First PT

[Linda2]

I wnt to PT for the first time today--two weeks and one day out from surgery. I think it went really well. Since it was the first visit, she didn't torture me much. My extension is 0. With my leg just hanging there, I could get the flexion to 87. After doing some heel slides, I could get it to 91 on the table. She pushed it a bit farther, 93 I think. Then she did some massage (not the "feels wonderful" kind) on the scar tissue forming around my drain site. Then she put the e-stim on my knee.

I was pretty encouraged by my progress. The day I left the hospital--eleven days ago--my flexion was only 60.

She said I am walking very well and thought I would do fine with a cane. I would like that here at home, anyways.

One of the coolest things is that I was able to flex the knee well enough to get in car with no real difficulty. What a relief that was.

She was also impressed by my ability to do straight leg lifts.

I really give a lot of credit for the strength that I am regaining to the Pilates that I did before surgery. It really helped me to get much stronger.

I know that I will be having both down days and good days, but today is a good one and I am grateful for that. The support and info that I get here really helps me have a positive, yet realistic, outlook on this whole process.

 

[Linda2]

Is anybody going to say "Way to go, Linda"? I am not feeling the love. Sigh

 

[JenniferG]

Way to go Linda. This just came up on my list of new posts! Keep up the hard work. You will be apple picking before you know it. I have a question though. Why so long after your surgery before your first PT appointment? Were you in rehab?

 

[misscheer]

Great Job Linda. Keep up the good work.

 

[beachcomber]

Good morning Linda---
Best to you with your PT! It's hard work but will get you where you want to go! I hope you have a great therapist.
But be forewarned----once you are all healed up you "get" to do some of those fun things you probably haven't done for a while--- like cleaning carpets. That was my PT for yesterday! Carpet looks good! And actually my knee is fine too, but it kept me away from my computer.

 

[Linda2]

I have a question though. Why so long after your surgery before your first PT appointment? Were you in rehab?

No, I wasn't in rehab. It just took that long to get the first app't with the therapist I have worked with before. I had plenty of home PT to do on my own, so it worked out all right for me. The most important thing is doing the stuff on your own as many times a day as you can manage--it's a delicate balance for me. My life pretty much contains three things: working the knee, elevating the knee, and icing the knee--and I can do the last two at the same time! I'm not complaining, though. As long as I'm making progress, I'm fine with it.

 

[JudyS]

Awesome job Linda from a hippy.
I can't wait to here about the 2nd pt session. I still have soft tissue swelling from my hip to knee and I know about the "massage", hurts like he.......
Judy

 

[Sandy R]

Way to go, Linda! You're off and running now. Oops, I mean walking. Hope I do as well after my surgery. Sandy

 

[Linda2]

OK, now it's the second PT--two days later. I got it to 103 all by myself! I was really surprised and pleased. She gave me new exercises to do, and I came home to ice and elevate. I had the company come and take the CPM today. Now that I want it set at higher numbers, the pad thing dug into my thigh. It's not a real help if I can't set it to challenge my stretch. I'm feeling like I've come a long way from the 60 I had two weeks ago tomorrow when I left the hospital. I see the OS next Thursday. I am hoping he will approve a cane for in the house, and let me drive. I can still take my Tylenol 3 and drive--and it would save my husband having to come home from work to take me.

 

[carolinagirl]

103 DEGREES!!! WAY TO GO LINDA!!!!!!!!!
That is great news. Don't it feel good when those numbers go up!
I know you are happy! You have most certainly come a long way in the last two weeks! Hopefully you will be driving before long. It felt so good the first time I went "solo"! Keep up the good work!

 

[hess]

You are moving right along!!!! That is SO great! Keep it up. I walked a long way this evening, so I'm pretty excited too!! It's a really good feeling. Just try to remember this feeling when you are feeling down, and it makes everything seem worthwhile!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!

Hess

 

[Nursepair]

Just two weeks out Linda and you are at 103?? INCREDIBLE. I am jealous too, I am 8 months out and just at 102!!

keep up the great work and enjoy your new knee!!

 

[Linda2]

Thanks Sue.

You're making much better progress though since your MUA, aren't you?

I think one of the most helpful things I do isn't really an actual exercise. We have a raised hearth, and several times a day I go over to it, put my operated leg up on it, and do gentle lunges to keep stretching out all that tight tissue. It doesn't take long, and it helps to overcome the stiffness that sets after what seems like only about 30 seconds of keeping the knee in one position.

My big challenge now is the steri-strips. I figure I can gently start encouraging them to let go after 19 days. I hope that's ok.

 

[carolinagirl]

Linda2,
I do the exact same thing with the lunges! I also use our hearth or the front
porch steps. What a difference it makes! In fact when I am at therapy, just before he starts to bend my knee, I make sure I do about 5 or 6 of the lunges on their steps. I really believe it helps me. It does not hurt as much. I have only done it 2 times, and he did not measure me either time. Hopefully it will help with my ROM.
Ya'll have a good evening!

 

[Josephine]

My big challenge now is the steri-strips. I figure I can gently start encouraging them to let go after 19 days. I hope that's ok.

Good grief! I should say so! I'd have had them all off last week!

 

[Linda2]

Thanks Jo--that's how I was feeling but I'm just a chicken. Brawk, brawk.

 

[exjock]

My OS pulled them off after only a week. Can't think they wer doing much.

 

[Josephine]

Thanks Jo--that's how I was feeling but I'm just a chicken. Brawk, brawk.

 

[Linda2]

I peeled them all off last night. It's creepy how little feeling there is on the side of my knee to the outside--is that called the lateral side? I hope the little nerves grow back there!

 

[Doug]

Linda I'm just now starting to get a little feeling on the outside of the knee. Little tingles, twitches, etc.
I'm seven months post op.