My knee-replacement thread; comments and suggestions welcome.

Forgive me, for I have sinned. :spank1:

I confess: I did it. I drove to Costco, picked up some fresh Naproxin and aspirin, more chocolate protein drink, and a box of cooked and peeled hard-boiled eggs.

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Then, I went through the ATM to make a deposit, and then to Walmart to pick up an Rx refill, but there were about a dozen people in line, and since I'm not low on it, I left to come back another day.

I took it easy at first in my neighborhood, and had no problem, so I kept going. I drove gently and kept my distance from other traffic. Unlike alcohol, there is no test or threshold or standard.

I had driven with my left foot before the surgery, to make sure I could. I had no problem using my right foot on the gas, nor braking with either foot. I would argue that my driving is not impaired.

As for walking, I used the walker to go down and back up the slope of my front yard, and the cane everywhere else. Shopping carts are excellent to walk with, standing or leaning on my elbows.

When I first stand, like getting out of the car, the knee is tender with weight, but it eases within the first ten or so steps. I can walk upright with an even gait even with only one hand on the cart.

The surgeon told me that I could let the pain level be my restrictions, and I could do as much as I feel able, as long as I maintain balance and don't fall. So, I'm in the walking-with-a-cane stage.

Yes, I know driving wasn't part of the surgeons advice. But, I did it.
 
Larry, you do what you need to do and take precautions as best you can.
I drove myself back and forth to therapy before I was 'released' because my wife was in a rehab facility because of her medical issues.
That was the reason I asked the question of my surgeon in the first place. ;)
It was my only practical choice, but I knew the possible consequences.
Like a lot of living, you weigh the risks, pull the trigger and do what you have to do.
Not that motorcycle riding has any risks involved .... :think1: :biggrin:
 
3 weeks and 2 days post-op today. Had my first outpatient PT today as well. After some stretching and massaging I was able to get to 100° flexion, and without any assist. Got some new exercises to do too. Still stuck at about 104°, or 4° from full extension. I’m walking pretty well around the house without a cane (still using it to walk outside) and can use both legs going up the stairs, but not quite good for going down yet. I’m doing about 1/2 mile around my block every day too.
Regarding driving, so far all I’ve done is back the car out of the garage so I could access some cabinets. I feel like I could drive almost normally, but I think I’ll give it a few more days.
 
wjbertrand said:
I’m walking pretty well around the house without a cane (still using it to walk outside) and can use both legs going up the stairs, but not quite good for going down yet.
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Try walking down the steps backwards. There's no impact and the handrail is closer.

I'll let you know how my first PT goes when I come home after Thursday afternoon.

The therapist in the hospital told me that I shouldn't bother with in-home therapy.

With stretching, I can achieve zero degrees extension and 90 degrees flexion now.

I haven't walked just for walking's sake, but shopping at Costco and Walmart counts.
 
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Sounds to me like you are doing amazingly well, not that I would know as I have never had a parts replacement procedure. Nonetheless it sounds really good to me so good for you and glad to hear it.

Explain to me how these leg degrees of movement are being measured. All of the degree measurements being mentioned don't make sense to me. I could look up to see how they reference the leg/knee measurements I guess but its after midnight here and I don't feel like it. Besides you have to rehabilitate so you have lots of time to explain it and it will help to keep you sharp.
 
Andrew Shadow said:
Sounds to me like you are doing amazingly well, not that I would know as I have never had a parts replacement procedure. Nonetheless it sounds really good to me so good for you and glad to hear it.
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Thank you.

Andrew Shadow said:
Explain to me how these leg degrees of movement are being measured.
Click to expand...
From:
www.knee-pain-explained.com

Knee Range Of Motion: How To Measure & Improve - Knee Pain Explained

Normal knee range of motion, aka knee ROM, is typically 0-135 degrees. Learn about knee ROM needed for daily activities, what limits knee ROM and how to improve it.
www.knee-pain-explained.com
1733549183419.jpeg

My main complains were, in no particular order:

Pain and stiffness as the day progressed, especially walking, working, or riding, and only rest helped.

Not being able to keep it bent, like when riding, for long, and having to stop more and more often.

Not being able to straighten my leg, even with force, to less than about ten degrees per the chart.

The knee would start burning, and the pain and stiffness set in, and only rest provided any real relief.
 
Thanks again, gang.

I woke up, took my morning Tramadol and Naproxin, rested and stretched a little (bedside urine bottle - best invention ever!), then got up. It took about 15 seconds for my knee to be able to take the weight. As long as there is furniture or a wall to steady against, I can walk evenly on both legs.

