Guest guest Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I agree - that's great news, ! I was measured before surgery: the good leg was 150; the bad one was 130. The last measurement taken was 138 at the OS after 6 weeks...but I was 135 two weeks after surgery when I started PT. I'm happy with it. Still have twinges from time to time, but I can finally get down on my hands and knees with no trouble at all...although I don't get up as easily as I used to. And I'm finally almost totally off the hydrocodone (only 1 pill every couple of days depending on my activity level). Jackie, I only have my dog to walk with me after I get home from work and she never cares how far we go, so it's always my call. I always do at least 10 blocks but if I feel a bit more energetic we'll take the long route and do about 20. I feel guilty that we don't always do the long route as she's home alone all day, but sometimes I'm just too tired. It's a good thing she really doesn't care. She's just happy to go! ---- Original message ---- Date: Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:44:53 -0800 From: on <jackiett@...> Subject: Re: Re: I found out.... <Joint Replacement > >Congratulations, ! That¹s a big jump. > >I didn¹t get measured before surgery either and never thought about that. > >I agree that moving is so important to keep the circulation going, and it >always helps when I remember to do that. I¹ve been sitting way too long at >my computer this am and I know better! > >I had a great walk with a friend yesterday. We went 2.75 miles and >averaged 3.13 miles per hour. I love the Runkeeper application on my iPhone >: ) It helps me to keep going and to keep up a good pace. Walking with a >friend who is into it is really helpful for me. I tend to dilly dally, and >maybe to decide I¹m done before I need to be because I get bored. I¹m >hoping more walking will help get that left leg straightened and >strengthened. > >So good to hear your good news!!!!!! > >Peace, >Jackie, getting up from the computer now! > >On 1/7/10 1:18 PM, " Kohn " <katiekohn@...> wrote: > >> >> >> >> >> >> Hey Donna, I just got back from PT and since last week I have progressed from >> ROM 92 to 102 today. I was so happy. I asked about why I had regressed last >> week and he gave a number of reasons from over exertion, to the weather, to >> swelling. I asked what would be a realistic goal for me in terms of ROM and he >> said that they are pleased with anything from 105-115. I told him that some >> people in this forum have had as high as 135 and he said that was not common >> at all. I did not get measured before my surgery ( or at least I don't know my >> numbers). I started PT the day after my surgery in the hospital and then began >> outpatient PT the day after I got home from the hospital (day 4). I never went >> to rehab although I understand that many people go there before going home. My >> doctor told me that I would be walking from the gurney to my hospital bed >> after recovery and that is exactly what I did with someone on each arm. 4 >> hours later I had to get up and walk across the room because the sheets needed >> to be changed. I used the walker. It was a bit of a blur, but I do remember >> doing it. Isn't it astounding how we all have such different experiences. >> >> As far as pain in one specific area, I had what I thought was sciatica , but >> now I think it was due to standing or sitting in one place for too long. I had >> to keep moving to keep the pain at bay. >> Be well, >> >> Re: I found out.... >> >> , >> >> I have never heard that observation. It seems odd...isn't our range of motion >> impacted by the injury and that's why we have surgery? I can understand that >> some are, naturally or through training, more flexible than others and that >> will should help in recovery. Might be a good question for your physical >> therapist. I don't even remember having my ROM measured before surgery. Do >> you? >> >> Are you having severe pain in any one area? I did behind one knee. That turned >> out to be scar tissue, which my therapist dealt with. Another man from this >> group who had surgery the same week I did was recovering beautifully, racing >> past me (yep, I was comparing -- the no-no). Then his numbers dropped and >> stayed there. He also had scar tissue, and by the time they identified it, he >> had to go back to the hospital to break it up. Though they say it is not a big >> deal. He felt better immediately, returning to his PT program and complete >> recovery. >> >> Wish I had more to offer, but I only have my own experience. I do have to >> wonder why you regressed and are now stuck. Are you getting regular and >> consistent therapy? If I had reached a number and regressed, I'd be grilling >> the doc and PT. >> >> Warm regards, >> >> Donna >> >> >>>> > > >>>> > > >>>> > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought >>>> > > the whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, >>>> > > not all the time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut >>>> > > though and think that is where a lot of my problem is. >>>> > > >>>> > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ >>>> > > weeks out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it >>>> > > more mobile. Anyone? dash >>>> > > >>>> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>> > > >>>> > > >>> > >>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> > >>> > ------------------------------------ >>> > >>> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 This is such an interesting conversation. I remember not being measured for a long time during PT. I thought he didn't want to depress me. When he finally