2 Questions...

[Hearth_Cricket]

Hi all...hope everyone is doing well...I have 2 questions tonight...both PT-related:

First, I want to share that yesterday during Physical Therapy, my therapist put me on the leg weight machine that goes between your thighs as well as outside of your thighs (you do it both ways) and you push outward...well, she increased the weight to 45# and it was painful to the inside of my knee toward the front of the knee. I told her so...she reduced the weight to 40#. I proceeded to do 30 of those, even though it was challenging and somewhat painful. So, last night my knee was hollering all night long! and, today, as well. By the way, I've used this therapist 3 times now...once for my first TKR and second for a frozen shoulder last Spring and now for this 2nd TKR...she is excellent and has a master's degree with 16 years experience...she is very caring and compassionate and easy to work with...just an FYI...So, I've been icing like crazy, but the pain is still there....so my question is:

1. Do you think that this is simply knee strain and nothing serious? (it is an achy-throbbing type of pain)

and my other question was:

2. What is the average length of time for physical therapy for an "average patient"?

The reason that I ask is this: It will be 6 weeks post-op for me next Tuesday, and my PT says that with a ROM of 135 and 0 extension that all I need to do is to continue with my strength building and she says that I can continue to do that at home with ankle weights and leg lifts. I see my OS next Wednesday for my 6-week post-op check-up and I will, of course, ask him then, if it's too early to be released from PT...but at this point, I'm thinking that it will be fine. I have 2 more sessions this week and will finish up with 2 sessions next week after my check-up. That will make 6.5 weeks of out-patient PT plus the 2 weeks of in-home PT, making it a total of 8.5 weeks of PT. Whatcha think?

 

[FrogFeathers]

I can't answer the first one, but my PT lasted from April till sometime in June. BUT- I had two weeks in the hospital (rehab was in the hospital for me), then I was going three times a week in April (had MUA April 27), part of May, and then sometime in May it was cut to two times a week. I had two weeks that were one day out of the week, and that second one was my "final" appointment. My ROM was around 95ish. I've been on my own since.

 

[cindy88fan]

Linda, as far as you continuing PT, your therapist is right. She has helped you as much as possible and now it's up to you to keep up the stretching and strengthening. You can do that at home.

With your other problem, you might have just really worked some muscles that you haven't used for a bit. Did you tell your therapist it was painful? That is something you should have told her for sure. Was this the first time for you doing this machine? I know exactly what machine you are talking about and my PT put me on that but I only started with 10 reps at 20#'s and that was just last week ( my 5th week of PT). Also, if it was painful to the inside of your leg, you were using your inside leg muscles, you need to strengthen your upper knee muscles. At least that is what my PT told me...he could be wrong.

Good Luck and talk with your PT about the pain!!!!

 

[Texas]

Hi Linda...I dont think its anything serious you probably just over did it thats a lot........Try to keep icing but maybe ask your PT or its you need to call your OS just to be sure but it sounds like if it happened during.after PT i would think thats what it is.........I sure hope you feel better soon.....take it easy and just relax..........)

 

[Hearth_Cricket]

Linda, as far as you continuing PT, your therapist is right. She has helped you as much as possible and now it's up to you to keep up the stretching and strengthening. You can do that at home.

With your other problem, you might have just really worked some muscles that you haven't used for a bit. Did you tell your therapist it was painful? That is something you should have told her for sure. Was this the first time for you doing this machine? I know exactly what machine you are talking about and my PT put me on that but I only started with 10 reps at 20#'s and that was just last week ( my 5th week of PT). Also, if it was painful to the inside of your leg, you were using your inside leg muscles, you need to strengthen your upper knee muscles. At least that is what my PT told me...he could be wrong.

Good Luck and talk with your PT about the pain!!!!

Cindy, you asked if I told my Pt that it hurt...yes I did and she quickly lowered the number of pounds on the weights...it was painful right on the knee (toward the inside of the leg a little, but still it was on the knee itself -- not the kneecap, tho...hope that makes sense)...it's still achy and throbbing tonight, but when I go tomorrow, I'll be sure to tell her how much it caused my leg this pain all this time. I may just skip that machine tomorrow all together...

Thanks for all the comments and thoughts everyone...

 

[Josephine]

Even if she did reduce the weight, I think 30 reps is way to much to start off with. I think she should have had you start with 10 and then work up over the next few days. I don't wonder it hurts. Take some pain meds as well as icing.

As for the average time for an average patient there is no such thing. Every case is unique. And, for instance, I had no physio at all! None whatsoever! Go figure!

 

[Oldie]

I agree with Jo, I just think you overdid it. 30 reps is too much to start out with. My PT is very conservative, and I only start any new exercise with only 7 reps and work up from there. Take care.

 

[Jamie]

Yep, I agree your weight and reps were too much for the first time. You just strained the muscles.....ice and anti-inflammant will help. And don't do that exercise again until you have NO pain....or you may hurt again.

Even when I am healthy, my trainer NEVER has me do any more than 25 reps....sometimes as few as 10 if we're starting something new. So I feel you should start at that level and then increase.

You're doing really well, though! Congratulations!!!

 

[Motherofmany]

Strength will come with time. It is just part of the healing process. She is right, you can probably continue on your own with 135 and 0 you are doing excellent. The leg presses helped me with strengthening the quads. I worked each leg individual. Also stretching with lunges, squats, step ups and quad presses. These are easily done alone without a pt supervising. Just start with lower reps and work your way up. 10 is the ideal to start out with then add 5 more as you feel comfortable. When you reach 20-25 then you can add weight slowly. Don't overdo. If you are having pain while exercising, then you need to back off until you are able to handle to exercise without stressing your muscles. That just cause injury and time in bed icing and elevating.

Congratulations of the wonderful recovery...start enjoying life again. With your ROM there isn't much you won't be able to do with ease.

 

[Timmy N]

Depending on your insurance, you can go to Rehab (PT) because you did not reach your range of motion goals. Set your goals high. Everytime you go to your OS discuss what your goals are. All the range of bending you achieve is going to be gotten early on in your PT regimen. Doing it at home is good, but you won't have access to things like Ultrasound & TENS . Look into these two treatments. It's very, very, helpful in treating pain.

 

[Jamie]

Depending on your insurance, you can go to Rehab (PT) because you did not reach your range of motion goals. Set your goals high. Everytime you go to your OS discuss what your goals are. All the range of bending you achieve is going to be gotten early on in your PT regimen. Doing it at home is good, but you won't have access to things like Ultrasound & TENS . Look into these two treatments. It's very, very, helpful in treating pain.

Timmy, I agree that the bulk of your ROM will be gained early in the recovery process, but I have discovered farily significant gains in ROM from 6 months to 18 months out. This was surprising to me and when I posted information about it, others reported the same thing.

It may be related to swelling...I tended to have a lot of swelling for quite a while, but nevertheless I still gained ROM well into recovery.