Knee Replacement Surgery knee #2 - 8 days post op

[@billstrube3425]

A.M., l am now four weeks post surgery, (double knee replacement ), and l am finally able to get up and walk without any assistance. I envy your ability to recover from major surgery so quickly. Good luck.

[@ApeMan]

Wow a double sounds tough but get it all over with at once seems great. The worst is over - good luck to you. I'm far from recovered - there is lots of off camera grunting and whining but I like to project positivity as I think it helps with the whole recovery process.

[@fattpatt44]

Hey A.M. glad to see your ok and now I don't feel so bad that this time I am having a tougher time than the first TKR. It's not uncommon for the second knee replacement to be harder than the first.I know what you mean, the 2nd and 3d weeks are frustrating trying to build strength and flexibility, and your kind of stuck at home other than PT. Well, keep it up. thanks for the videos I hope they help you as much as they help me.

[@ApeMan]

Hi Ray. Hang in there! Making the videos is healing in a way for me and gives me something to do. Sleep is slowly returning so things are getting better.

[@charlessullivan5370]

Desire is 9/10ths of recovery. You are putting in the effort; results will follow. Knee replacement is in my future too. Dreaming about returning to the Sierra is a good carrot to dangle in front of you. Keep on keeping on. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Happy Yule season to you and Elaine!

[@ApeMan]

Thank you Charles! Happy Holidays to you as well!

[@raulgodoy7314]

Heck yeah man good to hear your doing good.

[@ApeMan]

Still fricking hurts but I'm getting there! Hope all is well!

[@jc10907Sealy]

Glad you are healing, it’s sounds tough- takes courage to have those surgeries. Love the clean-shaven look, works well for you, as does the beard.

[@ApeMan]

I’m a relatively young 61 year old with a good support system. Think of the courage of a single 70+ year old. I got bored today and needed something to do. My wife said I could shave as long as I look like Santa by Christmas!

[@swithinbarclay4797]

@@ApeMan : Try the clean-shaven upper lip, like Abraham Lincoln. Or bountiful muttonchops like Quentin Collins. Or muttonchops connected to handlebar moustache, like President Chester Arthur. I think that Johnnie Muir's beard was so long, that it always obscured his necktie/cravat. I'd seen pictures of him taken in the mid-1860's, before the beard, and he had such a sweet looking mouth. And he had a head of flaming-red hair, then.

[@erict5878]

Hey there A M! My wife has had 2 replacements and you are doing it right! You might go to PT 2x a week BUT it's what you do at home between the PT visits that counts! You have to push yourself at home and because you do that each day, you will recover stronger and better than ever! Proud of you buddy!! Keep up the good work!! Hope to see you out there one day soon. I have some relatives in Nevada City ( actually just outside of just off the Yuba) maybe see you out there one day! Doing great man! I know its hard..but that's what we do to GET OUTSIDE more1.. Take care buddy!

[@ApeMan]

You nailed it Eric! It sucks but the home work can speed recovery and getting that bend as high as possible is only possible the first few weeks. We love Nevada City. Went to the Wild and Scenic Film Festival there to see a film of some folks we met on the John Muir Trail. It inspired me and my daughter to do the whole trail. It's called Mile...Mile and a Half. Check it out if you haven't seen it. We've considered retiring up that way. Everyone is terrified of fire in these beautiful mountain towns.

[@fattpatt44]

Hay AM haven't heard how your doing hope all is well looking forward to your next video. God bless

[@shelaghjackson9577]

Had my TKR 3 weeks ago, and doing fine. Doing my exercises 2x a day, and the swelling is going down a bit every day, and having physio once a week. I was off the heavy pain meds a week ago, now just the odd Tylenol. I’m doing laundry and cooking too! I’m just thrilled so far.👍

[@ApeMan]

Glad to hear you are doing well. You may hit a speed bump or two but you are well on your way.

[@JNeff99]

You seem sore but I think you are doing great. My friend was two weeks before she could walk without devices. Go man go

[@ApeMan]

Thanks John. Patience is not a strong suit for me. In this case that might be a good thing.

[@nancylanderson8012]

You're doing great. I just finished week 1.

[@ApeMan]

It’s all downhill after the first week! Good luck. I’m hiking right now!

[@Lila77722]

Wow you are walking pretty good to me and still smiling👍. I think you have high tolerance to pain. I am still using crutches. Can i ask how a total knee replacement feels like compared to original knee and what type of implant you have? I cannot find too much info about what a total knee feels like. I had a oxford partial knee the kind that slides back and forth. I may have to have a revision total knee in the future since i am 43 so I have been worrying about that. I hope you have a speedy recovery and thanks for posting! 🤗

[@ApeMan]

Wow I’m sorry to hear you going through this at 43. The good news is a total knee replacement feels like a regular knee after about a year. Kind of stiff but not as flexible but really solid with little to no pain. You stop even thinking about it. My knee journey started at 35 with a torn ACL and 5 surgery’s later here I am.

