TKR Thesoutherncook's Second Time Around!

[Pheebs52]

Helen, face it, you're just a TKR Rock Star! I couldn't be happier for you! Whoohoo!

 

[Fire wolf]

@Pheebs52 is just trying to get more badges out of you!!
I am happy to see that you are doing so well, Helen Rock Star!!

 

[kmak81230]

Great report Helen!! So glad that you are doing so well.

 

[sandi4213]

Good to hear how well you are doing, Helen. It's very encouraging for those coming up behind you.

 

[Thesoutherncook]

Thanks, friends. You are the BEST for support! I did not say any of this report to brag, just to point out that it WILL get better! Don't sweat the small stuff. Adjust your expectations...life after TKR will not be as it was 20 yrs ago, but neither is any other part of our bodies!

After lots of gentle stretching in PT yesterday, I felt the best since surgery! Of course, now I have sore muscles and that great feeling is suddenly only a memory...but I believe with all my heart, it WILL return!

 

[Pheebs52]

@Thesoutherncook, Helen,...wait...are you saying my hair won't become thicker and my waist won't magically reappear once recovered? C'mon now, this just can't be true. Why did no one tell us up front? I never would've gone this route had I known; pffft!

 

[sistersinhim]

I tell ya, it's the daggone side effects, not getting old !

 

[Thesoutherncook]

Ok, repeaters, I have a question! My first TKR has started clicking and popping on the outside when I ride the recumbent bike. Could it be from swelling as it has taken on a large amount of responsibility for the past 2 months? Could this be scar tissue breaking loose even now? It is not painful, just disconcerting!
@Celle...any wise words??

 

[Celle]

It could be because the first knee is taking a bit more of the load, Helen. I doubt it's scar tissue.

However, while I know the theory about why our artificial knees make noises, it often seems that there's no logical explanation. My right knee clicked and clunked for 5 years and then suddenly stopped, but my left knee never made noises. Neither knee feels or felt looser than the other one.

Maybe some extra icing and elevation for the older knee would help, but I'm not giving any assurances there.
As long as it doesn't hurt, I think you can continue to ignore the noise.

 

[Thesoutherncook]

@Celle Thanks! I was not worried, just puzzled since it has never made any kind of noise! I do think ice might help...sure won't hurt!

 

[KarriB]

Every once in a while my TKR makes a weird sound when I ride my recumbent bike. It doesn't hurt, just weird.

 

[Thesoutherncook]

Banner day! I drove over the big mtn to the art gallery, made my delivery, had a nice long lunch with my friend who went with me, shopped through Belk Dept store and drove back home ( 1.5 hrs). We were gone from 10am-5pm! The TKR did great! Just a little sore tonite, but have already iced and elevated once and about to go another round! Wahhhhooooo! 9 wks tomorrow!

 

[Thesoutherncook]

@KarriB When your knee makes the weird sounds, can you also feel it crunching/popping/rubbing?? I'm not sure what to call it, but I can feel it internally and, if I put my fingers on the outside, can feel it moving!

 

[KarriB]

Yes I can feel it, but I've never tried to feel it with my hand. This doesn't happen often. It may just be your RTKR is letting you know it's been doing a lot of work.

 

[Thesoutherncook]

@KarriB I suspect you are correct. For the past 2 yrs, the non operated knee hurt so badly that I did little with the new one after PT ended. Guess it's catching up!

 

[Fire wolf]

So great that you had such a nice full day out and about with no major repercussions! Great for the spirits!

 

[kmak81230]

Great report on your big outing. You are rocking it Helen!!

 

[Jajakio]

Hurray for you, Helen. Isn't it great when we start to get a normal life back? I'm busier too and I'd almost forgotten what a full day felt like.

 

[Polkadot]

Wow! A great outing!

 

[Pheebs52]

@Thesoutherncook, Helen, let's face it, you're on fire! I can see the flames from here, lol!