Knee damage...

[Danny T]

Was just speaking with my surgeon, will do another walk today and then will be going home. Thanks for the encouragement everyone.
geezer, there s lot of things I did as a young man. High kicks, flying kicks-knees-elbows, spinning kicks, throws, sweeps, etc. when I rolled over 50 all the old injuries began returning along with arthritis. As much as I wanted or still want I simply can not do a lot of it. Now with this I'll have to curtail even more. Reality is a part of ever changing life.

 

[GiYu - Todd]

Glad you're healing. Hope it continues to improve quickly.

 

[JowGaWolf]

Update - feeling good, feeling strong.
Thanks to everyone for your encouragement.

Went in at 5:00 am surgery at 7:00 out of recovery around 9:30
Pain is deep and had some muscle cramping. Therapist had me work on flexing my ankle as far forward as I could (pointing with the toes) & then pulling them toward the shin. Then worked on lifting the leg off the bed approx. 6 inches and a slight knee bend and pushing to get the back of toward the bed with my ankle elevate on a 6" south roller. After lunch we did it again. Around 4 pm therapist came with a 4 leg walker; let's see if you can stand and put some weight on the leg. Uncomfortable but did it. Doc came by and asked if I could take a step or two?
Slowly took 3 steps. Feeling strong I walked down the hall and back.
It was fantastic!
I'll be back in the train center soon.

Wow you are already walking? So how long until you are allowed to shoot rocket and bullets from your knee or did you get the knee that has a blade that come out when you knee someoene?

 

[Danny T]

Came home yesterday afternoon. PT is tough. With the inflammation and fluid it is difficult to make the knee bend and straighten. Had a drain tube that relieved the fluid pressure but at home it has build up again and there is more swelling. Ice, Ice, Ice and at 12 I'll go back PT. Have actually regressed in the range of movement but will be working on it.
Not the most comfortable experience as yet.Time will tell.

 

[Buka]

First few weeks are the worst, no surprise there, but keep those spirits up, Danny, it gets better. Haven't experienced it myself yet, but worked in a PT unit for five years that specialized in knee replacements and ACL tears. Worked of hundreds on both. Swelling is normal and part of the recovery process, don't let that worry you too much. (I know it sucks)

Listen to your doctor and especially your therapists (who I think know more), and ice like crazy, brother.

 

[JowGaWolf]

Came home yesterday afternoon. PT is tough. With the inflammation and fluid it is difficult to make the knee bend and straighten. Had a drain tube that relieved the fluid pressure but at home it has build up again and there is more swelling. Ice, Ice, Ice and at 12 I'll go back PT. Have actually regressed in the range of movement but will be working on it.
Not the most comfortable experience as yet.Time will tell.

Don't try to get back into action too quick. Give your body time to heal.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

Hey Danny, I am curious partial knee replacement or total. I ask because one of my students had the full knee replacement last fall and he is on a year long recovery program and even though the doctor is thrilled with his progress he is not very thrilled.

 

[Danny T]

Hey Danny, I am curious partial knee replacement or total. I ask because one of my students had the full knee replacement last fall and he is on a year long recovery program and even though the doctor is thrilled with his progress he is not very thrilled.

Total Knee replacement.
In doing my research for who to perform the surgery this man came highly recommended by numerous in this area. Almost every PT is spoke recommend him and would be who they would go to if it were them.
Post op told my wife it was one of the worse if not the worse of knee damage he had every encountered.
He told me I'd be at least 6 months before having any sense of being normal and would still be another 4-6 for complete recovery.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

Gotcha, so the total knee replacement. Ouch... I hope your recovery is speedy and you get a full recovery. Having seen a student go through it who is 65 all I can say is work that PT and be patient!

 

[Danny T]

Gotcha, so the total knee replacement. Ouch... I hope your recovery is speedy and you get a full recovery. Having seen a student go through it who is 65 all I can say is work that PT and be patient!

Just returned from pt. The therapist was excellent. Assure all movement were performed with correct posture and alignment. Had an outstanding positive attitude and very encouraging. Gained about 5 degrees of motion in both directions (10 overall). Painful!! But..., no pain on gain.

Thank you Brian
61 so not far behind him.

