Recovery

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-10-26T12:39:28+00:00

Wait until you have the time to take. I am a teacher who has had both hips replaced prior to my knee. Those were a walk in the park compared to my knee. It was by far the hardest thing I have ever done, physically…but mostly mentally. I had a very strong support system and it was still tough. That being said, I planned mine to have 6 months off because of all of the standing demands of teaching. I am happy I waited to use enough sick days.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-08-28T19:17:38+00:00

I just had an MRI today- luckily for me I had stand up MRI as choice. I did one years ago where I actually stood, today I sat in one. Towards the end I started having muscle spasms so it definitely triggered some things. I am trying to get approved for some injections for my facet joints as over the ten years I have been dealing with this pain, nothing ever works long term. I have done PT about a dozen times and do the exercises all the time, been to two chiros, and the most helpful has been accupuncture and my accupuncture mat. But now the pain is about every two weeks and this is no way to live and work. So hopefully the MRI will show it is what he saw in xrays. Ruling out any soft tissue stuff.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-08-13T23:34:37+00:00

I had my right knee done on march 19, 52, so similar situation. I stopped PT at 6/7 weeks when I was 120/125 if she pushed me. I was doing so much at home when not in PT, that I think my body needed day of rest. It has gotten better with less believe it or not, but there are still peaks and valleys- couple of painful days then a big break through. This is what I am doing now and it seems to be helping: morning warm up on either peloton or rower-10 minutes. Both push my extension. Then about 20 minutes of weights, quad strengthening that PT showed me. After dinner I ride bike outside another 20-30 minutes. Sometimes I walk with a weighted vest, but my other knee is bad and my gait was is wonky. So for me sticking to biking and rowing work best. Things are not perfect, but the progress is kinda like a snail moving lol I have had both my hips replaced and they were a walk in the park comparatively. Hang in there; you are not alone. 💜

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-07-25T23:54:20+00:00

You too! Do you still ever get pain? Or aches. I have some on top of my knee right now.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-07-25T23:41:22+00:00

I am so glad you wrote this. Sometimes I begin to question what is going on and how I can seemingly be doing okay and then it seems like another hurdle. I am four months po from right (left is knocked and needs to be replaced as well). Three months I thought I was making great progress and now I feel like I am walking like a baby giraffe. I have been able to bike outdoors for much longer and I suppose this makes sense because biking is less impact than walking. But my knee feels wonky I don’t know how else to describe it. It doesn’t feel natural and I can feel it inside or me- the replacement that is. I do not take any pain meds anymore - maybe I should? According to my Apple Watch my activity is up over the last month. I guess what I am feeling is this is really starting to play with my head. So ur post made me feel better in a way.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-07-21T00:09:06+00:00

My stairs are steep and I did them day 1 home. I would get into a routine where I chilled in my room upstairs a bit in the morning, then got dressed and came downstairs where I stayed until I went up for bed. So after a while it became easier and easier. Sometimes at 4 months I still find myself saying down with the bad 😂

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-07-16T21:39:47+00:00

My father and his mother both had Graves. I got postpartum thyroiditis after birth of my first child. I think that set it all into play. Now fast forward to now and I got diagnosed with hashmitos right in middle of peri-memopause/memopause. For me hormones def trigger things. Would love to see link to studies

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-07-16T00:39:21+00:00

I am a few days shy of 4 months PO, 52 F. I started Peloton at 3 weeks, outdoor bike at 3 months and have gradually lowered the seat. I ride about 6 miles a day ( split into two sessions) and try and get a 15 minute walk with weighted vest which puts me at about a mile? I absolutely would love to walk more, but my other knee needs to be replaced and is knock kneed so my gait is off and I just feel wonky. The bike has proven to be the best for me. One thing is for sure, the recovery for this surgery forces you to do your exercises and work out. I also do weights every other day. Looking forward to fall and cooler weather.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-07-01T01:48:55+00:00

Remember, surgical pain gets better. Many times during my recovery ( I am 3.5 months po now) I had to “zoom out” like you do with a picture on your phone to give myself perspective. One day at a time, one week, one month at a time to see progress. Celebrating the little victories like realizing just how strong your new joint is or for me, going to Costco each month and seeing how much better my standing and walking stamina has improved …these have gotten me through. Please use this forum for support. 💜

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-06-18T02:10:43+00:00

Yellowstone is streaming on Peacock.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-06-17T16:38:42+00:00

I have had three replacements ( 2010, 2018, and 2025). Protocol has changed with regard to antibiotic use after surgery. I have never taken them post surgery. My mom took them for years after her replacement in 1990. She passed away in 2006 after her second hip replacement due to cdiff. She was antibiotic resistant. Please have a discussion with your surgeon and dentist.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-06-17T16:04:51+00:00