[@Lila77722]

@@ApeMan Thanks Ape man for responding! I was concerned that I would be aware all the time that my knee is replaced. That feeling would suck. Glad it gets better🙂

[@regis387]

Looking good, man. Give yourself time to heal - the mountains aren't going anywhere.

[@ApeMan]

Thanks I will try

[@mbikesrulee]

I used a exercise bike with the pedals in front. I was able to move the seat all the way back. Every chance I got I moved the seat further forward bending the knee more.

[@ApeMan]

Made my first seat lowering today!

[@erict5878]

Hey AM! It's been a couple weeks now. Just checking in to see how you are doin and how pt is going.. Also wanted to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and best wishes for a good recovery to take full advantage of a new years worth of hikes. I pray your fam is safe and well and the new year brings a wealth of joy getting out n God's country. Our so loved Sierras! Merry Christmas buddy!

[@ApeMan]

Hey thanks Eric! I’m doing really well and have done a couple 2 mile hikes with no problems. Life is good. Many Sierra hikes in my future. Happy holidays to you and yours!

[@MidwestLife87]

How is your recovery going? I had my first TKR on my left knee on December 10th ... I watched your 1st knee replacement vlog quite awhile ago and then I saw you had your 2nd TKR a few weeks prior to my 1st TKR . I appreciate you sharing your story. I knew it was going to be a painful recovery ... more pain and harder to keep ahead of the pain than I had hoped 😬. Therapy was going well , but the gal I had was off on Christmas Eve & I had a different person who pushed me harder & I was in significant pain (which I knew PT would hurt / be uncomfortable etc) , but I feel he went too hard on me and I was miserable 24/7 Christmas Eve - Christmas-until Sat it started feeling more achy than painful ( pretty much made Christmas hard to enjoy) ... I hear many opinions on the PT ... I don’t want to be in 24/7 pain after every pt because then I can’t go through all my home pt as well .... curious to hear your take on what’s a good balance while healing , getting motion , dealing with pain , without making you suffer so much of day & night .... I can’t sleep until I am the point of exhaustion... I think a more normal sleep pattern would help me a lot as well ... ughhhh , lol 😂 Hope your journey is going well !!

[@ApeMan]

You’ll have to trust me on this. It will get significantly better in a couple weeks. I’m kind of a freak and recover quickly so consider that when watching my videos. My sister, a college athlete and stud, had hers done 4 weeks before me and I’m ahead of her in her recovery but she is actually doing really well and ahead of most at this point. It’s different for everyone. I’m concerned about the level of pain in your pt. Do you take oxy before? Try icing before and immediately after. But...you gotta get that flexion up to 120. I was only at 95 at this point on my 1st tkr and had to go thru the same painful pt to get to 120 barely after 2 months. This knee I’m at 125 with little effort or pt but my pain level has been higher. Sleep is always a problem for 1-2 months. Avoid daytime naps and try to exercise. Music helps distract me. I’m not a pot head but I’m using 10mg doses of edible weed on the really rough nights and it’s a life saver and gives me 3-4 hrs of uninterrupted sleep without the side effects of those nasty pain meds. Wednesday will be 5 weeks for me and I’m doing 2 mile trail hikes and bike riding comfortably. Again don’t expect to be the same as me. I’m an idiot and have a really high pain tolerance. TKR fricking hurts a lot and you are a warrior! Keep up with the exercises and you will get there. In a few months you’ll be walking around and suddenly it will dawn on you that you have 0 pain and you haven’t even thought about your knee. It’s worth it. I’m looking forward to a summer of intense backpacking and have no doubt my knees will be up for it. I just wish there was something we could do about aging! I just retired too so my knees will be all over the trails so stay tuned. Hit me up with any questions and hang in there!

[@MidwestLife87]