 

[Danny T]

Hey Guys,
3 weeks tomorrow since surgery.
Recovery is getting there. Been walking unassisted since the end of week 1. Can straighten the knee to a -6 degrees (straight being -0-) when pressed. Doc and therapists are all ecstatic. Presently only at 115 degrees of bending and again everyone is surprised to have this amount after only 3 weeks. Apparently 115 degrees is the point the therapy is designed to get the average person to and usually takes 7-8 weeks. But then I don't believe most push very hard.
In all honesty this has been physically one of the most difficult things I've ever done.
Have been off the pain meds other than acetaminophen since week 1. Nausea, lack of appetite, and unable to sleep with little pain relief so I just quit taking them.
No pain in the joint itself but lots in the surrounding area due to inflammation and fluid build up.
Doing a lot of walking, slow lunges, and stretching, stretching, stretching.
Began working on the heavy bag last week (lightly) but is awesome to be able to move and get the heart rate up.
Anyway getting there and appreciate everyone's encouragement.

 

[JowGaWolf]

Hey Guys,
3 weeks tomorrow since surgery.
Recovery is getting there. Been walking unassisted since the end of week 1. Can straighten the knee to a -6 degrees (straight being -0-) when pressed. Doc and therapists are all ecstatic. Presently only at 115 degrees of bending and again everyone is surprised to have this amount after only 3 weeks. Apparently 115 degrees is the point the therapy is designed to get the average person to and usually takes 7-8 weeks. But then I don't believe most push very hard.
In all honesty this has been physically one of the most difficult things I've ever done.
Have been off the pain meds other than acetaminophen since week 1. Nausea, lack of appetite, and unable to sleep with little pain relief so I just quit taking them.
No pain in the joint itself but lots in the surrounding area due to inflammation and fluid build up.
Doing a lot of walking, slow lunges, and stretching, stretching, stretching.
Began working on the heavy bag last week (lightly) but is awesome to be able to move and get the heart rate up.
Anyway getting there and appreciate everyone's encouragement.

I wonder if your years of martial arts is one of the reasons why you are making a faster than expected recovery. Your tendons and ligaments are most likely stronger than the average person that gets a knee replacement.

 

[MAfreak]

sorry to hear that and wish you good recovery.
i'd say such training in most cases won't make the joints stronger but damages them slowly till something like this might happen. and similar things happen alot to martial artists. i'm wondering if asians, with all their kneeing on the ground or going in extremely deep stances, have less genetically determined knee weaknesses.
whatever, its good that you make progress but always think about to start off slow.

like from the photos of the master with the replaced knees which where postet, i think all sportsmen should make pictures and/or videos of their sport because some day its over, no matter if due to injuries, illness or the age and then we can watch or show, what we were able to do in better times.

 

[Danny T]

I wonder if your years of martial arts is one of the reasons why you are making a faster than expected recovery. Your tendons and ligaments are most likely stronger than the average person that gets a knee replacement.

In my case the I do believe that:
1. Being in very good physical and cardiovascular shape has helped tremendously.
2. Mindset!! How hard are you driven to work. It is painful not just uncomfortable. Having the desire and discipline to push through the discomfort stage.

The knee damage was cause years ago in football and again water skiing in my 20's the damage was there.

 

[Buka]

How's the swelling, Danny?

 

[Danny T]

How's the swelling, Danny?

First 2 weeks there was quite a bit. I am fortunate in that I have a masseuse who trains with us and have been able to get a massage everyday. Lots of ice the first two weeks and now heat - ice - heat - ice. Am looking at doings some Cryotherapy later this week.

 

[JR 137]

I'm glad to see it's going well. A lot of success definitely depends on mindset. Consistently is critical as well.

With all surgery, the healthier you go in, the quicker you recover.

Knowing your body is definitely a huge advantage as well. There's a difference between tightness and soreness, and outright pain. A lot of people misinterpret tightness and soreness as pain. Work through the tightness and soreness, but back off if there's pain. The better you know your body, the easier it is to distinguish between them. You seem to know your body well enough to be able to distinguish; keep at it.

Just make sure you don't overdo it. It's easy if feel really good some days to push it a little too far; you'll set yourself back if you're not smart about it.

Best of luck to you!