Re: My progress at 5 weeks TKR

[Guest guest]

In response:

> Have you thought about water therapy? I always go to Hydrotherapy after a

> joint replacement regardless of the joint, it really does help tremendously.

I am in the pool and the hottub every day. Half of my PT is in a pool as well

with the PT supervising several patients

> I go once a week to see the therapist as my insurance doesn't cover this,

I see my PT twice a week.

> then I can go to the same heated pool and do the exercises on my own.

> Another thing I did here, I know you can't as its winter, but I swam in the

> ocean too for all my joints, and when you have to bop up and down from the

> waves it sure helps with the bend and strengthen the thigh muscles for a hip

My problem isn't strength; I was strong when I had my TKR. My problem is that

when I push my knee, my muscles, which were contracted for years tighten up and

prevent movement.

>

> Are you able to get in and out of a car, whether to drive or be passenger,

I have been driving since the 11th day and in the passenger seat since the 5th

day. It is my left, not my gas pedal right leg.

> as It is a discharge rule here with my surgeon , and most of the others I

> know, that you have to be at 95 degrees before you can go home.

They sent me home on the second day and I rode home on the third, since I had

surgery 4 hours from home. I got in and out of the back of my van using my

strong arms, which I have built up with weight-lifting, water aerobics, and

pilates. Insurance only allowed one night at the hospital.

> Also if you require manipulation under general anaesthetic, they will just

> basically bend it for you whilst you are sleeping then may be put you into a

> CPM machine, you won't be cut again.

I pray that I don't get cut again; I can't handle another round of medications.

The antibiotics messed me up and taking coumadin was a bit of a nightmare for

this " organic " woman.

> I hope the more recent knees folks and help you more. Good luck. But don't

> give up its only just over a month.

> x

Thanks

[Guest guest]

5 weeks is not that far along. I was told that I had 3 months to get all my

flexion and straightening. I am now 8 months and was just noticing yesterday

that my flexion has improved a lot more. I cannopt remember my numbers, but I

must endorse what someone else said though about water therapy. I made my

biggest gains in the water. Once a week I saw a physiotherapist who worked in

water, then 3-4 times a week I just went into the local pool and did it myself.

The exercises were very simple. In an earlier post I recommended a book I used

that I ordered off Amazon. Cannot remember the name of it and I am writing this

in San de, Mexico as we are traveling through the warm places for

the winter.

So get in the water - it is sooooo much easier.

Carolyn

>

> Devora.

> Its been 15 years since I had a knee, but my friend had one done last

> October. I think its still early days and I think you can still improve.

> Have you thought about water therapy? I always go to Hydrotherapy after a

> joint replacement regardless of the joint, it really does help tremendously.

> I go once a week to see the therapist as my insurance doesn't cover this,

> then I can go to the same heated pool and do the exercises on my own.

> Another thing I did here, I know you can't as its winter, but I swam in the

> ocean too for all my joints, and when you have to bop up and down from the

> waves it sure helps with the bend and strengthen the thigh muscles for a hip

>

> Are you able to get in and out of a car, whether to drive or be passenger,

> as It is a discharge rule here with my surgeon , and most of the others I

> know, that you have to be at 95 degrees before you can go home. This enables

> you to bend sufficiently to get into and out of the car.

> Also if you require manipulation under general anaesthetic, they will just

> basically bend it for you whilst you are sleeping then may be put you into a

> CPM machine, you won't be cut again.

> I hope the more recent knees folks and help you more. Good luck. But don't

> give up its only just over a month.

> x

>

> -- My progress at 5 weeks TKR

>

> I wrote earlier about my knee not progressing in flexion enough. I am only

> at about 90 degrees at this point and that is with tremendous effort. My PT

> pushed it to 95, but that wasn't real because it tightens right up. I

> understand that I am supposed to be farther along. When I push it with

> aggressive PT, every muscle in my leg cramps up. I have developed sciatica

> on the side with the TKR; it used to be on the other side. I am taking

> CAL-mag and drinking plenty of water. I tried flexerol in hopes that it

> would relax my muscles enough to push the PT. I get feedback that I should

> have done more sooner and that I now have scar tissue that will require some

> kind of surgical intervention. I couldn't be that aggressive in weeks two

> and three because I was sick from the meds and exhausted from being up all

> night.

> I feel like they replaced my knee but didn't deal with the fact that I

> couldn't straighten this knee for years, that I walked with a limp, and that

> my muscles have been shortened for years.

> The pain meds never worked. They make me too exhausted and spacey to want

> to work. I sometimes take them at night so I can sleep, but they only make

> me sleepy and don't mitigate the pain. They also make me emotional and weepy

> I thought that more flexion would happen after some of the swelling went

> down, but this doesn't seem to help.

> I am seeing my surgeon, who is 5 hours away, for my post up check-up next

> Tuesday. I feel like they (and my PT) should have told me the approximate

> progress I need to make, so I would have some goals sooner in this process.

> I also wish that they had sent me home with the continuous motion machine so

> I could make progress while laying down to rest.

> I am rather distraught and feel like I am worse than I began. Has anybody

> continued to make progress in flexion later in the process? Is another

> painful surgery inevitable? Devora

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Devora, I would not get too concerned yet. I am at 7 weeks but fairly

close to your progress. My swelling is still going on and I've iced and

elevated my knee and exercised from the the beginning. Not everyone heals

and progresses at the same pace. Talk to your doctor and confirm this, but

honestly it appears you are doing okay at this point. Marie Salanoa