@Layla interesting your research into dry skin after surgery, I do like to find logical explanations to what is going on. I do apply moisturiser after showering, but will try keeping my legs damp when I do it. I've also tried using a heavier ointment on a couple of days which is making a difference - it's good, but takes a while to soak in, so I can only use it when I'm not in a hurry to get fully dressed!
TKR Spring in my step?
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Great report- well done.
I too loved walking and could do good distances early on, on the flat. Just be careful with gardening that you don't overtwist or stand too long as this can be more stressful than walking.
I too loved walking and could do good distances early on, on the flat. Just be careful with gardening that you don't overtwist or stand too long as this can be more stressful than walking.
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I like an explanation too, Gwennie.
Heavier creams do seem to make a difference. I tried Bio Oil, but finally landed on Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion with Vitamin E, which was an "in-between" the oily base or heavy cream base. A past staff member swore by Coconut Oil, but I found it too greasy for me.
E45 Cream has been mentioned several times by UK residents, but I haven't noticed it here in the states.
Cheers to the soft, supple skin of our youth....back when we had it, but didn't have the knowledge to
appreciate it.
Happy Wednesday!
@Gwennie
Heavier creams do seem to make a difference. I tried Bio Oil, but finally landed on Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion with Vitamin E, which was an "in-between" the oily base or heavy cream base. A past staff member swore by Coconut Oil, but I found it too greasy for me.
E45 Cream has been mentioned several times by UK residents, but I haven't noticed it here in the states.
Cheers to the soft, supple skin of our youth....back when we had it, but didn't have the knowledge to
appreciate it.
Happy Wednesday!
@Gwennie
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I happened upon this discussion. I too wondered what all the dry skin was about (assumed it was just my tendency to eczema) so it's very interesting to read what @Layla found out. My doctor suggested Vitamin E Cream. I have vitamin E oil and a wide selection of creams, lotions, and potions for sensitive skin. So instead of buying yet another new product, I'll try out my own combos for awhile and see what happens. 
At the moment I'm in shorts on the deck with oil and cream slathered on my newly signed-off knee, my leg up on the table while it kind of soaks in. It was warmer when I came out awhile ago so unfortunately I'll have to go in soon. BRRR
It's fun to read about @Gwennie's "natural" PT. It makes so much sense. I'm not going to be able to resist the garden much longer myself. I'm in the middle of a years-long battle with Spanish bluebells. Had just made lots of progress and don't want them getting the upper hand again!!! Digging out the bulbs is the only surefire method (and every year I don't manage to dig out a bulb it seems to go deeper and more entrenched!) but if I can't do that I can at least deadhead them.
At the moment I'm in shorts on the deck with oil and cream slathered on my newly signed-off knee, my leg up on the table while it kind of soaks in. It was warmer when I came out awhile ago so unfortunately I'll have to go in soon. BRRR
It's fun to read about @Gwennie's "natural" PT. It makes so much sense. I'm not going to be able to resist the garden much longer myself. I'm in the middle of a years-long battle with Spanish bluebells. Had just made lots of progress and don't want them getting the upper hand again!!! Digging out the bulbs is the only surefire method (and every year I don't manage to dig out a bulb it seems to go deeper and more entrenched!) but if I can't do that I can at least deadhead them.
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Wearing shorts on the deck sounds lovely. Spring has sprung! 
Just an FYI to protect those fresh TKR scars this Spring / Summer -
Take care to keep your incision out of direct sun for 6-12 months because fresh scars are very sensitive to UV light and can cause the scar to darken permanently or thicken. If you protect it, it will heal flatter and fade better over time. Consider keeping it covered. While you can use a sunscreen with a high SPF, like 30-50 once its fully healed, covering it is still the safest option. I was cautioned about this after my Summer surgery.
Just an FYI to protect those fresh TKR scars this Spring / Summer -
Take care to keep your incision out of direct sun for 6-12 months because fresh scars are very sensitive to UV light and can cause the scar to darken permanently or thicken. If you protect it, it will heal flatter and fade better over time. Consider keeping it covered. While you can use a sunscreen with a high SPF, like 30-50 once its fully healed, covering it is still the safest option. I was cautioned about this after my Summer surgery.