measured me with his ruler, I was 120 ROM. He said that was good and I had read here enough that I thought it was pretty good too. He said they aimed for 110. SOoooo.... I thought I was ahead of the game. Then he measured my leg with it flat! I was at 7, out of 1-10. He said he could get it to 4 but we had to work on it. I had never thought about how flat your leg could be. Do they measure any of you for that.? I never hear about it. Anyway, I had significant problems while the PT tried to work with me to flatten my leg out. He said once we got it there, we didn't have to worry. And we had 3 months to do it! He did get it flatten before I was done. But I went through some painful sessions. I only say all this because I don't hear anyone talking about it here, I don't think. Donna R Re: Re: I found out.... <Joint Replacement > >Congratulations, ! That�s a big jump. > >I didn�t get measured before surgery either and never thought about that. > >I agree that moving is so important to keep the circulation going, and it >always helps when I remember to do that. I�ve been sitting way too long at >my computer this am and I know better! > >I had a great walk with a friend yesterday. We went 2.75 miles and >averaged 3.13 miles per hour. I love the Runkeeper application on my iPhone >: ) It helps me to keep going and to keep up a good pace. Walking with a >friend who is into it is really helpful for me. I tend to dilly dally, and >maybe to decide I�m done before I need to be because I get bored. I�m >hoping more walking will help get that left leg straightened and >strengthened. > >So good to hear your good news!!!!!! > >Peace, >Jackie, getting up from the computer now! > >On 1/7/10 1:18 PM, " Kohn " <katiekohn@...> wrote: > >> >> >> >> >> >> Hey Donna, I just got back from PT and since last week I have progressed from >> ROM 92 to 102 today. I was so happy. I asked about why I had regressed last >> week and he gave a number of reasons from over exertion, to the weather, to >> swelling. I asked what would be a realistic goal for me in terms of ROM and he >> said that they are pleased with anything from 105-115. I told him that some >> people in this forum have had as high as 135 and he said that was not common >> at all. I did not get measured before my surgery ( or at least I don't know my >> numbers). I started PT the day after my surgery in the hospital and then began >> outpatient PT the day after I got home from the hospital (day 4). I never went >> to rehab although I understand that many people go there before going home. My >> doctor told me that I would be walking from the gurney to my hospital bed >> after recovery and that is exactly what I did with someone on each arm. 4 >> hours later I had to get up and walk across the room because the sheets needed >> to be changed. I used the walker. It was a bit of a blur, but I do remember >> doing it. Isn't it astounding how we all have such different experiences. >> >> As far as pain in one specific area, I had what I thought was sciatica , but >> now I think it was due to standing or sitting in one place for too long. I had >> to keep moving to keep the pain at bay. >> Be well, >> >> Re: I found out.... >> >> , >> >> I have never heard that observation. It seems odd...isn't our range of motion >> impacted by the injury and that's why we have surgery? I can understand that >> some are, naturally or through training, more flexible than others and that >> will should help in recovery. Might be a good question for your physical >> therapist. I don't even remember having my ROM measured before surgery. Do >> you? >> >> Are you having severe pain in any one area? I did behind one knee. That turned >> out to be scar tissue, which my therapist dealt with. Another man from this >> group who had surgery the same week I did was recovering beautifully, racing >> past me (yep, I was comparing -- the no-no). Then his numbers dropped and >> stayed there. He also had scar tissue, and by the time they identified it, he >> had to go back to the hospital to break it up. Though they say it is not a big >> deal. He felt better immediately, returning to his PT program and complete >> recovery. >> >> Wish I had more to offer, but I only have my own experience. I do have to >> wonder why you regressed and are now stuck. Are you getting regular and >> consistent therapy? If I had reached a number and regressed, I'd be grilling >> the doc and PT. >> >> Warm regards, >> >> Donna >> >> >>>> > > >>>> > > >>>> > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought >>>> > > the whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, >>>> > > not all the time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut >>>> > > though and think that is where a lot of my problem is. >>>> > > >>>> > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ >>>> > > weeks out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it >>>> > > more mobile. Anyone? dash >>>> > > >>>> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>> > > >>>> > > >>> > >>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> > >>> > ------------------------------------ >>> > >>> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I started out at 8, never got better than 2. Re: I found out.... >> >> , >> >> I have never heard that observation. It seems odd...isn't our range of motion >> impacted by the injury and that's why we have surgery? I can understand that >> some are, naturally or through training, more flexible than others and that >> will should help in recovery. Might be a good question for your physical >> therapist. I don't even remember having my ROM measured before surgery. Do >> you? >> >> Are you having