Help, anyone

[gatiger]

If you have read any of my other posts you know that I have really struggled with my therapy. I will be 7 weeks PO tomorrow and my ROM is only about 90*. Some probably think I'm a whiner as well, but I have to go back to therapy in 5 hours and the thought is killing me. When I went on Monday it hurt so bad that I really almost quit. The doctor had given me another 4 weeks of "agressive therapy" to get my ROM improved or be put to sleep and he would bend it. Monday, two of therapists forced my knee to bend until I literally cried for about 3 minutes afterwards, in front of all the other patients and therapists no less. Tuesday my knee was still so sore and stiff that I just had to force myself to walk. I really need help to get myself up to go back today. It is a 30 minute drive by myself to get to therapy and I know I need to go but I swear it is so hard knowing whats going to happen when I get there. I'm sorry for being this way, I wish I could find the toughness some of you guys express on here. Right now I feel like I'm torturing myself, someone here suggested I try another PT, but honestly I don't think thats the problem. I like the guy that works on me, I just dread the work. I want to get my life back, but this is definately the hardest thing I have ever done. Maybe that makes me lucky or weak, I don't know. I need something.

 

[Pattipoo]

I hope you aren't driving yourself. If you have a driver, definitely take a full round of meds 20 minutes before you workout. I know it hurts...I've cried...screamed like a toddler....cursed (in front of my MOTHER!!).

Tell your PT that you're having major anxiety today....maybe they can do a little something extra to "warm you up"....maybe a hot water bath??

Wishing you the very best...you're in my prayers this morning!
Patti

 

[gatiger]

Thanks, I do have to drive, got no one else. Just knowing there's some out there helps. Thanks.

 

[Pattipoo]

Bless your heart....any way you can go early...take meds when you get there and then work out? I'm sure you'd have to stay until the meds wore off, but that might be "do-able".

I'm here with you!! Got a migraine that I'm dealing with...then got to go to the Dr. for my 5 week checkup this afternoon.

Good Luck!

 

[Doug]

Gatiger,
With a 30 min. drive, are they letting you warm up before they start bending?
I only attempt to push on my ROM after warming up with 20mins of cycling. It was kind of funny this morning. Once again I got feisty and dropped the seat lower than ever. On the first revolution I almost launched myself off of the bike it hurt so bad. I inhaled so loudly I choked. Then I said some words that I shouldn't have.
I've been thinking about wearing one of the rubber knee wraps to help warm the joint up prior to knee work.
With such a long drive you might want to take a small cooler and put an ice pack on the knee for the drive home. I wrap mine and hold in in place with and ace bandage.
I also had a reality check as I was leaving, and feeling slightly frustrated with myself, I saw a guy in a wheel chair with one leg. I laid down my cane and helped him in.
It put my discomfort in to a different perspective. Whatever we have to do, let's just do it and come back to this forum for support.

 

[gatiger]

Thanks Doug and Patti, the wheelchair guy says it all I guess. No point in feeling sorry myself, it could be worse huh? The way my PT works is I get about an hour of exercises, leg lifts with a small weight, step-ups on a box, rubber band extension exercise; just started 10 minutes 'rocking' the bike. After that comes the bending and then the electrodes and ice. All together, I'm there about 2 hours per visit. I get plenty of warmup time and the drive home doesn't seem as long, if you know what I mean. I haven't tried the pre-heat though, that might help. Thanks.

 

[Doug]

Hey again, (that's southern for hi)
I've been giving the earlier posts some thought.
With your limited ROM and pain, please try the tub. Put the water in as hot as you can stand it. Immerse your new knee under the hot water for 5mins.
Place your feet at the end of the tub and slide down slowly. Hold it for 30 secs. Back off. Soak it again and keep going lower. I just got through doing it and will probably do it again tonite. Very important, Ice it down afterwards. They say for 20 but I go 30. It might be best if you have someone around to assist you if necessary. Also, if you have high blood pressure be cautious with the hot soak.
Finally, as a retired police Captain, I beg all of my internet friends to be very careful of taking the pain pills and driving. I've just seen way too many tragedies.

 

[gatiger]

Doug, you are great help man. I have tried the hot water in the tub a couple of times and it does seem to loosen things up some. My problem is that by the time I get out and drive the 30 minutes to therapy it has worn off, but it does help here at home. One pice of advice I would give to anyone think of having TKR, is get your therapist lined up before surgery and find one close to home if possible. Try to plan ahead and make things as easy to get to as possible, trust me, when going to therapy, everything you do can do to make it easier helps.

