Pain and Mobility at Four Weeks Post Total Knee Replacement

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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 become things!) but after a few times around, it wasn't bad.  I'm doing 5-10 minutes, no resistance, 3 times a day now.

- I can walk up and down stairs normally now! I have to think about it to keep from swinging my leg out to the side a bit, but I can do it comfortably. 

- I can walk the dog again!  Bizarrely, my lower back hurts when I walk, but taking a 30 minute walk every day has been so good for my mind and body. 

- Exercises have changed - I'm done with the simple things I did immediately post-op, and am doing bridges, trying to help get my glutes and abs strong again, and am doing baby squats.

- I can drive!  It's not super comfortable but I can do it! Short distances (to PT, the market, etc.). 

The past few years have been a slow decline in my movement - until really, in the months before surgery, all I was doing was walking and a bit of upper body strength training. So I have a long way to go to gain back strength and cardio, but at least I feel like each week I am making progress. 

The pain is still annoying, I have to admit. It's sort of like a constant discomfort, not awful but annoying.  I find that by evening it's at its worst, and sleeping is still not the greatest. I still take 3000 MGs of Tylenol every day, and Diclofenac twice a day.  I'll see my surgeon for my post-op visit at week 5, so hopefully I'll see pain improvements this week.

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