Replacing the Knee

[WM75Guy]

I will be twelve weeks out from my knee replacement this coming Monday. Today was my last day at therapy. I can bend my knee to 115 degrees albeit with some tightness. Having had angioplasty on both legs with my second procedure last Thursday, I might have gotten a bit further but it is what it is. I will be continuing to work out. An upright stationary bike is part of my routine. The bike is old and creaky like me so I am considering upgrading to a recumbent style with more supportive seat. Anyone have one that they might recommend with breaking the bank?

We bought a $2800 recumbent bike for my wife after her knee surgery, definitely not a cheap one. I cannot use it, it hurts my knees. Upright is fine, which is why I go to the gym. She doesn't use it anymore either.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Thanks. That would be too much for my piggy bank

 

[MossRoad]

My in-laws have both a "normal" bike and a recumbent bike. I've tried both and do not like the recumbent. It feels uncomfortable on my pelvis. However, an upright bike is kinda hard on my back. So there you go. Six of one half a dozen of the other.

I prefer a rowing machine.

My mother in-law uses neither bike with any regularity, and can no longer climb on the upright one, so her experiences don't really come to any conclusive opinion. She prefers the recumbent because she feels she's less likely to fall when climbing off and on. That's the only reason.

My father in-law, on the other hand, before passing away at age 93, used upright one for decades. He wore the bearings out of two of them after about 20,000 miles on each. So that's the third one they have owned since I knew them.

He had knee replacement and tried the recumbent for quite a while, and did not like it at all, and went back to the upright as soon as he could manage to climb on and off without falling.

We're talking about a guy that would ride it for 3-4 hours at a time drenched in heavy sweat. Plenty of 50 mile days.

 

[QRTRHRS]

My therapist had a recumbent which I liked because of the support that the full seat offered my back. My stationary is okay except for the seat. I may try a replacement for that first.

 

[sd455dan]

QRTRHRS Glad you are healing up. Making Progress on the knee.

Probably be in trouble with My Physical therapist after today.

Broke my femur/hip about 7 weeks ago. Been a week using a cane. Had sons running the tractor for snow removal, but something electrical happened and the tractor wouldn't start yesterday.

I couldn't let that sit. Ventured out with the cane and a VOM, just a bad fuse.

Couldn't just stop there and was able to get on the tractor and proceeded to snow blow the driveway Out in the sun today.

Leg Let me know when it had enough, (2 stage clutch) but got what needed done "done".

After a major injury
Getting to run my tractor again rates right UP there at the top as a positive goal and experience

Sure made my day.

May be in trouble with PT but it was worth it

 

[kenmac]

Thanks. That would be too much for my piggy bank

amazon has one or $207.00

 

[sd455dan]

Ahhhh.... try over 2 years for me and still not right! I had the first surgery (meniscectomy) in April Of 2018. The 2nd meniscectomy was in Sept. of 2019 after a second injury. PT was doing great, almost pain free after the first surgery. PT did not go good at all after the second surgery, to the point that they would not allow any exercises due to swelling / pain. Within 6 months, the knee was bone on bone. I was then scheduled for a full replacement.

Three days before the surgery, it was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. I had to wait almost a year. It was finally done Jan of 2021. It was initially fantastic! Very little pain, walking the first day with a walker. Third day, walking with a cane. Thought it was great!

Started PT a week later. They kept pushing --- harder, faster, etc... By week 2 of PT, the pain started, swelling was worse than right after surgery! They sent me to a vascular specialist because they thought there was a clot! Nope! Then they tried acupuncture. Made it feel pretty good for about 2 hours. By the third treatment, the Dr. suddenly pulled the pins, saying he could visibly see it swelling before his eyes! PT and acupuncture were immediately stopped.

I have been dealing with constant pain, and the swelling starts within a couple hours of waking up, the knee will randomly "give out" causing stumbles, and I have to use a cane for walking. Can't squat, kneel, or use that leg for much of anything! Getting dressed is a pain, putting on a shoe is a task in itself! Then there are the sudden jolts of pain like getting jabbed with a screwdriver! That is also random.

I have been back to the ortho surgeon 6 times since, the last exam resulting in the surgeon requesting a second opinion as to why it is still painful and swelling. Range of motion is 120+ degrees, all hardware is 'tight' and in proper alignment. He is dumbfounded as to why this is still happening.

I haven't had the second opinion yet.... still trying to get it scheduled. I am really frustrated with the whole situation......

Yikes. Sorry to hear that . Hope things improve.

Been blessed on healing with my femur at least as far as infection or bad swelling.