TKR Eight Days and...

[Layla]

Congrats on the progress! You’re doing well.
It is good to hear you can work from home 80% of the time, at least for the next month or so after your return. I hope it works out well for you. Enjoy the rest of the week and thanks for the update!
@LDV0924

 

[Flashlight]

I know you will be working from home. Can you make your own hours? Not sleeping well was one of the things I found to be hard, and I had to nap during the day. Maybe after 4-months I was doing better. I know you don't want to let your office colleagues down but sometimes you have to think about you. I'm sure they are not going to change their vacation plans or a scheduled day off. I retired at 68 from a stressful job only to be diagnosed with cancer. Best of luck to you.

 

[LDV0924]

I retired at 68 from a stressful job only to be diagnosed with cancer. Best of luck to you.

I'm sorry to hear that.
No, I can't really make my own hours. Insomnia is an issue for me as well, but if I'm up all night...too bad. There's work to be done. Maybe a quick nap at lunch (if I have time to take lunch).

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
I hope you have a wonderful week!
@LDV0924

 

[LDV0924]

Thank you.

Seems I have a bit of a setback. My PT was doing the "breaking up of scar tissue" thing. My ankle was on his shoulder as he was trying to break my leg - er, trying to break up scar tissue. He instructed me to press into his shoulder with my ankle. I felt a burning pain in the side of my calf, but kept going.

By the time I got home, my calf muscle was very sore. This morning, walking down my basement steps, I felt something like a *pop*, followed by searing pain in the muscle. There's nothing of note to see, but the area stiffens up after inactivity and is made sore by activity.

what? I'd planned on trying to use the shower while standing today. Instead, I'm back to hobbling around with my cane while wondering how I get through tomorrow's PT.

 

[Layla]

The decision is yours, but honestly...I wouldn't go to PT tomorrow. Consider resting and ICING wherever it hurts and return to PT when it eases.
You already aggravated something, I wouldn't risk making it worse. Wishing you speedy relief!
@LDV0924

 

[LDV0924]

My calf issue has improved, I'm relieved to say. There's still some soreness, but it's greatly reduced. So, my plan is to go to PT today as scheduled, but my therapist and I are going to have a little chat.

 

[indie]

my plan is to go to PT today as scheduled, but my therapist and I are going to have a little chat.

On suggestions of many from Bonesmart, I have cancelled appointments with PT and changed PT too. If want to keep appointment, work around calf muscle and do not irritate it more. Only rest will improve it further. Soft massage may help.

 

[Layla]

I hope PT went well today, LDV.
Please understand that I am not opposed to PT. Gentle rather than aggressive PT though, that doesn’t cause pain. I attended a few sessions myself.
Some PT’s can get aggressive and if they have a patient that’s either afraid to speak up, or just assumes the therapist knows best, there is the possibility of overdoing and the patient ends up suffering physically, even stalling their recovery on occasion. I hope the chat with your PT went well.
Happy Wednesday!
@LDV0924

 

[LDV0924]

PT and I spoke today. He feels (and I agree) that my calf muscle is strained, but not torn, as it is better today. The exercises we did today were gentler. Only one involved calf muscle, and it didn't aggravate it.

My PT is a professional. He has training I don't have. But I am not afraid to say "look, this is too much" if something is painful, and he's not one to push patients too far.

 

[sistersinhim]

My PT was doing the "breaking up of scar tissue" thing.

Scar tissue is normal healing. Adhesions are not and are extremely rare. So many PTs in the US are obsessed with this for no reason. Could it be they need updated joint replacement training? Maybe.

I had 5 previous surgeries on this knee and never took PT or did exercises, just my normal daily activities. After my TKR I asked my surgeon if I had a lot of scar tissue and he said nothing but normal scar tissue. 'Not doing special PT will cause adhesions' is just not true. I am proof of this.

 

[benne68]

My PT is a professional. He has training I don't have.

While this is true, very few PTs have been trained specifically in how to help someone healing from a joint replacement. Instead, they use the same techniques they would for someone recovering from a sports injury. Apples and oranges!

I once asked my PT's assistant whether she would you want someone with a broken leg to do the exercise she has just given me. She was shocked at first, then realized that what she was instructing didn't make sense for someone just a month out of major surgery!

I am not afraid to say "look, this is too much" if something is painful, and he's not one to push patients too far

That's so great to read! Only you know what hurts and I'm glad he listens when you say so!

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you had a nice holiday. Enjoy the rest of the week!
@LDV0924