Featured

4th year after Osteotomy, winter looming

Bad knee, dodgy knee, laziness…heard them all

I will be reaching my 4th year after my Tibial Osteotomy in the next few months.

I’m so glad that I had this surgery rather than a knee replacement. Over the summer I met a silightly elder relative who had a partial knee replacement a year ago and it was noticeable that he was unable to walk as he used to. Now that may be due to that person no following his physio regime and picking up bad habits. The Osteotomy does defer a knee operation to much later in life. I’m glad to report that I do not carry those traits whatsoever; I took physio very seriously.

I’m still going to the gym and pushing weights. I do notice weakness at times and whenever I do hillclimbing, I’m always worried about being steady on my feet during a hill descend on uneven surfaces.

Over the last few months I am feeling pain in my left knee in a similar spot and thinking of seeing a specialist about an Osteotomy on my left leg…its not as bad as my right knee during the height of my pain but may kick this off in the new year.

Featured

Got Covid, stuck at home, hate it.

I don’t love you Omicron, you can now leave.

4 years ago (2018), I underwent a Tibial Osteotomy operation in the UK. I had been suffering from the onset of arthritis on my right knee and needed a solution that would avoid a knee replacement operation and get my life back to some level of normality.

On Sunday 15th May 2022, I tested positive for Covid 19, highly probable that is the friendly (!?) Omicron variant. I think I must have caught it on the Saturday whilst I was milling around in Elstree. I was watching the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday evening and I remember feeling like trash (or was it because I was watching the show) – eyes hurting, cough, cold, heavy chest.

I took the COVID test on the Sunday morning at home and it came back positive. Like many others, I did the test 2 more times, in case I had a dud result…positive.

I really experienced heavy aching limbs and tiredness. My right knee where I had my Osteotomy was swollen and really painful for most of the day. I was so tired and so I just laid on my sofa staring at the TV or sleeping . As the rest of the house were not positive, I put myself into isolation. Luckily our house is big.

Isolating in my room with my own stack of clothes, cutlery and medicine took me back to 2018 when I was recovering from the first Osteotomy operation and feeling pretty helpless. Being unable to sit with other people, feeling tired and just boredom doesn’t make for a happy person.

Anyway I am writing this post on day 4 of still being COVID positive. At least I am exercising again (I love the Nike NTC app and their exercise plans). Loiza tested positive today and its only PRIYA left in the house who has not tested positive.

We planned to take a city break in Boston MA on the 31st May – I am thinking this is not going to happen…We may be celebrating the Queens jubilee in the UK after all.

Featured

It must be Winter – spectre of knee aches return

The last 3-4 weeks in the UK have been pretty cold, albeit lacking with rainfall.

As part of my work routine, I normally go out for a 45 minute walk before I start work; also grabbing a coffee from the high street. I also get to the Gym most lunchtimes and spend 40 minutes. Using the treadmill is going well and continuing to use the weights does work

In the last 2-3 weeks, I have started to feel similar pains in my treated knee as I did before my operation although more focused to the front of the knee. Gauging the pain on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 is no pain), I would say a 3 or 4 as I know it is there. It’s not causing me issues in daily activity but it does raise questions and is beginning to play on my mind.

I am going to carry on with my routine and just monitor the pain for now and hoping its a combination of age (I’m not 25 anymore ! ) and weather. Things will get better soon

I may need to do a search other blogs to get a view of what I can do to push my confidence back up.

Will post again with an update

Featured

Weight Loss is the way to go. Tibial Osteotemy benefits being felt

In January 2018, I underwent a Tibial Osteotomy operation in the UK. I had been suffering from the onset of arthritis on my right knee and needed a solution that would avoid a knee replacement operation and get my life back to some level of normality.

In my last blog post I mentioned being diagnosed as being on the range as Pre-diabetic (type 2) – this means my last blood test showed my blood sugar to be higher than normal. This has made me urgently realise I need to make life changes to bring my blood sugar levels to a point that avoids me taking medication, or being affected by actually having Diabetes.

For the past 6 weeks I have worked on reducing my food portions, eating less sugary food and increasing my exercise intensity.

I have dropped 4kg in weight. My weight now is 105kg and my target is to get to 90kg in the next 60 days.

