This is such a different side of you that was not suspected. Good on you. Your numbers are very respectable but don't think that any dip in performance reflects on you as a person. Take that new benchmark and work to improve it. I am a praying man so I will be praying for you.
Avid crossfitters, my wife and daughter have both had TKR on both knees and returned to xfit. They have a bone disease necessitating the move. My daughter is 37 and my wife 60. The surgeries were within the last 2 years. They avoid the running, mostly (200m runs are ok depending on what has been programmed) in favor of the bike or rower for cardio. Post surgery and rehab, the key has been working on developing flexibility in the knees below parallel.
Recovering strength has not been the challenge, though. It's the full range of movement which has been the issue (spanish squats are a tremendous help to increase flexibility, btw). However, during the period of recovery they've squatted to a box and progressively lowered the height of the box as range of motion improved. They still do that today if the workout is for load in order to protect the knee(s). We've two other people in our box that have had 1 TKR that do all of the proscribed workouts without a box or other aids.
That's really encouraging, Gavin. I have no desire to run, so I'll stick to the other cardio options. I've found I really enjoy the ski erg. I think squatting to the box is going to be key. Funny story: when I first started CF at age 55, I had to squat to a box just to do air squats. Now, doing 100 squats is nothing (except for the knee pain, which is with me no matter what I do). I'd really love to do MURPH this year. Fingers crossed!
Paula, l will pray for your quick recovery too. I'm 68 - had both knees replaced when I was 62. Not at the same time, but 4 months apart.
I'll provide a few insights based on my experience. First, knee replacements suck. Just be prepared for that. And if you're mentally prepared for the suck, you will do just fine. Do the physical therapy. It hurts like crazy, but you'll be glad you did it as prescribed. Take pain meds before each PT session, not after - it's harder to relieve the pain once it's started. I can't take Ibuprofen, so I had to use Tylenol for pain relief, but I still achieved really good range of motion. The surgeon is the primary reason for that, but pushing through pain in PT definitely helped. And one more recommendation: get acupuncture post surgery and several times a week for several weeks. It is remarkably (and mysteriously) effective at promoting healing.
I appreciate this post. As a person with long-time knee injuries (torn meniscus, osteoarthritis and RA), it's good for me to get some background, so when I talk to my ortho guy (the surgeon), I'll be able to ask intelligent questions.
I'm not a CrossFitter, but would like to regain sufficient motion/strength to swim (my favorite activity, and one that I've not been able to do for the last 8 years due to knee pain and stiffness). Water aerobics just doesn't replace that zen-creating activity.
Paula, I am reading your post 30 days post-op on my second TKR. I am 58 years old and wore out my knees playing soccer and otherwise being active as a young person. I had pretty bowed legs, which placed a lot of strain on joint cartilage and it was always just a matter of time....
Long story short...It's a rough road for the first month (I have a bag of ice resting on my knee as I write) and the rehab can be pretty painful. Since my first TKR I have taken it skiing (I ski pretty hard and fast) completely without incident. And importantly, without pain. I feel like I could do sub-parallel squats with moderate weights, but I have not wanted to press things. No one activity is as important to me as cross-fit seems to be to you, but I suspect you will be able to do full squats.
My one warning would be to listen to your body and fight the temptation to rush back to training. Recovery takes a lot of energy, both physical and mental, and it can be hard to sleep through the night. Just as an example, I woke up this morning at 6AM the way I usually do (pre-op) had a cup of coffee, and went right back to bed for another hour or two. The whole thing is just exhausting.
But like the others you reference in your post, I wish I had done it sooner.
Praying for a quick, easy recovery!
🙏🏽 your in great shape . This is a really good blog thanks for sharing ❤️ speedy recovery ..( make sure they give you a nerve block first 🥰)
Thanks, Jerri!
