Yikes!

Melody.....relax....you're doing fine with posting on the forum and also with expressing your fears. You know we all have things we fear before a procedure that is this major. It's normal!

But I'm glad you recognize that having your knees replaced will be a life changing event for you. It will be!

First of all, try not to worry about your weight. The fact that you were able to lose 10 pounds when you are in such pain tells me that you are determined and you'll be much more successful once you don't hurt so. Right now the important thing is to get those knees fixed!!! The weight issue can be addressed later and there will be plenty of time for you to work on it once you are healed enough to exercise.

As for the home PT, it really doesn't require a lot of room to do the basic movements you need to do. In fact, people in Great Britain routinely don't do any home therapy at all with a PT. They exercise on their own. So, your sessions with the therapist don't need to be extensive. You will start with gentle bending and stretching and advance to normal movement around your house and yard. There really isn't a complex exercise program required.

Therapists are professionals. They have seen houses that are cluttered and would never say anything to you that is judgemental. Many of us fear that strangers shouldn't see our home when we haven't had an opportunity to make it sparkle and shine. But....the reality is that most folks who have seruious problems with pain simply cannot do a lot of household chores until the pain is gone. And you'll get there!!!

One thing, though.....if your house is small with a lot of clutter around on the floors, you may want to make some changes before your surgery. It is important that you are able to navigate through the house with a walker or crutches. All scatter rugs should be removed so that you will not risk falling. Also....items in or near pathways should be cleared away so that you don't drip over something accidentally. A good therapist may look at your home from this perspective and make suggestions. This is not judging you....it is only looking out for your safety while you are recovering. The more you can clear pathways yourself before surgery, the better!

Hi Melody welcome to BoneSmart. We are all here for you. First relax it is normal to be nervous. I too have fought with losing weight, once you are no longer in pain and able to get around you will be able to knock the weight off. The PT is there to help you and is not going to be making judgement calls about you. They should understand the pain you have been in which makes it harder for you to not only get around but take care of housekeeping chores.

The fact that you have lots to do before your surgery may actually be a good thing. The more things you have to take care of before the surgery the less time you will to sit around worrying about the surgery. We are here anytime you need us. If you have any questions or concerns let us know.

mcotrel said:

2. I know that rehab will be hard and long. I think I'm up to that - The advice here has sunk in and I know I will have to wait and work for healing. ... The FEAR for me has to do with the actual, practical, exercises done at home.

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Hi, welcome to BoneSmart.

Please don't be afraid of PT. Imagine the following words are 3 feet high, jumping out of the screen and marching round the room to the sound of the 1812 overture, cannons and all, very loud: No pain, more gain.

Your PT must not hurt you. Gentle stretches only to help with Range Of Movement and Extension (leg straightening, if you haven't come across the term yet). If the PTs try to force any exercise to the point of pain, tell them 'Please stop that'. This board has a filter for certain words which prevents me from giving you the alternative wording.

Your recovery isn't hard work, it's a holiday. You take cool drugs to control the pain, until it goes away (when you forget to take them). You sit a lot, read, watch TV, rest. You don't worry about a weight loss programme, you will undertake that after your knees are healed and (as has been said) will be able to do loads more, so that will help.

Your knees will be in charge, they will tell you when to move on from resting. Don't second-guess them.

You don't really need room to "work out" for home PT. They started with some exercises on the bed and then in the kitchen. Also they helped me practice and gain confidence on my basement stairs. The advantage of home pt imho is that you get to do stuff you're going to be doing at home daily *in* your home. Congrats on losing 10 pounds! Nothing to sneeze at.