Revision TKR Third and final surgery all done

[kayow11]

I am now 10 weeks out from my last, third, and hopefully final surgery. I can tell in the last two weeks that I am seeming to have a slight bit more tolerance for standing and walking. My legs are aching less, and I am trying to take walks almost every day for about 25 minutes now.

I also have been icing every day with my legs elevated at least somewhat, and hopefully that's helping too.
Today I called my physical therapy location and canceled my last two appointments. I have not been going anyway. I think I only went twice since surgery.

I did check out recumbent bikes to buy, but decided to not go that route now, since I really want to get back to using the elliptical when my knees heal more and can handle it. When did any of you start using your elliptical?

Yesterday though, I did restart my gym membership. I used their recumbent bike for five minutes, and could tell that I did get some extra swelling and alittle aggravation from it. So I will need to assess this and see how long it lasts, and have a goal to try to do it about three times a week, along with some other upper body machines. I think it is a good thing for me to have the membership now because it can give me some incentive to at least get started, though it will be very slow with everything. I am pretty sure my body will let me know if I am overdoing.

They do have other strengthening machines for legs, calves, quads, hamstrings, hips. But I think it's best to stay away from them for awhile. Do any of you agree with that? I will just focus on functional tasks and ADLs.

Today, I swept outside on the sidewalk and part of the driveway, and couldn't believe how much energy it took to do that little task. I know I am improving, but so slowly. I am encouraged to see some good changes though. But I can't push too hard because I don't want to take away from the healing process.

 

[Celle]

They do have other strengthening machines for legs, calves, quads, hamstrings, hips. But I think it's best to stay away from them for awhile. Do any of you agree with that? I will just focus on functional tasks and ADLs.

I agree.
We usually recommend no strengthening until at least 3 months post-op.

Today, I swept outside on the sidewalk and part of the driveway, and couldn't believe how much energy it took to do that little task. I know I am improving, but so slowly. I am encouraged to see some good changes though. But I can't push too hard because I don't want to take away from the healing process.

Yes, the energy drain lingers for a long time.

Slow progress is normal and it's worth taking the time to heal at a speed your knee chooses.

 

[kayow11]

@Celle, thanks for your quick response. I was wondering when it was possibly safe to start the other machines, but for me I think it will be even longer than three months, which is only in two or three weeks.
Do you know if sitting knee extension machines are OK to use for strengthening the quads? There are specific hamstring machines too, but before my surgeries they used to make my knees hurt so bad. I suppose after things heal up, it should be OK right? Or do you think I need to clear anything with my surgeons office first?
Just going from sit to stand from a chair is still challenging.
When I did PT the second time around, they had me working on shallow squats and it was very hard to get that quad strength to return. It's still isn't normal on my first year old knee. Never did ask the surgeon about this at all.
I do realize my energy drain will likely be longer than most because of three surgeries. I am just so happy that it is improving albeit so slowly. My knee is a big slow poke, but I can't seem to change its mind just so I get there eventually.
I also really want my short term memory to return to normal too. Sometimes I can't even think of a word I need to say, and my brain feels blank momentarily.
I am realizing it could take two or three years for me possibly, to say that I feel good.
You and several others on this forum, have been very instrumental in re-training my mind to be more patient with myself, and do what needs to be done for my well-being. I am a self pusher and like to get lots done quickly, but my knees have taught me that I'm not always the boss.
I sure would love to get back to doing some things I like such as , , , , , gardening, and doing fun things with the grandkids.

 

[Celle]

Do you know if sitting knee extension machines are OK to use for strengthening the quads? There are specific hamstring machines too, but before my surgeries they used to make my knees hurt so bad.

Just going from sit to stand from a chair is still challenging.

I wouldn't use those machines yet - certainly not until getting from sit to stand doesn't hurt at all.

When I did PT the second time around, they had me working on shallow squats and it was very hard to get that quad strength to return. It's still isn't normal on my first year old knee. Never did ask the surgeon about this at all.

Squats are very hard on new knees. When you sit down on a dining chair and get up again, you're using the same muscles as you use for shallow squats, so forget the squats for now, but you might practice sitting down and standing up without using your hands to help. When that comes easily, then think about trying shallow squats again. Don't try deeper squats until you're confident you have more quad strength.

 

[kayow11]

@Celle, I haven't been doing any squats since this last surgery. They hurt in the past and still aren't good now either. I will save them for much later.
Like you said, just practicing getting up and down off chairs is enough. I still heavily rely on the handles or arm rails. Can it take 18 months to get your quad strength back? Or even longer?
I am going upstairs reciprocally, but some days my legs are tired and it is very hard. I still go down the stairs backwards.
This third surgery kind of knocked my socks right off. Even though I have less pain with this last surgery, I am weaker, and my brain is foggier.

 

[Celle]

It can take a long time to regain full quad strength, especially if you've had several surgeries, as you have.

 

[kayow11]

@Celle, If I ever wanted to add a photo of myself on my post like several people have done, how do I go about it? I'm not good with all this kind of stuff but if you give me instructions, hopefully between me and hubby, we can find out how to achieve that.

 

[SusieShoes]

If you go to the very top of this page, you will see your username in bold. Hover over it to bring up a long menu of options. One of the options will be Avatar. That's where you can put in a photo of your charming self!

 

[kayow11]

@SusieShoes, Thanks for the instructions, I will see what we can figure out. Hopefully it gives an option of either self own photo or photo that's already on my computer on the desktop. It is kind of nice to have the face connection with the words

 

[Jockette]

You will have the option to use a photo from your computer.

If it says the photo is too large, an easy way to resize it is to email the photo to yourself. When I’m using my phone to do that, it always asks what size I want it to be, and I choose medium. (Susie gave me that idea! )

 

[KarriB]

It’s never a problem for me using an iPad. Whatever photo from my library I choose always works.

 

[kayow11]

Thanks ladies for your help on how to do the photo. I am so unphotogenic, and we took many shots to get one even half decent, even though it is kind of too far away. But it will do for now, and it is nice to at least have some kind of face connection with the words.

 

[Jockette]

It’s nice to “meet” you!

 

[Mutti3]

Very nice photo!

 

[sistersinhim]

You're a beautiful lady!

 

[Celle]

It's nice to see your photo, @kayow11 .

 

[kayow11]

Thanks to all you fine Bonesmarties! I should have shown you what I looked like a year ago. Nice to picture who's talking. You are all beautiful to me also, inside and out.

 

[Jockette]

I should have shown you what I looked like a year ago.

My first weeks after surgery I wore no makeup and used no product in my hair. My hair was longer then and sometimes long hair can be more manageable, it brushes out better. Short hair gets sticking up while sleeping and not much can be done to fix it until I wash it again.

I figured I was in and out of bed so much why bother! I was crying so much, also, it wasn’t worth wasting mascara!

 

[Hood1980]

Nice to see the pretty lady that gives me such great advice! [emoji7]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[kayow11]

One of these days, I hope to get a better close-up photo.
I really like to see peoples faces and observe how nicely they are put together.
I have always liked make up, and continue to use it because it helps my very plain face and pale coloring.
It makes me feel better knowing that I look presentable to myself, and hopefully to others.

My short-term goal now is to just get healthy enough to increase my standing and walking tolerance, and hopefully the swelling will go down so I can bend better. Then I want to get back to exercise on the elliptical, and try to get these 10 pounds off that I have acquired in this past year.

This may sound funny, but I find myself having leg envy when I notice other peoples bare, straight, and well functioning legs.