5 days post op, what's the correct balance of PT

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hopeful788

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Saturday afternoon, my left leg has swollen to what I think is it's limit. I worked extremely hard Friday afternoon in PT. But it is very important for me to find a fine line between correct amount of PT and over doing it. Knowing that I was showing off Friday, not wanting to say I can't do something, I put too much added stress on my left knee. Friday night I paid the price, very sore leg, no real sleep, the clock never moved. Knowing that I was very careful about the amount of PT I would do Saturday morning. I took it very easy, took a couple of walks and rested most of the afternoon. I will be leaving the nursing home very soon, either Monday or Tuesday. My goal was to leave Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Please forgive the spelling and grammar, the pain meds seem to knick in when I'm posting. Thanks all for being with me pre and now post. This really is major surgery, and it most be dealt with the recovery with that in mind. I find it very lonely in this nursing home. So, anyone who wold like to post, please do so. Thanks Bob
 
Hey Bob ..welcome to the other side! Sounds like you worked VERY hard in PT Friday. Ice and elevate the knee replacement mantra and pain medicine. I agree that rehab is lonely...I was there for a week...and was ready to go home when the time came. Keep up the good work.
 
Hi, Bob. I know it must be lonely there in a nursing home. I always think it's sad they don't have more actual rehab facilities available for people. There is such a difference in people who are recovering from a surgery like you are and those who must be in a nursing home because they cannot care for themselves any more.

You'll be MUCH happier at home!!! Do you have friends or family who will check on you once you get back there? Of course, you'll ALWAYS have us BoneSmartie friends to talk to!!! You know we are GREAT talkers!!

Hang in there and try not to overdo the workouts. Exercise is good. Swelling is not. Make ice your best friend tonight and it should be better by tomorrow.
 
Bob, welcome to the other side of knee replacement, the painful, hardworking always a bit loopy recovery side. It's good to see you here. I can already see that you have no problem with the hardwork that is necessary to recover from this b*tch of a surgery that we signed up for. LOL
I was also at a center for extended care and rehabilitation. I was lucky in that the nursing home patients were on the second floor and the rehab patients on the first. Everything was seperate, the gyms, dining rooms etc. I just hope that you, as a fresh post op, are not in a room with a nursing home pt. I was really lucky to be in a private room, and we had open visitors hours so my hubby was with me almost all day and he stayed until bedtime . It was a good thing too, because there was no wi-fi where I was!
At least you are able to write to us and get encouragement here.
Keep up the good work in PT but don't overdo it, because that bites you back, right in the knee!
 
Hey Hopeful im glad you seem to be doing well......I know what you mean about pt......we wnt to show what we can do...just be careful and dont over due it and go backwards......Im glad you will be home for thanksgiving......that is so nice.......Make sure your are icing but im sure they are taking care of you......get better soon....glad you posted.....)
 
Hi Bob. I hope you have a good night. I know it's not a great place to be, but you only have a few more days. Please hang in there a few more days!! I went for 7 days and it was hard...just had to bear it knowing I'd be out of there soon. It will be over before you know it, and each day you will be feeling better. Don't work yourself too hard.

Helen

BTKR 8/09
 
Hey Bob, welcome to the other side! PT can really be a pain (really bad pun intended). Do what you can, but try not to overdo it. It's slow and steady time, build up as you go. My PT has the rep. of being tough, but she never pushes me past what I feel like I can do. Yes, every muscle in my leg hurts the day after PT, but I'm seeing progress every day, too. She really stretches my leg out - feels good and hurts at the same time!
Keep up the good work, glad you'll be home for Turkey Day.
 
Hi Bob,
My home PT wanted me to focus more on ROM and quad strengthening exercises the first couple weeks. I was surprised that she didn't want me to walk more because after my hip replacement that was greatly encouraged. But she explained to me that especially early post-op it is a balance between regaining strength and regaining range of motion. Swelling is the enemy of range of motion, so she really did not want me to push the walking as much as I expected. Once I got my flex past 90 degrees and could ride the bike, she did encourage that to help with both range of motion and strengthening.
Good Luck,
Doug
 
Hi Bob, it is so good to hear from you! Sounds like you are doing well, sorry for the swelling. As this is my second go around, my advice is to go slow. Bending and flexing are important early on, but strengthening will happen over time.
Be gentle to your new knee. It has been traumatized and you need to baby it.
Don't be a macho-man! We know you are strong, but now is the time to showcase your sensitive side. :hehe:
I had my surgery on the same day as you.
I do my exercises that were given to me by the physical therapists once daily and take small walks around the house as I feel like it.
Tomorrow I will begin outpatient rehab at the local hospital. It will last about an hour, including warming up and icing down after. That will be three days per week, then I will do my at-home exercises the other days. Nothing too arduous or stressful.
This is the regime I followed with my first knee and it has great flex and range of motion.
So, in a nutshell, baby it and keep the swelling out, and you will accomplish much more than if you force it and keep it inflamed.

Good luck to you! Kimberly
 
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