats, so continue to say you won't do them. They are very hard on a new knee.
As for doing them on a balance board - that sounds like a recipe for an accident.
KarriB
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My first PT group had me do squats 2 weeks post op. I looked at her as if she had 3 heads. I couldn't do squats before surgery! I did one and said no more! You were right to decline. Did you have something to hold onto for the balance board?
I cannot imagine anyone going back to teaching at 3 weeks TKR post op! Next time wave and keep walking.
I cannot imagine anyone going back to teaching at 3 weeks TKR post op! Next time wave and keep walking.
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Mumu
junior member
Thanks, ladies! You cheered me up!
I can't imagine anyone getting a total knee replacement with only tiny holes. How would the implant get in there?! It sounds like this person had a scope. Maybe he said so he wouldn't have to have a knee replacement yet. It sure wasn't a tkr. Why do people want to make other people feel bad about themselves? You did good to not tell her off. It's so obvious it's baloney. Good for you. You should be proud of yourself!
And good for you for saying no to the squats. It's crazy that they wanted you to do them in the first place. They ought to know they are bad for a tkr!
And good for you for saying no to the squats. It's crazy that they wanted you to do them in the first place. They ought to know they are bad for a tkr!
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Mumu
junior member
Now nine weeks! And yesterday was Back to School. Augh! It's been tough, I feel kinda cranky (unusual for me), and am definitely worn out after school. My job is 75% non-classroom, so I am able to have some resting periods plus my boss has orderec that I take an extra-long lunch. However, I walked 8000 steps today, waaaaay too many!
Still have a noticeable limp, is this normal!?! Taking about 6 Motrin every 24 hours, Tylenol was not helping me. I have discomfort, maybe a "2." Walk like a slowpoke. Scar is barely noticeable. I have been a mini-celebrity---sooooo many people are apparently considering knee replacement, because I have been grilled about every detail!
Hope everyone is doing A-OK!
Still have a noticeable limp, is this normal!?! Taking about 6 Motrin every 24 hours, Tylenol was not helping me. I have discomfort, maybe a "2." Walk like a slowpoke. Scar is barely noticeable. I have been a mini-celebrity---sooooo many people are apparently considering knee replacement, because I have been grilled about every detail!
Hope everyone is doing A-OK!
Is the pain causing you to limp? Could it be just out of habit? I limped for over 20 years and still catch myself going back to that habit even though it's unnecessary. Try concentrating on not limping! I still have to.
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
That's quite a lot of steps! I get sore knees too at that many. You're icing and elevating during those long lunches, I hope.
When you first start walking, before getting sore, can you achieve a normal gait? Or do you limp at all times? I too sometimes find myself slipping into an "amble" gait (not quite a limp, but not using my left knee fully) during my walks. It's so easy to revert to an old habit. If that's what's happening with you, stop, center yourself, and resume a better gait. But if it's a problem at all times, maybe you could go to PT (get your OS to order it if needed) solely for gait correction.
When you first start walking, before getting sore, can you achieve a normal gait? Or do you limp at all times? I too sometimes find myself slipping into an "amble" gait (not quite a limp, but not using my left knee fully) during my walks. It's so easy to revert to an old habit. If that's what's happening with you, stop, center yourself, and resume a better gait. But if it's a problem at all times, maybe you could go to PT (get your OS to order it if needed) solely for gait correction.
kmak81230
post-grad
Hi mumu -- I expect getting back to school is exhausting. I remember the first week of school when I was in the classroom - I would be so tired when I got home and that was without the added issues of TKR. Rest often and enjoy your status as resident expert and celebrity for TKR recovery. We are in the midst of freshman orientation on our campus. I am giving the same 10 minute talk 13 times over the next two days and I really am noticing the extended time standing in one place. As for walking: I find that I fall into the limp when tired so will take my cane when going for a long walk so that I can keep the good gait. It is also easy to limp after sitting for awhile due to stiffness but with focus I can generally get to a correct gait after a few steps. As Susie says, if it is an all the time issue you should work with PT on it.
