So Marilyn (ex Waka Huia) has asked if I would continue to blog on my progress. Apparently helpful to those still awaiting a knee replacement and gives an idea what to expect. Of course, we are all different and my recovery may be either longer or shorter than someone else, but a rough idea of what one will go through could be beneficial. So here goes,
On the 8th August, I managed to lift my leg about half an inch off the bed. In my mind, this had become a task I had to achieve to progress further. I can also slide my leg, bending the knee, to about a 30-degree angle. This must be worked on, as a 90-degree angle is expected when I next see the consultant. So religiously, 4 times a day I do the exercises. The worst of the pain is around the kneecap, but I also have a sensitive spot at the back of my knee. To date, that hasn't got any better. It's also very important to do the exercise for Deep Vein Thrombosis. I can do this on the bed or sitting down and this is one of the most regular exercise I do.
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| THESE FOR PREVENTING DVT |
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| IT WAS THE TOP EXERCISE I HAD TROUBLE WITH |
One thing I found right from the start was to forget about wearing trousers. The knee will be very swollen, so even loose fitting trousers will be tight. Also, trying to get an ice pack on under trousers every 2 hours for twenty minutes is a pain. With me only possessing one skirt and dress, today Ian drove me to Tesco and another skirt and dress were bought. Tesco clothes are usually on the first floor, which is accessed by escalator. OMG. I stood at the bottom watching the speed at which it was going up and thought, no way! There had to be a lift. Oh, there was alright, but right at the back of the store. I certainly got my steps in today, even though I had been told to walk short distances for the first two weeks only!
The only bit of excitement later was the interloper in the garden. Quite why a duck had decided to land in it was a mystery. It did make me smile, though, watching Ian and Colin trying to catch the thing. Toffee was frantically running from one window to the other, hoping to get out and help. In the end, Colin managed to shoo it through the gate, up the road and back to where the pond was by the pub.
4 comments:
Irene, this is excellent, thank you, darling - I really like that you have included the pictures and descriptions of the exercises!
And it is just great that things are improving so rapidly for you - I know you felt at first that it was never going to be less painful, but here you are about a week later, and you are moving so much more freely.
The advice about skirts rather than trousers is very helpful - and I bet they are easier to get on and off too!
Please do keep on with the updates - it is great to read them even though I am NOT planning a knee op ever!!
Mxx
Hi again, making good progress there. I’ve just reread our blog from when I had my first knee done, interesting comparisons. The first entry is here https://brvannini.wordpress.com/2018/11/20/knees-up/.
For the sitting down exercise, try it with a sheet of laminated paper (or something similar) under your foot, makes it easier to slide back and forth.
Hi Bernice, Wow, your experience in NZ is totally different from here in the UK. No Knee bending machine for us, just exercises. The dressing looks similar, but there is no fancy Pico to aid recovery. It sounds as if you stayed in the hospital; they want us home in the UK as soon as possible. Thank you for the tip, most useful.
You never know what's in the future Marilyn but at least now you'll have a rough idea. Although looking at NZ knee replacements it is completely different from here. Bernice commented below. It's a good read about her experience. Xxx
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