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Kneeling with artificial knee
I have touched on this in other messages, but not in a focused manner. As an avid gardener, kneeling is essential for me. Almost 3 months after TKR, things are generally going very well. I have forced myself to get used to the weird, “ball bearing/metal” feeling in the knee by not avoiding, but embracing times when it can be pushed/bumped against surfaces (soft, like side of mattress while making bed, hard, as in kitchen cabinet doors while cooking), and I sense a semi-acceptance of the odd sensation. I know many/most people simply don’t do it or can’t do it... I’m looking for those who are as stubborn as I am and want to find out how you managed to ultimately feel normal-ish.
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Probably the same thing my neighbors thought when they saw me high step marching around the yard as part of PT! They probably think I'm weird anyway.
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3 ReactionsI do little dance exercises on my porch, I figure what ever it takes to strengthen my knee!! Lol
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3 ReactionsI am 5 months out from a TKR and I do yoga and kneel on it. I put an extra mat under me for a little more cushion. It doesn’t hurt but feels weird. I do have to move it around a little to find the comfortable spot. I’m hoping the more I kneel on it the easier it will be
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2 ReactionsLove your embracing of the new! I too share your passion of gardening. I like to sit on my rear when weeding, cleaning beds… really hard to get up off the ground now though and I hate that. How would I accomplish getting up if I had the second knee done?
I’ve learned to really appreciate public restrooms that have bars and tall toilets as well. Forget about a stall with a low toilet and nothing to grab on to. How do you manage this? Love your get up and go positive outlook. I used to be that person before my TKR
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2 ReactionsI’ve had multiple TKRs. My surgeon says kneeling is OK, but it does feel weird. I think it’s a bit like a burn reflex; it feels strange so my brain doesn’t want to do it! Knee pads help make it feel more normal.
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3 ReactionsHi Lisa. What is your ROM? I'm 6 months out and I'm at about 130 but not able to do lots of the yoga positions I used to do. I had no idea that with my knee replacement I had to sacrifice flexibility in exchange for getting rid of the arthritis pain. It seems I'll never be able to be able squat down very far or sit back on my heels. How do you handle those positions or are you lucky enough to have full flexion?
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1 ReactionHi, my ROM is about 130-140.
I can’t squat down all the way but I go as far as I can. I can’t do all of the positions like I used to, but I’m hoping if I keep trying eventually I will get there. Sometimes I take a band and pull my knee back while everyone else is doing something I can’t. Hopefully we will both get there someday
OMG! Your flexibility is amazing. I’m so jealous. I never realized I’d be throwing that away after my surgery.
My flexibility before surgery was in range of +130s. After, with an MUA reaches realistically 120s at best. With so much effort.
These questions need answered prior to surgery. It never occurred to me that my ROM would decrease after, or that I needed to ask about this when buying a new knee!!
I found out about it right before surgery by watching a video put out by an orthopedic surgeon who stressed the importance of regaining extension and flexion during those crucial first 6 to 8 weeks after surgery and he showed the best exercises to do it. It scared me into being good about doing my PT and holding stretches for as long as I possibly could. I'm 6 months now and think I'm at 130ish but still working on it.
I truly did do this. 3x a week PT and at home. Never could get past 90* nor flat for extension on my own. They could push me to OK numbers, but it didn't last past the grueling sessions. Literally 2 people pushing me down or bending.
Realistically I can get to 120s on my own, and I can flatten to 0* now, just over 6 months out (plus the MUA). Just not that great, but doable I guess.