Question:
have trouble walking, how will it effect me after surgery?

I have a problem with my leg. It sometimes/most of the time refuses to straighten so i can get into a walking position. I have to use crutches to get around on and at home i move around in a office chair. my Drs. have said this will not get better till i lose some serious weight. so my question is how will this effect me after surgery when you are told to walk . walk. walk. I can walk if my leg allows me to straighten it. could i ise crutches after surgery to do the walking or would that cause damage to the incision?    — C. L. (posted on November 10, 2000)

May 8, 2001
I know that walking seems impossible right now to you but that is not the only type of exercise that you can do. I know that there is a program on TV that solely uses chairs to exercise. It's for older people but...at least they don't ever have to get up from the chair really. For the first few months, why not try and find a video (there are many out there) that uses "sit down" exercises? You do NOT have to start walking right away only "moving". This is the most important thing. To get your legs and arms moving. I wish you so many good things and I hope that this surgery is all you hope it will be and more.
   — Barbara H.

May 8, 2001
Having had knee problems and therapy, I second the stationery bike idea. My therapist told me the bike works the large muscles in the thighs and the lower leg, so it takes the strain off the knee as well as strengthening the supporting muscles. It may be a few days or so before you feel like doing that, however. Perhaps you could do a search on the Internet for exercises for wheelchair-bound or senior people. The whole idea behind walking immediately post-op is to prevent blood clots and pneumonia, so if you were to purchase some one-pound hand weights and used them to pump your arms, maybe that would be effective as well. Or perhaps you could 'simulate' walking in your chair by lifting your legs up and down from the hip. Ask for a physical therapy consult while you are in the hospital. I know what it is like to have your knee lock up and I know how difficult it is to walk on crutches or with a walker. I can give you good news, too! In only 33 pounds, my knees stopped hurting when I got up and down from sitting. Although they'll never be 100% (not much meniscus left in 'em), I figure I extended their lives by about 20 years by dropping this weight. Only problem I have with them now is when I walk a couple of miles and misstep. But then, it's just a twinge and not debilitating pain. Good luck to you!
   — Allie B.

May 9, 2001
If your like me, the thought of a pool and a bathing suit is an ugly thought, but i can barely walk because of pain in my knees and feet, but I did some physical therapy in a the pool and it was great. Mostly it was just moving and walking around and stretches. It even lessened the pain out of the pool. I wore a pair of shorts and t-shirt. Try the local Y they usually have arthritis classes in the pool. Their exercise is very gentle but it gets you moving. (PS I wore a bra that fastened in the front cause it was a pain to get it off and on) There is also a catalog that has good looking, not revealing swim wear and sporty wear for large size women. It's called Junonia, I think, it's also on line. It's kind of pricey but if that would help..............)
   — Sue H.