severe pain in any one area? I did behind one knee. That turned >> out to be scar tissue, which my therapist dealt with. Another man from this >> group who had surgery the same week I did was recovering beautifully, racing >> past me (yep, I was comparing -- the no-no). Then his numbers dropped and >> stayed there. He also had scar tissue, and by the time they identified it, he >> had to go back to the hospital to break it up. Though they say it is not a big >> deal. He felt better immediately, returning to his PT program and complete >> recovery. >> >> Wish I had more to offer, but I only have my own experience. I do have to >> wonder why you regressed and are now stuck. Are you getting regular and >> consistent therapy? If I had reached a number and regressed, I'd be grilling >> the doc and PT. >> >> Warm regards, >> >> Donna >> >> >>>> > > >>>> > > >>>> > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought >>>> > > the whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, >>>> > > not all the time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut >>>> > > though and think that is where a lot of my problem is. >>>> > > >>>> > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ >>>> > > weeks out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it >>>> > > more mobile. Anyone? dash >>>> > > >>>> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>> > > >>>> > > >>> > >>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> > >>> > ------------------------------------ >>> > >>> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 Yes I got measured for both. And I¹m still having trouble getting the left leg flat. My OS said not to worry it would get where it needed to be by regular daily activities. But I noticed the other day that it seems to be getting worse. So worry or not I¹d better get on back to a the stretches for extension. Congrats on doing so well!!!!!!!! Jackie On 1/7/10 7:27 PM, " Donna Rae " <rae900@...> wrote: > > This is such an interesting conversation. I remember not being measured for a > long time during PT. I thought he didn't want to depress me. When he finally > measured me with his ruler, I was 120 ROM. He said that was good and I had > read here enough that I thought it was pretty good too. He said they aimed > for 110. SOoooo.... I thought I was ahead of the game. Then he measured my > leg with it flat! I was at 7, out of 1-10. He said he could get it to 4 but > we had to work on it. I had never thought about how flat your leg could be. > > Do they measure any of you for that.? I never hear about it. Anyway, I had > significant problems while the PT tried to work with me to flatten my leg > out. He said once we got it there, we didn't have to worry. And we had 3 > months to do it! > > He did get it flatten before I was done. But I went through some painful > sessions. I only say all this because I don't hear anyone talking about it > here, I don't think. > > Donna R > <snip long thread> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 Thank you Donna. It is so reassuring to know that things will continue to slowly get better, with the knees. I am also slowly getting better with the sinus infection. I will take my antibiotics religiously and hope that I have avoided any problem that might cause with my knee. My worst fear was a sinus infection after surgery, and behold I had one before and during the doctor thinks....now. So maybe my fears have been faced already, ever so reluctantly. This group is great, to help those of us starting the journey, to know how the journey goes, and to be able to realize that we are doing ok.......Thanks so much....dash Re: I found out.... Dash, you are so welcome. Yes, the weather makes a difference. Sometimes I think it is the changes in the barometer and not necessarily the temps. But that is not a scientific observation but a gut feeling. I'm in SW Pennsylvania, where it has snowed every day for a week. I'm inn- and dog-sitting for a friend's B & B and have been down with a cold and roasting in front of the fireplaces night and day. (I'm starting to think I have a sinus infection too...what a pain that must be during recovery). I am feeling less pain, think I have adjusted to the snow and cold. But a storm is predicted today. It will be interesting to see if the change affects me. Keep up with the antibiotics. Infection is risky during recovery. I had to take antibioticss before every dental appointment for two years after surgery. Repeat after me: " I am NOT a wuss. " :-) When I was plagued with doubts, I came running to the group. Ten weeks post-op is still early, early, early in the game. Now I know that, but then I worried. It is natural to start comparing your progress with someone else's who had a surgery date close to your own. Being back here has unclogged my memory a bit. I remember now somethig one person wrote that really helped me:No matter how much progress differs among patients early on, barring complications, all are at the same place after one year. I held onto that on days I regressed. Warm regards, Donna > > > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought the whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, not all the time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut though and think that is where a lot of my problem is. > > > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ weeks out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it more mobile. Anyone? dash > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 My PT has never measured me for how flattened or straight my leg is. I will ask him about this at my next appt. and get back to you on this. Re: I found