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Will new knees be good enough?

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BigGene said:
ruppbike,
If the group rides paceline, won't you pick up the exra speed. Assuming they put up with you not be able to take a turn up front.
Sounds to me like you are close.
Click to expand...


Tested that theory out last night, Gene - did my first group ride. Six of us headed out at 6pm, 60 degrees and blowing 16 MPH out of the north. We headed out against the wind and up the climbs on the east side of the Hudson River. I hung in with the pace line until the road had an incline above 6-7%, then I just didn't have the leg strength to keep with them. This is a nice, low key, Monday (i.e. recovery ride for some high end riders) so they slowed at the top until I could catch on at the end. On the flats I kept up and took my turns at the front. Our return on the west side of the Hudson River was with the wind and we were pacing along at 24 MPH. Great ride - 32 miles at 18+ MPH average pace. Stamina and cardio felt good. So, still might be able to do the 100K at end of the month if I can keep progressing. Gaining back leg strenght for the climbs will be the key. Not much flat in that 100K ride. At the end of the ride I told them I was still recovering from bilateral total knee replacements done less than 5 months ago and they said good thing you told us after the ride, otherwise we would have gone a flatter, shorter route. I told them I was glad I didn't and we did the ride we did. Felt good after working all day today in the office - just some tightness and 'good' muscle soreness, no swelling. Needless to say - I am thrilled.
 
Ruppbike,
Nice!!
No question about your knees.

They are certainly good enough.

Glad you took the shot. Make me feel good.

I'm sure it makes you feel even better.
 
PT is almost fun now. All strength work. Apparently they are done "pushing" rom since I have exceeded120 without pushing or pulling.

I do like the resistance work. They increased some weights today, no problem.

Went for a nice long walk this pm. About 50 minutes of walking. I do keep the cane with me on long walks for balance and gait.

Tomorrow will be a bicycle day.
 
Today is 1 month since TKR. So much has happened in that time.

Today my bike ride was 9 miles. Came home iced, elevated, took a nap.Feel great, knee remains happy.
 
Friday PT report. All about strength traing now. Added weight, added exercises.

Measurement 125 without pushing.

Suppose to be a rainy weekend. Exercise will need to go indoors. Thinking of trying eliptic, any experience with these machine. My thought is I can push my aerobic conditioning without increased impact on new knee
 
I use the eliptic quite often Gene. Just start with low resistance and see how you do. It will get you very tired very quickly as it is a total body workout. But you are right - no impact at all. Have fun!
 
Gene I love your beautiful picture! Watch your tiredness. Ever try the pool? I found it a great help.
 
I was sitting here thinking about going to the gym, since it raining, for some pedaling and maybe trying out the eliptic machine for some cardio.

I was moving my kneecap around and massaging the scar. I happened to tap on my kneecap and discovery a pretty loud tap. I continued to play with it. I can definitely here the sound of plastic tappinf on the metal. I hadn't noticed it before. If I had talent I could tap out some tunes.

Kind of interesting, could be fun to show off at parties.

OK, enough silliness, off to the gym.
 
Gene - When you have your LTKR you can use them both for bongos :hysterical:!
 
Ruppbike, your progress is really amazing. My doc does not do two knees--and I did not want to risk loosing a ski season. I did not think I would be able to ski at my level after only six months. Looks like you are doing great though!!

I also found that my biggest problem on bike rides was keeping up on the bigger hills. This year, no problem, my leg strength is back to normal. Have fun on that 100--I am thinking of trying a century myself. It is a choice here---Eastern Montana is more flat, but the wind blows constantly. Western Montana does not have the wind--but OMG the mountains!! Kelly
 
Gene, congratulations on your amazing progress! And as for the upcoming tour--having the sag wagon available will give you a psychological boost so that you can focus on your ride and not worry about getting stranded because of fatigue. Just be sure to have your ice pack available for your knee when you break for the day.
 
Gene, awesome progress. I used the elliptical at first because of the low impact. It is very good for getting time and distance moving. But I don't like it though, because us tall guys can't get a good stride going. But worth the effort anyway to get and keep moving. ROM is something to keep working on even when you done with therapy.
 
ZJROG<
Yeah, I agree about the stride thing, but in combo with bike and treadmill it gives me a mix of activities that will help restore cardio-fitness without abusing either knee.

ROm has really come along nicely 125 at 4 + weeks seems pretty decent.

For me, it seems like it's going to be all about strength, cardio and not pushing the new knee too hard as it continues it's pathe to recovery'

I'm hoping to get my roadbike partner back next week. I've been hesitant to ride too far from assistance, so far. At least with a partner there is someone who can help or go for a car if the bike or I break down.
 
Gene, you are wise to have a cycling partner available in case of technical difficulties. I don't know about you but my main problem thus far on the bike is having the strength needed for the mileage. If it's an iffy day I will pick a route closer to home and lather, rinse and repeat. I would rather do that than stay on a trainer on a gorgeous spring day.
 
Since we are finally seeming to get nice weather I hope to get more riding in. Gene, I have a good mix of treadmill, riding, racquetball, elliptical (yes I use it even though I hate it) and weights. I hit 310 pounds on the leg press, which is in addition to my own weight... Machine tops at 410, I'll kill that by the end of the summer if not sooner.
 
skigirl said:
Ruppbike, your progress is really amazing. My doc does not do two knees--and I did not want to risk loosing a ski season. I did not think I would be able to ski at my level after only six months. Looks like you are doing great though!!

I also found that my biggest problem on bike rides was keeping up on the bigger hills. This year, no problem, my leg strength is back to normal. Have fun on that 100--I am thinking of trying a century myself. It is a choice here---Eastern Montana is more flat, but the wind blows constantly. Western Montana does not have the wind--but OMG the mountains!! Kelly
Click to expand...

Thanks all, but that Monday evening group ride did take a toll on my progress this week. On Wednesday I was going to do a ride after work and I was just too beat and the knees were tight feeling and sore - not swollen and still had flex, but did not feel 'right'. So, I rested and made due with the exercise I get while working. Friday I did a 20-miler with a friend at about 15 MPH pace and felt ok after. One mistake I made during the week was cutting out the ibuprofen all together. I got down to 200-400 mg/day and tried to just eliminate it. I am back on the 200-400 a day and I think I can push without the heavy leg feeling. We will be doing some hiking in the Adirondacks the next few days and see how that does.
 
ruppbike said:
...the knees were tight feeling and sore - not swollen and still had flex, but did not feel 'right'.
Click to expand...

I wonder why that is? I experienced that yesterday and went for a hilly 6 mile ride and it really loosened it up. I've learned lately that if I do 6-10 mile daily rides (with a rest day) that I am pretty strong on the bike for a 30 miler. Have you experienced that as well? I used to hammer long rides 3 times a week but now I'm taking a different approach and it seems to agree with me.

I am impressed with anyone that does the group rides, especially crit riding. I don't know if I want to risk crashing and getting road rash by clipping a wheel. I raced my mtb and fell but it was a soft landing.

Sorry BG to hijack your thread. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.
 
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