PT for how long?

@dna41 everyone is different I was in therapy 6 weeks pre TKR to strengthen then 5 months post TKR therapy. Yes balance for me was an issue of which my PT addressed. A good therapist knows when you are ready to be discharged five years later I’m getting ready for the other knee to be replaced and I do find balance is issue at times again which my pt will address

@gallari Cannot stop PT whether physical therapy or personal training. need to exercise forever.l

Agree but PT and EXERCISE are different things. You understand.

@fwintracy Thank you for your comments. I used to love doing yoga and pilates but I can no longer get down on the floor. If I somehow manage to get down, I cannot get up. It's a real problem for me. Are you able to kneel?

@dna41 This would be an excellent reason to work with a PT for a few weeks. One of the dangerous things about aging is being unable to get up from the floor or ground. It is a skill I work on all the time. I may not look graceful getting, but I can do it. Right now I am working on doing it one-handed as my new wrist is in a cast, and will be non-weight-bearing for several months during rehab.
Have you talked to your PT or a Yoga instructor about getting up?

@dna41 My favorite yoga instructors constantly emphasize “modify for you” or reminding us that class isn’t a competition so just do what you can. Admittedly, I go to the YMCA during the weekday and I’m surrounded by people like me - older (and older means ya got stuff going on), or folks with surgeries, etc. It’s very encouraging.

I identify with Sue’s comment about not being graceful but doing what and how I can. I just missed two weeks of yoga and workout (life, holiday guests, etc) and I really missed it. I could feel my joints (not just my knees!) stiffening. I know I have to keep doing the routines as long as I can move.

To answer your question about being on my knees, initially I couldn’t bear “standing” on my knees. After some time (sorry I don’t remember how long), I could increasingly bear it. It would be cool if you had a friend to go with you and give you a hand up until you can do so solo.

The most important thing, imo, is to continue to push yourself to do more. Here’s another comment from my surgeon/friend after about 6 months - “you can’t screw up anything I did so keep pushing”. (Talk to your own surgeon on this point, please!)

While your days of ever becoming a yogi are likely passed, you’ve got this. Keep moving, keep pushing (within reason), and make it a habit.

You can do this!

@fwintracy Thank you for the suggestions. I live alone and it's too easy to procrastinate when there is no one around to help motivate me. Like many people my age, I also have back issues and seems like there is very little relief for that. I need to search for or create a routine for myself that I can do daily.......and then actually do it! I really appreciate all the replies I have received urging me to keep moving!

I'm 84 and had TKR 10 weeks ago, my big issue is not being able to sleep. I appreciate all the encouragement to continue PT. as I struggle with anxiety and fight wanting to quiet PT. Any comments?

Sleeping issue after TKR is very normal. Our bodies are not used to the stiffness and soreness from the very invasive surgery. I had both knees replaced 2 years apart. In both cases, it took me over a month after TKR to sleep better. Hang in there, it will get better. We all go through it.

Hi everyone. I've had both of mine done 10 years ago. Now it's my husbands turn so I'm just seeing what's new.

I think everyone has a bit of a different timeline. I had mine about 6 weeks apart and I was done with PT on the first by the time I had surgery. Seems to me both were about 6 weeks, maybe a bit longer for the second one.