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How stable do you feel with your new knee?

Posted , 9 users are following.

janet59360
janet59360

Hello All.    I would just like to hear of your experiences.   I am 8 months after my TKR  Op. and  at last am rejoicing in being able to walk confidently outside, without any aids. and feeling relatively pain free - bliss after months of agonising pain.  I am definitely coming out on the other side.   However, much as I am desperate to have a long soak in a bathtub, a thing of the past.  Try to get down on the floor wondering if I would ever be able to get up, and lastly run for a bus!!!   I have just lost my confidence and am cautious about doing any of them.   If I was stuck in the bath assuming my knee would not take the weight, there is no one at home to help me out.   How are you all fairing out there ?

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • arlene94040
    arlene94040 janet59360

    Posted

    Hi Janet

    I am 9 months out. Much better than it was but I still wake up with pain and stiffness.My other knee is bad so that may be the reason. As far as bathing, which I love, I have been doing that for quite sometime now. I fold up a thick hand towel and lean on the un operated knee and lift up with the good knee. Try doing this in a mat with a friend to be there. That’s what I did with pt person. Once you do that you won’t be afraid . As far as running for a bus, I would pass on that. Get there on time, it will be a lot easier lol. Good luck to you and I am glad you’re progressing so well

    • janet59360
      janet59360 arlene94040

      Posted

      Hi Arlene, thanks for your comments.  I will try  getting down on the floor (which I haven't done for a long time even before the OP) when someone else is here - its a start.  I am actually pleased with my knee after 8 months, but like you still experience a stiffness, epecially when I have been sitting down for a while.  All the best, Janet.

  • MiXCSkier
    MiXCSkier janet59360

    Posted

    I for one certainly am hoping I'll be able to do those things once I'm healed. I'm eager to hear from others. Anyone jogging, hiking, running to the bus?

    • janet59360
      janet59360 MiXCSkier

      Posted

      Thanks - we can certainly iive in hope of better days to cone.  regards.
  • brent77382
    brent77382 janet59360

    Posted

    Hi Janet,I’m seven months on now,been back at work two months,play golf 2-3 times a week,walk the dog over the fields for miles,my new knee is far more stable the my other knee which will need a TKR at some stage as well.My knee is pretty much pain free maybe feels stiff first thing but that nothing really as for a bath I cannot see any reason why your knee won’t support you,just lower yourself in gently and take it easy getting out a lot is in the mind with a TKR but I can reassure you it’s the best decision I made to get it done and I have no doubts at all about getting my second TKR for me it a new lease of life.
    • janet59360
      janet59360 brent77382

      Posted

      Hi Brent, you seem to be very active at 7 months, especially returning to work, OK if you have a sitting job.  I know I am being over cautious about the bath, I'll give it  a go.   Hope your second TKR goes as well as the first one.  ....Just read your second post, I know running seems a bit ambitious but it would only be a few yards to catch a bus when needed.   I am also very nervous of kneeling as it seems pretty painful to me  All the  best.

  • brent77382
    brent77382 janet59360

    Posted

    One more thing Janet,running’s a no no in my book far to risky in my book,only thing I cannot do is kneel on it, maybe in time but I cannot see it.
  • kathylake
    kathylake janet59360

    Posted

    Janet, I had two TKRs three months apart. At 8 months I could kneel briefly outside,so I tried a bath. I used a folded towel under the kneeling knee and used the other leg to get up. I did have a safety net, I took my phone with me and husband in house to call is I needed help. I would try getting up from floor first before tub. Just how crazy recovery is I cannot kneel on the 11 month knee, it swells and bruises. Good luck
  • johnny17592
    johnny17592 janet59360

    Posted

    Hi Janet

    18 months POST TKR I tried to kneel down a few times but it doesn't feel right otherwise I feel great no more pain arthritis etc can get around do everyday things without any pain or restrictions hope you can to..

    • janet59360
      janet59360 johnny17592

      Posted

      Congratulations on doing so well and feeling great.  It does work well for a lot of people, kneeling seems to be a big problem at the moment.  Keep up the good recovery - Regards Janet
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX janet59360

    Posted

    Have you done all the work necessary to rebuild your atrophied quads, glues and core?  I don't mean walking or biking...I mean real strength work...a total muscle rebuild?  If not, all the pressure of daily life is on the new knee joint instead of on the muscles where it really belongs.  This leads to instability, balance problems and the lack of strength to do stairs properly (up and down with alternating legs without holding onto anything).

    Here's the program...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527

    After the ROM work, this is the major obstacle to a full recovery.  Have to rebuild all those muscles.  At 14 months, I was going up stairs two at a time.  Gotta max out those quads!!!  Oh...the other benefit is that it helps extend your ROM.  I finished PT at -1 / +123...now I'm at 0 / +133.  Gotta do the exercise program...

     

    • janet59360
      janet59360 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

       Thanks Chico you always give good advice.  I am not exactly a gym bunny, but I guess I must get back to exercising again which I have let lapse.  I will get there in the end we have to work at it !      Janet.
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX janet59360

      Posted

      A $25 set of fitness bands of different resistances plus all the door stops, hooks, hand and ankle cuffs, etc. can do a lot of good without needing a gym.  Remember, it's all about the muscle rebuild...

  • 1955linda
    1955linda janet59360

    Posted

    Hi Janet, I'm 13 weeks into Right TKR and like you I love a bath. I managed my first one at 9 weeks and it was not pretty but I got in. Getting out took some doing but I have found that emptying the bath and putting a towel in to stand up on is good. You have to have confidence that your knee will not let you down. It's much better than your old one. It's not easy and takes courage to do it, but so worth it. Make sure you have a phone to hand as well.

    Good luck smile

    • janet59360
      janet59360 1955linda

      Posted

      Thanks Linda.   I think my nervousness about getting out of the bath stems from the  fact that my bed-bound husband relies on me completely to look after him and if I damaged myself and got laid up we would be a great deal of trouble.   That is what makes me so cautious.  You were very brave to try it at 9 weeks, I know I will get there in the end.  Best regards, Janet
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