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@ Layla Thank you! Doing well .. despite a little hiccup. Saw the physio last week and she was quite happy with my progress, made a few suggestions for continuing exercises for increasing flexion and strengthening, but said I do not have to go back, though I can if I want up to up to the six month anniversary of the op. I said I might go back for a review in a few months, sooner if I'm having any issues. My OS had written to my GP after my 6 week review that my knee was at 0 and 120 - not measured, but his assessment. So quite happy with all that - my leg not bending as much as the non-operated leg, but I'm confident just doing more is going to improve that in time.
My hiccup last week was thwacking my shin (operated leg) against the corner of a low side table I forgot was there. I had leggings on, but the impact scraped back some skin so I had quite a bit of bleeding too. So I cleaned it, put on steri-strips and a dressing and it seemed to be healing OK after a few days. The only thing was the area was quite warm to the touch and for some reason the skin close to the abrasion had taken on an orangey sort of hue, so I was not sure whether there might be an infection there. So off to Minor Injuries. Nurse thought probably not infection - but was very thorough checking, as well as looking for signs of a clot. Skin was about 1 deg Celsius warmer than the other leg - nurse thought this was likely just internal tissue still healing. Abrasion is 12 cm below bottom of op wound. Just need to keep an eye on it. Just when you think it's all going swimmingly!
The weather has been glorious for a few days. Yesterday we wore ourselves out in the garden - a good chunk of the time excavating a shallow trench so we can put in a border edging and some stone chippings between the planted border and the grass area. About 50 feet in its wavy entirety. A few years back would have been easy-peasy! There's just an incredible amount of stone near the surface to dig out - where our houses were built was previously an equestrian centre, and I would guess before that likely rough pasture, I doubt the area has ever been cultivated. Then there were other jobs to finish. Good thing was, I was so physically exhausted at the end of the day I think that helped me to the best night's sleep since the op, and today I've not bothered with any paracetamol, and actually felt like I have had much more energy. Of course there is still some ache and warmth in the knee and coming down stairs "properly" still feels not quite natural, but yes, definitely getting there!
My hiccup last week was thwacking my shin (operated leg) against the corner of a low side table I forgot was there. I had leggings on, but the impact scraped back some skin so I had quite a bit of bleeding too. So I cleaned it, put on steri-strips and a dressing and it seemed to be healing OK after a few days. The only thing was the area was quite warm to the touch and for some reason the skin close to the abrasion had taken on an orangey sort of hue, so I was not sure whether there might be an infection there. So off to Minor Injuries. Nurse thought probably not infection - but was very thorough checking, as well as looking for signs of a clot. Skin was about 1 deg Celsius warmer than the other leg - nurse thought this was likely just internal tissue still healing. Abrasion is 12 cm below bottom of op wound. Just need to keep an eye on it. Just when you think it's all going swimmingly!
The weather has been glorious for a few days. Yesterday we wore ourselves out in the garden - a good chunk of the time excavating a shallow trench so we can put in a border edging and some stone chippings between the planted border and the grass area. About 50 feet in its wavy entirety. A few years back would have been easy-peasy! There's just an incredible amount of stone near the surface to dig out - where our houses were built was previously an equestrian centre, and I would guess before that likely rough pasture, I doubt the area has ever been cultivated. Then there were other jobs to finish. Good thing was, I was so physically exhausted at the end of the day I think that helped me to the best night's sleep since the op, and today I've not bothered with any paracetamol, and actually felt like I have had much more energy. Of course there is still some ache and warmth in the knee and coming down stairs "properly" still feels not quite natural, but yes, definitely getting there!
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That sounds like a good report. Do keep an eye on your newly acquired 'hiccup.' Keeping it clean, as you know, is vital. That sounds like quite the project your working on. It's exciting when you have energy and are feeling good, but don't join the over doer's club. Remember ice is still one of your best friends.
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Great update, Gwennie! With the exception of the unfortunate accident, but it sounds like you're on the mend, active and jumping back into life. Hopefully the beautiful weather continues and you're able to enjoy more time in the garden. 
Thanks for taking the time to fill us in on your progress, it was nice to hear from you!
