Knee Replacement: Five Months Later

I'm not even keeping track anymore. I'm too busy living. I'm only doing this post because I know people are searching for any information they can find about knee replacement and recovery.

So, how am I doing? Well, I surfed on Thursday. I surfed on Friday. I was Mommy all day on Saturday. I surfed Sunday. I surfed Monday. I surfed today. I plan to surf again tomorrow. In other words, I'm doing well, I think. I'm surfing. I can ride a bike. However, I've found that the stopping and starting involved in riding in the city hurts too much. I've also developed a bit of tendonitis in my ankle from having to ride with my foot in an awkward position during the months when I could only sit on the trainer with a knee that didn't want to bend. Those were the months when I first couldn't get the pedals all the way around and then, when I could, I had to force it. I am certain that the tendonitis will right itself if I limit my cycling for now. As for the surfing, other than the fact that bending the knee past a certain point hurts like hell, all is well.

On Monday, after getting Soul Brother #2 off to school, I went to my brutal massage therapy session. Then I surfed for an hour and a half. That was subsequently followed by a one hour walk with the dog. The day ended with me doing my normal things: homework, dinner, dishes. In other words, I had a full day. My knee hurt, but the pain is now more of an ache. It's a sharp pain only when I try to force the bend. Today, I got the little man off to school, drove to San O, walked the dog, surfed, drove back, lifted weights and then did the "normal things" once again.

I can run. Two weeks ago, I couldn't think about running. Now, if I need to run across a street because the light is changing, I can do it. I do squats with low weight. There is pain in the region of the patella. However, it's not a serious pain. I'm not pushing myself too much. I feel like my level of activity is just right. I'm basically back to where I was prior to surgery. There is still stiffness if I sit or stand too long. That wears off once you start walking around.

I'm not sure what to say about the knee these days. I know it's there. I'm no longer miserable though.

I spend more time showing off the scar than I do thinking about the pain.

I like being bionic.