CPM machine..how do they...

[lissa]

So, both knees are being replaced this July 21. How do the nurses, PT, whatever people use the CPM machine if you have both knees in same state? Rotate one machine...use two...how could you get two on one bed... 6 hours at a time or can you take breaks..like every two hours..I am thinking being strapped up in that thing 6 hours straight would make one slit his/her wrists...save on recovery!! ( haha)

Let me know. With two knees...what happens when you wake up? Are you in immediate pain? What is a first day in hospital like? Can anyone remember exactely what and when what happened? Like to know...all recollections.

Thanks. Lissa

 

[FrogFeathers]

I only had the one knee done and my doctor doesn't use the CPM machine. BUT... I had the manipulation done five weeks after, and THAT is when I got stuck in that machine.

I loathe the machine. It didn't hurt me, it actually did its job for me, but being stuck in the machine drove me batty. I couldn't read as I was laying as flat as possible. I got so tired of basic-cable TV (I used to LOVE "House" and "Law & Order" in all its various forms, but I was so sick to death of them!).

I can say the worst part of the machine is the "stuck where you are" thing. And in my case, I was stuck in my bedroom. I have an online friend who just had surgery on her knee (not a tkr, but some kind of thing where they took a bit of her cartilige, grew it up in a lab, added some pig tissue and replaced it). She's stuck with the CPM machine now- but she's less crazy than I was as she's got a laptop and wireless.

I got to the point where I would have out-loud discussions with the CPM about how much I hated it.

 

[Texas]

Hey Liisa well I had the machine as well. Sorry but now you have me smiling with the 2 up in there air....I dint know how that works. lol...It is boring in the machine, watch TV, computer etc..I did it a few hrs at a time I wasnt faithful. After I was able to get up and around it was kinda better doing it myself, lil excercises here and there...its hard to stay on the machine it did nothing for my muscles. And it does it for you so the challege was gone...BUT since you are having 2 take it easy, do as he says but when you can get up as he says you can then do a lil yourself you will see have great it feels....One note because noone told me...After surgery when you stand up give it a min I guess all the blood will rush to your knees its ok but yes for a min or so it does hurt..I didnt know what was happening and was scare..it goes away in a few days...lol Good luck to you since your on the machine I hope we here for you...Keep us posted....Good luck to you i think you will do just fine...

 

[ouch]

Hi Lissa:
My husband used that stupid machine for 3 days in the hospital, then 2 weeks straight at home, although the last week he was only on it for maybe a couple hours at a time. Since his ROM is only 88 at this post (9 weeks post op., plus he has a lot of other medical problems), he feels the machine did him no good at all. But please, follow the doctor's advice. He was so bored like all the other posts. Also, like the above post, be very careful when you first get out of bed after the operation. His pain, when he went to put the leg down, was unbareable. I never head such language! But it does go away. Keep reading the forum after you start to feel a little normal. There is such great advice and comfort here that it will help you get through a lot of the pain. Good luck.

 

[Texas]

Ouch you crack me up, you tell it like it is..I so like that about you......lol

 

[loribee59]

that's odd, when I had my left knee done, I was using the CPM at the hospital for only 2-3 days, but I never had to use it at home...I just do my exercises and stretches and I use every excuse to get up and move around. I guess everyone heals differently, and I hope I never have to use that machine at home...it'd drive me coo-coo!

 

[Texas]

I agree thats what I did. I wanted to walk around. I think I fell asleep with it on one time. Its hard to sleep with that thing. I did notice some Drs on here dont even use it...Your right every Drs different as well. Looks like they did just as well......But she did make me laugh picturing her legs going round and round....gotta have humor you just have to....

 

[lissa]

I only had the one knee done and my doctor doesn't use the CPM machine. BUT... I had the manipulation done five weeks after, and THAT is when I got stuck in that machine.

I loathe the machine. It didn't hurt me, it actually did its job for me, but being stuck in the machine drove me batty. I couldn't read as I was laying as flat as possible. I got so tired of basic-cable TV (I used to LOVE "House" and "Law & Order" in all its various forms, but I was so sick to death of them!).

I can say the worst part of the machine is the "stuck where you are" thing. And in my case, I was stuck in my bedroom. I have an online friend who just had surgery on her knee (not a tkr, but some kind of thing where they took a bit of her cartilige, grew it up in a lab, added some pig tissue and replaced it). She's stuck with the CPM machine now- but she's less crazy than I was as she's got a laptop and wireless.

I got to the point where I would have out-loud discussions with the CPM about how much I hated it.

