Questions about Returning after surgery

Barbara

Hi all,

I had surgery Feb 12th and I have been slowly returning to my running and biking training. I had a bilateral mastectomy so I did not do much for 10 days. Now I am 3 weeks out and I am almost back to a full weeks work out. I am on my 18th week of OS. My A race is Lake Placid IM. My question is if I understand the transition from OS to IS, we are suppose to schedule in some rest, a week or 2. Since I have been recovering and not doing much, should I still take that transition rest???? 

Barbara

Leigh Boyle

if it were me, I'd try to use the remaining OS time to get back up into a full week in terms of frequency with the bike and run. with the down time, the transition time becomes less important from a recovery perspective, but could be useful to complete the ramp back up to a full and normal training week.

are there any MD restrictions for the swim or aero position on the bike??

Barbara

Thanks for the feedback. I have no MD restrictions. I am tight so no explosive weight lifting and I can start swimming slowly. Basically, they don't want me to tear anything since the scare tissue is tight and needs to be worked slowly at first.

Shrink

I was referred to this forum in hopes there might be anyone that could answer a rather complex question/s related to knee replacements. I am 56 year old female who had a full knee replacement 3 years ago. Believe it or not it was too "large" of a knee for my frame. After 18 months and an awesome 2nd opinion I received a "new" knee replacement 11 months ago. My new surgeon told me I could run on the new knee. I was shocked because my first surgeon said absolutely NOT ever again. So I am now "running" and have had lots of pain, take rests, see a PT, do all the appropriate things.... run in water (etc.). I am leaving lots of other complications out of the question (I have had 6 knee surguries on this knee) none on my other knee. So although I was a life long runner (lots of marathons) I became I triathlete 18 years ago, did an IM, took 18 years off and am now back. . Does anyone in this forum know of anyone who has had success as a runner with a full knee-replacement? I am having a nucleur bone scan this week to determine what is now "wrong" with this new knee (hoping nothing too serious) but am fearful it is all due to RUNNING! So although there is lots more here, I guess I really want to know if anyone knows a success story for one being able to go back to running after the surgery is complete, healed and basically successful. Mine was.....until I began running again_
Barbara, you are awesome to be back so soon and all I can say is with "MD" approval....you go girl!!

Nemo Brauch

Linda- I'm pretty sure you've already posted this Q and gotten some feedback over in this Medical Forum thread:

Total Knee Replacement



I'm guessing you just kinda "lost" it! If you have some follow up questions, I suggest you put them in that thread directly so folks can keep the information together in one place.

Shrink

Nemo, you are right, when I saw the "surgery" post, I thought this WAS the medical forum, thanks for the info. I never got an answer from anyone that had a knee replacement, but did get some good feedback on "rest and recovery". When I watched the video for your calf problem, not only did I learn a lot but was hoping there might be an MD that does tris in the EN group as I have yet to meet anyone that does TRIs and have not found the answer anywhere. In otherwords, I did get a hiccup when seeing this particular topic. Sorry
On another note, I did the Vdot based on my 5k time , since I was injured and only ran a 10 min. pace (which is the BEST I can do right now) I guess I will go with that. I am now searching around for answers on setting up my Zones for pace. I do have a power meter (also trying to get answers from them). I know there is HRZ, and can figure that out, but not sure if there is a way to do Power Zones without purchasing the $59 program EN offers? So I put that question out there. I don't think I can use HRZ for Power Zones or people wouldn't invest the money in a power meter. So I digress...thanks again though

mgraffeo

Linda,

at the top of the page, place your mouse over the word "Training", and then click on "Data Tool".  Put in the test results you've got, and you'll have your zones calculated there.

While the $59 power program represents great value, and is highly recommended, it's not necessary for calculating the zones.

If you haven't gotten a response in a while to your question in the other thread, feel free to bump it to see if you can get a response.  While we all try, sometimes we miss stuff.  Good luck!

Mike

Leigh Boyle

@ Barbara- did the MD ever prescribe any PT or massage therapy??? strongly recommend a referral to help speed up the healing process and to help mobilize the scar and soft tissue to prevent any adhesions. it's very common on a post op basis and doesn't require many visits. there are even clinics that specialize in "women's therapy". Also, if you have any questions about smoothing out your transition...post up a question to the coaches in the "I need help with the schedule this week" thread and they will help you plan the last few weeks for where you're at, not where the plan is at.

 

@Linda- sorry our answers were kind of vague to your original question. To the best of my knowledge there is no one inside EN who's currently active in the forums and running with a TKR. So while we can't help you out there, where we can help is problem solving all of the aches/pains that you're going to encounter on your comeback. The reason you don't see many runners post op is that there are a LOT of roadblocks and it requires a solid team to help you through it (ortho, massage, PT, etc).

While the new joint effectively gives you a new and smooth bone surface to play with, it doesn't change any of the muscle imbalances or contractures that led to the joint degeneration in the first place. In other words, any mechanical/form issues are still there, as well as, any alignment issues in the feet and hips. With that in mind, there are a lot of things that can be causing pain. The more specific you can be, the more help we can provide in figuring out where it's all coming from.

Barbara

Leigh,
Thanks for the feed back. I just posted a question to the coaches about what to train this week and the massage/pt suggestion is a good one. I will be doing that. Now I am in transition week and I am not sure what I should be doing. I am awaiting feed back from my post. Thanks again. Barbara

Leigh Boyle

no problem and keep us posted.