Eating less processed meat, eating more vegetarian dishes.
For Diwali, we had Spinach Paneer, Pumpkin Curry and Roti.

I have kept my knee exercises on point also and with the recent weight loss, I am feeling less of the pain. Previously and on some days, I do feel pain around the scar, joint pain in the knee . This will not go away completely, however it has lessoned considerably since my weight loss regime.

As the weather has become colder, I feel a lot better than the same time last year.

This does go back to the advice that was shared post Tibial Osteotomy of losing weight and eating healthily. I have found it difficult but have found my stride (albeit via another health condition) and expect to continue.

I am thinking of taking up Yoga now; some of the stretch positions put the knee in some painful positions for me but I’ll give it a go to see how it fares.

Featured

Focusing on weight loss to get better at running (and avoid Type2 Diabetes)

I walked for probably a mile along here. Picture taken in beautiful Wales as part of our family staycation, 2021

I’ve not been blogging recently and its not that everything is back to normal. Working from home on a permanent basis due to Covid-19 in the UK just makes every day blend into one another. It used to be so great commuting into London and being connected to real people, and not via Zoom or Teams. That really grates me.

So this week, my annual blood test results came back and I have been diagnosed with Pre-Diabetes. This means my blood sugar is on the borderline of being type2 diabetic, but not fully.

I need to change my diet and make changes so that I can get my sugar levels to a steady low-risk state.

I do go to the gym 4/5 times a week to work out. The leg strength training continues but I think I need to step up the exercises more in order to lose my weight.

I’m 108kg and need to get to 100kg as good marker. At present I can run on a treadmill for 30 minutes. I really want to start jogging but I am worried about the pain it will bring back.

Having just turned 51, recovery takes a while but I want to get to a point where I can run more freely while carrying less weight to shift.

For my Osteotomy, this is a must and I need to get on this journey asap. I have used the Nike training app to help with core strength training, I’ll have to look for some medium intensity work outs to help lose the calories.

My real test is to shed the weight, get running and fall of the “risk list” of diabetes

Featured

Gyms still closed, knee pain issues

When I go out for a ride on my mountain bike, it feels like drivers have less care for other road users. Is it just me or are people becoming more impatient on the roads. Where exactly are they going during Covid lockdown??

Ok so I am in the same boat as everyone else around the world. Working from home, social distancing and COVID lockdown. Gyms are closed!! At least I have had my 1st COVID vaccination (hoorah!)

In recent weeks I have experienced scar swellings and on occasion knee pain in the same area as before. The swelling has kept me awake at night and have been tempted to scratch. Using a soothing cream has helped. I am hoping the knee pain is due to not being able to do specific weight training exercises, but it is troubling. I really do not want to get a knee replacement just yet.

I have found a good exercise app ( by a well known sports brand). I am doing 30minute exercise sprints on line that help build/maintain my core strength and stamina. It has helped in parts but I need to check in again on whether I need to go back to my specialist.

Anyone else experiencing a recurring pain a few years after the Tibial Osteotemy?

Featured

Covid, WFH, and avoiding knee pain

Hello all,

It’s been such a long time since my post and its not as if I’ve been jetsetting around living a rockstar lifestyle. Like everyone else, its WFH, lockdown and getting used to the world we have to live in during the pandemic.

My employers, DXC Technology is a decent company for employee work/life balance and support. I was able to upgrade my home office chair and get a foot rest for home working, courtesy of DXC. What a difference.

Good posture and feet positioning does have a positive impact on lower joints. I used to feel a little pained if i am sat for long periods of time, but not so much now

Good back support and positioning of knees really helps.

So, during lockdown, what have I been doing around exercising and and what is the knee pain like now post Osteotomy?

When the gym was closed, i took to my mountain bike and averaged 22km a day during my lunch breaks. Keeping the weight off is still my focus. I have lost 3 kg but really need to drop another 10kg. I tried to avoid snacking and I now try to cut out excess sugar , and have switched to sweetener and low sugar/fat alternatives. My wife is now buying gluten free and lactose free produce in her quest to either torture me or help me lose weight.

