Weekend and Knee Update

Hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day weekend.  I got to spend the whole weekend with my husband and kids...plus had some quiet time on my own Saturday night while hubby took the kids to see a movie that I had no interest in seeing.  They needed some time together and I enjoyed my quiet time.  Unfortunately, while I was on my own I got up "funny" out of my recliner and seemed to have tweaked my GOOD knee!  Sunday was very nice.  I got to sleep in, received very sweet cards for my wonderful husband and kids along with some goodies.  We had a relaxing day and then they took me out to dinner at Olive Garden.  We had a delicious dinner and then went to visit my mom at work.  My good knee was hurting all day and I was rather frustrated with myself.  Six weeks post-surgery and I mess up my other knee...not good!

This morning I had PT and aqua therapy.  I'm doing great on the NuStep (recumbent stepper) and am up to almost 1/2 mile on it.  The black band exercise doesn't increase or change, the hamstring leg machine was increased in weight, step ups are becoming easier, and we added mini-squats last week and those are a little easier.  My table exercises are good...we've increased the weight on some of them.  Today, after doing all of my exercises and stretching out my knee...I was able to bend my knee 117 degrees on my own!!  Then I was sent to the pool.  All of that routine is the same except each time I've increased the speed on the underwater treadmill...just not sure what it was on today because I was walking & not watching as she increased the speed.  LOL!

My good knee is feeling better...not quite 100% but definitely better.  So I don't think I did anything horrible to it.

Wednesday I have PT, aqua therapy and then I go upstairs to see my Orthopedist.  I'll update then.

Six Weeks

Wednesday it was six weeks since my total knee replacement surgery.  It feels like just yesterday and it feels like it was forever ago...all at the same time.  I feel like I'm doing great and I'm so proud of where I am today but I have moments when I feel like I should be "done" with recovery and I should be all back to normal already.  Well, that isn't reality and I know it.

I had my first aqua therapy session on Wednesday afternoon and I met a lady that was in my pre-surgical joint replacement class.  She had her left knee replaced on March 28th just like I did...by the same doctor.  She was the 2nd surgery of the day (so right after me).   We were both in the pool at the same time and compared recovery notes.  We've had almost identical recoveries! It was really neat to see her again and to be able to talk to someone that is literally at the same place I am in recovery.  Aqua therapy for me is 10 minutes of walking on the underwater treadmill; leg lifts to the front, back, and side; going up & down on my tip toes; bending my leg to the back (leg curls?); and then bending & straightening my leg out to the front.  The leg lifts I do with both legs...my left leg for strength and my right leg so I can work on balancing on my left leg.  The other 2 things I just do my left leg.  

My last 2 therapy sessions I have made progress on my range of motion.  Wednesday I was able to bend my knee 111 degrees on my own and 120 degrees with help.  Today I got 114 degrees on my own and 120 degrees with help again.  At the moment, 120 degrees with help seems to be my limit.  I make a horrible face and squeal/squeak in pain/discomfort and about come off the table.  LOL!

This week has been pretty busy for me.  I'm very proud of being able to handle everything at this point.  Monday was chiropractor for Morgan, physical therapy for me, school with the kids and dance class for Morgan. Tuesday was school with the kids, fencing with Alex (at a later time than normal), running some quick errands, quickly make dinner & eat, get Morgan's hair in a bun & make up on & then dash out the door for 3 1/2 hours of costume changes and pictures at the dance studio.  Morgan & I got home about 10pm Tuesday night..tired!  Wednesday was CSA week #1 pick up, strawberry picking at a local farm, unpacking & washing all produce, school with the kids, physical therapy for me, getting Morgan's hair in a bun & make up on & dash out to the dance studio for 2 1/2 hours of costume changes and pictures.  We got home about 8:45pm Wednesday night. I was WIPED OUT!  *surprise*  Thursday was chiropractor with Morgan, school with kids, and then dance class for Morgan.  The rest of the evening was pretty slow & relaxed.  So far today has just been physical therapy for me and some relaxation.  We are already planning a very veg-out night.  We have a Netflix movie waiting to be watched, St. Elmo's Fire at Morgan's request, and no other plans.

Week 5 - Knee update

Where did week 5 go??  I am making progress and recovery is still going smoothly.  I'm driving the kids all around, even drove up to Nashville one day.  I get around the house without the cane most of the time.  First thing in the morning and when I'm really tired are 2 of the times that I don't because I'm too unsteady.  PT is going well...we've upped the weights that are used when I do my exercises, we've added some exercises too.  I had a couple days where I didn't feel like I was making progress but after talking to my physical therapist I'm feeling much better.  At the time, my range of motion in my knee was remaining constant and that was frustrating me.  But, I was doing more...starting to walk around the house without the cane, being able to ride in the car for longer periods of time, going most of the day with no pain medication, doing more around the house for longer periods of time,etc.  Sooo, I was progressing, just in different areas.  I'm able to massage my scar now with any lotion or cream.  This should help it be a smaller scar.  We shall see.  ;-)

Wednesday will be 6 weeks!  I can't believe it.  I start aquatherapy at PT.  I will use the underwater treadmill to help with my walking and normalizing my gait.  There are also some strength exercises that they have you do while in the pool.  Then I'll continue with my regular PT afterwards.  I can't wait.  Weird how excited I get about PT.  LOL!

I keep thinking that I should be "back to normal" but it really hasn't been that long for what all they did to my leg.  I have to remember to take it easy some, I'm still in recovery.