Fake knees, who's got 'em?

[scumdog]

Six million dollar man, one knee two different angles.
All going well I hope to set off the metal detectors at the Airport

Looks like my X-rays - only I have 4 of them!

[flashg]

Looks like my X-rays - only I have 4 of them!

Yep just the two for me. Lots of pain. I can't imagine how painful and how hard it must have been for you, getting them all at once, just walking a little must have been tough. I take my hat off to you, well done.
Surgeon said this morning I should be able to trail ride again in about three months. Now that gives me good incentive to follow the physiotherapist instructions and get as much bend as possible.

[Jin]

I was told it's good that my surgeon pushed to have it done while I was still very mobile. The muscles and ligaments are good and strong.
This will help me recover much faster. I exercise heaps, ride bikes and go for nice three kilometer walks with my partner while holding hands, Very nice.

Yep better to get done the younger you are.

Blackbird watch out for the delaying tactics. My old man needed new knees but they kept asking him to do one thing after another. Cycling. Heel pads. Etc. Finally they refused to do it after years of waiting
Said he was too old and the operation too risky.

[scumdog]

Yep just the two for me. Lots of pain. I can't imagine how painful and how hard it must have been for you, getting them all at once, just walking a little must have been tough. I take my hat off to you, well done.
Surgeon said this morning I should be able to trail ride again in about three months. Now that gives me good incentive to follow the physiotherapist instructions and get as much bend as possible.

Use an exercycle, set the seat fairly high (that way knees don't have to bend so much) then each week drop the seat by an inch or so, that way you knees bend more and more - but there IS a limit!!

And go swimming heaps, use flippers, it makes the leg muscles work harder.

Then when you're up to it? Use a bike to ride around on and find some good long hills to pedal up.


Worked for me (And is still working)

[flashg]

Use an exercycle, set the seat fairly high (that way knees don't have to bend so much) then each week drop the seat by an inch or so, that way you knees bend more and more - but there IS a limit!!



And go swimming heaps, use flippers, it makes the leg muscles work harder.



Then when you're up to it? Use a bike to ride around on and find some good long hills to pedal up.





Worked for me (And is still working)

Cheers for that scumdog, I can easily see how those exercises would make a big difference, I'll start gathering up what I need.

[flashg]

Update time, saw the physio on Tuesday (day 11) did a 90° bend, so they are happy, walking smoothly and confidently without crutches and managing stairs (although bloody difficult) properly. Physio gave me a good gym program (they have own gym) and yes Scumdog they have an exercycle and it's bloody good, lots of fine seat height adjustments. Certainly stretch's the knee, giving more bend. I feel the swelling limits the bend I get, but its shrinking and its early days yet. Walking to physio and back plus two other walks during the day. Just over 3.5 km's a day. Today is day 13. I see the surgeon next Thursday (day 20) should be all good.

[flashg]

Use an exercycle, set the seat fairly high (that way knees don't have to bend so much) then each week drop the seat by an inch or so, that way you knees bend more and more - but there IS a limit!!

Cheers scummy that works well, back on the exercycle at the end of exercises for the final stint, lowered the seat one notch no problem

[Moi]

So, how's the new knee going?

[flashg]

So, how's the new knee going?

Hi Moi, everything seems to be ahead of what is called normal. Two weeks ago (day 19) I managed a bend of 115° and was comfortably walking up to 10 km's a day (nothing else to do) I saw the surgeon (day 20) he said back off walking to 5 km's a day. No pain 99% of the time, sometimes a little aching deep inside the knee. Today is (day 32) and progress is moving ahead slowly but surely. I can walk quite fast now, but need to be careful as my thigh muscle is not up to full strength yet. Lots more exercises to strengthen muscles is required. The knee I have should bend up to a maximum of 140° so lots more work to do in that area. Swelling (fluid) around the joint seems to to be restricting how much bend I'm getting at present, but that is reducing slowly. Onwards and upwards.
A foot note. There is no pain when I walk anymore. Better than before the operation. The slow recovery is a pain, but gotta be patient.

[Moi]

Hi Moi, everything seems to be ahead of what is called normal...

Thanks for the update, was wondering and hoping all was going well.
Cheers

[flashg]

I saw my physio today for a progress check. I achieved a 130° bend, I'm stoked. 10° more to go and I'm there. I feel I could easily get on my bikes, but the muscles are not strong enough yet. No hurry

[cc rider]

Way to go flashg

[flashg]

Xmas time update, week 7. I now have achieved a 140° bend a week ago, now it's easy. Yesterday was a lovely day, so got the Beta out for a clean. It looked so good when finished, I threw a leg over (my new one) and hit the starter button, I rode it around the fruit trees in my back yard, up and down the drive way, while practicing standing and sitting. When my three minute ride was over, I rode into the garage and locked it up. I bloody loved it.
Today I knelt and it felt ok, might start doing that a bit more as I often need to at work.

[Moi]

That's great news!

[flashg]

Update time. Week eleven, saw the surgeon today and he's happy with the progress. And I can ride my bikes again. Just ease into it he said. I bought knee braces last week to protect my knees from now on.
Another month before I'm allowed back at work. Company policy says I must be 100% before I can return to work.
I started this thread to ask questions, but have carried it on to give others an idea of what to expect when they have knee replacement.
Cheers.