Six months past my the TKR and I am walking normally. A 3-4 mile walk or hike is not a problem.
Wonderful! I am five months past mine, and walking normally (for me!) too. I can't walk miles like you can, but I couldn't for years before the surgery either, due to the serious mobility problems my bad knee caused. TBH I am not trying to walk long distances yet. I am building up my leg muscles and working on my gait, which by now is just about back to normal. That makes me happy.
I love being able to walk from the parking lot into my gym, and walking inside the big rooms inside the gym, and standing there for 10-15 minutes to chat with my gym friends before working out, all without a cane or walker.
That said, it's hard to get out of the habit of sitting too much, after all these years. I forget that I can walk around and do things now, just like "normal people".
My surgical knee does have small pains here and there, once in a while, but then so does my other knee. From time to time the knee will feel a bit stiff surrounding the joint, but it is not a problem, more of a "Hey, remember me? I'm still not quite 100% and probably never will be." Well, what else is new? Most of the time I don't even think about my knee.
Both of my knees hurt a little bit now and then, about equally. I think it is because I am slowly increasing my activity level and also because I am not young any more. This minor pain doesn't slow me down or really bother me, and even this little bit of pain seems to be diminishing as I get stronger. I don't need to take Tylenol any more to go to sleep.
F just bought a new-to-him 2018 Ford Fiesta, which is pretty tiny and low to the ground, and I was thrilled to discover that getting in and out of the Fiesta is surprisingly easy and pain free.
The big problem I have is regaining my strength.
Me too! I have been going to the gym three times a week, to build my leg muscles back up. Just got back from the gym a few minutes ago. I feel wonderful now that my legs are growing stronger but it takes a long time. If/when I am not cautious I over-do at the gym, and that sets my progress back for a few days and I have to go from there. I am trying to be more careful about that and to learn how much I can and can't do.
Despite how long it is taking to build my leg muscles back up, even now I can do so much more than I ever expected.
It seems that my hip muscles weakened quite a bit during the 2-3 months when I could not do much physical activity.
Apparently, my abductor muscles are not doing their part thus causing me some back pain and reducing my ability to balance on one foot. I found a new PT guy who has me on a routine to strengthen the abductors. I am also working on stretching, since I feel very 'bound up' at times. This was true even before the surgery.
Interesting about the back pain! I have been having some back pain this week, too. I'll read about the role of the abductors in all of this.
I don't feel 'bound up', but then I didn't before the surgery either.
One of the biggest problems I have is that I can't kneel. It feels weird, very weird. It's amazing how many daily tasks are done easier when one can kneel for 30 seconds.
I am not expecting to ever kneel again, but from what bclover said above, maybe I will! I'd love to be proven wrong in that respect.
As I have written in other places, I am not an athlete or a gym rat, but it is obvious that an exercise plan is necessary until the the light go out and I meet my maker.
+1
I am so glad to read that your recovery is coming along this nicely.
As for me, I am ecstatic with how much better my knee is these days (compared with how horrible it was before surgery). As I told my surgeon at my last appointment, the improvement in quality of life for me is phenomenal.
My surgeon said my other knee is pretty bad too, but honestly it feels better now that I don't have to rely upon it so much. I have a new knee that can do most of the work. So, I am tentatively thinking of not having the second surgery done. As you know, it's a rugged recovery and I don't want to go through that again unless it's really necessary. My surgeon said that if I change my mind, just call and schedule the surgery at that time.