1. < Joint Replacements

total knee replacement

Posted by Susie2 @susie2, Nov 16, 2011

I had a failed knee replacement elsewhere, and went to Mayo for a second opinion. I am considering having a knee revision and would appreciate hearing the experiences of those who have had a revision.

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jimk849 | @jimk849 | Jan 4, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@jimk849 Six months is not that long. It will improve, I am sure of that. You..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@jimk849 Six months is not that long. It will improve, I am sure of that. You are able to do just about everything else, so it must just be the weight on stairs I think. Of course, who am I to know? I'm glad you have an appointment coming up with your doctor.
JK

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Thanks for the good thought.

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ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Jan 5, 2019
In reply to @jimk849 "I still have pain sometimes 5 or 6 when I come down stairs. No pain walking..." + (show)
@jimk849

I still have pain sometimes 5 or 6 when I come down stairs. No pain walking riding recumbent bike lifting or doing weight machines. Stairs hurt every day sometimes better sometimes worse. I have an apt. with ortho on Feb 4th. going to ask for x-rays to make sure nothing is loose. Have good flex and straightening everything went fine in pt just can't shake the pain on stairs. Still a little swollen and warm at times.I know they say it can take up to a year for full recovery.

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I also think that your stair issues should get better in time. 4 months after TKR I still have some pain and stiffness issues, but surprisingly, the stairs are pretty easy. Considering that I had an arthro knee surgery 10/17 and never, ever, got to the point where I could walk down stairs (or moderately steep inclines) AT ALL, even after 10 months, I think you will succeed. For me, ergo, new knee. With it’s own challenges.

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1 reply
jimk849 | @jimk849 | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @ellerbracke "I also think that your stair issues should get better in time. 4 months after TKR..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

I also think that your stair issues should get better in time. 4 months after TKR I still have some pain and stiffness issues, but surprisingly, the stairs are pretty easy. Considering that I had an arthro knee surgery 10/17 and never, ever, got to the point where I could walk down stairs (or moderately steep inclines) AT ALL, even after 10 months, I think you will succeed. For me, ergo, new knee. With it’s own challenges.

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I was at the gym yesterday and talked to a trainer who seemed to think I am actually doing too much and I should not be using too much resistance on my 40 min. recumbent bike part of my workout. I am going to dial it back some and see if it helps. That would be great if it does end the pain on the stairs.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Jan 11, 2019
In reply to @jimk849 "I was at the gym yesterday and talked to a trainer who seemed to think I..." + (show)
@jimk849

I was at the gym yesterday and talked to a trainer who seemed to think I am actually doing too much and I should not be using too much resistance on my 40 min. recumbent bike part of my workout. I am going to dial it back some and see if it helps. That would be great if it does end the pain on the stairs.

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@jimk849 I initially put very little resistance on my recumbent bike. Now I go up to 6. I generally start at around 3 and as I bike I increase it. I had been doing 30 minutes -- my ortho told me to do 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, and to take two consecutive days off for recovery. Now if I don't get to my club I do about 45 minutes. I am of course more than a year out from my TKR though. I think your trainer is probably right, don't push it too hard.
JK

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3 replies
jimk849 | @jimk849 | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@jimk849 I initially put very little resistance on my recumbent bike. Now I go up to..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@jimk849 I initially put very little resistance on my recumbent bike. Now I go up to 6. I generally start at around 3 and as I bike I increase it. I had been doing 30 minutes -- my ortho told me to do 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, and to take two consecutive days off for recovery. Now if I don't get to my club I do about 45 minutes. I am of course more than a year out from my TKR though. I think your trainer is probably right, don't push it too hard.
JK

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Thanks for the tip. I was doing 40 mins at 9 after a 1 minute warm-up. For now I am cutting it down to 4. If I peddle faster I can still get my heart rate up there so I still get the cardio work in.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@jimk849 I initially put very little resistance on my recumbent bike. Now I go up to..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@jimk849 I initially put very little resistance on my recumbent bike. Now I go up to 6. I generally start at around 3 and as I bike I increase it. I had been doing 30 minutes -- my ortho told me to do 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, and to take two consecutive days off for recovery. Now if I don't get to my club I do about 45 minutes. I am of course more than a year out from my TKR though. I think your trainer is probably right, don't push it too hard.
JK

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What a great suggestion, @contentandwell. Starting with a low resistance at first and then working up. I'm glad that you shared that.

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ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Jan 12, 2019

@contentandwell, @jimk849 : both of you impress me with your bicycle routine. 30 to 45 minutes seems like major punishment to me. My old butt hurts after 15 to 20 minutes, so I get myself into the pool for more exercises and swimming. I’m only using the level 3 resistance, but keep my heartrate up consistently between 120 and 135, so definitely a cardio workout. The knee does not seem to like the recumbent bike too much, even though I make sure it is adjusted correctly, and that I keep the knee aligned. Perhaps in a few more weeks or months things will be different.

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3 replies
jimk849 | @jimk849 | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @ellerbracke "@contentandwell, @jimk849 : both of you impress me with your bicycle routine. 30 to 45 minutes..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

@contentandwell, @jimk849 : both of you impress me with your bicycle routine. 30 to 45 minutes seems like major punishment to me. My old butt hurts after 15 to 20 minutes, so I get myself into the pool for more exercises and swimming. I’m only using the level 3 resistance, but keep my heartrate up consistently between 120 and 135, so definitely a cardio workout. The knee does not seem to like the recumbent bike too much, even though I make sure it is adjusted correctly, and that I keep the knee aligned. Perhaps in a few more weeks or months things will be different.

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The upper 120's is where I like to keep my heart also, that's about 85% of max. for me. If I find myself creeping up into the 130's i back off a little. Keep on truckin and good luck to all who post here.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @jimk849 "Thanks for the tip. I was doing 40 mins at 9 after a 1 minute warm-up...." + (show)
@jimk849

Thanks for the tip. I was doing 40 mins at 9 after a 1 minute warm-up. For now I am cutting it down to 4. If I peddle faster I can still get my heart rate up there so I still get the cardio work in.

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@jimk849 I have never gone beyond 6, that's pretty much my limit. My ortho said if I got up to six I could do spinning if I wanted to. I still have not tried that. Those tiny, little seats do not look very comfortable.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Jan 12, 2019
In reply to @ellerbracke "@contentandwell, @jimk849 : both of you impress me with your bicycle routine. 30 to 45 minutes..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

@contentandwell, @jimk849 : both of you impress me with your bicycle routine. 30 to 45 minutes seems like major punishment to me. My old butt hurts after 15 to 20 minutes, so I get myself into the pool for more exercises and swimming. I’m only using the level 3 resistance, but keep my heartrate up consistently between 120 and 135, so definitely a cardio workout. The knee does not seem to like the recumbent bike too much, even though I make sure it is adjusted correctly, and that I keep the knee aligned. Perhaps in a few more weeks or months things will be different.

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@ellerlbracke I cannot get moving fast enough either on the treadmill or my bike to get my heart rate up where I would like to see it. It usually hovers at around 100+ or -. and I am doing upwards of 3 miles an hour. The only device that I can get my heart rate up with is the elliptical, because that of course works your arms along with your legs.
Maybe you should start with lower resistance, and sit a bit further back. I would start sitting further back and after I got going for a while I would get off and move the seat forward. Now I only use it as forward as it will go (I'm not quite 5/3").
JK

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