I got on my recumbent stationary bike one week after TKR. At first I could barely move the pedal a couple inches even though I was at highest seat setting. Working every day I quickly made my first full rotation. Each day I moved the seat lower, until ultimately was as low as the bike would go. I was doing PT exercises as well but the bike is why I was able to return to playing pickleball without pain or restriction after only 9 weeks. Now six months out, I have no pain no restriction’s and consider myself fully recovered
Oh so happy for you, shows do the work pays off, hope to be like you after I have my TKR in 4 weeks time. I exercise everyday go riding on bike outside for an hour as can't walk & love swimming. 🙏 will have hood outcome as feet/legs mean life. All best to you.
I am 31/2 weeks post OP. I have been using the bike for just over 2 weeks. Made the mistake of trying a bike controlled by a flywheel. The weight of the flywheel, used to smooth out pedal strokes, will force your leg through the stroke. If you're not ready for that it will be very painful.
I have a 28-in inseam. If the pedal bars are 8", the difference between full extension and full flexion is 16". That leaves a scant 12" between my hip and my heel at the top of the stroke! Assuming a 14" femur and an equivalent tibia, do the calculation: that knee angle is going to be MUCH more acute than that of a person with a longer leg! I had to have a 125° flexion before I could even get the leg to do a full rotation, and even then it was VERY show and quite painful; the soft tissues sustained enough further trauma to develop new bruising around the knee after that session. I can't believe that that is a desirable situation. I suggest that therapists take that into consideration, instead of forcing the patient to push him-her-self through the full cycle sooner than the knee should be pushed.
I among 13 weeks post op. I have had a generally rough time obtaining ROM. (I'm also 75 years old.) I have been able to obtain 123 degrees flexion with the therapist pushing the leg. I'm at around 100-110 degrees on my own. I use an old Schwinn Air-Dyne sit on exercise bike every day for ten minute sessions. I do what you recommend, that is I start high & work the seat lower as I gain comfort at the current setting. I feel that without the bike regiment I would not be able to maintain even 90 degrees of flex.
Thank you for publishing these videos. I find your advice very helpful and reassuring. I am 4 days post RTKR. Yes, it hurts but the end goal is a normally functioning knee. I am focusing on the end goal. I am doing therapy as prescribed by the home PT including my recumbent bike.
Thanks for the great information and demonstration on the bike, I would like from you to talk about the neuropathic pain that patient like me suffered and felt That my whole leg is on fire 24 hours on my whole leg from in 1week to 3rd week I went to neurologist and took Larica for one week then this heat subsided, now after 10 weeks post TKR I only has burning and heat coming out of the knee only after exercises and i use cold compression
Dr. Rosen, your videos are so educational. A knee replacement has been recommended, and all your videos are helping me become a better informed patient to prepare for a successful outcome. Thanks....
I have not had my knee operated upon yet but I made a jig to measure the angle of flexion I have at present and which I would need to be able to achieve after the operation. The jig is two slats of wood bolted together to act like a compass . One ‘leg’ is the length of my lower leg from mid knee to sole of foot. The other is from mid knee to upper thigh. My sin set the angle for me as I reached top of a pedal stroke and we then measured it. I would require around 110 degrees to get a pedal revolution as a minimum. Hope this helps anyone having the operation
Great advice, I had a TKR August 2022 and used this technique on a recumbent bike and it worked really well. Within perhaps 2 months I had better ROM in my operated knee than in the non-operated one. Using a recumbent bike and trying to constantly move the seat forward over a period of time is a good strategy. Thanks for this Dr Rosen!
I'm a 60 year young guy 8 weeks post op from having bilateral knees done and the PT i was seeing wouldn't let me use any type of exercise bike. I've now changed to a new PT and the first day I was on the upright bike twice for 15 minutes at a time and after getting off its like I've had a Praise the Lord moment.
Thank you keep up the great work I love the way you explain things I appreciate that you are taking us on the entire journey I know my Dr wasn't about the explanation which is so vital .
I'm scheduled for surgery in exactly one month from today. About a week ago I started my prehab. I've been going to the gym and use the recumbent bike as part of what I do. Because I notice I have lost some flexion and extension I've been using the recumbent bike in the way you describe here. I've been moving the seat closer and keep pedaling. It's helping me to improve my flexion. But it seems I can only flex so far and no further. I'm wondering if it's due to the loss of joint space in my knee.
I just found your videos, and find them very informative. I am 9 weeks post op from a TKR, and am doing whatever I can to improve my flexion. How many times a day should we do this? Once we adapt, do you increase the amount of time you do each level?
