July 1, 2009

6 month new knee update

It has been 6 months today since I had my total knee replacement and things are going really well! I continue to do exercises to build the strength back in my right leg and it's making good progress! I'm running 45-50 miles a week now and will keep it at the range for the next few weeks. As the leg has strengthened my pace continues to get faster, I have even run in a couple of 5k races just for fun. I continue to bike when I'm at home and yesterday I gave my knee a good test and biked 106 miles and the knee felt fine, no problem at all!

I will be doing the Gut Check 212 bike race across South Dakota in early August with my best friend Mike Dunlap, Mike does the first 200+ miles and I do the last 186 miles so yesterday was a good test! I get asked a lot if I take any supplements for my knee, the answer is yes and I think it has helped! I take a multi vitamin, 1500mg of Glucosamine/Chondrotin, a Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc supplement, and nuBound, which is the best, in my book, as a Recovery Supplement, as it helps with your immune system and helps with body tissue repair and maintenance.

For all you folks with a TKR or are having one done soon, hang in there especially during those first few weeks after surgery, it will get better and you will be doing things you never thought you could do again! Take care and have a great day! :-)

6 comments:

rdeltejo said...

"For all you folks with a TKR or are having one done soon, hang in there especially during those first few weeks after surgery, it will get better and you will be doing things you never thought you could do again!"

Dick,
I found your blog and was happy to hear about your recovery. I had TKR and am on my 5th week. I am very active and following all the PT instructions. I just started weight training again this week. My question if you get to read this, "How did your knee finally get straighten?" I have 110 degree bend but straightening if still not there. I lay on my stomach, put a 3lb ankle weight on my TKR and let it hang over the bend 5X's a day for 3 minutes.
Thanks for your posting.
Rosie

Bob said...

Dick,
You are truely an inspiration!
Am contemplating a full or partial knee replacement.
Missed your earlier blogs...what brand/mfg. knee did you get?
Wishing you continued success and year of running, ahead.

Bob
Torrance, CA

Bob said...

Sorry, that should have read "YEARS
of running ahead".
Bob

Jim Schultz said...

Dick,
I am approaching the TKR phase of my life as I approach my mid 40's and I tried to retire from running, but found it to be one of the most miserable times of my life. Thank you for showing us the hope of running after a TKR!!! You give us hope!
Jim Schultz
New Prague, Mn

Anonymous said...

Dick I follow your train of thoughts about runnung with a TKR
but it will be viewed as an opinion of an obsessive runner !!

Can you divulge what model for TKR you had and if you are still running with pain??

Al T. said...

Greetings Dick. I ran into David Boise at the club and asked about you. He told me he ran into you in Florida and you were doing well. Nice to hear. I've had both hips and both knees replaced as well and am enjoying light jogging again finally after too many years of none at all. Happy to hear you're recovering so well. Al Tollefson.