out.... >> >> , >> >> I have never heard that observation. It seems odd...isn't our range of motion >> impacted by the injury and that's why we have surgery? I can understand that >> some are, naturally or through training, more flexible than others and that >> will should help in recovery. Might be a good question for your physical >> therapist. I don't even remember having my ROM measured before surgery. Do >> you? >> >> Are you having severe pain in any one area? I did behind one knee. That turned >> out to be scar tissue, which my therapist dealt with. Another man from this >> group who had surgery the same week I did was recovering beautifully, racing >> past me (yep, I was comparing -- the no-no). Then his numbers dropped and >> stayed there. He also had scar tissue, and by the time they identified it, he >> had to go back to the hospital to break it up. Though they say it is not a big >> deal. He felt better immediately, returning to his PT program and complete >> recovery. >> >> Wish I had more to offer, but I only have my own experience. I do have to >> wonder why you regressed and are now stuck. Are you getting regular and >> consistent therapy? If I had reached a number and regressed, I'd be grilling >> the doc and PT. >> >> Warm regards, >> >> Donna >> >> >>>> > > >>>> > > >>>> > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought >>>> > > the whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, >>>> > > not all the time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut >>>> > > though and think that is where a lot of my problem is. >>>> > > >>>> > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ >>>> > > weeks out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it >>>> > > more mobile. Anyone? dash >>>> > > >>>> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>> > > >>>> > > >>> > >>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> > >>> > ------------------------------------ >>> > >>> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 Dash, I encourage you try the neti pot daily. I swear it works for sinusitits. I suffered for 30 years with ongoing sinus infecitons and this is the one thing that really made a huge difference. Re: I found out.... Dash, you are so welcome. Yes, the weather makes a difference. Sometimes I think it is the changes in the barometer and not necessarily the temps. But that is not a scientific observation but a gut feeling. I'm in SW Pennsylvania, where it has snowed every day for a week. I'm inn- and dog-sitting for a friend's B & B and have been down with a cold and roasting in front of the fireplaces night and day. (I'm starting to think I have a sinus infection too...what a pain that must be during recovery). I am feeling less pain, think I have adjusted to the snow and cold. But a storm is predicted today. It will be interesting to see if the change affects me. Keep up with the antibiotics. Infection is risky during recovery. I had to take antibioticss before every dental appointment for two years after surgery. Repeat after me: " I am NOT a wuss. " :-) When I was plagued with doubts, I came running to the group. Ten weeks post-op is still early, early, early in the game. Now I know that, but then I worried. It is natural to start comparing your progress with someone else's who had a surgery date close to your own. Being back here has unclogged my memory a bit. I remember now somethig one person wrote that really helped me:No matter how much progress differs among patients early on, barring complications, all are at the same place after one year. I held onto that on days I regressed. Warm regards, Donna > > > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought the whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, not all the time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut though and think that is where a lot of my problem is. > > > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ weeks out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it more mobile. Anyone? dash > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 I had a piece of bone lodged under my knee cap apparently left from the original injury 40 years ago playing softball. I could never straighten my leg out from having the bone under my knee cap. It also bowed considerably as time went on. One of the great benefits to my TKR is that my leg is now perfectly straight.....I am at 0 degrees and have been since the surgery. I have 120 on the ROM. It is now 3 1/2 months since the surgery and the swelling and stiffness is starting to leave....although very slowly. Life is good!! Dorie Madsen TKR 9/22/09 Re: Re: I found out.... My PT has never measured me for how flattened or straight my leg is. I will ask him about this at my next appt. and get back to you on this. Re: I found out.... >> >> , >> >> I have never heard that observation. It seems odd...isn't our range of motion >> impacted by the injury and that's why we have surgery? I can understand that >> some are, naturally or through training, more flexible than others and that >> will should help in recovery. Might be a good question for your physical >> therapist. I don't even remember having my ROM measured before surgery. Do >> you? >> >> Are you having severe pain in any one area? I did behind one knee. That turned >> out to be scar tissue, which my therapist dealt with. Another man from this >> group who had surgery the same week I did was recovering beautifully, racing >> past me (yep, I was comparing -- the no-no). Then his numbers dropped and >> stayed there. He also had scar tissue, and by the time they identified it, he >> had to go back to the hospital to break it up. Though they