1.
4 Mostly,
what I consider, too much stiffness at almost 9 weeks. Occasional pain or burning when I do too much. It's mainly the discomfort of the stiffness. I find it very annoying. I have aching legs when I am out too long. I'm doing better at watching that after a few times of paying the price the next day.
2. I was prescribed Hydrocodone acetaminophen 7.5-325 1-2 every 6 hours. I never took 2; I probably averaged 1 every 6 -7 hours. A few times I did not stay ahead of the pain. I finally kept to the schedule of 1 every 6 hours. I'm a slow learner. 0ne week ago I realized I was forgetting them except at night, they were making me nauseous and also not taking care of pain. Now I take ibuprofen. I have more trouble with back pain from lying down so much and also a different gait. That's why I go to the chiropractor. I hope when I'm somewhat back to normal, my new knee will help my lower back.
3. Most of the time slight. Sometimes when I overdo, it gets red, hot and a little more swollen. I check it frequently because it gets red so quickly when I get up in the morning.
4. I have not asked since late November when I had a heart to heart with the PTs and said no more pain or pushing. That was when I changed my thread to "Epiphany". At that time I was pushed to 114. I think he said passive was 110. I can't find my last numbers. Extension is -1 or "almost 0". I will be brave and measure ROM this week. I let them measure last week and said "just tell me I am over 100". I was.
5. I ice a lot. Maybe 15 times a day when I am in all day. I use ice packs so I am up and down a lot. I am trying to pay attention to resting for the amount of time I am out so I will use my Iceman. If I am home doing ADLs I just use the ice packs off and on. I think this kind of icing has really helped with the swelling; intermittent activity and icing.
6. I elevate when I can see some swelling. I use pillows. I may have tightness confused with swelling. Sometimes my leg does not look swollen, but it is still too tight according to me.
7. My activity level varies. I have 2 cats so that means litter box and feeding for the divas. I am up and down frequently in my apartment whether getting something to eat or another bottle of water or just piddling. I probably drink at least 5 waters a day. I have to take trash down the hall, maybe 150 feet to and from elevator area. I try to go out in the a.m. to an hour meeting 2- 3 times a week, followed by short errands which sometimes proves to be too much. I also go out 2 times a week at night to 60-90 minute meetings. Sitting is uncomfortable, but I do it and try to move my leg to different positions. I am trying to increase slowly because I have to go back to work 1/4. I am now trying to take into account the time I am up before actually leaving my home.
8. My main exercise is probably ADLs; walking to car; from car to meetings, PT, chiropractor and short shopping trips. I actually think I walk the most in my apartment because I am up and down so much. I don't have a lot of housekeeping. I moved to a 1 bedroom in a high rise because I had had it with the responsibility of a house. I do bed slides 5 x 5 reps, hold for 10 seconds about 3 times per day; do them in a chair and then lean forward for stretch, maybe 1 or 2 x a day. If I remember, I do 5 rolls with the big ball on the bed; same numbers but maybe only once a day, if that. Sometimes, none if I have done a lot of other things.
9. 1-2 x a week PT. They are changing what I do as far as exercises. I start with 8 minutes on the bike and was thrilled when I could do full revolutions about ten days ago. I have done the ball, some squats holding the pulley,
leg presses, slides lying down or in chair (5 for 10 seconds). The other exercises are usually 3 x 20. They kind of mix it up, but I would say I never do more than 4 different exercises at each session. We always finish with slides lying down, heat and stimulation. I tell them am getting tired. My quads are "strong", but left one is very tight.
This is hard for me to answer because I think they are going easy on me since I had my "epiphany" talk with the PT manager. I don't know what he told the therapists, if anything. I was the one who said no more push or pain. The other day I told my youngest PT that he had hurt me in the past. He looked surprised and a little hurt. That made me think they really don't know unless we speak up. I will pay more attention this week and try to give some exact numbers. From what I have read of other posts here, I do not think my PTs are overworking me now. They may feel they are not doing their job. At least I don't dread it anymore.
@Josephine, I apologize. I think I am giving too much detail in some questions and not being specific enough in others. I have a tendency to obsess too much. I don't like to complain because I have read of some the disappointments here. Bonesmart has helped relax, but I am not free of worries. When someone asks how I am doing, I tell them recovery is long and tedious at this point. I am not interested in being one of marvels who is an Olympic athlete at 8 weeks. I like the slow and steady approach and am hoping for the best.
I have told 4 people about Bonesmart in the last week and said, "Don't tell your doctor". I thank all the advisors and every post helps me.
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tired of talking about knees, and planning things around knees, and wondering what’s going on with knees. It’s time to stop.”