This is such a different side of you that was not suspected. Good on you. Your numbers are very respectable but don't think that any dip in performance reflects on you as a person. Take that new benchmark and work to improve it. I am a praying man so I will be praying for you.
Thank you, DM. Yes, I am full of surprises! :)
Avid crossfitters, my wife and daughter have both had TKR on both knees and returned to xfit. They have a bone disease necessitating the move. My daughter is 37 and my wife 60. The surgeries were within the last 2 years. They avoid the running, mostly (200m runs are ok depending on what has been programmed) in favor of the bike or rower for cardio. Post surgery and rehab, the key has been working on developing flexibility in the knees below parallel.
Recovering strength has not been the challenge, though. It's the full range of movement which has been the issue (spanish squats are a tremendous help to increase flexibility, btw). However, during the period of recovery they've squatted to a box and progressively lowered the height of the box as range of motion improved. They still do that today if the workout is for load in order to protect the knee(s). We've two other people in our box that have had 1 TKR that do all of the proscribed workouts without a box or other aids.
I hope it goes well, Paula.
That's really encouraging, Gavin. I have no desire to run, so I'll stick to the other cardio options. I've found I really enjoy the ski erg. I think squatting to the box is going to be key. Funny story: when I first started CF at age 55, I had to squat to a box just to do air squats. Now, doing 100 squats is nothing (except for the knee pain, which is with me no matter what I do). I'd really love to do MURPH this year. Fingers crossed!
Paula, l will pray for your quick recovery too. I'm 68 - had both knees replaced when I was 62. Not at the same time, but 4 months apart.
I'll provide a few insights based on my experience. First, knee replacements suck. Just be prepared for that. And if you're mentally prepared for the suck, you will do just fine. Do the physical therapy. It hurts like crazy, but you'll be glad you did it as prescribed. Take pain meds before each PT session, not after - it's harder to relieve the pain once it's started. I can't take Ibuprofen, so I had to use Tylenol for pain relief, but I still achieved really good range of motion. The surgeon is the primary reason for that, but pushing through pain in PT definitely helped. And one more recommendation: get acupuncture post surgery and several times a week for several weeks. It is remarkably (and mysteriously) effective at promoting healing.
Best wishes,
Peyton
I am going to take all of your advice, Peyton! One thing that CrossFit has taught me is that I can endure anything for 10 minutes.
I appreciate this post. As a person with long-time knee injuries (torn meniscus, osteoarthritis and RA), it's good for me to get some background, so when I talk to my ortho guy (the surgeon), I'll be able to ask intelligent questions.
I'm not a CrossFitter, but would like to regain sufficient motion/strength to swim (my favorite activity, and one that I've not been able to do for the last 8 years due to knee pain and stiffness). Water aerobics just doesn't replace that zen-creating activity.
Best of luck to you, Linda!
Paula, I am reading your post 30 days post-op on my second TKR. I am 58 years old and wore out my knees playing soccer and otherwise being active as a young person. I had pretty bowed legs, which placed a lot of strain on joint cartilage and it was always just a matter of time....
Long story short...It's a rough road for the first month (I have a bag of ice resting on my knee as I write) and the rehab can be pretty painful. Since my first TKR I have taken it skiing (I ski pretty hard and fast) completely without incident. And importantly, without pain. I feel like I could do sub-parallel squats with moderate weights, but I have not wanted to press things. No one activity is as important to me as cross-fit seems to be to you, but I suspect you will be able to do full squats.
My one warning would be to listen to your body and fight the temptation to rush back to training. Recovery takes a lot of energy, both physical and mental, and it can be hard to sleep through the night. Just as an example, I woke up this morning at 6AM the way I usually do (pre-op) had a cup of coffee, and went right back to bed for another hour or two. The whole thing is just exhausting.
But like the others you reference in your post, I wish I had done it sooner.
Good luck.
Rick
Thanks for the advice, Rick. I'd heard that about the PO fatigue. I'm definitely not looking forward to that part of it!