say it is not a big >> deal. He felt better immediately, returning to his PT program and complete >> recovery. >> >> Wish I had more to offer, but I only have my own experience. I do have to >> wonder why you regressed and are now stuck. Are you getting regular and >> consistent therapy? If I had reached a number and regressed, I'd be grilling >> the doc and PT. >> >> Warm regards, >> >> Donna >> >> >>>> > > >>>> > > >>>> > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought >>>> > > the whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, >>>> > > not all the time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut >>>> > > though and think that is where a lot of my problem is. >>>> > > >>>> > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ >>>> > > weeks out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it >>>> > > more mobile. Anyone? dash >>>> > > >>>> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>> > > >>>> > > >>> > >>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> > >>> > ------------------------------------ >>> > >>> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 It is so great to hear this good news from you, Dorie! How are the dogs doing? Jackie On 1/8/10 10:13 AM, " TrainedYorkie@... " <TrainedYorkie@...> wrote: > > > > > > I had a piece of bone lodged under my knee cap apparently left from the > original injury 40 years ago playing softball. I could never straighten > my leg out from having the bone under my knee cap. It also bowed > considerably as time went on. One of the great benefits to my TKR is > that my leg is now perfectly straight.....I am at 0 degrees and have > been since the surgery. I have 120 on the ROM. It is now 3 1/2 months > since the surgery and the swelling and stiffness is starting to > leave....although very slowly. Life is good!! > > Dorie Madsen > TKR 9/22/09 > > <snip long thread> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 Donna, Measuring for extension has been part of PT for me all along, as I had contractures bilaterally prior to surgery. Right now, just shy of six months post-surgery, I've gone from greater than -45 degrees to essentially full extension on my left knee, and greater than -25 degrees to -8 degrees on the right (it's been two weeks since we've measured extension, but it feels like I've made gains on the right). I wasn't formally measured for severity of contractures prior to surgery. However, my OS office staff " eyeballed " the contractures and wrote down the approximations of > -45 degrees on the left and > -25 on the right. It feels so good being able to get as much extension as I am. Simple things like standing at the counter cutting veggies or taking a shower without fear of my knees buckling under me (let alone the excruciating pain) is great. Do they measure any of you for that.? I never hear about it. Anyway, I had significant problems while the PT tried to work with me to flatten my leg out. He said once we got it there, we didn't have to worry. And we had 3 months to do it! > > He did get it flatten before I was done. But I went through some painful sessions. I only say all this because I don't hear anyone talking about it here, I don't think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 Hi Jackie All the dogs are fine. I did get out to train Colby ( Papillon) this morning. He was in his glory....He loves to train, and he is so much fun. Right after my surgery I parked myself 24/7 on couch in the living room. Colby sat by my side and just never left. One day I was in quite a bit of pain and he seemed to realize it. He kept wanting to be very close to me and also would put his foot on me...He's such a sweetie. How are your dogs doing? Dorie Re: Re: I found out.... It is so great to hear this good news from you, Dorie! How are the dogs doing? Jackie On 1/8/10 10:13 AM, " TrainedYorkie@... " <TrainedYorkie@...> wrote: > > > > > > I had a piece of bone lodged under my knee cap apparently left from the > original injury 40 years ago playing softball. I could never straighten > my leg out from having the bone under my knee cap. It also bowed > considerably as time went on. One of the great benefits to my TKR is > that my leg is now perfectly straight.....I am at 0 degrees and have > been since the surgery. I have 120 on the ROM. It is now 3 1/2 months > since the surgery and the swelling and stiffness is starting to > leave....although very slowly. Life is good!! > > Dorie Madsen > TKR 9/22/09 > > <snip long thread> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 I am resending this to see if it will go through. Problems problems, computer problems! Donna R Re: I found out.... Hi, well I move it back and forth and I also stretch it and I try and walk, but it really likes to be stiff. I also rub the heck out of it... I don't know what else to do. Sometimes I still ice it.... Doc says I don' t need my other knee done for a few years now. I don't know.........maybe getting them both done at close intervals would be best..... do tons of therapy and get it done. I am 67 and this is hard. I have 15 steps to do several times daily, up and down, and am working on doing them " normally " . However not much is normal yet. I guess my biggest problem is with the expectations I had and my husband had. We thought from what everyone told us, it was going to be a breeze. NOT!!!!!!!! Thanks for you answer and others too that answered. Makes me feel pretty " normal " even though we are all different. At least I have an idea now that it really does take time and I am right in the middle of that and am " normal " . Thanks everyone......dash Re: I found out.... Hi Dash, I still have stiffness, and pain