Total Knee Repair Revision: A Success Story

Sue,

Can you elaborate a little on your water therapy? This isn't for me but an in-law who s trying therapy before surgery. (I know that for bad knees, the breast stroke is a no-no. Wondering if there are similar exercises to avoid for hips.)

Thank you.

Joe

Water therapy is awesome …. When I had my knee done last year my knee was stuck for good reason ….. I started water therapy with a pt she went through all kinds off exercises and they have modalities to help with certain exercises and stretches…. So I don’t swim it is all exercises but in the pool it is so much easier …. For instance I am able to bare more weight down on my knee than on land …Use floats on my ankles and bend my leg back and let my leg relax to get more of a bend …. For me it’s all about getting more of a bend ….but I am sure anyone can look up online or talk to there dr or pt create a program that will work for them …. I tweek my program as needed.

The best water therapy for me was:
- walking in chest deep water - forward, backward & to both sides.
- quad strength building using a pool noodle or elastic band. Simply hold the band or noodle between the hands and step down.
- squats & lunges in waist deep water.
- bicycling the legs in water (our pool has a bench along one side to facilitate. At the therapy pool, they put a shower bench in the pool for this exercise.

I always suggest people wear shoes (I have dedicated mesh walking shoes) for stability when exercising in the pool.

I frequently introduce this exercise regimen to my winter Texas neighbors to do before they go home for spring surgery & after their incisions heal in fall/winter.
Sue

I have this issue with my legs - had a difference prior to hip replacement, hip revision was complicated, resulting in a 3rd surgery, which unfortunately increased the difference to 1/2". The ortho was very apologetic, but to get my hip to not dislocate repeatedly, it was necessary.
That was 11 years ago, and I have learned to live with it (am grateful the difference is not greater - my brother has a leg difference of over 1")

So, I wear a 1/4" lift in the shoe of my short leg, or when I wear my orthotics, that one is built up an additional 1/4" and no walking barefoot or I get sore.
Sue

Like sue said they suggest different exercise for knee than hip …. So you can look up online there is so much ….your in-law can print out bring to pool until she has her routine…. I have seen some other ladies do this.

Water therapy is awesome …. When I had my knee done last year my knee was stuck for good reason ….. I started water therapy with a pt she went through all kinds off exercises and they have modalities to help with certain exercises and stretches…. So I don’t swim it is all exercises but in the pool it is so much easier …. For instance I am able to bare more weight down on my knee than on land …Use floats on my ankles and bend my leg back and let my leg relax to get more of a bend …. For me it’s all about getting more of a bend ….but I am sure anyone can look up online or talk to there dr or pt create a program that will work for them …. I tweek my program as needed.

That's unfortunate but I think your solution is the most elegant. Bummer though to not be able to walk much barefoot.

1/2" is a lot. I never thought about it when I had my TKRs.

Why did you need 3 surgeries on your hip?

Thank you very much Sue. My sister-in-law (also Sue) is afraid of replacement surgery due to risk of infection, it is rare but happened to one of her friends. I've tried to convince her the risk of infection in joint replacements is low, 1% for knees. I'm concerned if she doesn't get her hips replaced, the femur and socket will continue to wear down and could break. Then she'd need surgery anyway.

Her gait has been drastically affected. And that puts added pressure on all joints beneath the hips and the hips themselves.

Maybe water exercise will help. It can't hurt. I hope she builds some strength and then gets the replacements, which is what I did with my knees with incredible success. And I think overall recovery from THR is much faster than for knees.

Thanks again Sue.

Joe

Very useful ezas, thank you.

I'm about three months removed from my last TKR. The Dr. said I can do just about anything except running or any impact exercises. I'm going to start HIIT sessions on the bike at the gym, and restart hot yoga for stretching and strength, being watchful of poses that stress the knee.

Really glad I did the TKRs. Just turned 68, and the surgeries were life changing.

I hear you Joe … I am not grateful yet lol I hope some day … you are doing some great workouts very intense …. Hot yoga my daughter does that is something I like to try …..