@Gwennie
Thanks for taking the time to fill us in on your progress, it was nice to hear from you!@Gwennie
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Thank you @Layla! It is beautifully sunny here - a tad too hot to be outside! Quite a contrast to earlier in the week when there was torrential rain and the evenings were so chilly we had to put the heating back on! We had busy days Thursday and Friday, the first mainly about clothes shopping, which turned into a bigger deal than we intended and a new pair of trousers for hubby turned into a new summer suit for a wedding we're going to at the end of this week, as we realised that the old faithful, still smart suit he was going to wear was maybe going to be too warm now the heat has dialled up. So a lot of trying on, then needing new shirt and tie ... Then my turn to find some new summer trousers, nothing special. I'd usually give up really quickly, but a very nice shop assistant decided it was her mission, first to get me to try a smaller size, then different styles. I did buy at about pair 15 ..or 18 - I lost count. There were other things on our agenda so we were out for about 6 hours. Then Friday down to the coast for the afternoon before a sunset boat trip of about 4 hours with guides for geology and bird watching, fabulous. The point of this is we enjoyed both days, but oh how tired were we, still whacked out on Saturday. Oh yes, just 3 months from an operation I really don't have 100 percent stamina back! So looking forward to my niece's wedding on Friday, and pre-wedding meal on Thursday, but a little apprehensive about tiredness. We'll be travelling by bus and train Thursday, coming back Saturday. My husband's heart failure means he struggles a bit with oedema in hot weather, despite his meds, so we'll need to be careful over the coming days.
Last Sunday I had my first e-bike ride since the op, just 5 miles keeping local. I enjoyed it, but it is definitely a bit more hard work for the knee than the stationery bike has been, so it'll be a slow build up to get longer rides in. Still feeling my knee, especially coming down stairs, but I wouldn't describe it as real pain, it just likes to remind me it's still healing and I still need those patience pills!
Last Sunday I had my first e-bike ride since the op, just 5 miles keeping local. I enjoyed it, but it is definitely a bit more hard work for the knee than the stationery bike has been, so it'll be a slow build up to get longer rides in. Still feeling my knee, especially coming down stairs, but I wouldn't describe it as real pain, it just likes to remind me it's still healing and I still need those patience pills!
Sounds like you both need to pace yourselves. Be sure to plan in some time for rest in between all the activity. Ice and elevate if you can.
Most of all, enjoy!
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Happy Sunday Gwennie,I remember loving to shop for clothes when I was younger. Now it feels more like a chore for some reason, lol.
Kudos to you and hubs for withstanding all of that shopping. Sounds like you had a very active week.
Rest up so you're able to fully enjoy the wedding festivities next weekend. Wishing you safe travels and hope you create many heartwarming memories to reflect upon for years to come.
@Gwennie
That is quite a lot of activity for only 3 months out. I pray you don't have any bad aftereffects. If so, ice and rest is the best treatment.
@benne68 We had a wonderful few days away. We went by train - relatively simple and much more relaxing than driving. We were able to spend an hour or so with my brother and his wife before they went to wedding rehearsal, and then joined them, the happy couple, the groom's parents and various other friends and relatives - about 20 - for an informal dinner. Then the wedding and reception the next day, and then another informal get together at my brother and sil's house the following day before we set off for home. At the time all very do-able - the tiredness set in once we got home and took another few days to recover. But all worth it - the wedding went off very well, and it was great to catch up with both brothers and my sister and also with some of my sister-in-law's family. We are both dwindling in number, and health issues feature a bit too much in our conversations - but then again there was also more cheering news to share, and being able to do it all in person in pleasant surroundings seems ever more precious.
Knee behaved very well - this recovery has been very different from TKR in that progress with mobility has been more speedy, but my experience with other surgeries is that stamina/energy can take 6 months to recover, and I think that may be the case this time. I can of course still feel stiffness in my knee, and I have a numb area still but critically I don't get the pain I had before the op. So steadily onwards!
Knee behaved very well - this recovery has been very different from TKR in that progress with mobility has been more speedy, but my experience with other surgeries is that stamina/energy can take 6 months to recover, and I think that may be the case this time. I can of course still feel stiffness in my knee, and I have a numb area still but critically I don't get the pain I had before the op. So steadily onwards!
So glad you enjoyed the weekend and that your knee did well!
Glad to read you are doing well. You’re right about the fatigue it will pass with time.
I’ve had the same experience with my family. I remember my brother used to make fun of our parents’ generation when they talked about their surgeries – – and now we’re doing it!
Glad to read you are doing well. You’re right about the fatigue it will pass with time.
Yippee! That's why we have this surgery, and the good thing about it, is it will continue to get better, not worse, like arthritis does.
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Happy Weekend!
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