I believe the pre-surgery PT has a lot to do with my recovery, along with my positive attitude. As with both hips, I expect it of myself. I don't over-do it, but I'm not afraid to explore and test my limits. I have said that if doctors ever told that I couldn't walk again, I would prove them wrong.
 
Oh, while looking for info about recovery on sites and in videos, I have found everything from a woman who lives on her recliner 23 hours a day and is in constant pain after six months, to a guy who used his walker for a few hours the first day then just started walking without it.

I figure that the first thousand steps are going to be uncomfortable. I want to get them over with, not drag it out over time. I can't change the minimum time that recovery takes, but I can control how much I can do during that time, and how strong I can become until then.
 
Good evening. I didn't go out today, other than on the porch to get some fresh air.

But, I did walk laps around on the main floor, maybe 1/10 mile, went to the bathroom a couple of times, and made dinner, all without the cane. As long as I walk gently, I can walk without limping.

Maybe I'll try to remember to take some video next time I get up.
 
Glad to hear you are doing well Larry.
I have been nursing my right knee for 13 years.
I just turned 78 and my surgery date is January 13th.
Thanks for starting this thread and keeping us up to date with your progress.
 
If anyone is interested, here's the difference between day 1 and day 90 of my knee replacement. I do PT everyday, walk 2 miles everyday. I have 0 degree extension to 138 degree bend. Stairs are still a challenge, especially down, but I'm working on them. I use a E Vitamin E cream that I get at Walmart on the incision a couple of times a day. No pain, but still aches sometimes and Tylenol helps that. Hope to be able to compete again on the Trials bike next March or so. Dr said only thing he'd recommend I not do is ski and run.
 

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Larry Fine said:
Thank you.


From:
www.knee-pain-explained.com

Knee Range Of Motion: How To Measure & Improve - Knee Pain Explained

Normal knee range of motion, aka knee ROM, is typically 0-135 degrees. Learn about knee ROM needed for daily activities, what limits knee ROM and how to improve it.
www.knee-pain-explained.com
1733549183419.jpeg

My main complains were, in no particular order:

Pain and stiffness as the day progressed, especially walking, working, or riding, and only rest helped.

Not being able to keep it bent, like when riding, for long, and having to stop more and more often.

Not being able to straighten my leg, even with force, to less than about ten degrees per the chart.

The knee would start burning, and the pain and stiffness set in, and only rest provided any real relief.
Click to expand...
Orthopedics folks measure around the outside of the angle instead of the acute side like mathematicians and engineers would do. I found that confusing at first too.
 
I'm up to about 1/2 mile a day walking. Today felt the most normal for me, able to take what feels like a full stride on my right leg. Still feels very stiff in flexion, but it keeps flexing a degree or two more. My next outpatient PT is Wednesday, I’m pretty sure I’ll be up to driving now. Hip pain is still a nuisance at night.
 
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I had total left knee replacement on 10-10-24 and my progression/recovery has been:
Used a walker the first two days and then a rubber tipped hiking pole for about 7-8 days.
I drove to therapy on the 6th day and thereafter post-op.
My knee still has pain and tenderness especially after standing for a while. Some days are better than others.
I rode my VStrom 650 fifty miles after 5 weeks/4 days post-op and continue to ride.
I completed 8 weeks of physical therapy on 12-06-24 and have 125 degrees range of motion plus decent strength.
I can go up and down stairs carefully. Plus, I have enough strength/balance to put on my pants without supporting my self.
My home exercises are performed twice a day.....have not slacked off.

So, my recovery is going fairly smoothly but sometimes it is two days forward and one day back.....my left leg is pretty sore today as I rode 100 miles yesterday and was on my feet for 2 1/2 hours while socializing at the local BMW/Ducati open house Christmas party.

Just some FYI.
 
Today I had the urge to get out, so I went to Walmart to pick up my Tramadol refill. Then I decided to go to the hospital to thank the nurses, and show them how well I'm walking already.

It was a hike from the parking deck to the main entrance, so I carried my cane. Through the lobby area and to the elevators, up to the 5th floor. Alas, none of my nurses were there today.

So, I decided to take a drive to what is called the Pony Pasture on the James River. I walked around for a while and petted several dogs, then I took the long way home and picked up Arby's.

For the outdoor walking, I still like to have the cane with me in case I need it for balance or to avoid getting tired. However, I didn't find myself slowing down like I usually do after walking.

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