Wow, Almost 4 Months Out on 2nd TKR!

[hollie9]

I'm getting close to 4 months out on second knee, how time flies! I'm almost 10 months out on my first knee.

I got way out of shape on second recovery due to straining muscle in new knee, which still hurts at times. I'm now on vacation at the beach and am walking a lot in sand, rocky terrain, up and down those huge staircases from beach to street. I think this is enough work out for now, I've got company to care for, lots of other stuff to do...can't join a gym now.

Anyway I think walking in sand is harder than walking on hard dirt or pavement, especially when it slopes to the water...one foot stepping higher than the other.

I'm doing pretty good, wish I had more strength, but could walk forever. I notice I can't go down the staircases hands free, although part of that is fear that I'll fall. Maybe I could. I do have to land hard impact when going from rock to rock and am surprised when knees solidly land and work well, I keep thinking I have to baby them.

I do have a sharp pain in my new knee at night when it is resting draped over the arm of a chair. Pain is in the front of the knee cap. I don't know if this is from the strain I got early on with this knee, or what. But it hurts sharply when I try to lift up that knee.

I'll ask the doc when I get back in September or October.

When I first had this second surgery I thought I'd never get to 4 months, now it's almost here.

Hollie

 

[Texas]

Aw Im so jealous your on the beach..:(......lol..Na kidding I bet its really nice.....I miss the beach I want to go back soooo bad....Sounds like so much fun. Im glad you are doing so well. Just take it easy when you can and be careful. If you have to hold on sometimes, better be safe then sorry......Keep us the good work Im happy for ya....

 

[Josephine]

I do have a sharp pain in my new knee at night when it is resting draped over the arm of a chair.

:sct: :sct: :sct:

 

[Judles]

No contortionists allowed!!
:shk:

 

[hollie9]

Well, I really meant draped over the arm of the sofa, but since my husband uses up half the sofa I put chair. I don't feel like I'm contorting.

It's interesting you say to take it easy, in my mind I feel like I should be all well now but I've fallen behind. In thinking about it 4 months out isn't very long, no wonder that knee wobbles a bit when used as the front knee for climbing steps. I just keep beating myself up for being out of shape.

My stepdaughter handed me two full plates of food that I was to carry down a long flight of outdoor stairs. I looked at those stairs and the plates and thought, can I do this? Luckily I didn't have to, she took them. But I became so fearful about trying, so much is in my head.

The sharp pain wasn't there tonight as my leg was draped over the sofa/chair. I swear writing about things like this make them go away!

Hollie

 

[skigirl]

Hey Hollie,

Glad to hear that you are doing so well. I am almost three months out---11 weeks. It is so exciting to do what I want to do. I hiked today for 6 miles---am working up to a nine mile hike in two weeks. I have no pain in my knee--do have some stiffness inthe am---and occasionally a pain on the medial side of my knee that catches me for a minute and is then gone.

I feel like I have my life back--lots of hiking in my future----Glacier park is a hiking dream. I am going on a 15 mile bike ride this week--finally started riding with my feet clicked into the pedals.

I have to admit that I am a gym addict--we have some interactive biking machines that are really fun--and the rowing machine has a boat that you can race. Also, I love yoga and pilates--it is so much fun being in classes again---I am feeling social right now.

It sounds like you will have to work on strengthening the quads and hammies--makes them work better. I am still doing lots of work with weights--leg press, glute press, hamstring curls---I can see the difference in my muscles--they have almost stopped jiggling and now have definition. I can almost see myself skiing in December!!! Kelly

 

[Jamie]

Hollie, it is not uncommon to have odd aches and pains for a while as you recovery. I wouldn't worry about it, especially if it comes and goes. But do ask your surgeon if it concerns you at all. Kelly is right about working those muscles. It will help tremendously with your ability to do stairs and to maintain balance in general. Don't feel bad about using stair railings for as long as you want. Better that than getting off balance and risking a fall. You'll get stronger in time.

 

[hollie9]

Oh Kelly, now I really feel guilty about not spending time in the gym. Your workouts are admirable, I wish I was that far along in building back my muscle.

But I can't do it now, instead having to throw dinner parties for company, entertaining, putting together husband's big birthday party, working (even though I'm supposed to be on vacation).

At least I have the beach and can go for long and wonderful walks here...and am out of the heat.

So you're going to Glacier Park, do you mean Montana, near Whitefish? Gorgeous area.

And yes, Jamie, good to use the handrails...last year when I was here with 2 bad knees before surgery, I crashed through a window while climbing stairs and had a lot of stitches.

