Exercise after TKR
Posted , 6 users are following.
So, I'm 5 months post op from a TKR on my right knee and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on an exercise regimen? I'm starting to gain weight because I'm not as active as I was before surgery and summer time is right around the corner. I'm healing slower then the average patient because I've had multiple surgeries on the leg before finally having a TKR and the knee is still very painful. It's starting to become very depressing.
0 likes, 13 replies
CHICO_MARX Wicca1971
Posted
This to extend your ROM work at home...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053
This is the required exercise program to rebuild your atrophied quads, glutes and core...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527
This will get you to master stairs...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/mastering-post-tkr-stairs-552728
The whole thing takes a year...count on it... PS: Click my name and then "See All Discussions"...plenty more out there...even depression...
diane2018 CHICO_MARX
Posted
CHICO_MARX diane2018
Posted
I got tired of writing the same stuff over and over again so I put all my thoughts into 28 or so posts...now I just send the links... This is for your fridge...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038
Wicca1971 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Thanks for all the great info Chico. I've been doing all the above excercises that you mentioned at home and building strength slowly. My problem is that I need to do some type of cardio to loose weight and I can't because of the damn knee. I work as a vetrinary technician and get most of my workouts at work. Lifting and wrangling animals all day. Doesn't seem like a work out, but it really is. Unfortunately, I can't do the same work just yet. It's too dangerous for my knee and the animals so the pounds are starting to pile up. Do you know of any good cardio excercises that are safe for the knee?
CHICO_MARX Wicca1971
Posted
Elliptical. Good for the knee ROM plus no big weight-bearing issues. Best warm-up for other exercises. Stationary bike is good too which is zero weight-bearing. No treadmill. Check the link above for Post-TKR Exercising. That will rebuild the strength. Can't do that with just bike or elliptical. It will take time...
beryl11857 Wicca1971
Posted
Hi
?I had a knee replacement on the 30 October last year, and it's been hard. Lots of pain and discomfort and I've had days when I've been really down and cried . Just reached the stage where I am sleeping better. Today I did two separate walks, really striding out, each walk lasting approximately thirty minutes. But seem unable to cope with housework. It takes me all my time to shower, do my hair, cook and shop for myself, then feel the overwhelming need to rest.
?I honestly do not think that we lose weight through exercise (according to Dr Michael Mosely), only by cutting down and eating the right sort of food. But, hey, when we're in pain and discomfort sometimes a bar of chocolate or similar gives us a moment of pleasure in a bad day. Could you attend a slimming club? This is the only way that I lose weight.
?We're each given exercises to do by the physiotherapist, and I have been pretty good at doing them. But I sometimes wonder whether they create more pain. Currently, I'm giving them a rest for four or five days to see how my leg reacts, as I do know a lady, 81 years of age, who had two knee replacements done within three months of each other, never did the exercises, and was walking well within six weeks. She said she got enough exercise doing housework and bending down to look after her two cats! She's off on holiday soon to Mongolia!
?My best wishes to you. Things will improve.
?
?We're told to do the exercises we've been
Wicca1971 beryl11857
Posted
Thanks Beryl,
I had my TKR about a month before you and I get the "therapy makes it hurt more". I stopped all excercises for two weeks and the knee feels better but I knew I had to start up again. And your right about wanting the chocolate. I want a lot of chocolate lol. I think swimming is the best bet at this point, low impact and cardio combined. Going to actually look into it tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your story with me and your encouragement.
CHICO_MARX beryl11857
Posted
Eat HEALTHY!!! No or little processed foods. Fresh everything. No soda or diet soda. No artificial sweeteners. Lots of salads, fresh veggies, chicken and fish. Snack on nuts and berries. My daughter, a graduate nutritionist from Rutgers, put me on P L E X U S...lost 57 pounds in 11 months and have kept it off. The stuff makes you lose your cravings for sweets and fast food. No McDonalds, What-a-Burger, etc. Can't even imaging eating that crap anymore. Subway roast chicken with lots of veggies is my treat. Eat Kind bars when you want a snack. Dried cranberries and walnuts. Almonds are the lowest fat nut...eat a handful once a day. Drink LOTS of water!!! You will see the pounds decrease over time... It really works. I used to be an Italian Meatball...
Wicca1971 CHICO_MARX
Posted
CHICO_MARX Wicca1971
Posted
I was not allowed to submerge the knee for six weeks post-op; I've heard other people getting different restrictions. Also, I have no "Y" or therapy pool facilities near me, so that was a non-starter. However, when I had my hip replaced in '09, I started in a therapy pool and gym 10-days post-op. You can really push a hip or shoulder but not a knee...just swells. For the hip, I did 5 hours a day, six days a week, pool and gym. Completely rehabbed in six weeks of effort. The pool was AMAZING!!! I would do that in a heartbeat. Excellent way to get ROM and strength back without weight-bearing complications.
Pair the pool with exercises for quads, glutes and core. Endurance before strength = reps before adding weight. This takes time. Commit to it and you'll be fine. At 14 months, I was climbing stairs two at a time without holding onto anything. And don't forget the balance work. That will be tough until you build up some strength again. Be patient...it all comes in time.
diane2018 CHICO_MARX
Posted
U look great! I'm on Nutrisystem..I know it's not the best but it gives me a kick start
carol01845 Wicca1971
Posted
Hi Wicca1971.
I am nearly 12 months TKR in June this year on my right knee I'm going in for my left knee in the next couple of weeks, I have put weight on for me the excercise I do are lifting my leg so far off my bed holding my leg for 3to5 seconds each time in the morning, afternoon, evening and last thing before going to sleep, I also bought a little pedal machine it's bike pedals you put on the floor it's like pedalling a bike but with no frame I also use a lot of ice packs for swelling or use frozen peas I hope this helps good luck hope all works out well. I'm getting there xxx
clive45466 Wicca1971
Posted
If your pain is under control Chico posted some thing. A free standing bike, non weigh bearing exercise if your knee bend is good enough will help.
We all have our preferences so find one you are willing to do as mine is a bike. I started on a normal bike at 6 weeks, with bike saddle really high as Knee bend was difficult.
Good healing