DEL2019Aug-6
junior member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2019
- Messages
- 44
Hi everyone I'm at week 4 today with my new right knee. I read the forum a lot last year and have been visiting again this year for all of the great info that helps me calm down about stuff that's normal. No questions right now but I'm sure stuff will come up.
I had a partial done last year on my left knee. The partial was really easy to recover from and has been great ever since. I was back competing in my sport 3 months after my surgery last year. The TKR has been a lot more work and a lot more resting but so far so good. I haven't had the 'omg I've ruined my new knee' panic yet. Last year that was at the 2 month mark. Hopefully I'm more prepared to not freak out this year.
I tried to set myself up for success before the surgery by taking spin classes every day. I couldn't walk much the last couple of months but I was able to ride and I maintained good ROM. Had some minor complications involving the spinal but once those were resolved I was able to go home the day of the surgery.
I was at 110 for flexion and 0 for extension on day 2. Flexion has continued to improve. It's at about 125. Probably better after I'm warmed up and extension has stayed at 0 except when I'm walking. I can tell I'm walking on a bent leg. My gait is not good and that's causing my SI joint to get annoyed so I've been doing some PT specific for that and farmer walks to work on it.
The right leg is about ½ inch bigger than the left all along the length of the scar. The rest is the same size as my left though it's possible that the left is more muscular and the right is actually just swollen to the same measurements. I do have pretty good quad strength on both legs, my glutes and calf muscles need a lot of work.
Had to quit the pain meds after the first week (except for extra strength Tylenol). I don't like them and I was lucky enough to go home with a nerve blocking pump for the first 3 days so that got me through the rough patch.
Still icing with the awesome cube machine and elevating a lot. But also respecting that as good as a numb knee feels, blood flow and movement are important for healing.
Probably my biggest challenge has been that sleeping in weird positions is giving me migraines that don't respond to any medications. I've had chronic migraines my whole life but these are an extra special variety. Had a great nights sleep last night YAY! And I have a Dr appt tomorrow to problem solve the migraine issue.
I started walks around the block the first week using the walker. I didn't use a walker or the crutches for the other knee but this one definitely needed it. Then transitioned to the crutches for week 2. Now I'm not using anything though I do bring my walker when I take my dogs out for a swim or to play disc with them. I'm not worried about them but just in case someone else's dog comes up I have something to hide behind lol.
I got kicked out of home PT after 2 sessions lol, and sent to group classes but haven't gotten on the schedule for those until tomorrow. I love PT, it inspires me. I love goals and setting criteria. FWIW my experience with PT has been really positive. I've never had a PT push me to the point of pain or give me dangerous exercises or unrealistic goals. I have had them tell me to slow down more than once.
I've been hitting the gym every day. This knee is a whole lot slower recovery road than the partial was so I don't push what I'm doing with my knee at all, just general PT exercises and rowing and spin bike with no/light resistance. Hoping to get to a pool soon. Never pushing through pain or even up to it if possible. And I'm trying to keep up the rest of my body with weights and core work in ways that don't work my right knee unfairly.
My surgeon has been really supportive of me and positive that I'm likely to be able to return to the activities and sports that I love. So I am investing in my recovery mentally and physically.
My job involves a lot of standing/walking around with a lot of unpredictable movement around me so I'm determined to stay out for a full 3 months. Its hard for my head to do that but I want to do right by my knee.
Thank you to everyone for sharing your journey. It can be really scary and overwhelming and I appreciate everyone's stories.
I had a partial done last year on my left knee. The partial was really easy to recover from and has been great ever since. I was back competing in my sport 3 months after my surgery last year. The TKR has been a lot more work and a lot more resting but so far so good. I haven't had the 'omg I've ruined my new knee' panic yet. Last year that was at the 2 month mark. Hopefully I'm more prepared to not freak out this year.
I tried to set myself up for success before the surgery by taking spin classes every day. I couldn't walk much the last couple of months but I was able to ride and I maintained good ROM. Had some minor complications involving the spinal but once those were resolved I was able to go home the day of the surgery.
I was at 110 for flexion and 0 for extension on day 2. Flexion has continued to improve. It's at about 125. Probably better after I'm warmed up and extension has stayed at 0 except when I'm walking. I can tell I'm walking on a bent leg. My gait is not good and that's causing my SI joint to get annoyed so I've been doing some PT specific for that and farmer walks to work on it.
The right leg is about ½ inch bigger than the left all along the length of the scar. The rest is the same size as my left though it's possible that the left is more muscular and the right is actually just swollen to the same measurements. I do have pretty good quad strength on both legs, my glutes and calf muscles need a lot of work.
Had to quit the pain meds after the first week (except for extra strength Tylenol). I don't like them and I was lucky enough to go home with a nerve blocking pump for the first 3 days so that got me through the rough patch.
Still icing with the awesome cube machine and elevating a lot. But also respecting that as good as a numb knee feels, blood flow and movement are important for healing.
Probably my biggest challenge has been that sleeping in weird positions is giving me migraines that don't respond to any medications. I've had chronic migraines my whole life but these are an extra special variety. Had a great nights sleep last night YAY! And I have a Dr appt tomorrow to problem solve the migraine issue.
I started walks around the block the first week using the walker. I didn't use a walker or the crutches for the other knee but this one definitely needed it. Then transitioned to the crutches for week 2. Now I'm not using anything though I do bring my walker when I take my dogs out for a swim or to play disc with them. I'm not worried about them but just in case someone else's dog comes up I have something to hide behind lol.
I got kicked out of home PT after 2 sessions lol, and sent to group classes but haven't gotten on the schedule for those until tomorrow. I love PT, it inspires me. I love goals and setting criteria. FWIW my experience with PT has been really positive. I've never had a PT push me to the point of pain or give me dangerous exercises or unrealistic goals. I have had them tell me to slow down more than once.
I've been hitting the gym every day. This knee is a whole lot slower recovery road than the partial was so I don't push what I'm doing with my knee at all, just general PT exercises and rowing and spin bike with no/light resistance. Hoping to get to a pool soon. Never pushing through pain or even up to it if possible. And I'm trying to keep up the rest of my body with weights and core work in ways that don't work my right knee unfairly.
My surgeon has been really supportive of me and positive that I'm likely to be able to return to the activities and sports that I love. So I am investing in my recovery mentally and physically.
My job involves a lot of standing/walking around with a lot of unpredictable movement around me so I'm determined to stay out for a full 3 months. Its hard for my head to do that but I want to do right by my knee.
Thank you to everyone for sharing your journey. It can be really scary and overwhelming and I appreciate everyone's stories.