Very little to report at the ninth month as things continue to go very well. My knee feels great. Perhaps the only thing to report is that I have noticed gradual improvement of the stiff feeling in the outside of my surgical right knee when doing stretches. Until recently, I have noticed stiffnes in my knee when doing "potatoe picker" exercises or any stretching exercise where I stand with my legs spread far apart. In one stretching exercise, I stand with my legs spread wide apart and bend at the waist to touch my right foot with my left hand, and then swith to the other foot with the right hand. The stiff feeling in the outer side of the right knee is nearly gone. I suspect that healing continues as the bone of the knee area continues to adapt to the embedded prosthesis.
One other small item to report is the discomfort I feel when kneeling down on my surgical knee to wash floors or do yard work. I have noticed that my surgical knee does not feel comfortable in a kneeling position against a hard surface such as a wooden or cement floor. If I am kneeling on a soft surface such as a couch, bed, or cushioned chair, there is no discomfort. Wearing kneed pads as some carpenters or roofers do is the solution to kneeling on hard surfaces.
I will report progress on my total knee replacement for three more months, thus completing this one year blog on knee replacment surgery. At the 12 month report, I will be visiting Dr. David Denzin for the one year follow-up which includes an X-Ray of the knee.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Eight Months after Surgery
Just returned to work after a two week vacation. I spent time in Grand Haven, Ludington, and East Tawas Michigan enjoying the Great Lakes--Michigan's fresh water Mecca. I was on my own the first week and traveled to Grand Haven and Ludington with my Mustang and my bike. I rode my bike 20 or more miles each day along the lakeshore, worked out at a local fitness center, and played golf, walking without a cart. My prosthetic knee survived very well without a single problem. In Ludington, I discovered the Health and Racquet club owned by Bob James. The club is a bit dated, but has all the equipment you need for a good workout--out in the woods too on the outskirts of downtown Ludington.
For the second week, Margaret and my sons Chad and Eric joined me at the family cabin on Tawas Lake in East Tawas. We had a great time biking, golfing, fishing, and visiting the beach. Again, my knee survived everything very well. The picture below shows a view of the sunset from the back of the cabin that the family fondly refers to as the "Red Cabin.".
For the second week, Margaret and my sons Chad and Eric joined me at the family cabin on Tawas Lake in East Tawas. We had a great time biking, golfing, fishing, and visiting the beach. Again, my knee survived everything very well. The picture below shows a view of the sunset from the back of the cabin that the family fondly refers to as the "Red Cabin.".
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Seven Months after Surgery
Two events to report at the seven month status update. One is my first trip in an airplane since the knee replacement. And the second item is my first competitive 40 mile bike ride with my new knee. For both events, I am happy to report good news....
In late June I traveled by plane from Detroit Metro to the Chicago O'Hare aiport for a three day conference. I was anxious about the trip as I expected a long delay at security including a pat down. I arrived 2.5 hours before the flight departure. I was pleased to learn, however, that both Detroit Metro and Chicago O'Hare airports had full body scanners which made the "security check" brief and easy. At both airports I informed the security personnel that I had a knee prosthesis that would not pass the metal detectors. They responded saying that I should stand in line for the full body scanner. The line was short as many passengers were still not comfortable with the new scanners. I was asked to remove everything from my pockets including paper. I then stood on the footprint templates and raised my hands over my head during the scan. The scan took a few minutes, and then they informed me that I had passed the scan. With full body scanners moving into all US airports, I believe there will be no additional wait time at security with a knee prosthesis.
This past Saturday, July 9, I rode my bike 40 miles in an organized biking event held in Chelsea, Michigan. There were six different routes ranging from 15 miles to 100 miles. I selected the 40 mile route as I regularly work out with 15 mile bike rides. I rode the 40 miles in 2 hours and 35 minutes and only stopped twice at the refreshment sites for water and fruit. My knee survived very well. I did notice a bit of stiffness after the ride, but it abated after a few hours. Below is a picture shortly after I finished the bike ride.
