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It has been four years since I had total knee replacement. I am pleased to report that I continue to have a well-functioning, pain-free knee. All in all, the past four years have been wonderful.
Despite all of the COVID-19 restrictions, including getting the virus, I have been able to stay active.
I continue to exercise and stretch, as well as play pickleball, golf, swim, and hike. I ride my bike several times a week. I’ve had no setbacks or swelling and am pleased with how my knee looks, feels, and reacts to activity.
Dealing With Knee Replacement and COVID-19
Oddly enough, I had COVID-19 twice in the past few years. I didn’t get terribly sick but I did get a chest cold each time I had it. The cold lingered 3-4 months and impacted my ability to exercise.
Along with the COVID-19 restrictions that were in place, having the virus certainly impacted and limited my opportunities to exercise and my physical ability to maintain my maintenance exercise program.
Restrictions:
For several months our community fitness center and swimming pool were closed. I could not use the facilities weight machines, stationary bike or pool. I was able to continue playing pickleball and golf once a week.
Once I recovered from COVID-19, I did much more walking around the neighborhood and area hiking trails.
Impact Of COVID-19 On My Health
The two times that I had COVID-19, I had a deep chest cold. Each time I quarantined at home for 2 weeks, which limited my activity severely.
Besides coughing a great deal, I had no aches, pain or fever, so I could do limited exercise. I was still able to stretch and after 4 or 5 days I was able to take short walks.
I became winded easily and coughed frequently. I definitely lost my stamina and endurance that I had built up since my knee operation. After both bouts of COVID-19 (18 months apart) I waited 4 or 5 months before I was able to get back in the swimming pool.
I was unable to do the same workout I was accustomed to. I had been swimming 40 laps 3 to 4 times a week. For the first few weeks, I was exhausted after 20 laps. It took me 2 months to get back to my 40 laps routine.
During and after my time with COVID-19, I did not have the use of a stationary bike and I didn’t have the energy to ride my bike very far. I was still coughing a lot.
It took me well over 6 months to ride my bike 3 miles out in the country. Prior to Covid, I was riding much further 3 times a week.
I gradually increased the distance I walked. I preferred the beach walks with no mask restriction.
Increased Age and its Affects
I am now 71. I don’t feel old but I know that my body doesn’t respond to activity the same as when I was 20, 30 or even 60. This is another reason why I am glad I had TKR at age 66 (read about age and knee replacement).
It was only a few years ago but my ability to recover was better. I am still careful to stretch before and after activity.
I am swimming every other day. I was playing pickle ball 3 to 4 times a week when I first moved to my new community 5 years ago but now, I am content to play once a week.
I don’t bike as often as I did post TKR but I do visit the fitness center and use their exercise machines on a regular basis. I continue to walk 9 holes of golf once a week and take long walks and hikes.
Pain 4 Years After Knee Replacement
You might be surprised to learn that I have not experienced any pain in my knee in the past few years. Yes, I had a success TKR surgery and I’m still committed to my post-surgery physical therapy exercises.
I take a precautionary Ibuprofen before pickle ball and before taking hikes 5 miles or longer. My knee gets a stiff feeling if I stand for more than 45 minutes so I take frequent breaks when I am fishing or talking to friends.
I still get out of my seat and walk often when I fly and I still sit in the back of movie theaters so I can stand up during a 2-hour movie.
Swelling, a symptom that so many people face after TKR, caused a lot of the initial pain in my knee after knee replacement. Gradually the swelling subsided (read about my pain and swelling after surgery). My knee no longer swells and I only ice after long games of pickleball and long hikes.
Snap Crackle Pop
On occasion, I’ve experienced tightness in my knee when I have been sitting or standing for long periods of time.
I have also had a few “odd” feelings and some snap, crackle and pop sensations. Neither has caused any pain and both go away when I stretch or walk.
It’s not a good sensation to feel but knowing I have an artificial joint, it seems like it could be a normal thing to experience.
Conclusion
I have had a pain-free knee for the past 4 years. I feel like the surgery was a “miracle” for me. Prior to TKR, I experienced pain with every step I took.
COVID-19 and the restrictions definitely impacted my ability to maintain my exercise and activity routine but I continued doing stretching and strengthening exercises at home.
I am back on a regular exercise routine. Now that I am 71, I feel like I have a little less energy and I have to remain disciplined to exercise and stretch daily.
All in all, it has been an amazing 4 years. I walk without pain and without a limp. I look forward to many more years of a pain free knee.