Can I make it on my own????

[hollyhobble]

It's a little over three months since I got my new knees and I have been going to therapy 2-3 times/week for the past nine weeks. Right now, progress has stalled and I feel that I am not benefitting for the torture and am allowing myself a week off to see if I can do just as well at home without the torture and pain and abuse. My pool therapy is wonderfully comforting but the gym is rough. I am almost straight with my right leg and about 2 degrees or so to go on the left knee after the PT has pushed and tortured it a bit. I walk straight, have a good stride and not much discomfort. Steps are getting better all the time. Up is no problem, down I feel much more comfortable with railings on both sides or using the cane.

I have a latex strap to help strengthen and straighten the legs, have been given an exercise where I lie on the bed with my legs dangling over and weights on my ankles. Can got for about 13 or 14 minutes at a time doing this before it gets too uncomfortable (mostly on my stomach!). I also have the little floor bike to use to limber me up.

I have Tramadol for pain occasionally and have discontinued my Vicodin as of last week. Tramadol seems to help with the swelling on my knees too and the implants are feeling less invasive.

I'm wondering what you all think out there about going it on my own? Can I do it??? I can have some help from my husband helping press down on my legs and straightening them as he is an anxious as I am to get me back to "normal". How much therapy do most people require? As I mentioned, I am taking the week off to do some other things and will work on my exercises as often as possible.

My doctor says I am at the point where things will just continue to improve without official therapy, but of course the therapist thinks I need a lot more work. I've come a long way, but have spent almost the entire summer working on it. I was out on my legs all day yesterday and did great so am extremely happy with the results and progress to date. It's been quite a summer!

Holly

 

[JenniferG]

At 2+ months my ROM was pretty good and I was told by my OS that I could discontinue PT. Last I understood PT was for the most part as prescribed by the DR, not pt. Though one benefit of specific PT appointments was better vigilance about my exercises.

 

[Gretchendz]

Can't speak for you but I am 15 weeks out but still in PT--very slow but steady progress. Maybe 5 points a week....

I would never do as well on my own. The deep massage they do and the pushing--I'd never get it that far on my own, I know.

My sister had bilateral TKR 18 months ago and had no PT--to this day her flex is not as good as mine--and mine is still not where PT & I think we can get it. I would still be going to PT even if I didn't have insurance for it

I loved pool therapy too

 

[AlaskanTKR]

I know what you mean about the torture - but..... I am only 6 weeks out and know /or think I wil be there for quite a bit longer. Where I am the OS has to prescribe the PT so each time I see him I get a prescription that I bring to the PT place. Insurance has kicked in and we are at 100% - Thank God.
I guess I would go with what th doctor says.

Marianne

 

[Linda2]

More PT is always better--assuming it's good PT. Can you tell I am opinionated on this subject?

 

[Marilynbilateral]

Hi Holy,

It sounds to me like you are doing great. What degress of Range of Motion do you have. My surgeon sent me home with home excersizes and didn't even think PT was necessary, but I went for it anyways because I was eager to improve quickly. I had my surgery on May 22nd and I also feel like I can walk so much better. I just have some stiffness and some pain when twisting in bed. I am off the narcotics taking only tylenol arthritis. I am back to work full time which keeps me moving and I try to do my excesizes at home as much as possible.

The only problem I have is numbness and pins and needles in my feet, predominently in my toes. I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem psot surgery. My doctor sent me to a neurologist and I went to my podiatrist to try to find a solution but no one knows what to do. Any suggestions?

Marilyn

 

[Rowdy66]

Only had three sessions of PT and didn't need any more and that was according to my OS, but he knew I had worked hard on my own and would continue to work on knees. Everyone is different and you are the only one, along with your surgeon, who know what you are capabale of and where you are with with ROM and straightening leg. I am 3 and a half months post op and last night was able to to go to Home Depot, two of them as a matter of fact, and walk all over both stores with no pain and no thought about my knees until my husband mentioned I was sure a lot better. He was actually having trouble keeping up with me. All the hard work has paid off and I finally have my life back. Thank God for his mercy and healing power. I feel so fortunate. Rowdy

 

[beachcomber]

Holly,
I think it is really a question only you can answer with input from your PT. IMO it depends on your goals, lifestyle, and how hard you are willing to work.
If you want to downhill ski you would have different needs than if you want to be able to shop,garden, play with the grandkids, and do some traveling. As long as you are able to do what you want and are better off than before the surgery the rest if up to you.

I just hate to see people who have given up because it was "too hard" and are still hobbling around with a cane AFTER going through the TKR and do not get to enjoy the full benefits of the new knee.

All the best to you and I know you will make the best decision for your life.

 

[JenniferG]

Oh Rowdy, I love Home Depot now that my knees don't hurt. Even with those awful concrete floors. I've warned my husband he might be in trouble now that I can shop for new "projects"! What were you looking for?

 

[hollyhobble]

Thanks for the variety of opinions. It's all helpful. I am trying it on my own for a few days and probably will find that it would be wise to get some more "torture" which will help in the long run. One knee is almost straight when the PT "stands" on it and brings the tears to my eyes but the other needs to go a ways before it's straight. And of course, they don't seem to stay straight so until they can be straight on their own, it really hasn't accomplished much. I had polio as a child so it's possible that my legs weren't absolutely straight to begin with but with the new knees, I understand that they should be able to be perfect.

My OS said a ROM of 110-120 would be what to work for. My left knee is at 112 which is fine with me (which I assume with improve with time, heeling, and exercise), but the right knee has yet to break 100. This is with the PT pushing a great deal, almost knocking me off the stationary bike!! I'm seriously thinking that if I go back to therapy, I will go with a different therapist who although it may take me longer, doesn't push me quite as hard and make every session tortute. I'm sore and suffering after sessions with him and feel bullied.

Yesterday I only took two Tylenol Arthritis and did fine without any of the "hard stuff"!

 

[Linda2]

You should absolutely change therapists. If you feel bullied, that person is the wrong person for you. I actually look forward to PT. The encouragement, challenge, validation, and, of course, the e-stim and the ice at the end always make me feel like I've accomplished a great deal.