New hardware

dutchie53

Barefooters
Nov 6, 2011
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Winnipeg
So, I'm 6 hrs away from receiving a new pair of titanium knees. And how am I getting ready for this event? Well I just finished my morning 2 mile run, barefoot of course, in -6C. You see as strange as it sounds, my knees at the moment are totally grinding bone on bone but they don't bother me running. I credit the barefoot running style for allowing me to continue with my running as I was told 15 years ago to trade in my runners for a bike by my ortho doc. Well, I did get rid of the runners but never did get that bike. But standing and walking, now that's a whole different story. And no, my knees did not get this way from 40 years of running. Living the active lifestyle as a young man I suffered from quite a few knee injuries from playing hockey, soccer, racing MotoX, climbing mountains, etc. Back in those day when one went to see a doctor with a knee that hurt it was always the same story. Here are some pain killers and a tensor and all will be good in a while. I'm having both of them done ate the same time, the recovery will be longer, but I only have to do it once. I will periodically post here as to how my recovery is going and will be looking forward to running again by the end of the year. I also hope by sharing this journey that it may help others that will be or are going through this at some time.
 
Good luck with your surgeries, Dutchie! My mom, 80, just had a full knee replacement in December. She tore her knee pretty badly when she simply turned one way to take a step. She is doing better now than she was before the surgery. Before, she had to walk with a crutch and was in a lot of pain. Now, she can bear the pain and walks without crutches. I know you will be fine! Can't wait to hear of your recovery and return to barefoot running.
 
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So a bit of a update so far. I'm now able to walk about 50 feet with assistance of a walker. But I was told in no uncertain terms that being barefoot would not be tolerated, that was a bit of a bummer. There is zero pain from the new joints, but I do have a lot of tissue tightness. So three times a day I'm hooked up to a CPM (continuous passive motion machine). This is used to increase the flexion of the knee joints, I do about a hour per leg per session, and also probably walking around for what it is another three times a day. I've worked the CPM machine so that I'm upto about 45° on both knees. So aft a slow start I'm beginning to see some good progress, might even be kicked out of here by Tuesday or Wednesday. Have to tackle the dreaded stairs before that happens. One other thing that I wished I had discovered earlier is a OSSUR Cold therapy Device, it pumps ice cold water to prefixed bladders that are wrapped to whatever ails you. I also purchased a splitter so I can ice both knees at the same time. This thing is awesome for pain management. Enjoy your runs out there people, still hoping to get out there myself before the end of the year.
 
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Another update, they finally kicked me out of hospital. I was in for 13 days total. Which was about 5 days longer then expected. It wasn't until day 10 that the recovery process took off. It was no longer was a big fiasco getting in and out of bed by myself and flexion showed improvement every day. Had no issues walking for up 20-30 minutes at a time with the assistance of a walker. I credit the CPM machine for a lot of the credit for this recovery. I found the Phisiotherapy at this hospital not that great, they see you for about 10 minutes twice a day and that would be it. The weather is looking great outside so I will look forward to heading outdoors for my walking (barefoot). Still using the cooling unit after my excercises to help with pain management and to help keep the swelling down.
 
Another update, they finally kicked me out of hospital. I was in for 13 days total. Which was about 5 days longer then expected. It wasn't until day 10 that the recovery process took off. It was no longer was a big fiasco getting in and out of bed by myself and flexion showed improvement every day. Had no issues walking for up 20-30 minutes at a time with the assistance of a walker. I credit the CPM machine for a lot of the credit for this recovery. I found the Phisiotherapy at this hospital not that great, they see you for about 10 minutes twice a day and that would be it. The weather is looking great outside so I will look forward to heading outdoors for my walking (barefoot). Still using the cooling unit after my excercises to help with pain management and to help keep the swelling down.
Nice. Sounds like you are on a great way to recover soon.
 
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Glad you're on the path to healing and can't wait for you to get back out there, Dutchie.
 
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It's been close to 3 months since my TKR and I must say my recovery has gone very well. Phisio has kicked me out of their knee classes after 4 weeks due to my progress. Most of their exercises are geared to to build strength and flexibility to the knees. It would seem that my leg strength is right up there and flexibility has gotten to about 110 degrees on both knees. I've also been golfing already for the last 4 weeks and am riding my bike for up to 30km per day. I've also tried some short runs already for the last couple of weeks for up to about 100 meters and am walking about a mile couple of times per day. The running doesn't feel natural yet so I will stay with short distances until it begins to feel natural again. Standing and not moving too much still causes me some discomfort after about 1/2 hour. So all and all I would say that I'm way ahead in my recovery. I believe this is due to being active and in good shape right up to the day of surgery and getting active again as soon was possible after surgery.
 
I agree. It's important to stay fit. You'll be fine.
 
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