Something had to change, so my right knee and I divorced...
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Something had to change, so my right knee and I divorced...
Wit and humor aside, I've been in too much pain to ride. Even indoors. My right knee was tolerable, but my left ankle, in an AFO brace since last December, "changed". He only wants to talk fusion for this ankle. So I'm seeking a third opinion and may have ti fight my insurance company. But I digress...
Ankle guy says he won't touch my ankle till I get my right knee done. As if things weren't happening fast enough, I had approval for my knee replacement in 2 business days.
So 5 October, I had the olde one cut out.. and new one put in it's place.. My left one turns 10, 8 November...
I used the same surgeon and PA. Same hospital, got the same model knee as before, with all the current updates. And I will use the same PT...
I'm already cleared to drive!! Nearly off pain meds. This one is so different. I'm taking it easy but my ROM is already 110+. I raised the seat on my bike on the trainer an inch...
After I heal, time to take care of that ankle...
Ankle guy says he won't touch my ankle till I get my right knee done. As if things weren't happening fast enough, I had approval for my knee replacement in 2 business days.
So 5 October, I had the olde one cut out.. and new one put in it's place.. My left one turns 10, 8 November...
I used the same surgeon and PA. Same hospital, got the same model knee as before, with all the current updates. And I will use the same PT...
I'm already cleared to drive!! Nearly off pain meds. This one is so different. I'm taking it easy but my ROM is already 110+. I raised the seat on my bike on the trainer an inch...
After I heal, time to take care of that ankle...
Last edited by zjrog; 11-21-20 at 10:44 AM.
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Great to see you pedaling and hopefully you're now pain free at least with the right leg!
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I am glad you plan to seek another opinion on the ankle -- good idea whenever any surgeon says the "F word" (fusion).
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THANKS! I really hope so!!!!
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In my second outpatient PT session today, we worked more on quad sets. And I am SORE!!! But we moved forward with his recumbent bike. His goal is stretching the knee not rotations. He had to move me farther forward than most week 3 patients. More than he expected. After 5 minutes I was CLOSE to making it over the top. But that would have hurt, I think... And next was my favorite. The Total Gym. Simply for stretching both knees. This is where my PT usually measures me. Today is 125. It took me 6 weeks to reach that the first time. I will say, I pushed a bit harder after being measured and felt the incision burn a bit,so I stopped.
After icing down afterwards, my PT wanted to measure my other knee. He swears everyone loses after PT. Nope. 145 I was discharged from PT 10 years ago for that knee at 141. I am NOT pushing anywhere NEARLY as much as I did last time. Some is I knew what to expect. Some is the new surgical tehchniques. But it really does feel so much different for the better.Swellkng and bruising are nearly gone. Three weeks today. Wow...
After icing down afterwards, my PT wanted to measure my other knee. He swears everyone loses after PT. Nope. 145 I was discharged from PT 10 years ago for that knee at 141. I am NOT pushing anywhere NEARLY as much as I did last time. Some is I knew what to expect. Some is the new surgical tehchniques. But it really does feel so much different for the better.Swellkng and bruising are nearly gone. Three weeks today. Wow...
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#8
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I had my right knee replaced last year. Was allowed to start riding again outside 5 weeks later. Takes pretty much a year to be 100% back to normal and that was with about 12 PT sessions initially. I will respectfully suggest you lower your seat at least 1" if not 1.5" as you should have a bit more bend in the knee according to what I saw in your video. Worked for a bicycle / fitness store 12 years .
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I had my right knee replaced last year. Was allowed to start riding again outside 5 weeks later. Takes pretty much a year to be 100% back to normal and that was with about 12 PT sessions initially. I will respectfully suggest you lower your seat at least 1" if not 1.5" as you should have a bit more bend in the knee according to what I saw in your video. Worked for a bicycle / fitness store 12 years .
As an aside, my current seat to pedal distance was from a cycling specific PT session after losing a toe and gaining that AFO brace.. That fit was on my Cannondale CAAD8 with 175mm arms. As luck has it, the pictured older Cannondale CAAD2 is the same size with the same 175mm. Just a different seat thay is better suited for extended indoor sessions...
My left knee replacement 10 years ago, got me back on the bikes..
