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25 days post TKR, how much walking should I be doing/able to do?

Posted , 13 users are following.

terise78
terise78

So I realize everyone's journey is different, but after scouring websites and listening to my physical therapist, the consensus seems to be I should be walking several blocks with no walking aids at this point. And after 4 weeks I should be walking a half mile. I use a cane everywhere I go, which at this point is a very short walk to the mailbox each day and to PT twice a week. Yes I walk around my 900 square foot apartment, and I do have 15 stairs to climb going in and out of my 2nd floor apartment. But there is no way I could do a block, let alone a half mile. After showering, getting dressed, putting shoes on, going down the stairs, walking out to the mailbox, back up the stairs and taking off my shoes, I'm literally exhausted. I grab my ice pack and collapse on the couch with my feet up as high as possible. After 30 minutes I get up from the couch and my knee is so stiff I can barely move. 

I'm faithfullly doing my prescibed PT home exercises twice a day. I elevate my feet above my nose at least twice a day, apply ice at least 4-5 times a day for 30 minutes and slowly weening off pain meds. If I try to walk without my cane I'm still limping. My knee is so stiff it takes me 5 minutes to get out of bed in the morning.

I'd love to hear about everyone's experiences with timeframes on being able to walk with no aids and distances.

0 likes, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 terise78

    Posted

    Gosh, at three weeks I could manage a ten minute walk, with two crutches! I decided I wanted to lessen the pressure on the joint and my physio encouraged use of two crutches to ensure no bad gait habits. I neverI limped once. My quads didnt come into action for several weeks so keeping the support was helpful and important in my case i think. It certainly reduced pain and pressure. It was stressed to me that range of motion was more important than walking in the early weeks. Until muscles supporting the joint have improved. Gradually I increased my walking but always with two crutches and then walking poles, apart from in the house, where I did start to come off supports gradually at around six weeks.
  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 terise78

    Posted

    You are doing BRILLIANTLY! YOU ARE A STAR! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 terise78

    Posted

    I forgot to add the day finished for me at one in the afternoon. After all the morning activity! 😀😁😂😃😄😅

  • martinarvelo
    martinarvelo terise78

    Posted

    How much walking you should be able to do is a very personal thing.  I wonder how much you were walking before the operation . . In my case, not much at all.  By six weeks I was walking about 2 kms a day, but still using sticks, as my surgeon said to use them for the full six weeks, and concentrate on getting the walking movement right, after a long time walking with no bend at all . . Please don't worry about the expectations of PT's and doctors.  You are an individual with individual problems and strengths. Just keep doing what is comfortable, and a little bit more, and you'll be fine. 

    • terise78
      terise78 martinarvelo

      Posted

      You are so right. I was not doing ANY walking for a good year prior to surgery. I couldn't even walk around the grocery store. Had to use an electric cart. The bone on bone pain wouldn't allow me to do much of anything except gain weight. (Haha). So it'll be some time before I'm able to get much further than around the block.

    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo terise78

      Posted

      I think often pt's forget this point!  One is not only recovering from a TKR, but also from a long period of relative inactivity becaue of the wonky knee!  Muscles, as we know, disappear almost overnight when they are not used, but unfortunately, they don't come back so quickly or easily!  i always envy cats.  they sleep for about 23 hours a day, get up, stretch, and they have perfect muscle structure!

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX martinarvelo

      Posted

      Agreed.  Before the op, we avoid activity because of the pain instead of building muscle strength to get us past the recovery.  I guess it's only human to want to avoid the pain...but we do unconsciously change our gait to avoid it.  Then we screw up our hips and backs leading to more crap like sciatica.  Can't win pre-op...just have to get past it and become stronger afterward.

  • martinarvelo
    martinarvelo terise78

    Posted

    Oh, and by the way I said I was doing 2 kms at six weeks, which is true, because I had miscalculated and thought I was only doing one kilimetre.  I wondered why it took me so long!  anyway, when I went back for the six week appointment with the surgeon he said it was too much, and to reduce it!  Being lazy by nature, i did as I was told!

     

  • clive45466
    clive45466 terise78

    Posted

    HI

    As many keep saying we are all different, you need to do as much as you can. You should not compare to others.

    I did little exercise for 6 weeks as the pain was too much. 6 - 12 still pain but not as bad. Started on my bike around 9 weeks more often ( at 6 weeks more difficult on the bike as my bend was not really enough)I iced all the time except when I was in a hot bath.

    You do need to walk correctly, walking towards a mirror might help.

    My bend now 11 months on is around 115 and straight as my other leg, which it was not for over 20 years.

    Good healing

  • RangerJack
    RangerJack terise78

    Posted

    Just celebrated my sixth month new knee anniversary. At 67 yo, I have been blessed to have achieved a very positive result. There are many

    variables at play for recovery. How was your stamina prior to surgery, your pain tolerance? Do you enjoy exercising? How is your weight? Post surgery rehab is very strenous and tests your mental and physical resolve. I suggest pushing yourself a little more each day. Daily stationary biking, swiming, and walking were key for me. Other considerations are: proper nutrition, rest, and a positive can-do attitude help as well. Best wishes and the Lord's blessings on your journey to full health.

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