too. I had my first knee done on March 19 and the second on September 1, both of 2009. I can do tons of things < including normal activities, stationary bikes, elliptical, walking at a decent pace, and using weight machines. But I still have trouble with going down stairs and getting up and down from low chairs and am not pressing as much weight on the leg press as before surgery .. I�m working on strengthening my quads and more general stretching to help with this. But friends/family who have had this done say it just takes a long time. My sister, my heroine in this area and others, had both knees done 4 years ago. She says it was a year to 18 months before everything was back to normal. I�m giving my first knee a break because it did such a fabulous job of rehabbing while the other was unable to carry the load until it too was replaced. As long as I�m making progress I feel fine about things. I get frustrated because my progress was so fast at first and now it�s slower. I think that�s fine though < forward trajectory is all I�m really concerned about. I�ve left off going to acupuncture due to holiday interruption but plan to get back to that as it was very helpful with both stiffness and pain. What do you do to get your knee more mobile when it stiffens up? Best, Jackie On 1/6/10 9:07 AM, " dash " <dash4@...> wrote: > > > > > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought the > whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, not all the > time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut though and think > that is where a lot of my problem is. > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ weeks > out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it more mobile. > Anyone? dash > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Hi, I am wondering when one can do steps normally. I am doing the steps like you say, but I am wondering if I can start doing them " normally " . PT said it is ok, but it doesn't seem to work well. I am ok, not a big deal but am just wondering ..... how others do it.......thanks dash Re: I found out.... Hi Dash, I still have stiffness, and pain too. I had my first knee done on March 19 and the second on September 1, both of 2009. I can do tons of things < including normal activities, stationary bikes, elliptical, walking at a decent pace, and using weight machines. But I still have trouble with going down stairs and getting up and down from low chairs and am not pressing as much weight on the leg press as before surgery .. I�m working on strengthening my quads and more general stretching to help with this. But friends/family who have had this done say it just takes a long time. My sister, my heroine in this area and others, had both knees done 4 years ago. She says it was a year to 18 months before everything was back to normal. I�m giving my first knee a break because it did such a fabulous job of rehabbing while the other was unable to carry the load until it too was replaced. As long as I�m making progress I feel fine about things. I get frustrated because my progress was so fast at first and now it�s slower. I think that�s fine though < forward trajectory is all I�m really concerned about. I�ve left off going to acupuncture due to holiday interruption but plan to get back to that as it was very helpful with both stiffness and pain. What do you do to get your knee more mobile when it stiffens up? Best, Jackie On 1/6/10 9:07 AM, " dash " <dash4@...> wrote: > > > > > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought the > whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, not all the > time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut though and think > that is where a lot of my problem is. > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ weeks > out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it more mobile. > Anyone? dash > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Hi Dash, I realize this is not going to be a big help but I did them " normally " when it felt ok, probably about 10 - 12 weeks out or so, maybe a bit more. I tried it each day once I was walking ok until it felt right. Again, every body is going to be different in healing. Jeff ________________________________ From: dash <dash4@...> Joint Replacement Sent: Thu, January 14, 2010 10:58:57 AM Subject: Re: Re: I found out.... Hi, I am wondering when one can do steps normally. I am doing the steps like you say, but I am wondering if I can start doing them " normally " . PT said it is ok, but it doesn't seem to work well. I am ok, not a big deal but am just wondering ..... how others do it.......thanks dash Re: I found out.... Hi Dash, I still have stiffness, and pain too. I had my first knee done on March 19 and the second on September 1, both of 2009. I can do tons of things < including normal activities, stationary bikes, elliptical, walking at a decent pace, and using weight machines. But I still have trouble with going down stairs and getting up and down from low chairs and am not pressing as much weight on the leg press as before surgery .. I�m working on strengthening my quads and more general stretching to help with this. But friends/family who have had this done say it just takes a long time. My sister, my heroine in this area and others, had both knees done 4 years ago. She says it was a year to 18 months before everything was back to normal. I�m giving my first knee a break because it did such a fabulous job of rehabbing while the other was unable to carry the load until it too was replaced. As long as I�m making progress I feel fine about things. I get frustrated because my progress was so fast at first and now it�s slower. I think that�s fine though < forward trajectory is all I�m really concerned about. I�ve left off going to acupuncture due to holiday interruption but plan to get back to that as it was very helpful with both stiffness and pain. What do you do to get your knee more mobile when it stiffens up? Best, Jackie On 1/6/10 9:07 AM, " dash " <dash4@...