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Just had my right knee replaced and it has been 2 weeks since the OP surgery, only taking pain meds to help sleep. Just had my 4th PT sessions and I got to 95 deg, which seem to surprise the PT people in a good way. Walking pretty normal with no pain, so all the focus is getting to the 120 deg before I can get on my trainer. I will be following your progress as it will help my goals for flexibility. Thanks Randy
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Just had my right knee replaced and it has been 2 weeks since the OP surgery, only taking pain meds to help sleep. Just had my 4th PT sessions and I got to 95 deg, which seem to surprise the PT people in a good way. Walking pretty normal with no pain, so all the focus is getting to the 120 deg before I can get on my trainer. I will be following your progress as it will help my goals for flexibility. Thanks Randy
If you have your bike on a trainer, raise your seat so you barely touch at the bottom of your pedal stroke. Rock your pedals gently back and forth. That will get your knee stretching. Do not FORCE it over the top.. Your first revolution will probably be backwards, it is easier that way. And it may take a few days. My suggestion is 4 to 5 minutes at a time. Even better though if you have a recumbent exercise bike.
Now, as I said. No competition. I heal well. And my first knee STILL reaches 145. I AM NOT THE NORMAL KNEE PATIENT! In fact, my PT doesn't like me talking to other knee replacement patients. Tries really hard to make sure I'm not even scheduled with them.
So remember to Rest, Elevate, and Ice. And patience...
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zjrog, please do not think I want to be in competition with you or anyone else, but all the people around me are overweight and are not cyclists. It is just great to hear your results. My PT is already stating to me they are really surprised how fast and well I am doing so far. The day before my replacement I did a 50 mile ride, so I went into this in very good shape, so this is why things have gone as well as they are.
I hope to get on the trainer within the next two weeks, already doing the rocking on the down stroke during PT sessions. Before I get on the trainer at home connected to Zwift I want the full pedal stroke. Thanks for posting your experience with all of us. Randy
I hope to get on the trainer within the next two weeks, already doing the rocking on the down stroke during PT sessions. Before I get on the trainer at home connected to Zwift I want the full pedal stroke. Thanks for posting your experience with all of us. Randy
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zjrog, please do not think I want to be in competition with you or anyone else, but all the people around me are overweight and are not cyclists. It is just great to hear your results. My PT is already stating to me they are really surprised how fast and well I am doing so far. The day before my replacement I did a 50 mile ride, so I went into this in very good shape, so this is why things have gone as well as they are.
I hope to get on the trainer within the next two weeks, already doing the rocking on the down stroke during PT sessions. Before I get on the trainer at home connected to Zwift I want the full pedal stroke. Thanks for posting your experience with all of us. Randy
I hope to get on the trainer within the next two weeks, already doing the rocking on the down stroke during PT sessions. Before I get on the trainer at home connected to Zwift I want the full pedal stroke. Thanks for posting your experience with all of us. Randy
I'm not in competition with anyone. I just try and let people know I heal far differently. Ok. I might be in competition with myself from 10 years ago...
I'm not quite ready to through resistance into my trainer yet, but getting more than 5 minutes in at a time is a good start. I feel Zwift is still a month away. And honestly, glad my setup is a Kurt Kinetic with an stick on sensor and magnet. I call it my "half smart" trainer... I got the used trainer 18 months ago after weight loss for cheap, added the $50 Bluetooth/ANT+ sensor. Depending on my knee recovery, I may upgrade the head unit for the Kinetic Smart Control head this winter.
Last edited by zjrog; 11-21-20 at 10:46 AM.
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zjrog, just checking with you to see how your PT is going and how much more range you have been able to get to this point. I am able to get around the full pedal stoke and my PT person has told me a can get on my trainer at home. So maybe in a couple of weeks I can get back to Zwift. Hope you are doing well in your recover time and making your goals. Randy
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zjrog, just checking with you to see how your PT is going and how much more range you have been able to get to this point. I am able to get around the full pedal stoke and my PT person has told me a can get on my trainer at home. So maybe in a couple of weeks I can get back to Zwift. Hope you are doing well in your recover time and making your goals. Randy
Glad to hear you can get on your bike on the trainer! Awesome! Sounds like you're on your way! I'm probably going to do free rides on Zwift this weekend. So good luck when you're ready.
I saw my surgeon's PA today, and am cleared to return to work next week. He was also impressed with my ROM, but didn't measure, saw my PT's weekly notes. Unless I have any issues, I don't need to go back. I'm pretty happy about that.