As testimony to the durability of the knee prosthesis, I worked out for 35 minutes the following morning on the Precor Ellipitical machine without any problems.
In late June I traveled by plane from Detroit Metro to the Chicago O'Hare aiport for a three day conference. I was anxious about the trip as I expected a long delay at security including a pat down. I arrived 2.5 hours before the flight departure. I was pleased to learn, however, that both Detroit Metro and Chicago O'Hare airports had full body scanners which made the "security check" brief and easy. At both airports I informed the security personnel that I had a knee prosthesis that would not pass the metal detectors. They responded saying that I should stand in line for the full body scanner. The line was short as many passengers were still not comfortable with the new scanners. I was asked to remove everything from my pockets including paper. I then stood on the footprint templates and raised my hands over my head during the scan. The scan took a few minutes, and then they informed me that I had passed the scan. With full body scanners moving into all US airports, I believe there will be no additional wait time at security with a knee prosthesis.
This past Saturday, July 9, I rode my bike 40 miles in an organized biking event held in Chelsea, Michigan. There were six different routes ranging from 15 miles to 100 miles. I selected the 40 mile route as I regularly work out with 15 mile bike rides. I rode the 40 miles in 2 hours and 35 minutes and only stopped twice at the refreshment sites for water and fruit. My knee survived very well. I did notice a bit of stiffness after the ride, but it abated after a few hours. Below is a picture shortly after I finished the bike ride.
As testimony to the durability of the knee prosthesis, I worked out for 35 minutes the following morning on the Precor Ellipitical machine without any problems.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Six Months after Surgery
I have had my first real awareness that my new knee is not a replacement for the knee I was born with. Over the past few weeks, I have seriously taxed my knee by doing painting and maintenance on my house. With summer weather upon us, I worked the entire Memorial Day weekend from sun-up to sun-down painting, standing for extended periods of time on a 32 foot ladder, moving the ladder, bending and walking about working. At one point while moving the heavy ladder, I felt a strained sensation in my knee and observed a tiny bit of swelling on the outer knee area. The knee also had a slight stiffness feeling to it. Fortunately, there was no pain.
I am assuming that I strained the knee area from all the work, but will watch carefully over the next several days/weeks to be sure that nothing more serious is going on. Of course, several depressing thoughts crossed my mind such as a loosening of the knee prosthesis where it was cemented into my knee or even a possible infection since I had cut my finger a time or two from working on the house.
A few weeks back, I did go to the Dentist for the first time since the knee replacement. I took 4 capsules of 500MG amoxocillin (antibotic) as a precautionary measure one hour before the dental cleaning. All this went without incident.
I am next scheduled to see my doctor for a follow-up evaluation on the knee replacement in December. December will be the one year mark since the surgery. At the one year follow-up visit, the doctor will take another x-ray to review status and progress of the knee prosthesis.
And as a final entry to the 6 month update, here is a short video with me playing golf with my new knee and my three sons on Father's Day.
I am assuming that I strained the knee area from all the work, but will watch carefully over the next several days/weeks to be sure that nothing more serious is going on. Of course, several depressing thoughts crossed my mind such as a loosening of the knee prosthesis where it was cemented into my knee or even a possible infection since I had cut my finger a time or two from working on the house.
A few weeks back, I did go to the Dentist for the first time since the knee replacement. I took 4 capsules of 500MG amoxocillin (antibotic) as a precautionary measure one hour before the dental cleaning. All this went without incident.
I am next scheduled to see my doctor for a follow-up evaluation on the knee replacement in December. December will be the one year mark since the surgery. At the one year follow-up visit, the doctor will take another x-ray to review status and progress of the knee prosthesis.
And as a final entry to the 6 month update, here is a short video with me playing golf with my new knee and my three sons on Father's Day.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Five Months After Surgery
Not much to report at the 5 month post-surgery date other than saying that I am doing fine, and all is well.
