First hunt after knee replacement

[keller]

Ross hope your elk season is going well. Just got back my cousin had a arizona tag.was brutally hot .came home with a elk.i am 3 weeks out from knee replacement. Any good advice appreciated.

@keller when the time comes feel free to bounce any questions as you will be asking what did I do, BUT it will get much better, but is oh o slow to move to the next levels and there will be a lot of peaks and valleys and is Not a straight line up also there are different levels of replacements be sure your surgeon knows what you will be doing after recovery. My surgeon is a personal friend and an avid hunter

 

[Ross]

@keller hopefully you are getting sleep that was one of my biggest issues top two things early on; extension and flexion as they will be the biggest contributors to your success, strength and muscle will come later. PT is your friend and I was in it for 3-4 months. Ask a lot of questions so you are comfortable with how to progress and be diligent. Like education what you put into this recovery will go so far to help your new knee. Sit with your leg extended over a table or something so it hangs and let gravity help get your leg straight You have to get to Zero, as this is vitally important for your gait and normal life to match your other leg. Do this several times a day and enjoy the discomfort. Two is your flexion you want to work toward 130 degrees at least. Lay on your back and bend the knee letting gravity again pull that knee down. PT can give ideas to get more flexion with a bike often being a very good option in a few weeks. Go slow but steady and ice is your best friend. Also once your suture areas are in good condition working on any scar tissue is vital and PT can again help with this. Good luck and after 3 months is when things start uphill versus so up and down 17 months now and your motivation

 

[Charlie Brown]

Had my TKR at Thanksgiving and hunted elk for 2 weeks in September. 1st hunt in years that I didn't take pain killers,anti inflammatory and rub in pain cream every time we stopped to catch our breath. Did not baby it, in fact did a couple face plants and no worse for wear. Started P. T. two days after surgery. Everything they gave me to do I did 3 times per day. Walked the hallways at home every hour. Range of motion and stretching it out are key. Strength will come with time. I am within about 1-1.5 in of my heal hitting my butt cheek after 11 months. Explain your goal and lifestyle to your therapist so they can build you a plan. I told mine I had a goal of hunting elk in September and his job was to make sure I could do it. By the way I'm 67 years old, no athlete but willing to work hard to reach a goal

 

[keller]

Bless you at 67!! I am 55 and am thankful for every year!!