Rockgirl4
Former BoneSmart staff member
I just had to get online and say how glad I am I found Bonesmart last month. It helped me make my list of questions to go over with the surgeon and his PA yesterday, while setting up my pre-op appointments and Joint Class before my Dec 18 RTKR ...and all of you helped me know EXACTLY what to ask!!!
The BEST thing I've learned is he believes like we do here----less "formal PT" is better, no one else should be pushing or cranking on the knee, ice and elevation are your 2 best friends, and ROM of 90 degrees is the only expectation for the 4 wk mark--though everyone is different. He even says if you're at 90 by week 4, he could care less if you even go to formal outpatient PT anymore. It's MY decision!!!! If NOT at 90, they'll play it by ear. They DO NOT want anyone forcing the knee to bend, and they think "working smarter/not harder" is better .
Keep in mind I LOVE exercise and want my bend back after my TKR in December ....but I was also worried I'd get one of those surgeons who scare you into an MUA at 3 months post-op, demand 120 degrees by week 4 or 6, and demand lots of outpatient PT to force the bend. The anxiety was killing me until I had the big visit yesterday. After my tortured experience back in 2015 (ACI cartilage repair), I knew I was going to self-advocate differently this time, with ME being in charge. However, now I know not to expect the battles and arguments, and I can actually relax a bit, knowing I get to work with a surgeon and staff that are supportive instead of intimidating.
I wouldn't have known how to prepare without you guys though. I can't thank you all enough.
#testimonials
The BEST thing I've learned is he believes like we do here----less "formal PT" is better, no one else should be pushing or cranking on the knee, ice and elevation are your 2 best friends, and ROM of 90 degrees is the only expectation for the 4 wk mark--though everyone is different. He even says if you're at 90 by week 4, he could care less if you even go to formal outpatient PT anymore. It's MY decision!!!! If NOT at 90, they'll play it by ear. They DO NOT want anyone forcing the knee to bend, and they think "working smarter/not harder" is better .
Keep in mind I LOVE exercise and want my bend back after my TKR in December ....but I was also worried I'd get one of those surgeons who scare you into an MUA at 3 months post-op, demand 120 degrees by week 4 or 6, and demand lots of outpatient PT to force the bend. The anxiety was killing me until I had the big visit yesterday. After my tortured experience back in 2015 (ACI cartilage repair), I knew I was going to self-advocate differently this time, with ME being in charge. However, now I know not to expect the battles and arguments, and I can actually relax a bit, knowing I get to work with a surgeon and staff that are supportive instead of intimidating.
I wouldn't have known how to prepare without you guys though. I can't thank you all enough.
#testimonials
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