My Knee Journey - I pushed it and I'm paying (11 weeks post-op total knee replacement)

In my defense, I will start by saying that you don't know where the boundary is until you push the line.

Even though I knew that it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, I did it anyway. 

I just wanted to feel "normal" again.  

So I strayed from my prescribed physical therapy exercises and joined one of our strength circuit classes at the Bellingham Training & Tennis Club.  I knew I could modify the exercises if I needed (no jumps, no side shuffles, no running).

OH MAN - it felt so good to just get back in to it, move, work, even sweat a little.

 (That's me in the teal shirt in the middle toward the back doing reverse lunges)

I did squats.  I did reverse lunges.  I did step-ups.  I rowed. 

And it all felt GREAT on my knee!  BUT...

Now I pay with increased swelling and pain. 

I'm now 11 weeks post-op for my right total knee replacement.  My knee joint itself is pain free.  PAIN FREE!  No more grinding pain of arthritis.  I do, however, have pain on the outside of my knee where the "soft tissues" are stretching now that my leg is straight again (I was knock-kneed).  I still have swelling and the swelling stresses the connective tissues and limits my range of motion.

Rehabilitation takes such patience.  If you've ever had an injury, you know about this.  And the key is to continue with the rehab, listening to your body.  Do the right pace of work to get the results.  Right now my knee is telling me that was a little too much, too soon.  It means I will backtrack a little bit and have to ice and not stress my knee in the coming few days.

I know this lesson, I've been here before.  But you don't know where that line is until you push it.

Was it worth it?  Don't tell my physical therapist, but.......

OH YES.

I wish for you steady healing with your injuries and Healthy, Happy Knees!

~Coach Robin

PS - This is my 2nd knee replacement.  My first on my left knee was done in November 2017.  If you'd like to see my week by week journal of recovery, start here on 11/15/2017.

Robin Robertson
Founder: Healthy Knees Coach
Author: Healthy Knees Cycling (Healthy Knees Strength coming soon!)
Owner: Bellingham Training & Tennis Club