TKR Sandi's knees, take 2

[sistersinhim]

That is the best attitude! Look forward to the good and learn from, then forget about the bad!

 

[flyaway79]

@sandi4213 Thank you for that post! My surgery date was same as you and yesterday on my 10 week anniversary I was kinda having a pity party.

But - last night I slept with just Tylenol and no extra meds and actually slept great! And this morning I got on my stationary bike like I do every few days and I was able to make a full turn backwards!! Now it's easy to do it-yay!

It's hard to just focus on the little things without looking too far ahead but that is exactly what will get us all through this. Thanks for the reminder

 

[sistersinhim]

 

[debbyS]

Hi sandi4213, Thanks for your post! I celebrated my 10 week anniversary yesterday as well. I did go into Williamsburg and Wander around. I choose an area that had lots of seating so I was able to sit when tired. It felt great to do something normal again.



Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum

 

[sandi4213]

@debbyS it sure is nice to feel normal sometimes.

 

[VW54]

I am assuming that when you mention driving it is with an automatic shift.
Our and most cars in Europe ( the continent as UK folks say) are with a shift pedal ( left ) In our car it's a bit hard to push down on.
And to be well enough to manage that would be a highlight for me.

 

[sandi4213]

@VW54 yes, I have an automatic. I am getting my right knee replaced this summer and I am afraid that it may take a bit longer before I can drive after that.

 

[sistersinhim]

My OS said that I could drive at my 6 week checkup. But, I waited until 7 weeks. I just wasn't ready at 6 weeks. It's amazing how much difference 1 week can make!

 

[Jennszoo]

That gives me hope. I'm at 6w and if this was my right leg, Id be nowhere close to safe enough to drive. Makes me scared for my right TKR.

 

[Celle]

It's important to be off the heavy-duty medication before you drive, too. Otherwise, you run the risk of driving under the influence. You need to be completely clear-headed.

Before I started driving again, I used to sit in the car with the engine turned off and practice moving my feet from pedal to pedal - I also practiced the movements for an emergency stop.

 

[flyaway79]

My TKR was my right leg. My doctor also told me at 6 weeks I could drive. I waited another couple weeks before I even tried. Now I can do it easily but it's still difficult to get in and out of the car since I have a larger SUV. I wouldn't want to drive long distances yet.

 

[sistersinhim]

The first place I drove, I had someone with me in case my knee started screaming. It did great at 7 weeks. But, it was only a 25 minute trip.

 

[sandi4213]

Because my three was my right, I first drove @ 4 weeks. I had stopped taking oxy during the day and had my daughter with me in case of problems. I am confident that I will not be driving that soon with my right

 

[sandi4213]

My left knee has been worse than my right for many, many years. Then, after surgery, my left still needed the most attention. Yesterday I realized that I was having more pain and discomfort in my right knee! That says a lot about how well my left knee is doing.

 

[sistersinhim]

You're seeing how good it's going to be!

 

[sandi4213]

@sistersinhim it's a good thing we get those glimpses to hold onto when the sore, achy days come By the way, how are you doing? Did you try the bike yet?

 

[sandi4213]

I was standing in church today and realized that my left leg feels longer. My knee was very crooked and has felt much shorter than the right for years, and still felt shorter after surgery as I have been working on my extension. I am excited about standing up straight. Having said that, I did have to sit after a couple of songs, standing for too long is still difficult. But, I did stand back up after sitting through one song.

 

[flyaway79]

Yay! It's those little things that come out of nowhere!

 

[KarriB]

I struggled with standing to sing at church for a long time. I've discovered since I started walking this year that I can stand longer and longer without either my TKR or my gimpy natural leg hurting. Last week I walked for 45 minutes, then washed/waxed and cleaned the inside of my car without sitting for a break. As much as I hate doing the walk (ugh sweating and boredom) it has been very good for my knees.

 

[sandi4213]

@KarriB I have been needing to clean all the winter gunk out of my car and haven't convinced myself that I should try yet. I bet yours feels great! I can feel the standing slowly getting better. Before surgery it was getting worse, so now I am going in the right direction. That's a good thing.