What an amazing year!
I was just looking back at my activity log on my phone.
One year ago it would have been impossible to walk 10,000 steps a day.
Actually even four months ago it would have been an epic undertaking. It is interesting to see how after the first knee replacement I became quite active. After three months I was able to walk 3-5kms a day. But then my left knee became harder to use - more worn out - and then my walking activity slumped.
Since the November total knee replacement on my left knee, I am powering up and I am now walking 5-7kms a day. I still tend to use my walking poles when I go out for a dog walk as I find that when I get a bit tired my hips tend to get sore and I go back to limping. Despite that, I sleep well, I have cut back on the pain killers and the swelling and bruising has gone. I don't have the post surgical bone pain I had with the first operation and the left knee isn't as hot to touch as the right knee used to be at 3 months post-op.
Last Monday I went to visit the surgeon. He was pretty impressed that I now have full range of motion in both legs with 125 degrees bend.
I told him that a number of people had commented that I now seemed taller - he wasn't surprised and he flicked back to the x-Ray's and showed me how much my knees were deformed and why I would have had to stoop so much. He said that it will take about a year for my ankles and hips to get used to my new upright way of walking - so using the walking poles will help retrain my body and improve my posture.
He also encouraged me to hit the cycle paths and get out on my bike again. I can't wait until the summer heat abates a little and then it will be lovely to be out cycling. I am still finding it hard walking uphill and climbing stairs - but as my quads get back into shape from the cycling, these activities should be easier.
The best thing about the visit was he has "discharged" me - he said he doesn't need to see me again.
At first, I was quite surprised, I thought I would have an annual check-up or something. But then, I felt an amazing sense of freedom!
I now feel like I have left behind so much of the pain, disability and difficulty and that my life as a regular person (a non-patient) has begun.
