Looking for others experience with exercise and movement.

Uh-oh! And here I've just green-lighted a TKR. Did I do wrong? I've been debating a TKR for a long, long time. As you know, ED, my one & only PN symptom is challenging balance. I'm still getting around, no assists around home but a cane for a helpmate outdoors or if I'm visiting friends. I've already had one TKR (my right knee), but that was damn near 20 years ago: I was younger, still with my life-partner, and not yet plagued by PN. I'm now 81, living alone, and pesterday daily by PN. My orthopedic doc knows me. He knows my challenges. Last Wednesday, he and I had no-frills chat about surgery. I assured him I've no illusions about my PN (my PN will be right there waiting for me post-op). Why I've been thinking about a second TKR for so long, and the chief reason why I've said yes, is so that I've a better chance of strengthening my legs: about my only remaining hope if I've a chance to stop or at least slow down any further worsening of my balance. The way it is now: my left knee hollers if I attempt the least exercise; even routine walking has become difficult, not because of my PN but because of what the pain in my knee, when it's at its worse (part of most every day) does to my every effort to move with reasonable grace. It's reached that point where I either do "something" (a TKR), retreat to my recliner and say, OK, you both win: My bum knee, and my PN. (My doctor has made me swear I'll have a live-in friend for the first 72 hours post-op, and a cadre of other friends on 5-minute call for the first three weeks. I'll also be getting an in-home rehab therapist 3-times-weekly.) I've still lots of time in case I change my mind about this TKR. Because I just got an injection in my knee, I can't even think about surgery until after June 11. So, you might say, at least I'm not due To check-in at the hospital at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. 🙂

Ray (@ray666)

@ray666 good luck! Wish you a successful op. Just found out I also need one.

I developed PN about 2 years ago after completing the Camino Frances...the big one 800k in 32 days when I was 80! now 82 ,. I do not have Diabetes and still do 2 to 3 spin classes a week., so always been a bit of a gym bunny since god was a boy, which does make it easier for me to talk about what you can do to alleviate pain.

To start..2 x wrong diagnosis by my local GP's, and finally one of my sons paid for a neurosurgeons, and he confirmed what I already knew and made me start looking for alternative help
You have to be fit to start to give your body any chance..so there is NO silver bullet. BUT over the last 2 years what i thought was going down hill no return moment has been halted.. HOW?

For me STOP drinking wine, bottle to a bottle and a half 7 days a week for 60 years! not a alcoholic just food and wine are a match
1/If you are Diabetic, change your diet..NO EXCUSE!
2/ Cardio exercise at least 2 to 3 times a week
3 My local gym has a cold water plunge pool and at ther moment since its tap water its about 7 degrees C only cold water plunge numbs the nerves which gives pain relief and helps turn down the the nerves
4/Wear COMPRESSION STOCKINGS...no good IF YOU ARE fat!, AGAIN WE COME BACK TO FITNESS LEVALS.
5/ This is the clincher...I read an article about white mice being induced with diabetes then treated with Tadalafil daily for 90 days....cured! so I started 2.5 mg daily Tadalafil, and although I am not cured, I am defiantly better...obviously cut drinking back..Anyway , i could go on but if anyone wants to know more...drop me aline..

The reason for using TADALAFIL is it lasts up to 36 hours in the blood stream, its cheap! and it causes dilation in the sciatic nerve blood flow , which increases oxygen flow which in turns reduces pain..and ~I have been on this self med for 2 years now, and my local pharmacist has now approved the use as I am the 1st patient to experiment on as a trial run , but its put fown as ED becuase the NHS has not approved it for PN!...The low dosage is easy too with NO side effects

@ray666 Ray, our symptoms differ. While you have only balance issues, I have numbness, drop foot and poor balance. I believe it is these combined issues that prevent my knee replacements due to increased probability of falling. I'd listen to the advice of your doctor and with a well-developed plan post-surgery you should have a good outcome as you did years ago. Ed

Movement is everything no matter what your condition or diagnosis. Chair exercises can be very effective...chair fitness and yoga. Sit to Stand...try to do it using your legs. Always do it from a chair with arms for safety. CORE is key...and lower body strength. Stretching which I find difficult due to neuropathy...I often get cramps when I do Yoga. WALK if you can. Use walking sticks or a cane if you need one. Use a recumbent bike if you can. BUT MOVE.

I wish a good outcome were guaranteed, but it's not. I believe I'm being realistic about that. At least I have several months to reconsider and can still say no to surgery. I would never let myself be rushed into this. I also know my doctor isn't surgery-obsessed; he approaches my PN as cautiously as I do. If he has second thoughts in the coming months, he'll tell me, and we'll give up the idea of surgery then and there. Thank you for your thoughts, Ed. (By the way, I have another appointment with my CBT therapist tomorrow—your words to the wise have helped in this, too!) My best wishes, Ed. –Ray

Hi, @jum13

You, too? If I may ask, how old? Do you live alone? Do you have balance issues (as I do)? How bad? Have you a history of falls? I have balance issues, but no significant history of falls. I am 81, and I do live alone.

Ray (@ray666)

Hi Jum13 Your exercise regimen seems to be beneficial. As for one long workout or scattered throughout the day, I prefer mixing it up throughout the hours. I really can't sit still anyway and I have back pain from time to time so the movement helps neuropathy and spinal issues. Since I had my shin shave biopsy which is supposedly and hopefully in a healing or remodeling phase, I try to do more gentle, nerve gliding exercises. I am also at physical therapy 2x per week. So I can identify with NJEd because with an ailment or injury, the playing field must change. Sitting around cannot be an option for me both mentally and physically. Not too many doctors out there that will encourage exercise--they are trained nowadays to push medicines and shots. Exercise builds stamina, strength and a healthy outlook--priceless! No pill will give you that. Keep at it and your 60 will turn into 50. Neuropathy be gone!!

@ray666 I am 60, live alone. I would have balance issues if I stopped walking. I did very bad before I began exercising. I have fallen but rarely and due to things like ice. I do mat Pilates so getting off the ground isn’t an issue. My neuropathy keeps me from really feeling any knee pain or discomfort from the torn meniscus or arthritis so maybe I won’t have it.