Alligatorob's Diary
- Thread starter alligatorob
- Start date
Cate
Long term member
Hi, Rob. I don't think I would tackle both knees at once even if I was given the option. I have felt a bit grumpy & out of sorts lately too. Pain will do that to you & you would be feeling frustrated as well. Pain kept me awake a lot last night.
I used to have private health cover when we were both working full-time but then gave it up when I still had to pay a considerable amount for a hospital stay, even with the top hospital cover. Our public health system used to be wonderful, but has been eroded over the years. The waiting list to have my right foot done is almost 2 years. I am going to check to see if I can get an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon again & get on the list to have my left knee done. I don't have any problems with my right.
Down the track, you will be so happy that you had this done.
I used to have private health cover when we were both working full-time but then gave it up when I still had to pay a considerable amount for a hospital stay, even with the top hospital cover. Our public health system used to be wonderful, but has been eroded over the years. The waiting list to have my right foot done is almost 2 years. I am going to check to see if I can get an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon again & get on the list to have my left knee done. I don't have any problems with my right.
Down the track, you will be so happy that you had this done.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Not my best day, I think I over did it a bit. Did my PT exercises this morning and then went for a walk, about the same 550 m, however this time I climbed the hill to the main road, that gets me to a sidewalk that's relatively flat. The hill hurt, particularly going down. When I got back my legs really hurt, I took oxycodone and iced but it was a rough few hours. Tonight it is a bit better, will try to do the same tomorrow, but without the hill. Spoke to my friend who got both knees done a few years ago, he is about my age and in pretty good shape. He says I am doing better than he was at this point, and not to let the pain get to me. He said he took the oxys every 4 to 6 hours for the first 3 or 4 weeks. I am not going to do that, I'll take them when I really need them but not that much. I was however prescribed enough to do that, I had 86 when I left rehab, probably only taken 6 so far...
Anyway I did not binge, but was not real careful with what I ate, and did not log. I think I may have eaten 2,000 calories, not awful, but more than I usually plan.
Anyway I did not binge, but was not real careful with what I ate, and did not log. I think I may have eaten 2,000 calories, not awful, but more than I usually plan.
Thanks Llama, and I will keep doing it, but more on flat ground. I have been able to walk unsupported from day 1, but need the sticks or something for balance, legs are still a bit shaky. I am walking short distances without now, but not a lot.
Thanks for your kind words Liza, I need all the encouragement I can get, LOL. It is tough, but I keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to be able to do this. I know most people with bad knees just have to live with them, I am really lucky to get a second chance.
I understand, not many people here do either. Statistically only 6% of people in the US who need both knees done get them at the same time. When I asked my surgeon refused at first. I did some research and explained to him that I understood the risks and really wanted to do it. He gave in, but said he had not done a double in years. This is a guy who does several a week. I am glad I did, doing this twice would not be very attractive to me. Hope you get moved up the list and have the chance to get at least one done soon.
Sure hope so, that is what I am counting on...
Constantly renegotiating the shifting balance between doing enough to stimulate recovery and not overdoing it is the hardest part of any healing process. There are no easy rules for how much is right how many days after surgery (and if there were they wouldn't be right for people like you whose healing is atypical). I'm sorry you had to experience that in person 
Cate
Long term member
Thanks, Rob. I'm going to work on it. Walking down hills puts a lot of stress on your knee. I had trouble sleeping last night as I had knee pain. Our drive is also quite steep. I must try to work out the gradient.
I hope tomorrow is a better day for you.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Today was a better day, still having pain, but not quite as bad. I walked 800 m, ~ 1/2 mile today, but it was slow and flat. Also did my PT exercises. Ate too many cookies but at about 1,600 calories did not end up too badly. According to something I read on knee replacement I should be at about the "What the hell did I do to myself" stage, so I guess I am right on track.
Thanks Llama, and you are right of course, finding the right balance is hard, kind of trial and error for me.
Yep, that is the hardest, it was for me before the surgery and is no in recovery. Be careful with your knees, overdoing it won't help. I was lucky, never had trouble sleeping before surgery, just trouble walking... Now of course sleeping is hard, but I have given in and taken oxycodone at night, it helps.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Not my best food day, ate too many cookies, did not complete my diary but I suspect I went over 2,000 calories... Tomorrow is another day.
Went to physical therapy and seem to be slowly progressing, my extensions were much better than I expected, 0 degrees left leg 1.5 right. When I first started therapy I was 10 degrees on both and the therapist was not sure I could ever get to 0. So that was good. Flexion was mixed 116 degrees on my left leg, best yet, but only 109 on my right. My right knee hurts more and is more swollen, therapist said that's why my flexion isn't as good. And that there wasn't anything to be worried about, swelling and pain are to be expected at this point. Walked 1080 meters, flat and slow, it felt fine. Less pain all round today.