I continue to work out 4 to 5 times a week by swimming, riding a bike, and working out on an elliptcal trainer. I am also doing some weight training including leg presses and hamstring pulls.
I find that I do not think very much about the prosthesis in my right knee. I am doing all activities other than running. Even when doing yard work, I find that I can easily move a wheel barrow with a 100 pound load, and carry 50 pound bags of sand and dirt. The knee feels very stable and strong.
Swelling in the surgical knee has abated some since I last reported in this blog. My right knee circumference is 17.5 inches. The left knee by comparison is 16.75 inches. The picture below shows both of my knees (Notice our cat Georgia walking by in the background behind my legs; she is 20 years old!):
This Wednesday I have my first visit to the dentist since my knee surgery. For the remainder of my life I have to take an antibiotic when I visit the dentist. The antibiotic is a precautinary measure to prevent infections. Apparently, there is an increased chance of getting an infection around the prosthesis from dental work which is considered a "dirty procedure". While data is not conclusive in this area, my doctor asked that I take the antibiotic as a safeguard. The drug prescribed to me is amoxicillin. About 1 hour before visiting the dentist, I am to take four capsules of 500MG amoxicillin.
Next report will be in June for the six month update.
I continue to work out 4 to 5 times a week by swimming, riding a bike, and working out on an elliptcal trainer. I am also doing some weight training including leg presses and hamstring pulls.
I find that I do not think very much about the prosthesis in my right knee. I am doing all activities other than running. Even when doing yard work, I find that I can easily move a wheel barrow with a 100 pound load, and carry 50 pound bags of sand and dirt. The knee feels very stable and strong.
Swelling in the surgical knee has abated some since I last reported in this blog. My right knee circumference is 17.5 inches. The left knee by comparison is 16.75 inches. The picture below shows both of my knees (Notice our cat Georgia walking by in the background behind my legs; she is 20 years old!):
This Wednesday I have my first visit to the dentist since my knee surgery. For the remainder of my life I have to take an antibiotic when I visit the dentist. The antibiotic is a precautinary measure to prevent infections. Apparently, there is an increased chance of getting an infection around the prosthesis from dental work which is considered a "dirty procedure". While data is not conclusive in this area, my doctor asked that I take the antibiotic as a safeguard. The drug prescribed to me is amoxicillin. About 1 hour before visiting the dentist, I am to take four capsules of 500MG amoxicillin.
Next report will be in June for the six month update.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Four Months After Surgery
Just a short update here at four months post surgery.
I saw Dr. Denzin on March 21. He continues to be pleased with my progress. My knee bend was 110 degrees at the appointment. He wants to see me for the next follow-up visit this December--one year from the surgery.
I am doing all normal activities now including walking long distances. On a long weekend recently, Margaret and I went to Grand Haven where there is a boardwalk along the river extending out to a pier along Lake Michigan. We walked the entire boardwalk, about 2.5 miles round trip from the Snug Harbor restaurant to the light house. My leg was absolutely fine, no pain or discomfort at all. I am also walking about the U-M campus without concern. Recently, I walked from LSA to the Palmer Commons twice in the same day without issue. At home, I am power walking two miles with our dog Buddy without any pain. Amazingly, I do not feel the need to sit down and rest my leg after walking. Before surgery, I had to rest my leg after long walks due to the arthritis pain in the knee. That is all gone now!
I am also walking up/down steps normally, even walking up/down steps two at a time to work the quadricep muscle a bit more.
In late May, I will be taking a plane to Chicago. This will be my first flight since the surgery. I will have to go through a pat-down since my knee prosthesis will set off the security alarm when passing through the conventional metal detectors. It will also be interesting to see how well my "knee bends" sitting in the cramped airplane seating in coach.
I saw Dr. Denzin on March 21. He continues to be pleased with my progress. My knee bend was 110 degrees at the appointment. He wants to see me for the next follow-up visit this December--one year from the surgery.
I am doing all normal activities now including walking long distances. On a long weekend recently, Margaret and I went to Grand Haven where there is a boardwalk along the river extending out to a pier along Lake Michigan. We walked the entire boardwalk, about 2.5 miles round trip from the Snug Harbor restaurant to the light house. My leg was absolutely fine, no pain or discomfort at all. I am also walking about the U-M campus without concern. Recently, I walked from LSA to the Palmer Commons twice in the same day without issue. At home, I am power walking two miles with our dog Buddy without any pain. Amazingly, I do not feel the need to sit down and rest my leg after walking. Before surgery, I had to rest my leg after long walks due to the arthritis pain in the knee. That is all gone now!
I am also walking up/down steps normally, even walking up/down steps two at a time to work the quadricep muscle a bit more.
In late May, I will be taking a plane to Chicago. This will be my first flight since the surgery. I will have to go through a pat-down since my knee prosthesis will set off the security alarm when passing through the conventional metal detectors. It will also be interesting to see how well my "knee bends" sitting in the cramped airplane seating in coach.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Three Months after Surgery
I am now 3 months post surgery. As recovery from this surgery is now very gradual, I will post future updates on a monthly basis.
Sleep problems seemed to have abated. For the past 10 days, I have not taken the ambien sleeping pill to fall asleep. I am falling asleep normally. I am hardly aware of my surgical leg at night. It is beginning to feel normal when lying in bed.
I have now recovered sufficiently to resume all activities that I did before the surgery. This includes workouts on the stationary bike, 2 mile walks, and 30 minutes on the eliptical machine. All this at the same resistance level that I did before surgery. On the stationary bike, for instance, I am using position 9 for the seat adjustment to achieve a 90 degree bend of the knee, and I am using resistance level 11 and 12 to exercise the quadracep muscle. The video below depicts this:
I am also retiring the cane. I have not used the cane much since early February. I have kept the cane in the trunk of my car just in case I needed it. I am now fully confident in the strength of my knee to retire the cane to the attic with the crutches. Below is a picture of me using the cane at the Detroit Auto Show on January 20. This was the last day where I significantly depended upon it for longer walks and prolonged standing.
Sleep problems seemed to have abated. For the past 10 days, I have not taken the ambien sleeping pill to fall asleep. I am falling asleep normally. I am hardly aware of my surgical leg at night. It is beginning to feel normal when lying in bed.
I have now recovered sufficiently to resume all activities that I did before the surgery. This includes workouts on the stationary bike, 2 mile walks, and 30 minutes on the eliptical machine. All this at the same resistance level that I did before surgery. On the stationary bike, for instance, I am using position 9 for the seat adjustment to achieve a 90 degree bend of the knee, and I am using resistance level 11 and 12 to exercise the quadracep muscle. The video below depicts this:
I am also retiring the cane. I have not used the cane much since early February. I have kept the cane in the trunk of my car just in case I needed it. I am now fully confident in the strength of my knee to retire the cane to the attic with the crutches. Below is a picture of me using the cane at the Detroit Auto Show on January 20. This was the last day where I significantly depended upon it for longer walks and prolonged standing.
After activity, my knee feels a bit stiff and slightly swollen. So I have not achieved the benefit I had hoped for as my knee (pre-surgery) would also swell and become stiff after activites (e.g bike riding, long walks, etc.). I suspect that as I continue to recover over the next several months that my knee will become less prone to swelling and stiffness after activities. I have noticed that my knee is responding better to exercise as time transpires. Increasingly, I am finding myself less aware of the knee as I walk and do errands about the house. This is in contrast to the first six weeks after surgery where I was thinking about every step my surgical leg took as I walked or navigated stairways.
The picture below shows both of my knees side-by-side after 3 months. Unlike the left knee, the right knee (the surgical leg) still does not show the outine of my quadricep muscle, but it is almost coming into view on the inner side of the knee.
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