Pool walking

I'm starting a therapy pool next week but from experience with my hip replacement, the pool is FANTASTIC!!!  You can do all the exercises without them being weight bearing.  Rehabbed the hip in six weeks (6 days a week, five hours a day in a therapy pool and gym).  But don't expect that time frame with the knee.  This is a looooong recovery.  Push the knee and it swells.  The pool will be great.

Hi Jen...you are a brave soldier....no I don't have access to a pool but will check out places where I may get some treatment with water.

It sounds as though you are doing very well.  When I hear about a double TKR, I can't imagine both my knees feeling the way my one knee feels now.

Happy healing,

Marilyn

 

Hi Jen, I am 8 weeks po from RTKR and wasn't aware that the pool is an option. I will definitely ask about it.  Can I ask you if there was any difference when you had the second knee replaced? Was it easier, worse or the same?  My first 2 1/2 weeks were awful. Even with that behind me I am going to ask my doctor if I can have the left one done soon. That way, hopefully, I can recover and be done with surgeries this year instead of dragging them out.  

Betty

I found the pool very helpful. Not only is it great for learning to walk normal, I would get out in the deep end and tread warer, moving my legs like I was on a bicycle. I didn't find swimming laps as helpful, as some of those movements were a bit painful. But it's such a nice change of routine.

I too am a lover of the pool! I would strongly suggest using a floatation belt and working in the deep end. Bicycle movements,climb the big stairs, act like you're sitting in a chair and do knee extensions.  Keep your foot position in mind too, do some with toes pointed and others with toes up.  Another more complicated move (warning may cause pain) is from the sit position do circles from the knee like you're stirring. Overall concentrate on what would be "normal" movements on land.  You're definitely getting after your recovery - You go girl!

Hi folks

Im a member of a gym and theres a pool around 1 metre deep. I walk,forwards and backwards,long strides and float on my back and use my legs in a cycling movement. Do some lengths of the pool swimming but ONLY crawl,not breast stroke. Read somewehere you shouldnt. Course,you can do breast stroke but arms only. I think its good for you. Ive a book about TKR and it reccomends pool therapy. Whole chapter devoted to it.

Yes, pool walking is the best exercise for knees and hips. I am a certified water aerobics instructor. I had 2 hip replacements and now my left knee is hurting . I have had injection 1 a week for 5 weeks a year ago. I cannot walk outside but the water walking really helps me physically and mentally. Listen to music also helps walking in the pool more enjoyable. Hope this advice helps!