Pcad Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Wrap Up
 

I'll be three months post op on November 6th. In the past 7 days I cycled 191 miles on the road bike, some of that constrained by work and other obligations, I'm sure I could have managed 250++ miles if I had the time. Knee feels 85% of normal on the bike, sometimes it's tough out of the saddle, but that's getting easier every few days. It can get stiff when I sit around (for example with my legs hanging off the high drafting stool I sit on @ my desk), there is still significant edema (fluid/blood retention), but that's typical out to 5-6+ months post op after a TKR. That seems to be slowly improving along with the venous stasis wound that's still unhealed on my right ankle (a side effect of the post-op edema is that it exacerbated my existing right leg circulation issues). My vascular surgeon seems quite confident that circulation will return to normal as the TKR leg heals, and that might take 6 months. So far that wound on my ankle is 90% smaller than it was 8 weeks ago (it's really tiny) and the pain levels are subsiding notably, I am now managing it with Tylenol and Advil, haven't taken Percoset for that in a couple of weeks. Hoping that will clear up all together within a couple of weeks.

I'm essentially back to normal cycling, I'm just way fat and out of shape, but the knee is no longer much of a hindrance even at this point. Very happy with the outcome, and I don't think the rapid rehab is unusual for cycling enthusiasts for a number of reasons. My surgeon seems amazed, but with all the TKRs he's done, (thousands over 37 years) I don't think he's had a hard core bike weenie like me. The TKR really responds well to the cycling, even hard cycling, no matter how stiff or swollen it might be after I ride hard, it feels better than it did before the ride within 3-12 hours.

Thanks for all the support. This is a very common procedure, some of you here may have this sooner or later. I'm rather young to have it (56 years old) but all things considered that fact that my right knee lasted 25 years after I really wrecked it by crashing a 125cc motorcycle on top of it in 1989 is kind of amazing. It didn't start to get arthritic until 5 years ago and those Synvisc shots kept me going until that last round - now they weren't working. I made the decision to have the TKR within two weeks, once I needed it, I wanted to get it over with, and my long time surgeon Larry agreeing to take my insurance out of network payout as all the compensation he needed made it a no-brainer. He's about the best knee guy in the USA, or one of them. Three operations with Larry (you get to call him by his first name after the second operation).

Anyway, no more updates on this, I think my rehab is mostly done, now it's just riding the bike and I think the knee will continue to improve.

glad to hear a good health story. It has been a while.

Thanks for the final on your knee, glad that it turned out so well for you. Great to finally have our old Pcad back, now get to posting.

Bill

I'm a PT that see's knee replacement pt's every day. Sounds like a great recovery for you. Coming into the colder months you may notice some increased stiffness in the knee, which is normal, and which cycling will help work out. I see a lot of diabetic pts with non-healing wounds, so would be concerned with that, though it sounds like it is being addressed. Give it a bit longer and it will feel 100%. Good luck.

Appreciated reading about your progress. After going 54 years without any cartridges in my left knee (high school football), I have replacement surgery scheduled mid-December. I have ordered a bike (Specialized Expedition) to start exercising before and after.

Happy you are getting along OK.

Not a diabetes issue. I consult with a vascular surgeon every few weeks. It is improving, I think it will heal on its own.

Excellent...






now is there any chance you can "WRAP UP" all the new threads..:bang:

I'll need your help Tonto.

And this is unusual?

Move over "drope the hamer".