Revised PKR to TKR Tosh's PKR to TKR Recovery.

[Tosh30]

@benne68 - Having issues with DMs.

 

[Tosh30]

Sorry to post it here, but it was the only way. It's not a huge issue for me, as I don't really use it, but I was replying to someone and kept getting that. I also tried to reply to you on our original DM from last year, but got the same issue.

 

[benne68]

Hi @Tosh30. I'm sorry you are having this issue. We aren't sure why but will investigate.

 

[Tosh30]

No worries at all. Thank you.

 

[Layla]

Keep stopping by, Tosh, we love hearing from you, and hopefully this issue will be resolved soon.
We're waiving the annual fee for your "Get Out Of Jail Free" card.
Wishing you a lovely first weekend of Autumn in Italy and no more hang ups in the BS approval queue.
@Tosh30

 

[Legseleven]

Do please keep posting @Tosh30 we love hearing your updates and you’re my op buddy since we both had bilaterals and revisions. Hope Italy is wonderful.
We look forward to your next updates.

 

[Tosh30]

Hey there - home safe and sound, but two nights in, the air conditioner died. Even though it's October, in South Florida, it still feels like August. Three nights in a hotel while we waited for a new AC to be installed. All good - the hotel was 3 blocks away, and we always wanted to stay in this place to see what it was like. Well anyway, back to the knees. I packed up to 100 pain patches, but never wore more than 10. I'll take that as either the nerve intensity has abated a little or I'm getting used to it. I started going downstairs with more ease by the end of the trip, but still needs a step or two before it's more than just tolerable. Here's the cool part, and please don't fret, as it happened by mistake. I got tripped up by a cobblestone that jumped out of the ground and grabbed me . I pushed up on my left leg to jump slightly, and landed on my right leg. To my surprise, there was no pain in the knee joint itself. The progression of thoughts and feelings -1. Oh s**t this is gonna hurt; 2. Stick the landing; 3. Um, that landing felt normal; 4. Um, that was painless in the joint; 5. OMG this may be a good thing; 6. Holy ****, it didn't hurt when I stuck that landing; 7. I'm kinda excited. A few days later, I went on a 3mi walk. I tested the joint again by jogging about 10-12 steps - still no pain in the joint. Don't worry - I walked the rest of the way, but it was an elating feeling. There's still pressure in there, so I'm not pushing anything. The pressure is focused around the knee cap/patella. It could be that, or the top of fibula where the bottom implants are. Either way, still something there healing for a while longer. The left knee was more sore the next morning, but he'll have to wait a little longer before getting his revision. Going back to the gym. I split the time between PT exercises and other body part strength training. Oddly, the bicycle isn't yet possible. For now, I start on a recumbent bike machine and walk. Swimming isn't ready for me yet either, as I tested that on Saturday and it didn't feel good enough to confidently do a lap. Thank goodness for my local YMCA - they've been really supportive. Italy was wonderful. Top takeaways:

• Lake Maggiore (maj-OR-ray) - Lake Como's poor cousin, but it's awesome. They were surprised to see Americans. Love the local spots like this
• Treviso - pint sized version of Florence, half the price too, but just as awesome
• Milan and Florence were beautiful in their own way
• Trains are cool in Europe - heck, so much is cooler in Europe

Thanks for everyone's support.

 

[Layla]

Too bad your three day getaway happened almost as soon as you arrived home from your one month Italy vacay.
That hotel stay three blocks from home may have felt like a mini escape had it happened further out from your return. Oh well...ay least your back in biz with the AC.

I got tripped up by a cobblestone that jumped out of the ground and grabbed me .

You're too funny!
It sounds like you're doing really well, Tosh. Glad you're making steady progress and willing to take the time to share it here. The good / bad, funny and informative. Love it all! Have a wonderful day and rest of the week!

 

[benne68]

So glad to read that you has such a great time in Italy and that your knees held up for all that walking! I love Lake Maggiore -- especially the fact that it doesn't draw all the tourist crowds and it gives you more a feeling for local life.

Be patient with yourself on the biking and swimming -- remember, at 4 months post-op, you are only 1/3 of the way through this year-long recovery!

 

[Layla]

Happy Four Month Anniversary, Tosh!
Hope you have a great end to the week!
@Tosh30

 

[Tosh30]

TY - not much has changed. I did do a little hopping on each leg, and the left was the one that hurt more later that night. I'll get to you when I can leftie... but just focus on the RK for now. It still clicks (no pain), but I think that's expected for a while, like more than a year from what friends tell me. Patella still has something that I notice 24/7. BUT most of the really annoying nerve discomfort (not calling it pain, but it's a pain in the a$$) has abated. Dead spots still remain down the outside right from the knee about 1/3 way down the front of the calf. The other side of the RK has complete feeling, which is great. It's more about where the discomfort is, and not "pain" so to speak. The one thing that is interesting - there's either a tendon or it's the bottom of my hamstring that seems to be still taking it's time getting better. Whenever I pull my knee into my body, something back there aches. For example, child pose is impossible for that knee. When I'm on a bike, it presents itself when my knee is bent at the top of the rotation. If it doesn't abate in a month, I'll investigate it with my ortho. OK, back to the LK - it seems to like to flare up a little here and there. I think I'm going to live with it for another year. It's flexibility has gotten better though, as I can bend it almost any way needed. It clicks too, but doesn't hurt. Hope everyone else is doing well!!

 

[EalingGran]

For example, child pose is impossible for that knee. W

I wouldn't attempt full child's pose, with my weight on the fully bent knee, after my PKR. I have 150 degree bend but I just think that would be too much of a risk.

 

[Layla]

It still clicks (no pain), but I think that's expected for a while, like more than a year from what friends tell me.

This can go on indefinitely for some, without being an indication of something wrong.
At only four months post op I'm sure you'll enjoy more progress as we close out the year and feel even better in the new year. A great rest of the weekend to you!

 

[Legseleven]

There’s still a long way for us to go yet @Tosh30, and it will improve for both of us. Mine has changed a little for the better this week, and will be twenty weeks tomorrow. Long may it last and I I updated my thread last night.
With my Rightie I’m leaving well alone. I was told it needed doing too, but I’m done with surgery for now. Yes there’s some issues however there’s too much going on in my life, and I need time to recover fully from 3 knee ops in such a short amount of time. I accept I may still have to push up while getting up from a chair going forwards but am hoping everything else will get really good again.
It’s back to patience and positivity, so onwards we both go.

 

[Tosh30]

@Legseleven agreed, still a long way for us. I was in the YMCA today working out and had a discussion with 3 others, 2 of us with TKRs. We both spoke about how our journeys are long ones, explaining that we have goals, but the body tends to write it's own script.

@EalingGran - yeah, I tried only to see where I was, not to push it. I'm going to a stretch session once a week with a guy who works with post ops like me.