Talk with your therapist or doctor. I have found each of my patients is different. For some once a day is enough. For others they get stiff after so many hours and may do it two or three times a day.
I am seven weeks from TKR, I've been using a bike for several weeks as well as walking approximately an half mile at a time, and in either situation my surgical knee is very tight and sometimes painful at the top of my incision. Is that normal?
The bike is one of the best exercises for people with knee problems or knee surgeries. Talk with your doc about increasing the time. Best to add a small amount, say 5 minutes, every couple of weeks so you body can adapt.
Best to talk to your surgeon about that. I do not use staples any longer but even when I did I allowed my patients to use the bike or pedal machine as soon as they went home or when they were able to tolerate it.
Hard to say so best to talk with your surgeon and therapist. One of the more common reasons stairs are hard is due to weak quads. With time and strengthening it should improve. Check out my video on essential amino acids - studies showed it helped with muscle strength.
I'm 10 weeks. Can ascend stairsnormally with difficulty. I have a small flight of 3 steps in my house so I have put a thick book on each step to make the rise smaller. I am able to practice going down. Hopefully can take the books away soon. My physio advised standing on lowest step with wt on operated leg and letting good leg down to next step-up not putting wt on it. Just to do reps of this to increase quad strength. Good luck.
Should I be able to ride a bicycle (real one) at some point after surgery? I am 16 weeks post op and my knee is doing very very well but I cannot yet ride my traditional bike due to pain when my surgical leg bends on the up cycle of the peddling.
Great information. 72 and had 2 knee replacements within 3 months. The last one 2 weeks ago. Thank you Doctor!
I'm going to have a total knee replacement on 8/14/24. This video is very helpful. I have a recumbent bike at home that I use regularly. Thx much 👍👍
Glad it helped! Wishing you a speedy recovery.
I got on my recumbent stationary bike one week after TKR. At first I could barely move the pedal a couple inches even though I was at highest seat setting. Working every day I quickly made my first full rotation. Each day I moved the seat lower, until ultimately was as low as the bike would go. I was doing PT exercises as well but the bike is why I was able to return to playing pickleball without pain or restriction after only 9 weeks. Now six months out, I have no pain no restriction’s and consider myself fully recovered
Oh so happy for you, shows do the work pays off, hope to be like you after I have my TKR in 4 weeks time. I exercise everyday go riding on bike outside for an hour as can't walk & love swimming. 🙏 will have hood outcome as feet/legs mean life. All best to you.
I am 31/2 weeks post OP. I have been using the bike for just over 2 weeks. Made the mistake of trying a bike controlled by a flywheel. The weight of the flywheel, used to smooth out pedal strokes, will force your leg through the stroke. If you're not ready for that it will be very painful.
I have a 28-in inseam. If the pedal bars are 8", the difference between full extension and full flexion is 16". That leaves a scant 12" between my hip and my heel at the top of the stroke! Assuming a 14" femur and an equivalent tibia, do the calculation: that knee angle is going to be MUCH more acute than that of a person with a longer leg! I had to have a 125° flexion before I could even get the leg to do a full rotation, and even then it was VERY show and quite painful; the soft tissues sustained enough further trauma to develop new bruising around the knee after that session. I can't believe that that is a desirable situation. I suggest that therapists take that into consideration, instead of forcing the patient to push him-her-self through the full cycle sooner than the knee should be pushed.
Right? 10 clicks? Effing nuts
Some of our rehab professionals have tunnel vision. Reading from a script. Ignoring hip, ankle and other areas impacted by the therapy
I have a recumbent bike I was going to give away because I never use it, but I’m going to keep it around to use after my TKR in October
I among 13 weeks post op. I have had a generally rough time obtaining ROM. (I'm also 75 years old.) I have been able to obtain 123 degrees flexion with the therapist pushing the leg. I'm at around 100-110 degrees on my own. I use an old Schwinn Air-Dyne sit on exercise bike every day for ten minute sessions. I do what you recommend, that is I start high & work the seat lower as I gain comfort at the current setting. I feel that without the bike regiment I would not be able to maintain even 90 degrees of flex.
Thank you for publishing these videos. I find your advice very helpful and reassuring. I am 4 days post RTKR. Yes, it hurts but the end goal is a normally functioning knee. I am focusing on the end goal. I am doing therapy as prescribed by the home PT including my recumbent bike.
Thanks for the great information and demonstration on the bike, I would like from you to talk about the neuropathic pain that patient like me suffered and felt
That my whole leg is on fire 24 hours on my whole leg from in 1week to 3rd week I went to neurologist and took Larica for one week then this heat subsided, now after 10 weeks post TKR I only has burning and heat coming out of the knee only after exercises and i use cold compression
Dr. Rosen, your videos are so educational. A knee replacement has been recommended, and all your videos are helping me become a better informed patient to prepare for a successful outcome. Thanks....