It sure was easier on my first recovery when I only had one TKR and a fairly good "other" knee. With both done, it is much more challenging.

Holliie

 

[Josephine]

I still use both my hand rails most of the time. tbh it just feels natural to do so, knees notwithstanding ...

 

[skigirl]

Yes, Hollie, I live in Whitefish--have you been here? I had company this weekend and did not go to the gym for three days---even though we did go hiking, I could not believe how stiff and swollen I started feeling. I went to the gym and rode the bike for 8 miles and then the rowing machine--when I left I felt so much better!!! Don't forget to schedule in time for yourself and your knee.

I think that these knees will require constant attention to the quads and hammies for the rest of ourlives. They need strong muscles to surround them and keep them working well.

You will find time for the gym--I am lucky, I live in a small town and it is 10 minutes to the gym. But, I can see the difference when I don't work out. Kelly

 

[hollie9]

Oh Kelly, you live in Whitefish! Its such a cute town with lots of good live music. Now I can see why you're hiking all the time, you live in hiking paradise. And you must ski at Big Sky? I wasn't able to ski when I went, it was summer, it did look like you get some real weather in winter, lots of whiteout skiing? Probably tons of powder too?

Interesting you mention getting swollen when not working out...I've been quite swollen in the past 4 days even though I have been walking. I'm afraid it might be from an inflammatory arthritis. My rheumatologist has been trying to track down my cartilage problem for a long time and told me to look for swelling, I'm scared.

I'm in a small town now, Santa Cruz, CA, there is a gym pretty nearby, after husband's birthday next week I'll make arrangements to either join the gym for a month or do Pilates in a different place. You're right, I've got to make time.

Had to climb a lot of stairs today at a friends house, did not do very well, no handrails. Sure wish I was in better shape or never needed the surgery in the first place.

Hollie

 

[skigirl]

Oh Hollie, I am sure that all of us here wish we had never fhad to do this surgery in the first place!!! But, your recoveries were awesome---this is just a little swelling that needs to be worked out. If it is inflammatory arthritis, then you can deal with that too.

It is amazing to me how women and I am in this boat too, put ourselves and our needs last on the list. We think that caring for our families is always first. However, at least we should be second and not last!!!

You have had two good recoveries and now just need to get those muscles back into shape. If you join the gym maybe you will get free visits to a trainer like we do---those are good times to help set up a few workouts. I have four index cards with workouts in my glove box. When I pull into the gym and think--oh gosh, why do I have to work out all the time! I reach in a pull one out at random and do that workout. It keeps me moving.

My pt is currently pulling me back in again--it feels so good to be moving that I can't stop myself. I have gone from hiking 4 miles to walking the dog (2 miles) and then hitting a bucket of balls. Ihave to learn to put some rest in there somewhere.

I think it is hard to go to a gym and work out by yourself. It takes discipline and determineation. It is easier when the PT is standing there. That is one reason why I like to go to a class---I get the social atmosphere and guidance from an expert--and since I am at the gym, I do my workout too. It is the best way for me. I also love Pilates which is a great full body workout.

We have some interactive bikes--you can race the other bikers, have a ghost who sets a pace for you or just ride by yourself. I love to race, of course, and usually end up dripping with sweat after 30 min onthe bike. It is a great workout for me and I enjoy it alot. I am now riding my bike outside too--but those inside races are really fun.

Find someway to work out that is fun---I miss modern dance --I did it all through college nad it was a great way to work out. fun is so important however--maybe the most important factor in all of this. \

Yes, I love Whitefish--I ski at Big Mountain--Big Sky is near Bozeman on the other side of the state. Our resort is now called Whitefish Mountain Resort just because it was so confusing with the Big Mountain name. Ilove to ski can hardly wait for the snow to fall. October 31 is usually our first snow, hooray. Kelly

 

[hollie9]

Interesting they renamed the ski resort, I thought it was Big something. I'm a skiier too and sure hope I can go this year. I live an hour and a half from Squaw Valley, North Star and other smaller ski hills in California, so can go up and back in a day, probably like you.

And I was a dancer for many, many years, ballet and jazz dance. I loved it, wonder if I'll ever be able to do that again. I have danced with my IPOD when the music moves me, I'm not as fluid as I was but the music sure helps. I always ski with music too.

I've never seen the kind of fun gym equipment you mention, would love to try it, the gym usually bores me to death. I've had a personal trainer in the gym but she wasn't very good. I really need a personal trainer to MAKE me do my work outs, especially at first.

I will get around to working out, just a week or so before I can concentrate on it, when company clears out and husband's birthday is over.

I really appreciate your motivating talk about your workouts.

Hollie