Revision TKR YYZ Back To YYC!

[benne68]

Thanks for checking in with your update!

Things are progressing although the slow pace is a challenge

Yes, there is definitely a "tortoise pace" to this recovery -- just remember, slow but steady will get you to the finish line.

I'm sorry to hear that walking is so painful. I wonder if you are doing a little too much exercise -- 2.5 hours a day seems like a lot! I'm not sure I could do that now and I'm at the 10-month mark. Perhaps you should back off a bit and see if that helps with the pain.

Stairs are a work in progress -upstairs I'm using one two method and slow pace with handrail. Going downstairs is still one at a time.

Stairs were also a challenge for me. I was also still using the one-step-at-a-time approach to descend when I was at 5 months, so you aren't alone in that. It took me at least another month before I was able to -- haltingly and holding on for dear life -- go down reciprocally. (And I still do that on days when we knees are stiff.)

Do let us know how the return to work goes!

 

[2chains]

23 weeks since TKR!

Constant improvement I see/feel every day. It's lots of small things...

like being able to turn around with good balance
getting up from a chair fluidly
standing for 15 minutes to prep a meal or fold laundry
being able to vacuum my whole upstairs and then go clean my kitchen
get in/out of my vehicle seamlessly


Back to work two days week 6 hours a day for two weeks now. Very tough going but fortunate to have an understanding employer!
35 stairs every morning is what I need to do to check in/out. Stairs are still a challenge...upstairs still have muscle weakness and can't go down yet as it causes a major flare up.
I've been in a fair amount of pain and inflammation since back to work and have had to cut back on home exercises.
First week I could barely get through my exercise bike let alone the straightening/bending and strengthening. Second week I have been able to start at three reps and now increased to six! Progress!

Limping is still an issue after 10 minutes of walking. Hoping very strongly it will pass soon!

 

[benne68]

Hi @2chains and thanks for the great update! So glad to read that you are noticing improvement every day.

I've been in a fair amount of pain and inflammation since back to work and have had to cut back on home exercises.

With all that stair climbing and being on your feet for 6 hours a day, you probably don't need home exercises any longer. Your ADLs (activities of daily living) are giving you plenty of exercise already!

Instead, why not give your knee a break and elevate and ice when you get home from work? That should help reduce the pain and inflammation.

Continued success with your recovery.

 

[2chains]

@benne68 --Thanks so much for the continued support!

 

[hawk2go]

Hey @2chains! It was great to see your notification on my feed. I'm glad you're recovery is going well.

Getting back to work is a reality check because you won't always have the ability to stop, rest and ice when you need it. I agree with Benne68, your ADLs are strenuous enough in this new phase of being back at work. I know it's only 2 days a week, but your knee complains, so it's a bit much ... right now. You'll be able to add that exercise stuff back in soon. Listen to The Boss, your knee not your employer.

 

[2chains]

@hawk2go --Thank you for the kind words. My knee is definitely in charge on this journey!

 

[2chains]

6 months post surgery --Have to post this.

Went to GP on aug 9 she tells me so and so knee surgeon is presenting to his peers that physio is not needed after knee surgery!!!!! They are finally getting it!

Anyway I met her for results from a bone scan. Images looked cool. It shows significant inflammation from below the hip to past the joint line. Very deep blue color layers but also bright in areas where metal hardware is. At the lowest point of the hardware install she sees a narrow bright piece. That location follows medial side swelling/pain I have had from day one.

The spike from cement less knee install may not be hammered in properly with the hole they reamed into the tibia. Has anyone ever heard of this? It is on an angle but mentioned that the bone will eventually grow over it.
Continue with bicycling but work will be my physio.

GP wants me to go to sports physio. Went to new PT on Aug 10 and took my exercise list. Basically he indicated I should discontinue pushing flexion but also took my list of exercises down 1/3 to eight which still includes bicycling.

Fun, fun, fun!

 

[2chains]

6 and 1/2 months for me. Cut way back on physio basically 30 mins three days a week also 9 minutes of cycling three days. Knee still very tight and inflamed due to work. Limping is still prominent after 5 minutes of walking or so. Very frustrating!!

Continue to have issues with stairs still going down one at a time.

Moving from two 6 hour days to three 5 hour days started this week. Due to short work weeks ie.stat holidays plus fridays' off will have to work consecutive days every other week. Had a difficult time working this week monday and tuesday and then thursday. Very flared and will take it easy this weekend. Hope all is good for monday.

 

[Susie-Q]

Are you still icing as much as you can? I'm sorry your knee is still angry. I think your exercises AND work AND biking are keeping it aggravated. Since you can't stop working, I would cut back in one of the other areas, maybe the exercises. 10 min on a bike with no resistance 3 times a week is good!

 

[2chains]

Thanks for the support! I'm doing a lot of elevating of my knee when not at work and when sitting try to keep it more straight than bent.

 

[benne68]

Continue to have issues with stairs still going down one at a time.

You are not alone! I struggled with descending stairs for months after I was able to climb them normally. At six months post-op, I still would hold the handrail for dear life when I tried to alternate feet going down.

I'm sure some of it is psychological. When you've been double-stepping for so long because of pain, it's hard to retrain your brain to trust that you can do it any other way.

Keep practicing and it will come.

 

[2chains]

Can anyone recommend exercises for a session in a swimming pool? The walking at work is really too much and I am starting to lose progress ie. not able to walk as far.