Thank you!! I’m 6 weeks out and have been doing a version of this and your right, such a good way to see I’m making progress. ☺️
You are very welcome. Keep working hard and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Used this method after my Patellar tendon tear. For a few weeks the bike was the most useful tool for my rehab.
I have not had my knee operated upon yet but I made a jig to measure the angle of flexion I have at present and which I would need to be able to achieve after the operation. The jig is two slats of wood bolted together to act like a compass . One ‘leg’ is the length of my lower leg from mid knee to sole of foot. The other is from mid knee to upper thigh. My sin set the angle for me as I reached top of a pedal stroke and we then measured it. I would require around 110 degrees to get a pedal revolution as a minimum. Hope this helps anyone having the operation
Great advice, I had a TKR August 2022 and used this technique on a recumbent bike and it worked really well. Within perhaps 2 months I had better ROM in my operated knee than in the non-operated one. Using a recumbent bike and trying to constantly move the seat forward over a period of time is a good strategy. Thanks for this Dr Rosen!
Great series. Thank you. Clear, concise and physiologically intelligent
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank You 🙏🌹
You are so welcome
I'm a 60 year young guy 8 weeks post op from having bilateral knees done and the PT i was seeing wouldn't let me use any type of exercise bike.
I've now changed to a new PT and the first day I was on the upright bike twice for 15 minutes at a time and after getting off its like I've had a Praise the Lord moment.
Great to hear.
Thank you keep up the great work I love the way you explain things I appreciate that you are taking us on the entire journey I know my Dr wasn't about the explanation which is so vital .
You are so welcome, glad I could help.
Loved this video. The info was very helpful.
Thanks!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰
You’re welcome 😊
I'm scheduled for surgery in exactly one month from today. About a week ago I started my prehab. I've been going to the gym and use the recumbent bike as part of what I do. Because I notice I have lost some flexion and extension I've been using the recumbent bike in the way you describe here. I've been moving the seat closer and keep pedaling. It's helping me to improve my flexion. But it seems I can only flex so far and no further. I'm wondering if it's due to the loss of joint space in my knee.
I just found your videos, and find them very informative. I am 9 weeks post op from a TKR, and am doing whatever I can to improve my flexion. How many times a day should we do this? Once we adapt, do you increase the amount of time you do each level?
Talk with your therapist or doctor. I have found each of my patients is different. For some once a day is enough. For others they get stiff after so many hours and may do it two or three times a day.
@@dradamrosen Thank you. I will ask my pt next time I see him.
Hello, is it possible to regain range of motion in the knee a year after surgery
Hi Doctor. What are your thought for using a total gym for rehab. I have one. And I’m having TLKR next month.
I am seven weeks from TKR, I've been using a bike for several weeks as well as walking approximately an half mile at a time, and in either situation my surgical knee is very tight and sometimes painful at the top of my incision. Is that normal?
Do you think this is good for someone thats had a total ruptured quad tendon repair done, and is struggling to get rom months on?
After a couple months how much can your increase your time? After knee is healed is the bike safe for routine exercise?
The bike is one of the best exercises for people with knee problems or knee surgeries. Talk with your doc about increasing the time. Best to add a small amount, say 5 minutes, every couple of weeks so you body can adapt.
how do you feel about rowing machines for rehab
that is a good question, im getting knee replacement in may and i have a rowing machine
Do you recommend getting on the bike if you still have your staples in...
Best to talk to your surgeon about that. I do not use staples any longer but even when I did I allowed my patients to use the bike or pedal machine as soon as they went home or when they were able to tolerate it.
I'm almost 9 months out on ltkr and 4 months out rtkr still have pain when going down steps. What's your recommendation to help with this?
Hard to say so best to talk with your surgeon and therapist. One of the more common reasons stairs are hard is due to weak quads. With time and strengthening it should improve. Check out my video on essential amino acids - studies showed it helped with muscle strength.
I'm 10 weeks. Can ascend stairsnormally with difficulty. I have a small flight of 3 steps in my house so I have put a thick book on each step to make the rise smaller. I am able to practice going down. Hopefully can take the books away soon.
My physio advised standing on lowest step with wt on operated leg and letting good leg down to next step-up not putting wt on it. Just to do reps of this to increase quad strength. Good luck.
Should I be able to ride a bicycle (real one) at some point after surgery? I am 16 weeks post op and my knee is doing very very well but I cannot yet ride my traditional bike due to pain when my surgical leg bends on the up cycle of the peddling.