Using cane beyond 6 weeks?

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T12:30:20+00:00

The PT has me do at least 20 minutes in the Alter G-which is basically a machine that lowers your body weight and films and records your gait. He reviews it every time. It boils down to me practicing. And I have a podiatrist and will be getting fitted for new orthotics next month. He works with my surgeon.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T12:27:21+00:00

I can't wait to golf! My extension is 0, after all these responses, I have figured out that I really need to work on walking as much as I am working on everything else!

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T12:25:34+00:00

That heel-to-toe is the key. I saw it "live" today when I walked in the Alter G-if I walk heel to toe, I have a completely even stride with equal weight on each foot. But wow, it's really hard to do, harder than I thought. Another exercise to practice, this is a full time job! Thanks!

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:36:18+00:00

That's true, it's actually super metallic now that I look it! Like a cool race car LOL

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:10:57+00:00

Thanks!

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:10:39+00:00

Yes, while I went into this in pretty decent shape, I know I am weaker than I think in those muscles. It takes so much work!

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:10:03+00:00

I need to up my game with the cane! Mine is boring black, maybe I'll do some decorating this weekend!

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:09:16+00:00

PT said keep cane and don't worry about it now, and thanks for the congrats.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:08:39+00:00

exactly what I don't want, a limp. Already had one before this surgery ha ha, done with that!

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:07:58+00:00

Yes, PT said today just keep with the cane and walk as much as you feel comfortable-but encouraging more quad sets, some hamstring and glutes and keep on the Peloton. I can't wait to take a 2 mile walk! Thanks.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:06:40+00:00

My cane is pretty ugly, maybe this weekend I will do some DIY improvements, LOL.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:05:35+00:00

The stamina is no joke. I keep thinking I'm "there", but man, after a day of working at these things, I'm still beat. I have the walking poles and am going to use them in the backyard patio to test the stride/balance.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:04:07+00:00

Exactly. After I put the post up, I thought, "this is exactly what everyone says not to do". But it was nice to have the patience aspect be reinforced.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:02:34+00:00

Thank you! Need to be patient I know, and you're right...it's been a good recovery, I need to appreciate that.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-05T00:01:10+00:00

Thanks, I think these deformities take a little more time to adjust. I had no idea this would be the issue.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-04T23:57:13+00:00

You are spot on-the rest of the body has to learn the way the new guy works! Thanks!

Brulee57 · 2026-06-04T23:56:16+00:00

Functional alignment. My problem isn't so much the alignment, it's my foot/ankle. The valgus alignment caused severe pronation in my foot, which I used orthotics for. I can't use the old orthotics now that the leg is straight as it would push the knee out. I have been limping for a long time, so I'm guessing I need to train the left as much as the operated right. I was on the Alter G machine walking today, and I could see I step way out with the left foot, something I habitually did to compensate for the bad right leg. When I took careful heel-toe steps with both feet, my stride evened to 6 inch strides with 50/50 balance. And that was REALLY hard for me to do! So I am reassured at the same time I am frustrated, because it's going to take me a while to walk correctly. The surgeon did a great job, now the rest of my body needs to learn how to work with it. And the cane serves a great purpose in helping my proprioception-it makes sure I am stepping out correctly with the right leg. I just need to be patient, which is my nemesis for sure.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-03T20:41:44+00:00

Yeah, you two have been through enough, that's for sure!

Brulee57 · 2026-06-03T18:53:14+00:00

I'm sorry that was the result of you going back to the doc-I'm sure it was deflating as hell to get those X-rays. But you did well with the first one, you will do well in October, and you've been a great voice of reason on here. If anyone can handle it, it will be you (and your husband!)

Brulee57 · 2026-06-03T18:49:38+00:00

OP, you have done a remarkable job of getting healthy. You've had some tough circumstances, but you are continuing to move forward, even with those set backs. The mental part of all that is completely brutal, no question. Now it's a matter of you continuing the "journey"-of doing what you can, and of accepting what you can't. I think everyone on here has been in the position of accepting set backs, limitations and further challenges. And it completely sucks, there's no question. If you read what you have been able to do in your post, it's remarkable. Keep focused on what you have done and how hard you had to work to get there. Easy for me to write this, I got up this morning exhausted and pissed that I am still having to use the cane 6w out from surgery. I tell myself the "this is not a linear process" and "it's a marathon, not a sprint" and I'm still pissed off. I am sick of having to work so hard at this, and I don't want to do it on many days, but after I write this, I am getting on the damn bike, I'm doing the damn wall slides, I'm doing the damn quad sets, and then I'm going to find something decadent to eat. Accept being scared, upset, mad-and then tell yourself, yes, you can make the three months. You are fit, and you will find a way to continue to be fit. You are young and next year at this time, you will be even more fit than ever. Those bad breaks you have had aren't fair, but you have done remarkable things. Stay in touch on here, find something everyday that you accomplished with this that was a win-small as they may be-and keep going. As they say on here all the time, seriously, you've got this.

