Knee Replacement Recovery: Active Life

if only we all looked younger as we got older... I've gotten curious about something lately:  is it possible to get back into the kind of shape I was in during my 20s? And by that, I don't mean being as thin, fit or having the same kind of endurance. I mean being able to do the things I want, like hiking or alpine touring, and keeping up with my fit friends.  Listening to podcasts like Becoming Ellie and Gabby Reece's , I've come to the conclusion that my goals should be to increase durability in order to create longevity. I was listening to an episode of Gabby's podcast when she had her husband Laird Hamilton and their trainer, Kelly Starrett (who, incidentally, I found to be obnoxiously egotistical - I would NOT recommend his advice that you know more than your doctor does) as guests to discuss their joint replacement surgery (Gabby and Kelly had their knees replaced, Laird had his hip replaced).  I did find that a few things that Kelly said resonated with me: ...

out for a walk! My total knee replacement happened four weeks ago on Tuesday, and while I have to say I am still experiencing pain and discomfort, things really started to turn a corner at four weeks: - I can make a full revolution - forward and backward - on the bike! I have to admit, it was terrifying the first time I did it.  I couldn't do it at week 3 - it felt like my quad right above my knee was going to tear (or explode, really).  It seemed like it might be doable pedaling backward, but no way going forward. At PT yesterday (week 4 plus one day), I did it! My physical therapist set the seat higher than I would normally ride, and encouraged me that the pain I was feeling at the top of the pedal stroke would not get worse if I went all the way around - and being able to pedal would really help with swelling, mobility and pain.  The first time around was terrifying I have to admit (so crazy how things you didn't know could be things - like learning to walk again - can...

I am now 3 weeks and 3 days post knee replacement surgery, and here is what I've noticed: - I can walk down stairs (granted still one at a time) with less pain in my replaced knee than my other knee; - getting dressed, putting sneakers on, etc. is easier - I am at 108 degrees of bend (which feels lousy, but still) - I am almost able to make a full revolution on the bike - I still have pain, often at night - the muscular discomfort is getting better, the knee pain and swelling is still there - I can walk without a limp without crutches I'm icing, doing PT work every day, and going to PT outpatient three days a week now.  I had a hiccup with a ton of pain at about 2 weeks, so we backed off the exercises and focused on icing and stretching for a few days. That helped with the pain and swelling but I think slowed my increase in flexion and extension.  I'm still not to 0 degrees when I straighten my leg.  My PT did say I might be able to start walking the dog short distances! ...

I'm 16 days post surgery today.  Everyone will tell you that they cannot predict how your recovery will go, that it's individual for everyone, and that the rates at which things change differ greatly person to person.  I'm sure that's true, but I still think it's helpful to hear about other people's experience! So far, I felt that the pain during the first week was less than I expected.  That may be entirely due to the fact that I was given stronger meds in the hospital (where I stayed for 24 hours), and was taking a combination of Tylenol, an anti-inflammatory and oxycontin once I got home.  I really wanted to wean off the Oxy, so fairly quickly started taking that just at night, and just when my pain was moving above a 5 quickly.  As I move past the two week mark, I'm feeling a little frustrated. It's hard not to drive, be able to really go outside, or do much other than walking around the house. I am also not sleeping well at ALL which adds to the bad...

I'm now 7 days post-total knee replacement, and have a new right knee!  And while everyone from doctors to nurses to physical therapists insists that it is different for everyone, and I'm sure that it is, I didn't find much to read prior to surgery that really described what it was like, so here is my attempt: Choosing a Surgeon My surgery was performed at Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) in Vermont.  We live in Vermont, and although I grew up in Boston and have had many surgeries in the world-renowned hospitals there, I heeded my father's advice on where to have the surgery performed and how to choose a surgeon.  My Dad is a former President of the American College of Surgeons, a retired chief of surgery from Boston's Chidren's Hospital, and is currently a founding member of OR Dx + Rx Solutions for Surgical Safety , an independent group of renowned surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses who spend time at hospitals reviewing their perioperative teams, sui...

post-knee surgery 2018 It's the 4th of July, and I'm 51.  In two days, I'll have a new right knee.  And I'm terrified. I'm having a total knee replacement, after years of pain, bone on bone, and trying just about everything else (including surgery, scopes, cortisone and viscosupplementation).  If you are facing knee replacement, and you're like me, you were hoping to read about it online - and may not have found much of what you were looking for.  What I'm hoping to do with this blog is: Keep track of the recovery - how much pain is there? When did it start to get better? How was sleeping? Moving? When was I putting weight on it? Was there anything that helped? And later, which exercises was I doing, and what seemed to help the most.    And eventually, hopefully, what athletic activities was I taking part in, how soon after surgery, and how did it feel? How did I prepare to downhill ski, alpine tour, cross country ski, hike and bike? Can I run with my kids ...