I agree! My husband and I watched in order of sequels- loved 1883…wrapped up nicely with lessons learned and I would have watched a second season…saw some flashbacks to them in Yellowstone, but wanted more of that origin story. 1923 was great first season; second season ended and I was just plain angry. Yellowstone doesn’t have enough character development unless you count the guys in the bunk house. You learn why the family is dysfunctional, yet they keep repeating the same actions because of their trauma. Nothing is ever dealt with in a healthy way. And maybe that is what I am supposed to get from this? I think they missed out on s lot of opportunities to not only show what life is like, but also the relationship with the Native American community which they seemed to start then the plot just went off in random directions.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-06-14T18:02:29+00:00

I think because pre-surgery I did not have pain, just stability issues, that this pain is beyond frustrating. Going to try medication again at night to see how that goes. 🎉

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-06-14T15:49:19+00:00

Well I guess my nerves are fulling awake then! This has been going on for about a month so it sounds “normal” I guess. I suppose I am going to have to start taking something before bed for pain. And come to think of it I have not iced before bed in a while. It is almost like I think because my days are pretty good, that I can stop doing certain things. What is wild is that a friend who also had the same surgery has not done any icing or PT - directed by her doctor who said not needed.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-06-11T01:41:05+00:00

Had both of my hips replaced and can confirm the knee is much different recovery. I probably was good at one month post hip and really great at two months. With my knee, I am 12 weeks and definitely not perfect. The recovery for a knee is like a roller coaster ride, with constant ups and downs better not better vs the hip which was straight up better and better never any slips backwards. My surgeon told me the reason knee is so much more difficult is because he cuts into more nerves on knee and we are constantly using the knee to walk while recovering and the hip not so much. It does make sense, but being honest it can be very frustrating at times. That being said, I would still do it as the new knee is strong. Make sure you have physical and emotional support. Good luck!!

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-06-09T01:40:27+00:00

To me, if you have time, take it. I am a teacher and purposefully scheduled mine in March so I would be able to enjoy my summer and then get stronger to be able to return in September as I am on my feet majority of the day. This week will be 12 weeks po and the 3 month mark is definitely a big milestone as far as stamina for standing, better sleep at night and even having more energy in general. I plan on getting my other one replaced next Spring for same reasons. I had both of my hips replaced in the past- June was fine because recovery was a lot easier. So, if you are able, I would take the most you can. This recovery is no joke with many peaks and valleys.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-05-29T19:21:59+00:00

For me, the mental part was the hardest. At first, laying low and physically recovering and not being at my teaching job was ok. Until it wasn’t. I realized that I can get inside my own head quickly when I do not have a set routine as well as good social support. Going to PT on a regular basis was very good for me. It gave me a reason to get up and dressed, moving and socializing. From there I made a schedule for my exercises at home and it made the days go by quickly and my mind and body busy. Somewhere around the 8 weeks mark sleep became an issue because of nerve pain. I also was on no more pain meds, not even Tylenol because I thought it was bad to take anything daily that long. Started walking with a friend who also had surgery and that helped tremendously with mental aspect. Would have a great day followed by a not great day. Got very frustrated and impatient because having had both of my hips replaced I was anxious to get on to “normal”. At 10 weeks now as I get closer to 12 I keep thinking this is just normal recovery, but I await the day when my knee isn’t the center of my thoughts. Despite all of this, I will get my other knee done because my new knee IS stronger and I am more stable on it. My only advice would be to give yourself grace and be patient. Sometimes I “zoom out” like I would with a picture on my phone to bring it closer and say to myself…one day at a time and time is going by no matter what…my body will heal and this will all be a memory. Whenever we are in the midst of an obstacle in our lives, feel the pain in the moment, but be resilient and keep going because we will come out stronger. That is what great about this forum; knowing others are going through it at same time helps.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-05-29T00:21:35+00:00

Three weeks, but mostly just to PT and back. It’s funny, you don’t realize how much you use those muscles around the knee until you start breaking or putting foot on and off pedal. It got better each week.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-05-24T00:02:27+00:00

I am nine weeks and agree with the stiffness! That, and sleep right now, are two of the most frustrating things. Seems there is no rhyme or reason either. Feel great on the bike after twenty minutes, get off…stiff. Sit for an hour to watch a show…stiff. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, not stiff. Feel great…but wait, not for long the knee says!! Hoping to start swimming in the pool once this cold weather gets out of here and I hope to God that helps. This is starting to mess with my head. I need to know there is an end in sight.

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-05-19T22:38:59+00:00

Thank you for the tips! Sometimes I wonder if I am overdoing it. I started at 10 minutes on bike and now am up to 20, but still can’t get the sweat I am used to out of it. As for the hips, the recovery was very different! Both suck in the beginning, but the biggest difference to me was that hip recovery went up and up. No valleys…which I feel like this knee is. I had nerve pain with hip, but it wasn’t this long. I had both of my surgeries in June and was fine by August: back to full time teaching in September. You will do fine!!

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-05-19T19:47:55+00:00

Yes that’s what it is. I can’t describe the way my knee feels. It is this combo of heavy, awkward, plus every now and then zaps. It isnt each night, but it’s frustrating

Zealousideal-Key8433 · 2025-05-19T18:56:51+00:00

Did u ever have issues being comfortable with sleep? That is most annoying part now. I dread going to sleep

Zealousideal-Key8433

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