I have been wondering how many miles it takes to "run in" a new knee...

[JigFettler]

I will write about the op soon in more detail for those who are yet to face what I did on November 24th 2022.

Meanwhile, now that I can sit comfortably long enough n front of the PC, I am posting a photo of this female Kingfisher.

She was at out local small harbour last year, alone. This year she has a fella! Happy days! (He is more elusive!) They were both giving me a right old run around day before, as I was trying to get a photo. Yesterday, however, she kindly posed, at last.

The "run around" no doubt good rehab for my new knee. LoL.

Greetings to all.

Jig

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Jig,

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I recall that "running in" a new engine - pistons, cylinders and rings was from the days when machining was less precise and it took ~5,000 miles of wear to polish the surfaces of the cylinder & rings to reduce oil consumption to the expected level and yield 100,000 miles before a major rebuild.

Now days, the modern engine leaves the factory ready for no oil consumption, 12 months on synthetic oil changes, and expected 250,000 miles of normal operation. I would expect the same from the precise machining on your new knee.

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But, as I found with my new internal "metal back brace", what I need is lots of precise physical therapy exercise to keep my muscles stretched and strong to support that metal insert, and keep me pain free.

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I hope your new knee will perform well, and you can find that Male Kingfisher for us to see.

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Len

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks Len. Well, I am already benefiting from the new knee, the one before was properly done for. The surgeon said I was driving on the rims - using the wheel analogy.

I am counting the miles BTW - just curious. 2.5miles in last 24hrs - 2 walks. Max speed 3mph!!!

Thank you Strava (!)

Jig

[Ptown]

Hello! What a lovely picture you shared! Made me smile on the gray, snowy morning we’re experiencing here in Michigan. Glad to hear you got the new knee you needed. There are a lot of people, places, and, in your case, birds to see! Sending rays of support as you continue to heal. Onwards! Carolyn

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to Ptown]

Thanks! I never am tired of watching birds. They are all so different in manner and behaviour.

Jig

[Ibru]

THere are several facebook groups on TKR (total knee replacement.) They might be helpful.

[mrsjsmith]

Jig sorry no advice on the knee but what an amazing photograph. I spent a fruitless day in the Arundel wetlands last year trying to spot a kingfisher. My friends would be very jealous.

Colette

[Ysabeau]

Had a total knee replacement July, 2022. Now walking well but still on painkillers. Nightime not so good as it is difficult to get comfy. Knee pillow helps.

Now awaiting a pacemaker YIKES. This I am dreading. Keep well and walk every day. Regards Y

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to Ysabeau]

Nights are an issue. But I am off painkillers - apart from occ paracetamol at night.

Best of luck with the pacemaker - walk in the park compared to the knee 😉

These cardiologists are super slick! Hope it goes well.

Jig

[Ysabeau in reply to JigFettler]

Thanks Jig Regards Y

[scryer99]

The one thing I'd recommend, based on caring for a family member with a shredded knee, is ice treatment. There's a gadget about the size of a small computer bag that you can fill with ice and water and it has tubing that circulates it around the knee and cools it locally quite a bit. It did help, though you might be far enough in recovery that you don't need it. It was not covered by US insurance but was rentable and did really provide pain relief and swelling management.

Other than that... find good physical therapy and stick with it. It took six months to get full motion back, and another six to get full confidence back. As I infer you are non-US by the incorrect spelling of harbor I have no recommendation on where to do that.

Beautiful bird shot, BTW. Wrong time of year for those in my neck of the woods.

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to scryer99]

Yeh - Icing indeed, I have the device and use it 2 - 3 daily. Here in the UK - I have had excellent physical therapy guidance and am on it.

My surgeon said 1 to 2 years... know my expectations are - shall we say - um - high!

I'll post some detail presently.

Jig

[CycleWonder]

When you can, bike riding is excellent therapy to keep the knee in order after a replacement. The new knee will bring you much joy and relief. While never as good as the original “young” knee it is a vast improvement over the “old” knee.

We were lucky enough to own a tandem so when I was able to bend my knee enough to ride, my first 5 or 6 rides were on the back of the tandem.

Enjoy your new knee!

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to CycleWonder]

Indeed - I am banned from outdoor pedalling for the first 3 mths - but am able to use an indoor exercise bike. So looking forward - cycling is my passion. I have secured on loan a road going ebike - in the hope I can go back to my traditional cycles requiring traditional effort!

Jig

[CycleWonder in reply to JigFettler]

Be careful starting out in the e-bike. I had a friend who rented one on a vacation. He learned to be “ready-to-go” when turning it on. His first time he wasn’t quite ready-to-go and had to scramble quite a bit to avoid a crash. The e-bike had an assist boost to start out and he was still standing next to the bike!

It took awhile for me to be able to ride outside as well! But it really, really helped with the recovery process. And the knee replacements are quite strong, which you will appreciate.

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to CycleWonder]

Appreciate the heads up! I am a pretty accomplished off road rider, very comfortable on 2 wheels on most surfaces.

Nevertheless, I shall take care!

Jig

[Kiwidi]

Hi Jig

I am now just over two weeks out from my second TKR. I can’t believe the difference! Much less painful and quite flexible from the ‘get go’ Walking well without aids and main thing is to make sure I don’t overdo it. Off all meds except a couple of Panadol at night and an aspirin as a blood thinner. About to get exercycle out of the garage. People must have thought I was a real wimp last time! I reckon I’ll be driving next week and back in the pool aquajogging the next. I was dreading the pain but have been very pleasantly surprised so you never know🙄

I have a cryocuff too which I use a lot and I do keep my leg raised when I’m not doing stuff. I guess it must be the ‘luck of the ‘draw’ Had a very impressively bruised and swollen leg as the surgeon said they manipulated it so it would match the other one. Onwards and upwards for me and for you too I reckon. If this one is as good as the other I’ll be very happy.