@@ApeMan Thank YOU for replying ! You are awesome & I’m sure your Drs love to see all you can do and especially after healed , the lifestyle you can live with TKR !! I just want to be able to clean my house , yard work , garden etc ...without paying for the horrible old knee pain after doing some of that and to do more of it in one day !! We have this 3 mile bike/ walking path between our town and the next that I have always dreamt of being able to walk , but I just couldn’t go that far , where as decades ago walking was so enjoyable (when we are not in winter , lol) . I live in Iowa , the eastern side of the state , about 2 hours west of Chicago. Is edible weed legal where you are or is it everywhere? We are just a few miles from Illinois & I know pot is legal in Illinois & I know more & more options are available and becoming legal . Do you make brownies with it or how do you consume it ? I’ve had some friends tell me to use CBD oil but that is so confusing too as there are a lot of options and I’m not sure what is the “real stuff “ and what is a very small not helpful amount . My PT pain was certain leg exercises that would just give me sharp stabbing pain on the upper outside of my kneecap ...pt guy thought is was soft tissue needing to heal ?? He would have me due leg lifts with my TKR leg and then slowly let it down and then hold ... the burning / stabbing pain hurt so bad I was kind of crying but wanted to really cry & then I was miserable 24/7 for 2 days with throbbing pain that wouldn’t subside so I wasn’t doing my home exercises to the extent I should have been doing them . I see a different gal on Tues (as mine is out until next Monday) . I’m going to talk with her about what balance is helping me progress but that won’t make me miserable for 2 days . If I can just get to a point of little (or no) knee pain to just live my normal days and through in a few hikes a year and not turn down things that require a decent amount of walking, I will be a happy girl !! Osteoarthritis runs in our family on my Mom’s side ... Mom had both knees & a hip & her siblings had joint replacements too & my 2 older siblings have had hip replacements (so far my hips do not give me pain ). You mentioned your sister , so I thought maybe you are lucky like me with the osteoarthritis gene pool ( not!! lol 😂) !

[@ApeMan]

@@MidwestLife87 ​@@MidwestLife87 I spent a couple summers in Ames. I'm not a fan of the humidity. Not sure of the legal issues with weed in Iowa. My preferred delivery methods of THC are in oil form through a vape pen or the really simple gummies. They are just like gumdrops. You can get a fun recreational high but I do it for the sleep and it works. You are early still in the recovery process so don't worry about where you are. After a week in my first PT it was very painful just to raise my leg. Then they added a weight to my foot and they made it hurt even more. You can tell them to ease up a little but it's gonna hurt. I'm considering hiking across the state of Oregon this summer so I guarantee you will be walking around your neighborhood. You are in the depths of pain and recovery and it seems like a long way off but you will get there. I have 5 siblings and only 3 of us have knee issues. We were all the athletes that abused our bodies with sports and I've also done construction type jobs. It was all worth it though. I blew out my first knee in a baseball collision and finished it off descending Mt Shasta after a mountaineering trip to the summit over a glacier. Doing things you love should never be regrets. Being able to continue to do those things is why we are doing our knee replacements!

[@MidwestLife87]

@@ApeMan I was raised in a small town around 20 minutes from Ames and I went to Iowa State ! Yes, the Humidity, lol ; it makes the “tall corn grow” 🌽 , lol ; so they say . Today’s pt session was with a different gal & my main gal has covid , so I’m not sure what different people I will work with before my main therapist return. She worked me good & worked me past “uncomfortable “ which leads to progress I know & I have not been in continuous pain since which is good !! Now I CAN lift my left leg off a table without help to lift it ... my muscles above my knee have woken back up !! I’m hoping I’m surprised at what I can do once I get through this recovery , as I know mentally, I’ve told myself for too many years that this or that is in my past & I just cannot do certain things anymore... I hope I’m super surprised and more doors can open back up than I ever anticipated!! You give me HOPE !! I’m not sure yet when I will do my right knee... I’ll see how it’s feeling once my left knee is more normal . I am measuring an inch taller as I knew I had “shrunk” when my left knee was always in a bent position... so I’m measuring back to what I was in HS and young adult life ! Thank YOU for sharing your stories & your Encouragement!! 🏃‍♀️ 🚴

[@scomoore1951]

Thanks for sharing your story of recovery, rehab. Which herbal meds did you use for pain?

[@ApeMan]

I like a 10mg dose of Ohana brand gummies a couple hours before bed to get a good nights sleep a couple times a week. I don’t like pain meds but use a naproxen occasionally when I’m hiking etc

[@musicjunkie2k]

I had my left TKR November 13 2020. Still have swelling all the way to my ankle. 3 weeks out I can walk but not for long and a bit of a limp. Getting better everyday but, it isn't easy. My incision site ocassionaly burns a bit.

[@ApeMan]

Congrats. You are doing great! The worst is over!

[@chaunceyrash5067]

Getting mine in 3 days, good to see what to expect. A little nervous...haha

[@ApeMan]

I went snowshoeing a few weeks after this video. I’m doing great now. The first couple weeks are tough but just know you will be so much better and I have no second thoughts. Good luck!

[@chaunceyrash5067]

Thanks! There’s not a lot out there on the progression, now I can see that I should be up and somewhat active on day 8!

[@txlangster6276]

2nd knee, did you use the constant motion machine?

[@ApeMan]

I did not but I highly recommend using one.

[@melissagaines3401]

I've had a revisional knee replacement 7 weeks ago and not moving around like you. It's the 4th operation on the same knee. What are some tips?