You are sooo funny! I can picture myself having discussions with "the machine"...and being tied down so to speak..oh me oh my! I'll try the books on tape...and have netflix for tw movies...but yes, the regular TV shows get sooo old so soon! Thank you for being so greatly humerous and honest! Lissa

 

[Texas]

Haha your to funny. You will do just fine. You have that personality. I wish I could be a fly on your wall...lol

 

[lissa]

Hey Liisa well I had the machine as well. Sorry but now you have me smiling with the 2 up in there air....I dint know how that works. lol...It is boring in the machine, watch TV, computer etc..I did it a few hrs at a time I wasnt faithful. After I was able to get up and around it was kinda better doing it myself, lil excercises here and there...its hard to stay on the machine it did nothing for my muscles. And it does it for you so the challege was gone...BUT since you are having 2 take it easy, do as he says but when you can get up as he says you can then do a lil yourself you will see have great it feels....One note because noone told me...After surgery when you stand up give it a min I guess all the blood will rush to your knees its ok but yes for a min or so it does hurt..I didnt know what was happening and was scare..it goes away in a few days...lol Good luck to you since your on the machine I hope we here for you...Keep us posted....Good luck to you i think you will do just fine...

I'm glad you are smiling...keep the smile for me...during the four weeks after July 21! Yes, I heard about the initial blood rush, swelling etc. to your knees when you stand.. I agree also that after you can do it yourself...the bending...get out of the machine> Taking it easy isd the hard thing..I overdo...hard to change my personality and high expectations...rekon this will equal the playing field! hahha! Lissa

 

[lissa]

Hi Lissa:
My husband used that stupid machine for 3 days in the hospital, then 2 weeks straight at home, although the last week he was only on it for maybe a couple hours at a time. Since his ROM is only 88 at this post (9 weeks post op., plus he has a lot of other medical problems), he feels the machine did him no good at all. But please, follow the doctor's advice. He was so bored like all the other posts. Also, like the above post, be very careful when you first get out of bed after the operation. His pain, when he went to put the leg down, was unbareable. I never head such language! But it does go away. Keep reading the forum after you start to feel a little normal. There is such great advice and comfort here that it will help you get through a lot of the pain. Good luck.

The language you heard out of your husband's mouth...made me laugh! Once, my mother and I spent a night in a motel together...I apparently had a bad dream...next morning she looked at me grimly ..finally asked what was problem...she said" Lissa Timberlake, never in MY life, have I heard the words that came out of your mouth!" Needless to say, I was a bit chagrined! Lissa

 

[Texas]

I am glad Ouch I wasnt the only one. When I would put my foot down ugh....Oh my goodness, but yes it got better.....Ouch is so funny. But they have been thru so much...We are still waiting to hear great news from that way....Its just the lil things I guess get forgotten....

 

[Chaco]

I'm also curious how this works with both knees...

Personally, I liked the CPM...used it for 3 1/2 weeks, and it at the very least made me feel like I was doing SOMETHING while I was laying there channel-surfing. Also, the "stretch" felt good, keeping the joint moving. Doesn't replace PT and actual exercise, but I think it helped me along in those early weeks.

 

[Oldie]

I agree with Chaco, I liked the CPM, used if in hospital and at home first two week, kept my knee moving those first weeks, made it easier when I did start PT.

 

[tooyoungforthis]

Lissa, You will be up on your feet for 2 days then its my time on the 23 but I will be thinking of you having both knees done at the same time, my roommate last time had both of hers done and even through she was in her 80s she never said a peep. I told my hubby that I am going to save him some money when I am in the hospital because I love QVC and its going to be christmas in july and with 6 grown children thats when I start shopping! What am I going to do?

 

[Simon]

Lissa

I had a BTKR and in the hospital they used 2 machines going at the same time. After surgery I went upstairs to inpatient rehab for 10 plus days and again, they used 2 machines. I used it for 2 hours in the morning (before breakfast) to get them going, an hour or so a couple of times during the day when I wasn't at PT or OT. Then a couple of hours in the early evening and again late at night. I found that I slept the best when they were on (had to do with position for me) and would have used them all night except for the fact I had to keep going to the bathroom. I had a few problems and they were pumping in all kinds of fluid and gained 20 pounds in 4 days so the fluid had to go somewhere.

The literature goes 50 50 if they are useful or not. I found that given all the previous surgeries I had and problems with scar tissue they were helpful keeping thing at bay.

Simon

 

[Linda2]

I must be the only one who loved the CPM machine. It elevated my leg and kept me from getting stiff. I had no trouble reading, just put pillows under my head and back. One reason I liked it was that it seemed to keep my IT band from spasming. That can really influence one's opinion.

 

[Jamie]

Linda, I liked my machine. I only got to use it in the hospital those three days, but I even liked sleeping with it on. I feel like it helped me a lot by keeping my leg moving.

 

[Motherofmany]

I had a love hate relationship with the CPM machine. Loved how it made my knee more limber, hated being stuck in it. Especially at night. I was tired and didn't want to be touched much less straped in it. But mornings were a different story. It loosed my knee like nothing else was able to. I used it before pt would arrive to help me not be so stiff. Was really sorry to see it go and had to find a new way to get it moving in the morning. :sct:

 

[Texas]

Hey Lissa, I just noticed ""HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY""...So sorry we missed it..Hope you had a Great Day!!!!!!....:flwr::pnc: