So, I Got A New Knee...

I hope things are progressing well for you! I had both of my knees done at the same time 14 years ago. Getting that range of motion back is the main thing, as you know. It was a full year before I felt 100%. The last of the recovery was getting rid of the swelling if I was on my feet too long.
 

The reality is, rehab (physical therapy), is nothing but a series of setbacks.

Every time you make decent progress, and you're showing signs of getting better, they give you a whole new set of exercises that put you right back at square one.

Well, not really square one back at the beginning.

More accurately, square one on a new baseline, I guess.

I was doing really well with resistance bands and ankle weights, adding more each session.

Then we moved on to stairs, and after one session, I was in serious pain and could barely get through it. LOL.

It'll be four weeks tomorrow.
 

Dave03 said:
There's also some crackling and grumbling going on when I walk, which the therapist says is also normal. All the ligaments and tendons and whatnot were loosened up and rearranged, so there's going to be a 'tightening up' period, and I needn't worry about it. But I worry about it anyway.
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I'm 12 weeks out and my knee still feels like a box of rocks rattling around when I walk. As you say, it's considered normal and will likely get better over time as things tighten up.
 
Dave03 said:
The reality is, rehab (physical therapy), is nothing but a series of setbacks.

Every time you make decent progress, and you're showing signs of getting better, they give you a whole new set of exercises that put you right back at square one.

Well, not really square one back at the beginning.

More accurately, square one on a new baseline, I guess.

I was doing really well with resistance bands and ankle weights, adding more each session.

Then we moved on to stairs, and after one session, I was in serious pain and could barely get through it. LOL.

It'll be four weeks tomorrow.
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Four weeks is not very long, considering the assault you have had to your knee joint. Keep up the exercises, including walking.

Are you using a stick when you walk around?
 
Warrigal said:
Four weeks is not very long, considering the assault you have had to your knee joint. Keep up the exercises, including walking.

Are you using a stick when you walk around?
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I used a walker for the first week or so. It was really just for balance and the security of having something to hold on to while I gained strength and the swelling went down some.

The cane, I only used for about two days. I was walking normally (but slowly), and the cane was actually more of a distraction than anything else. It wasn't helping in any way, and was just something else to think about while I was walking.

Walking is fairly easy now, but I'm very conscious of how my whole leg moves with every step.

The stairs are going to be tough, but it's a part of the process.

Today (Friday) will be my 12th PT session. Exactly halfway.
 
Della said:
Is the dog still following with the Frisbee in his mouth?:love:
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Actually, I've been able to go out on to the patio and throw it for him. I don't go into the yard, out of fear of turning the wrong way and doing damage. I sit in a chair and throw from the patio. Goober doesn't care. He's just happy to be running down the frisbee.

On another note, I had a big day yesterday. Our company picnic was at a baseball game. I went, and had to park a fair distance away. I walked all the way in, using my cane, taking my time. The only real challenge was getting up to the picnic area reserved for the company. I had to choose between taking the ramps, which involved a lot more walking, or the stairs (at least 40 of them).

Since I started doing stairs last week in PT, that's what I chose. I actually made it fairly easily with the cane. (there are no canes involved in PT).

I only stayed 4 innings, because I could feel my knee beginning to swell. By the time I got all the was back to my car, I was completely gassed and had to sit there for a bit just to gather myself.

So, I got home, propped my leg up, took a couple Tylenol, wrapped my knee and turned on the ice bath.

Worse than my knee, though, was my stomach. I had macaroni salad, potato salad, two hot dogs, a cheeseburger, four chocolate chip cookies and two sodas.

Still feeling kinda queasy this morning. LOL.
 
Sorry I missed the whole ordeal. Caught up now. So glad you're on the mend.
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery. ☺️

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Hi Dave.Glad you are feeling better. Your physical therapy sounds grueling. Are you not allowed to use your cane during physical therapy? Is that so they can tell how much you are healing?

I smiled when you said you’d stand on the deck and throw the frisbee to Goober. He must be REALLY happy you are feeling better. Aren’t dogs the greatest?

I hope you heal well, Dave.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Hi Dave.Glad you are feeling better. Your physical therapy sounds grueling. Are you not allowed to use your cane during physical therapy? Is that so they can tell how much you are healing?

I smiled when you said you’d stand on the deck and throw the frisbee to Goober. He must be REALLY happy you are feeling better. Aren’t dogs the greatest?

I hope you heal well, Dave.
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Actually, I don't use the cane at all. I only took it with me yesterday because I knew I'd be walking a long way and it was better to be safe than sorry.
 
Ok, haven't had an update in a while. This Friday will be 7 weeks out of surgery, and all is well.

Making steady, forward progress. I've had 20 PT sessions, only 4 more to go. After that, I go to the doctor to get the all clear to go back to work. I know what I do for a living, and I'm 100% certain I can do my job.

I walk normally, without pain, and go up and down the stairs without issue. My knee is still kinda 'clicky', but that's normal. I'm told my knee will be making noise and readjusting probably the next year or more. I'm mentally ready for it.

I've actually been taking my dogs for walks again, much to their delight.

I go to the senior center on the days I don't have PT and ride the life cycle and use the exercise equipment to work on quad strength.

My legs are sore, but that's how I know they're getting stronger. All in all, less than two months after surgery, I am in better shape than I've been for the last 20 years.

I don't limp, I don't get tired walking anymore because I don't have the shambling, side to side hitch anymore. I just walk like a normal human being now. It's a good feeling.
 
Ok, folks, last update.

Just went to the doctor today and got the all clear to go back to work.

After 24 PT sessions, I'm strong enough to take the stairs, without holding the railings.

I go to the Senior Center every other day and do the exact same exercises I do at PT, so I was basically doing PT 5-6 days a week.

That number will go down, I'm sure, once I return to work.

My mobility (bending and straightening) isn't 100% yet, but it's in the high 80s, and will improve over time.

I can also walk much, much faster. There's no hitch or sway, just a straight, normal walk.

It's been quite a journey. I've spent the last twenty years limping. That's over. I glide now. LOL.
 
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I thought I would keep the topic all in one place. I had my right knee replaced last February and just had the left knee done in January - coming up on three weeks post-op. Things are going well. We can't decide if I'm really recovering faster on this one - or if we just don't remember the first one that well since it was all new and unknown.

I'm grateful to no longer have to wear the heel lifts on the left side now that both legs are straight and the same length! The absolutely worst part about recovering is sleeping since I am most definitely not a back sleeper. This time I let the doctor talk me into a relatively benign muscle relaxer to take at bed time and, while there are still rough nights, it does seem to help shut me down enough to get some sleep.

Just the long slow healing process now and, hopefully, I'll be back near 100% basic function by summer. God bless spouses that will put their life on hold to take care of us in times like these.
 
Dr. Jekyll said:
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I thought I would keep the topic all in one place. I had my right knee replaced last February and just had the left knee done in January - coming up on three weeks post-op. Things are going well. We can't decide if I'm really recovering faster on this one - or if we just don't remember the first one that well since it was all new and unknown.

I'm grateful to no longer have to wear the heel lifts on the left side now that both legs are straight and the same length! The absolutely worst part about recovering is sleeping since I am most definitely not a back sleeper. This time I let the doctor talk me into a relatively benign muscle relaxer to take at bed time and, while there are still rough nights, it does seem to help shut me down enough to get some sleep.

Just the long slow healing process now and, hopefully, I'll be back near 100% basic function by summer. God bless spouses that will put their life on hold to take care of us in times like these.
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Congratulations! Best medical procedure I've ever gotten. Got mine at 70 and popped right back as I was going to the Y regularly until the pandemic. But my wife got her worst knee done this past October and is scheduled for the other in March. Her doctor said the one he already did is the worst one he has ever seen. Unfortunately she waited until she was 82 and it doesn't get any easier.

Do you love it yet? I was a believer on day one.
 
I have a friend who had knee replacement surgery too. He told me the physical therapy was long and painful, but it’s totally worth it for better health. Now he’s back to enjoying skiing in Colorado
 
Dave03 said:
Actually, I don't use the cane at all. I only took it with me yesterday because I knew I'd be walking a long way and it was better to be safe than sorry.
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I still take a walking stick, sometimes a walker, with me when I go out and may be walking over uneven ground or likely to become fatigued. The stick is good to steady me over uneven ground and also helps me to quicken my pace when necessary. The walker, with a seat, allows me to sit down when I need to when no other seat is close by. It also allows me to use the space under the seat to store things like my handbag, or phone. I can hang shopping bags over the handles.

At all other times I walk normally without using any aids. I sometimes need to remind myself to always walk heel/toe, especially when crossing the road.
 
Warrigal said:
I still take a walking stick, sometimes a walker, with me when I go out and may be walking over uneven ground or likely to become fatigued. The stick is good to steady me over uneven ground and also helps me to quicken my pace when necessary. The walker, with a seat, allows me to sit down when I need to when no other seat is close by.
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I fractured two places of the heel of my right foot which occurred about 3 months' ago. Not Knee replacement, but it's very similar to your condition.
I can walk, but to not go outside yet.

Our leg and Feet are VERY important to move around(transport our body). If the ability to lose it, it's pretty devasting. I'm at twilight age, so my Ortho.doctor recommended 'cast(old fashion to heal), not Surgery which has some risk(infection or complication).

I have no idea how long to take I am able to walk 'almost-normal walking condition.' But, I'm practically 'Home Bound' person enjoying sewing, cooking, etc.

It's very interesting to know there is a Walker with seat. I plan to purchase it even though I may not venture outside-walking until I get a good confident for it.
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Congratulations to Dave and your Family!!:) It was a long journey with patience and good Faith!!(y)
 

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