[@ApeMan]

Remember everyone recovers at a different pace and you will get there. Appreciate any improvements even if they are baby steps. Are you going to a physical therapist? Do the exercises and try to do a little more each day including bending and straightening. It’s a long recovery and I know it hurts but you will get there! Good luck!

[@melissagaines3401]

@@ApeMan Thanks for responding. Yes I'm in therapy but they tell me not to do anything when I get home and/or the next day to allow muscle recovery. Are they prolonging my recovery time? My extension is great at 0 and my flexion is 110 currently. I have more medial pain than expected. Any advice for that inner knee pain?

[@ApeMan]

@@melissagaines3401 Norco! Your flexion and extension are great so you are definitely on track. Listen to your therapist over some rando KZbin guy. I know it hurts but it will get better trust me!

[@betsydoc3628]

what herbal remedies did you use for sleep?

[@ApeMan]

10mg gummies with thc and indica

[@betsydoc3628]

@@ApeMan thank you for your reply

[@swithinbarclay4797]

CONGRATULATIONS, "Ape". I know that there are those discouraging moments, where "congratulations", do NOT seem in order. I DO know; back in '72, I had not only my torn Lateral Right Meniscus completely removed, but quite a lot of the Joint Capsule as well . . . obviously before the days of arthroscopic precision excise, and by extension, today's TKR. My pain-killers were the TRUE Opiates, Codeine and Morphine. Those pretty much clobbered my pain, with occasional euphoria. I was bed-ridden for a week in hospital, then so, for about three more days at home. I was using crutches for about a month, with a semi-rigid cast from ankle to mid-thigh, for 3 or so weeks. Within the past 10 or so years, my Left Knee has started to go "trick" on me, so . . . get this . . . my damaged(?) Right Leg, is NOW becoming the strong helper! This procedure was done in mid-November. The next Summer . . . that's when I did my legendarily looney SECOND summiting of Half Dome! Yaaayyy!! You know (if you may recall), the one where I skinny-dipped in Emerald Pool, to cool off? Your appearance and demeanor looks pretty "spot-on"; I hope that helps! How long does each session on the Exercise Bicycle last? Might you be considering a course of Chiropractic care, to augment your healing? How about Massage Therapy? Does your job make allowances, for Online tasks, performed on computer? If you were of an equestrian bent, your horse could be of real help to take you on many trails, until you can adequately walk, unless the procedure is paining you throughout the groin, which you use, to swing that right leg over the saddle, as you mount and dismount. Like a GREAT dog, a GREAT horse is "family". Those poles are curious. I forget, were you, or, are you still an Alpine Skier? Ideal pole height reaches up to the armpits, for skiing. The opposing principle works the same for skiing. To execute a right PARALLEL turn, you crouch a little, slightly left, planting the pole 2 o'clock way forward of your tips, sinking forward on uphill medial ski-edge, let the top of that pole nudge you back up, towards the fresh downhill ski and, you swing around to the reverse traverse . . . the medial edge of the downhill ski is always the weight-bearer, in a traverse . . . and now, you've hopefully slewed-around into roughly, a complete 180. For left-hand turns, the clock position of that plant will be at about the 10 o'clock. Moguls make the un-weighting easier, slewing around their rounded crowns, but you have to bob up and down much more, in mogul-fields, and in a long stretch of these, you're really breaking a sweat. You're supposed to be making a neat "carve", as you turn; if you "skid" it, you're actually resisting the turn making your downhill progress harder.

[@ApeMan]

So your history tells me you understand my journey of many ups and downs. I'm hoping this 2nd replacement fixes things once and for all. Never been a therapy guy. I just look up the exercises online and do them. I know I could benefit from professional help but it works for me. I do the bike about 15 minutes twice a day. It's a huge boost to my recovery time and getting at least a few endorphins going. No online options for work. Major announcement about that coming soon! Oh how I miss skiing fresh powder. I hung up the skis many years ago. The groomed slopes are nice but what I used to enjoy would put me in the hospital today.

[@dasalottamayonaze]

Yeah, ok... so I am 8 days post op and not anywhere near as well as this guy. So I could not relate to this. My thigh pain is seriously off the charts painful from the tourniquet still. Im still on pain meds and this is by far the worst post op pain of the 4 joint replacement surgeries that I have had! This vid was not helpful to me as it was not relatable. Sorry!

[@mikeshank3879]

What natural remedies at night to help sleep. On Oxy to deal with crazy pain, but need to get off this stuff.

[@ApeMan]

I wouldn’t mix it with other drugs but when I really need to get a good nights sleep I take a 5 mg indica gummy at bedtime. I don’t recommend them nightly as you will build up a tolerance and have to take a bigger dose. Couple times a week is fine. I wake up refreshed with no hangover or I’ll effects. Legal here in California but be aware of your local laws. Night night!