TKR TKR January 19

[Jockette]

He gave me more exercises -

So there is still lots to work

You don’t need more exercises, you just need time.

Regaining our ROM does not require forceful bending or painful exercises.
Regaining our ROM is more about Time than repetitions of a list of exercises.

Time to recover.
Time for pain and swelling to settle.
Time to heal.

Our range of motion is right there all along just waiting for that to happen so it can show itself.

In the general run of things, it doesn't need to be fought for, worked hard for or worried about. It will happen. Normal activity is the key to success.

 

[Jockette]

And, I fixed those quotes for you.


When you want to reply, rather than quoting the whole message, just go down to the reply box and type your reply. No need to quote if you are replying to the post directly above your reply. You can also mention the member you want to address by using the @ sign in front of their username (no space) and type your reply. Not quoting whole messages saves a lot of space on the page, and also saves duplicate reading.

If you want to quote just a line in a post, highlight that line.

At the bottom of the post you will see:

Like/ +Quote/ Quote this message.

Click the +Quote

When you get to the reply box, you will see where it says “insert quotes” Click that and it will put your highlighted area into your reply.

Happy Posting!

 

[Layla]

I managed a couple inches lift with a struggle then he took the leg to about 18” up and I was saying "please please don’t let go of it"

Ugh! I am sorry to read this. Through your words, sensing your fear in not knowing what the physio would do!
Thankfully he kept a gentle hold. Go slow...you'll get there.
Happy Friday!

 

[sistersinhim]

The physio has now said he doesn’t need to see me again unless I'm worried so I shall just carry on at my own pace.

This is really good news! You'll do even better with you in control of your rehab!

 

[IndigoKnee]

Thank you all for replies and reminders that I do not need to do exercises that cause me pain. I’m walking further each day and do more things round the house, making coffee, breakfast etc. so I feel I am making good progress.
Happy Saturday

 

[benne68]

Happy one month anKNEEversary, @IndigoKnee!

So glad to hear you are seeing progress!

 

[Layla]

Steady progress, that's what we're aiming for. Thankfully it's not a race to the finish line. You're doing great!
Happy One Month Anniversary, IndigoKnee. I hope you have a wonderful week.
@IndigoKnee

 

[IndigoKnee]

I seem to have an area just above the new knee that is very firm. Mainly an inch either side of the incision. Not painful. Is that normal?

 

[sistersinhim]

Yes, more than likely it is swelling. Ice and elevate as much as you can to get it to go down. It might takes a few days to see any improvement.

 

[beachy]

I have a few of those areas around my knee. Definitely swelling.

 

[IndigoKnee]

Thanks, that’s reassuring.

 

[IndigoKnee]

Update - I had my 8 week check yesterday and the surgeon was happy with my progress. I can straighten the leg and the bend is about 90 degrees. He said more bend will come as time goes by and the swelling goes down. I am still walking rather slowly out of doors which is partly because the ground is uneven where I live and I am scared of tripping. I am using my Nordic walking poles outside for a sense of stability and he was happy for me to continue to do so. The exercises that the physio had pushed me to do - like the straight leg lifts at 4 weeks - I now do easily even though I have stuck to doing gentle Bonesmart exercises rather than 'pushing through pain'. I am concerned that I still get pain and tightness in the knee and pain down the rest of my leg, especially at night, but I am hoping as the swelling goes down that will decrease. Hope everyone is doing well.

 

[sistersinhim]

I can straighten the leg and the bend is about 90 degrees. He said more bend will come as time goes by and the swelling goes down.

I love your doctor! I wish they all felt this way. If they did, there would be so much less stress during this recovery!

 

[IndigoKnee]

I was pleased as I was a tiny bit worried that he might have said I should have more bend and either want to do a manipulation or some intense physio. BoneSmart rocks!

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary! You're doing great, IndigoKnee.
Keep up the good work and enjoy your new knee and this new season of Spring. Doesn't look or feel like it in my neck of the woods. Hope the weather is nice where you live!
@IndigoKnee

 

[IndigoKnee]

Thank you Layla! We have had some sunshine here in the far south west of the UK but also sharp winds.

I’m finding when I make cycle type movements (not on a bike, just rotating the leg as if I were on a bike) I get a grinding noise from my lower back. This is only when making that movement with the left leg, the one that had the tkr. Have you come across that before?

 

[beachy]

I'm just into my 10th week. Only now am I using the stationery bike and taking 15 min walks. My ROM is very good. I did very little PT and just did gentle exercises. And not very often LOL
ADLs and walking a little bit helped the knee heal before I started the bike and longer walks.

You may want to rest a few days from exercises, bike, etc. Your knee will calm down with ice, elevation, rest. We're still in early times of recovery, but think we should be doing more. Nighttime it will settle more.

 

[IndigoKnee]

@beachy
Glad to hear you are doing well with good ROM. I’m not actually cycling, just when I make that type of movement, bending the knee, my lower back makes grinding noises!
I’m trying to accept this is going to be a long slog and stop imagining I can just push through - have reluctantly decided decorating my study is going to have to wait till the Fall.

 

[IndigoKnee]

Oops, joined the Overdone it Club. On Sunday I walked the furthest I have since the operation, about a mile and three quarters (round trip) which took more than twice the time it normally would and involves a steep hill down and then back up. This took me to the cliff top which was lovely. I had seemed to get away with that so yesterday did some gardening and then had another walk, not quite as far. However the standing/crouching of the gardening plus walking was obviously too much and my knee was screaming at me by the evening and very swollen. Yes, I am resting today and have it elevated. Still it was very nice to be out on a lovely sunny day and feel more towards normal

 

[Tino2You]

i know what you mean IndigoKnee. It's getting nice here too. take it easy.