Went to physical therapy and seem to be slowly progressing, my extensions were much better than I expected, 0 degrees left leg 1.5 right. When I first started therapy I was 10 degrees on both and the therapist was not sure I could ever get to 0. So that was good. Flexion was mixed 116 degrees on my left leg, best yet, but only 109 on my right. My right knee hurts more and is more swollen, therapist said that's why my flexion isn't as good. And that there wasn't anything to be worried about, swelling and pain are to be expected at this point. Walked 1080 meters, flat and slow, it felt fine. Less pain all round today.
Good to know it's "official"!
That it is Rob! We can't always have the best days but we just keep trying!
alligatorob
Respected Member
Today was a mixed day, woke feeling good and did an hour in the gym, downhill from there for a while. I did recover in the evening enough to get my home PT exercises done, but no walk today. Food was ok, I did try to record today, not sure how accurate the calories are, but it was sure better than yesterday.
Thanks LaMa, I will try that, when I get back to walking. Maybe tomorrow. Feeling fine tonight.
Thanks Liza, and those are words to live by, for me anyway! And I appreciate having a friend reinforce them, thanks!
Thanks Cate, and I know I'll get there, not quite sure where there will be, LOL! I would really like to be able to extend my knees to 0 degrees and walk more upright accordingly. I can however see that just getting the knees to do it won't be the whole thing, my muscles have spent many years adapted to bent knees. And I sure would like to get there sooner than I know is realistic... But when I make a little progress it does feel good.
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Maybe next week. As long as you're knees are so swollen and aggravated you have to ice them for most of the day you're doing too much. For now 500 m with sticks is plenty.
Cate
Long term member
Facing reality is not easy. You'll adjust, Rob & you will regain a lot of mobility. You are doing so much more than so many people. Please don't forget that xo
alligatorob
Respected Member
Today was ok, I did not really diet, but did not binge either. I need to get back on the recording track...
Physical Therapy was good today, and I walked 1.27 km. Knees are a little stiff tonight but not bad, pain is tolerable but just doesn't go away. That could take a few more weeks I guess...
Physical Therapy was good today, and I walked 1.27 km. Knees are a little stiff tonight but not bad, pain is tolerable but just doesn't go away. That could take a few more weeks I guess...
I stopped icing today, doesn't seem to make a big difference. Still swollen, but the physical therapist today told me that my swelling is less than expected at this point, so I guess I should quit complaining. I'll see how the longer walk settles, so far not too bad.
For sure, it never is. I know this shall pass, and likely my knees will be better. But not perfect, not 20 years old, and not right away.
I agree with LLama! Feel free to complain--what you are going through sounds tough!
alligatorob
Respected Member
Eating today was fewer calories than yesterday, but too many were in cookies. Not terrible I guess.
Went to the gym this morning for upper body workout, went fine. Then the trainer said that she thought I could get up the stairs, I told her I had not yet tried a full set of stairs. She said "you can do it, go". She walked close behind so I gave it a try, not nearly so hard as I expected, not graceful or anything but I made it, then she said go down so I can be sure you are able. I did and I was. Then I walked back up the stairs and did a little leg work, recumbent bike and some light weight leg presses. I was surprised! Then I got home and did the PT exercises on my own, that went fine but my right knee started to hurt, so I decided to forgo the walk today. Even so I was pretty happy with what I could do. It still hurts, but being a bit more mobile helps, for sure.
My fear was that if I had just done one I might not be brave enough to do the second. Better to go in a bit blind, this ain't something I would want to do twice...
Went to the gym this morning for upper body workout, went fine. Then the trainer said that she thought I could get up the stairs, I told her I had not yet tried a full set of stairs. She said "you can do it, go". She walked close behind so I gave it a try, not nearly so hard as I expected, not graceful or anything but I made it, then she said go down so I can be sure you are able. I did and I was. Then I walked back up the stairs and did a little leg work, recumbent bike and some light weight leg presses. I was surprised! Then I got home and did the PT exercises on my own, that went fine but my right knee started to hurt, so I decided to forgo the walk today. Even so I was pretty happy with what I could do. It still hurts, but being a bit more mobile helps, for sure.
Thanks Llama, that is a good way to look at it. I have pain from my butt to my feet, but they said that is normal, I guess cutting those legs off beat up a lot of things... I am interested to find out what it costs, it will not cost me much out of pocket. Fortunately most will be paid by Medicare, our government insurance for people over 65. Of course I have been paying into Medicare for ~50 years, so I did pay for it, just not right now. My guess is something in the $100k range.
Thanks, I appreciate permission!! Probably would complain anyway, but nice to know I have absolution.
Maybe, maybe not, hard to tell, moaning is something I am pretty good at, LOL! I don't know if the inflammation is down much, but its no worse. I've been reading and watching videos as a result I understand the inflammation could be with me for as much as a year, lots of healing to do.
My fear was that if I had just done one I might not be brave enough to do the second. Better to go in a bit blind, this ain't something I would want to do twice...