> wrote: > > > > > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought the > whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, not all the > time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut though and think > that is where a lot of my problem is. > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ weeks > out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it more mobile. > Anyone? dash > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Hi, I have been practicing doing a few at a time. I have 15 steps to go up and down here and I do most of them the one leg at a time way, but then I do a few of them using my new knee. It is just a lot of getting used to it, I think, and trusting that knee. dash Re: I found out.... Hi Dash, I still have stiffness, and pain too. I had my first knee done on March 19 and the second on September 1, both of 2009. I can do tons of things < including normal activities, stationary bikes, elliptical, walking at a decent pace, and using weight machines. But I still have trouble with going down stairs and getting up and down from low chairs and am not pressing as much weight on the leg press as before surgery .. I�m working on strengthening my quads and more general stretching to help with this. But friends/family who have had this done say it just takes a long time. My sister, my heroine in this area and others, had both knees done 4 years ago. She says it was a year to 18 months before everything was back to normal. I�m giving my first knee a break because it did such a fabulous job of rehabbing while the other was unable to carry the load until it too was replaced. As long as I�m making progress I feel fine about things. I get frustrated because my progress was so fast at first and now it�s slower. I think that�s fine though < forward trajectory is all I�m really concerned about. I�ve left off going to acupuncture due to holiday interruption but plan to get back to that as it was very helpful with both stiffness and pain. What do you do to get your knee more mobile when it stiffens up? Best, Jackie On 1/6/10 9:07 AM, " dash " <dash4@...> wrote: > > > > > > that knee replacement is not for sissies, and I am a wuss. I thought the > whole thing was pretty awful and I am still in pain, (at times, not all the > time) about 10+ weeks out of surgery. I had a tendon cut though and think > that is where a lot of my problem is. > > I am wondering if people have stiffness in the knee for as long as 10+ weeks > out? Mine gets stiff and I have to really work at it to get it more mobile. > Anyone? dash > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 I¹m still struggling going down stairs....with my last knee done on Sept 1. Now I have times when I find myself walking naturally for a few steps. But mostly it is awkward and it hurts. Doc and PT they just say it takes time and counsel patience. I realize that requires the ability to bend the knee while carrying all of my weight and I don¹t have that much strength -- yet! I have found that going on longer walks and incorporating hills is helping. Jackie On 1/14/10 9:20 AM, " dash " <dash4@...> wrote: > > > > > > Hi, I have been practicing doing a few at a time. I have 15 steps to go up > and down here and I do most of them the one leg at a time way, but then I do a > few of them using my new knee. It is just a lot of getting used to it, I > think, and trusting that knee. dash > Re: Re: I found out.... > > <snip long thread> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Sounds like me...... and you have 6 weeks on me, so I am going to try and relax about it.......thanks...dash Re: Re: I found out.... > > <snip long thread> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Hi Dash and Jackie I had my TKR 9/22. I walk fine. I can even walk quite briskly, but I am still a bit stiff and swollen. I have noticed that steps are quite a bit easier than they were, but I still feel stretching in my knee on the steps...down is worse than up. Either direction, I always make my knee work the steps. Dorie Madsen Re: I found out.... Sounds like me...... and you have 6 weeks on me, so I am going to try and relax about it.......thanks...dash Re: Re: I found out.... > > <snip long thread> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 You are only a couple weeks further out than me. I had that tendon cut, and I think that is what is making me hurt.......it is on that side. The surgeon said that it would hurt about 6 months, so I guess I am expecting too much. Glad to know about all the success stories and good news from those recovering well. My swelling seems to be down, but the stiffness is still present........and moving the knee a lot seems to help with that. dash Re: Re: I found out.... > > <snip long thread> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2010 Report Share Posted January 14, 2010 Have you noticed that it's harder to go down ramps? I can go up them just fine, but still have a bit of difficulty going down. I find I have to turn my foot slightly to the right or left to be comfortable. However, the other day I found myself going up and down stairs just like a normal person! I was thrilled! RTKR-9/16/09 Re: Re: I found out.... > > <snip long thread> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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