My GP wants me to swim. Has anyone else had good results in a pool?
Maybe lower impact work is more suited to my situation. I can't really swim per say as both shoulders are not that strong.

 

[Ginger1210]

Hi 2chains.
Before my issues started with my right knee i used to be very active and competed in Kickboxing and Jiujitsu.
When i damaged my knee the only thing the physio recommended was to take up swimming to substitute my martial arts. But only front crawl as any other stroke would cause further cartilage damage.
I started doing this back in 2017 at first i really struggled with this stroke but with time and perseverance i managed up to 50-60 lengths in a hour.
After my PKR back in April 2021 i had to stop swimming until i was strong enough to safely walk around the pool.
I started back earlier this year and have got back to a similar level as pre op.
My Knee is no where near 100% and i still struggle when walking but swimming has given me something positive and it has been a game changer for me. I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[2chains]

Thanks for your input @Ginger1210. Sorry to hear you are still struggling with walking. Very important thoughout this journey is to find a positive everyday!

 

[hawk2go]

I worked out in the pool with my LTKR and found it helpful. I had to remember to pace myself because I had a tendency to overwork the knee in the pool because it didn't hurt while I was in there. I relied on timing myself vs. working to fatigue.

I did resistance walking in a section of our pool that had a tiny current and narrow channel that looped, sort of like a small version of a lazy river at the amusement park. I also did walking and treading in the shallow end of the pool when I could not swim.

 

[2chains]

@hawk2go I was wondering if I will need to pace myself in the pool. I heard that it can be tough to get out of the pool afterwards....so timing will be my best option. My GP specifically wants me to do the pool walking you mentioned! I hear there is a weight belt you wear to help with the steps.

I am working 4 5 hour days now so I come home and crash ie. ice and elevate... so maybe this weekend I'll give it a try.

 

[2chains]

7 months this week.

Didn't make it to the swimming pool yet.
Aggravated my knee at work this week. Four consecutive days was just too much for me right now. Tuesday and Wednesday seemed ok but by end of day thursday really felt I was struggling to do the few things I have been able to do. Friday was the worst for me...could barely walk 2 minutes before I was limping, stiff and in pain.

Left a message with my disability case manager and have GP appointment for September 19. Very fortunate I have a job with long term disability insurance!

Knee still has that tight band feeling and develop stiffness after walking 5 minutes. Icing and elevating upon coming home from work and also in the evening. Any time I am at home I am elevating when not doing chores and keeping leg straight not bent when sitting.

Definitely feel the knee seize up after any extended driving ie. 30 minutes and still not able to do any shopping excursions. Continue doing one step at a time on the upstairs. Have cut back big time on exercising to 10 minutes 2 x week. This seems to have helped cut down on inflammation.


Hoping I can get motivated to get to the pool this week!

 

[hawk2go]

@2chains, I'm sorry you're struggling. Your job seems to demand quite a bit of your knee. Icing, elevating and resting after work will help. Some have benefitted from compression hose when they have to be on their feet. Short of changing your work schedule, your GP may be able to help with prescription NSAIDs or something for the evening pain. Keep us posted

 

[2chains]

Made it to the pool last week, thursday to the lane swim. I did 5 laps of the 25m pool. At each turn I stopped and did scissor kicks or high knees. I was in the water 30min and had a difficult time getting out of the pool! Could barely make it back to the change room. Was very surprised as I didn't feel like I put in a good effort. Next day I had no issues or soreness.

Had a setback this past week things were getting progressively harder at work. After walking 5 mins or so just didn't have stamina to keep going. Start of my modified duties I was walking 20min or so with breaks in between. Finding consecutive days are a bit much at the moment.

Went to DR and and off work for 4 weeks. Can now resume daily exercises and start walking 6 min each day have new exercise to add lying hamstring curls. Will also resume on the peddler as bike is in basement and stairs are a no go at the moment.

Also found roller ball massager and going at the calf muscles...seems to really work though it is initially painful due to tension.

 

[2chains]

30 weeks post op today

Found two bonesmarties that are experiencing similar issues with mobility as me!

@ChillTime and @BlueSkiesHere big hi to you both!!

I am one week into my 4 weeks of time off from work. Day 5 away from work/activity/basically doing nothing but elevating/ things started to settle with the knee/hip/glute tingling, tightness and spasms.

Started back with exercises again tuesday and wednesday they take 20 mins. Went to physio on thursday and tried the anti-gravity treadmill. Went for 6 mins at 20% of my body weight with a max speed of 1.3mph. No major issues next day other than hamstring and quad sore above knee.

Did restart with walking tuesday... build on time and distance. Started with 5 min day and at end week up to 9 min but finding vice/tight like feeling in knee after 4 mins or so. Mornings after spasms and tingling in hip/glute and stiff inflamed knee.

Friday did 20m light housework, swept kitchen/pantry floor, knee very sore afterwards. Did 9 min walk but no exercises. Did too much...like what is still going on here? Still barely doing nothing at all and having these issues.
Continue to have very difficult time to go up stairs going down stairs one at a time. Not able to get out and shop or visit sites or anything yet. Elevating 2.5hrs day and wearing compression socks 24/7! Taking Naproxen 2x day.

Saturday did walk 6min with 10 min break x3 last set very difficult, no exercises. Inflammation, vice like feeling in knee along with flare up hip and glute.

Uugh, i'm taking Sunday off although i would love to get out and about it is just not possible yet!

Week 2 to be documented coming up...