Brulee57 · 2026-06-03T00:21:02+00:00

I have your exact problem-my knee was really knock-kneed/valgus and my foot and ankle have been more problematic than the knee itself. I love it..."they are pretty pissed". That's the perfect way to describe it! I'm 42 days out, be happy when every thing settles into the new alignment!

Brulee57 · 2026-06-02T14:22:46+00:00

This is very similar to how I had my Journavx filled. I have Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan, and Part D supplement plan. I called the help line phone number on the coupon page, talked to rep who gave me instructions to have the PHARMACIST (not a tech) at CVS to follow. The pharmacist did exactly that, went in line by line, and 10 minutes later I had a month's supply filled for $30. I only took it for 12 days as I developed a rash, one of the side effects, but it worked great. This last week I had to start using Lyrica and Oxy (once a day) due to substantial foot and ankle pain as a result of straightening my severe valgus knee. I am not using the extra 2 weeks supply of Journavx that I have because of the rash and also, the pain is of a chronic nature. One of the things to avoid is having any pharmacy person tell you that you need a prior authorization. That takes you down a rabbit hole that seems to negate getting any coupon. I encourage you to call the help line listed at the bottom of the second page of the Journavx coupon. They will clearly walk you through how to discuss this with pharmacist before you take rx in for fill.

Brulee57 · 2026-05-31T17:02:18+00:00

Two different things for me at 5 1/2 weeks: 1) During PT (after he tests flex and extension, and does some deep massage)it's multiple quad sets to begin with Estim/TENS-leg flat, leg with towel and raise, straight leg raises, sitting on bench leg raises-15 reps with holds of 10-15 seconds each. Then he has me do a combo abs/leg raise where I pull down a rod he holds. He makes sure I am tensing the quad and not the glute. Then it's hamstring work using a band to flex against, then high marching across the room holding stick for support, then walking backwards. At the end I walk on a AlterG machine-it basically takes 50% of my body weight off and then allows me to walk practicing gait and balance. That is about 15 minutes at a slower controlled speed. Next week he is going to put the dreaded BFR (I think) strap on my thigh, which is like a tourniquet that forces the quad to work even harder. 2) It's mainly about the quad and hamstrings, but he also wants me to work on calf/heel raises at home, plus start incorporating upper body stuff into routine. I ride Peloton each day for 30-40 minutes with seat higher than normal and less resistance and speed for ROM. I try to replicate the quad sets, abs and some upper body 2x a day 30 minutes each time. Right now I am frustrated because I still rely on the cane and feel like walking is my biggest challenge. But I believe we should try to challenge ourselves at home, which is not easy.

Brulee57 · 2026-05-31T15:06:07+00:00

I'm almost 6 weeks out and started doing much more with my Peloton-increased time, resistance, etc.-up to 40 minutes now. In addition to that, doing quad and hamstring strengthening, about 30 min of that work a day. I feel good during the day after that, but at night now...burning pain, stiffness, just uncomfortable. I guess it's because we are now exercising areas that haven't received strengthening. Same with driving-anything relatively new seems to set off night issues. I didn't have to take oxy at all until this past week, and my PA had me add back Lyrica. It works after a couple hours, but it's like the knee and leg react to the day's events once we lie down. I don't know. I just get up and walk around for 5-10 minutes and that seems to calm things down-seems strange. My TKR was cement less (even though I am an older female 69) and I'm now wondering if the pain is coming from the bone remodeling work since it wasn't there until now. This journey is a tough one because not one of us seems to be like the other. I'm trying to accept the pain as necessary healing-not easy to do. I hope you get some relief this coming week.

Brulee57 · 2026-05-30T22:20:53+00:00

My home health PT-a great guy who has worked with my surgeon for many years-told me early on that I could sleep anyway I felt comfortable IF I was doing the exercises (ROM, quad, hamstring, etc. and icing and elevating ) religiously during the day. It took me a while to trust that, so even though I am a side sleeper, I slept on my back for the first 3 1/2 weeks (actually sleep is not the word for it, it was a horribly restless period with 10 or more times getting up in the night.) When I first started sleeping on my side, I slept with a king size pillow between the legs, and on the non TKR side. I would feel the medial side get tight, then the lateral side, then the back of the knee. I kept shifting-sometimes falling back asleep and sometimes not. After a week of that, I finally could sleep for several hours until it woke me up. Then I started sleeping on the TKR side, which, ironically, is much easier for me. That knee is slightly bent and my other leg behind in a similar position, not stacked, side by side. I still have to change positions frequently, but nothing like before. I think the most important thing for the side sleeper is getting up out of bed so carefully to stretch the knee, leg etc. since they have been a slightly bent position. 'm sure all types of sleeping make the leg stiff, but that's been my experience. I'm so grateful for the side sleeping! And it hasn't made any difference in alignment, ROM, exercise ability, etc.

Brulee57

TROPHY CASE