So, at PT today, my therapist was happy to hear I can get back to work. He said I could have last week, likely. So he added new exercises of course, and for ROM measure, I hit 0 to 138. I've been at PT 3 times a week. But from now on once a week until my therapist kicks me out, or insurance runs out.
I've been off scheduled pain meds for 3 weeks, and was only taking at bedtime for a week after. None since. Naproxen has been sufficient since then.
Sitting in one spot too long makes the kneecstiff. But I have a normal gait, no limping anymore. I'm working on stairs. Going up is getting easier, but coming down, I'm still pretty weak across the front of the knee. That will improve over time. Monday will be 6 weeks, I still have substantial swelling, and that will take time. The knee is still warmer to the touch than my other. But not inflamed or red. So that swelling keeps a real tight feeling around the knee at times.
So while I'm still early in recovery, I've made above average advances. I'm not the normal knee patient. I don't process pain the same as most.
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That's great news on back to work, I went back after 2 weeks, but my office is 10 ft from bedroom. It was hard to sit the first week and had to stand alot, but I worked into it. So I am at just 4 weeks since my replacement am doing PT twice a week per my doctor, and my last ROM was 3-118 so I still have a way to go for my goal to be 0 135. But to your point it is a great feeling to back on the trainer, makes me feel somewhat normal now. Thanks Randy
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Pics, or it didn't happen. Well. Here are pics.
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That's great news on back to work, I went back after 2 weeks, but my office is 10 ft from bedroom. It was hard to sit the first week and had to stand alot, but I worked into it. So I am at just 4 weeks since my replacement am doing PT twice a week per my doctor, and my last ROM was 3-118 so I still have a way to go for my goal to be 0 135. But to your point it is a great feeling to back on the trainer, makes me feel somewhat normal now. Thanks Randy
I do fully understand the not being able to just sit for long periods. Even now, sitting upright for more than an hour, the knee gets stiff when I first stand up, but that goes away in a few steps. Being on the trainer is nice, but my behind is needing to get reacquainted...
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Well. Work sent me to their Occupational Health people Wednesday. In their experience, Most people aren't ready to go back to work this soon, but after reading my left knee history, the doc had me take a walk and do some stairs with him watching. No problems, I'm cleared and no need to return unless I have any issues.
In more cycling oriented news...
I've been on my indoor trainer and Zwift a few times. Keeping it slow and easy for tbe most part. Averaging about 140 watts or so... Only on the more flat courses.
In more cycling oriented news...
I've been on my indoor trainer and Zwift a few times. Keeping it slow and easy for tbe most part. Averaging about 140 watts or so... Only on the more flat courses.
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Great news Zjrog, I meet with my doctor Dec 7th hoping for the last time. My rom is at 125 and I have gotten to 1 flat. I have gotten back on Zwift flat courses for 30 mins at about 125 watts, and I am now walking 1 mile twice a day with no pain. One thing I have noticed is that with the swelling going down the knee seems a bit looser, but I am sure once the quads are back that will go away.
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Great news Zjrog, I meet with my doctor Dec 7th hoping for the last time. My rom is at 125 and I have gotten to 1 flat. I have gotten back on Zwift flat courses for 30 mins at about 125 watts, and I am now walking 1 mile twice a day with no pain. One thing I have noticed is that with the swelling going down the knee seems a bit looser, but I am sure once the quads are back that will go away.
I will agree that as the selling goes down, there is a loose feeling of sorts, and the knee can be a bit noisy if you wiggle your foot back and forth. No worries, as my older knee still makes a bit of noise with the same motion, but yes, as you heal, and the quads and other muscles about the knee get stronger again, that loose feeling SHOULD fade.
I'm not walking as far as you are, but being back at work helps. I do get on my wife's treadmill for 30 to 40 minutes every other day or so, if I'm under 6000 steps for my day. I'm aiming to be over 10,000 steps a day again soon. I do still ice the knee down in the evenings, and it sure helps me to sleep after doing so. That is a big help with swelling overall.
The hardest part of this whole process, is not overdoing things like I did the first time. I got away with it all, then, that was 10 years ago, and I'm just not as young as I used to be.
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Looks like you are doing great! I'm watching this post, as I have an ankle that the surgeon says fusion or replacement is the (only) next step. I don't really think I'd like fusion and IMO the replacement surgery is not where it needs to be yet.
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Incidentally, my new right knee is doing well. Still some muscle weakness from some atrophy over the last couple years. But still at 138 ROM. Pain free is the single best reason to do it...