Now that the gym is open again, its all about cross training and running on the treadmill. I did notice my calf muscle on my operated leg still lacks a little definition.

On cold days i do feel the pain of bone rubbing bone, but it really is not as bad as it was 12 months ago. The pain never really goes away 100%, but we just need to live our lives.

I think i need a new focus in 2021 to step up my momentum – a sprint tri or sportiv event maybe?

Featured

Osteotomy Scar update, 2 years on

Oh, the memories of the metal plates supporting my tibia. I keep forgetting, its major surgery

With Covid-19 lockdown restrictions still in play in the UK, I have tried to keep up my fitness and exercise regime. Getting back on to my mountain bike and cycling on quiet roads on a sunny day, are great! I have been logging my activities on Strava and have covered 250km per month since march; not bad considering I cycled 200km in total between 2018-2019.

The activity I miss the most is weight training. The loss of muscle mass around my knee is telling and some pain has returned. At least the gyms reopen in July. I guess I lack motivation of weight training at home as I really want to get out of the house for a change of scene; especially when working from home.

I wanted to share the status of my operation scars. If you are part way through your recovery journey, it may serve useful to set some expectations.

My initial tibial Osteotomy was in January 2018, and in March 2019 I went back to hospital to remove the metal plates and screws.

As a reminder, this is my leg post operation:

metal pins applied where incisions were made below the right knee

What the scarring looks like today

Scarring shows up in the summer but not as prevalent

I am left with a 7.5 cm scar and using Bio Oil (or similar products) has helped in hiding some of the blemishes. The a vertical cut (as seen in the previous picture) and is barely visible. I am still experiencing loss of nerve sensation on my shin, but you get used to it.

Until my next post – I wont leave the next post too far away.

Featured

Maintaining an exercise routine under COVID-19 lockdown

If you enjoyed reading my blog entry, don’t forget to like, follow, share and comment!

The last 4 weeks has forced all of us to live in the ‘new ‘ world and having to adapt to social distancing. For me, work is no different as I mainly worked from home and used tools like Skype for Business and Teams for meetings anyway. If anything, the working hours have started to get longer.

To exercise and to keep muscle strength at a decent level has been a challenge as my Gym has been closed for 4 weeks now. I have been doing some basic weight training and keeping the strength in the knee. I have started to feel the pain in the knee though and do miss the gym. It never goes away completely.

I did fix up my mountain bike ( got a decent TREK 6500 MTB from 2011) and have been cycling every other day and am able to clock up about 60km per week. I only have 45 minutes for lunch but fewer cars on the road does make cycling more relaxing.

In addition to the cycling, taking yoga classes (via Youtube) is helping with the stretching and muscle building. If folks are thinking Yoga is lame, I urge you to have a go, you will use and stretch muscles you never knew were weak. For stretching muscles in the legs and simply doing the breathing exercises does help relieve knee pains. I may start to do Yoga every morning (starting next week!)

Featured

2020 and finally seeing the difference after my Osteotomy

In January 2018, I underwent a Tibial Osteotomy operation as I had been suffering from the onset of arthritis on my right knee and needed an alternative to a knee replacement operation.

In 2019, I went under the surgeons knife again to have the metal plates removed from my leg. I am writing this blog to help others who may be starting their own recovery journey

If you enjoy reading my blog entry, don’t forget to like, follow, share and comment!

Its been a while since my last post in December 2019. The rubbish winter in the UK has been extremely wet and damp, I did miss the snow. 2020 is my year to be surgery free and to get stronger.

At work my role changed to become the regional lead for the Microsoft Azure Professional Services practice for DXC Technology (large American IT systems Integrator). This does mean longer hours but at least I am able to work from home.

Working from home has allowed me to visit the gym more frequently and for 2 -3 days a week, I focus on weight training and it really has helped. The key exercises that made a difference are shown below.

I did have to take my time and build up strength gradually.

Prior to my operation, I never focused on leg weight training and it was only when I went through Physiotherapy the physio explained the impact of muscle mass improving stability and stamina.

For me it has helped with better leg movement, reduction of swelling and increased stamina. As the months have elapsed I have noticed the difference.

I am probably at 75% mobility in my knee and the pains have substantially decreased (but still not gone)