May 2017: Six months post op Left knee replacement and 15 months post op Right knee replacement
I am feeling very pleased with my new knees. To celebrate 6 months with two new knees, I took the dog on a series of walks one Saturday and clocked up an all time record (for me). Over 18,000 steps or more than 11km.
In the last three months since my last blog, I have also crossed off a few other milestones. In March/April I travelled to Europe. This time I navigated my way around huge airports without the assistance of a wheelchair, wandered city streets getting lost and found - and I was even able to enjoy shopping.
It is years since I could wander into a store and browse around. I would usually get frustrated if I had to spend more than 5 minutes in a shop or standing in a queue. This time I estimate I queued for approximately one hour to get up to the roof of Milan cathedral.
The scars are all healed and the swelling has significantly reduced. The right knee is still discoloured around the scar and I am hoping the marks will fade with time. The right knee gets more fatigued than the left - I guess it is stronger. One of the amazing things that has happened is that I no longer have flat feet. Now that my knees have been replaced, my legs are straight and my feet are normal. i no longer need orthotic inserts in my shoes (hurray!). I find that my body is still adjusting to the new ways of walking upright and without a limp, with variously my hips, ankles and back feeling sore for a day or two, then resolving.
- Peter and I take the dog for a 4km walk every morning
- I still get some discomfort with knees getting tired and take panadol every so often and or a low dose anti-inflammatory but it is probably about 15% of what I was taking a year ago
- my cycling is still a work in progress as it is winter and I am more of a warm weather biker - but it is wonderful that my feet now sit on the bike pedals. Before surgery my knees and legs were so contorted with arthritis my feet couldn't sit flat on the pedals or slot into the stirrups so it made biking painful and awkward
- I have been moving a lot of firewood (it is winter here and the cold has set in) and helping with physical tasks around the house and farm more
- travelling is a breeze and I don't feel restricted any more.
In the first blog I also said I wanted to go back to visit Venice. In April I caught a train that was going to Venice - but I got off at Milan. 😄 I had a great time there - so I am feeling that I have made great progress with my list of things I wanted to achieve.
Perhaps the main thing - the best thing - is that I am no longer defined by my knees - I don't have constant pain, I sleep well, I get out and about and I now have conversations with people without ever mentioning my knees!
For me, the surgery has allowed me to get back the enjoyment and pleasure in my life and I am feeling fit and ready for action and adventure.