 

[Skeet]

I think I am an anomaly when it comes to PT. My PT doesn't have a regular bike, but a recumbent that I ride for 5 minutes to warm up then do our other exercises. She has me step over orange cones, do leg presses, rubber band exercises, trampoline stuff, etc. I work on ROM a lot at home. I sit in a recliner and put the foot part up, then bend my knees until it is uncomfortable and hold it. Then it finally gets comfortable and I push it a bit further. I had great ROM prior to the surgery which may be helping.

That said, I'm praying for you. I've only been moved to tears when I do leg lifts with weights while lying on my stomach. Also, once when doing lunges with a medicine ball in my hands. She does push me, but not as hard as it sounds like other PTs push you all.

You are not alone and we are all pulling for you. Let us know how you are doing later today. I hate going to PT, too, but it pays off in the long run.

God bless,
Skeet

 

[gatiger]

I just got back from therapy and I made it through. I think my therapist could tell that today was a struggle for me and he really tried to encourage me. He gave a different exercise, doing sqquats with an exercise ball behind me on the wall. That really worked both legs! But it was something I couldn't have done a couple of weeks ago. I made it all the way around a few times on the bike, but the seat was pretty far back' but again it let me feel like I accomplished something. The guy really is good as far as trying to help me, wish I could do more, I know it has to be hard for them to work with me as much yelling as stuff as I do. Any way, thanks to all of you guys that responded to me this morning when I needed you. It really helps me so much to feel like I'm not alone in this. Thanks.

 

[kath]

Hi, I don't know if this will help you at all on the bike, but when I was having a hard time and my PT told me to start out peddling backwards, it is much less pressure. So that is how I start out all the time, it really loosens up and then I go forward without near as much pain. Also I did tell you about resting your foot on the coffee table, or ottoman, may not help everyone, but it did me.
It is always good to remember how much worse things could be I saw something very similar at pt that Doug did and I felt so quilty whining, but pain is pain and darn it this thing hurts! I guess I am a big baby, my PT does stretches, massage and then I have to do the other stuff, but it is not at the pain level where it brings tears. I would like to bite on a piece of leather or something though most of the time. I was vocal though and basically said if it was so uncomfortable that I could not work and sleep that night I would take it on my own and not go. I am the one the suggested changing, but if you like him stay with him. I hope things work out gatiger. I think Doug is guiding you in the right direction.

 

[Doug]

Thanks for the compliment Kath. I'm glad I finally saw how you spell "ottoman". I couldn't even get my version through spell check the other day. Typical male!!

 

[Skeet]

That's why us rednecks call them foot stools. LOL

 

[Doug]

That's what I was thinking of, a footstool. But I've heard my wife call them ottoman. I thought it was "automan".
Just woke up for the first time tonight.
By the way ladies............HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.

 

[Skeet]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you all, too.

Josephine, do you celebrate this in UK?

I'm about to go to bed here. Just have to finish my TV shows I will watch TV until 11 pm, then the news, and by then I hope I can sleep.

Nighty night

Skeet

 

[Josephine]

Of course we do!!

 

[Pattipoo]

ahhhhh...pretty!!
From a southern gal, Happy Valentine's Day, Yawl!!

 

[kath]

Happy Valentine's Day,
So no one has mentioned this subject yet and today seems to be a fitting day to bring it up. Romance. A messed up knee can infringe on that on occassion. Here's to romantic nights for all that want them tonight. Good luck!

Ottomon, I think my mom used to call it a hassock? Does that sound right to anyone?

 

[Doug]

Well I still like foot stool.
Today is my four week post surgery anniversary. I wonder how long you keep track of that stuff.
Horrible nights sleep last night. I ended up downstairs in my chair(with the ottoman) watching stupid programs. I think my two boxers got cold and decided to take turns trying to coil up between my legs. We are total animal lovers.
It got down to 31 last night so I almost refused to go workout this a.m. I did and I'm glad I did. 45 mins. on the bike. Then I went grocery shopping and now I'm smoking two pork roast on the grill. I love to cook and have missed it since I had the operation. I was fortunate to go into a profession that has an early retirement so I am pretty much a stay at home dad/husband. I do everything but dust.
Also, and to my surprise, I am able to go up and down stairs with just the cane.
I don't think I'll join in on the part about knees and valentine day enjoyment..

 

[gatiger]

Today is a non-therapy day for me, so I'm great. I went this morning and picked up flowers and a card for my wife and surprized her at work. As for the other, I made it through PT yesterday so anything is possible...........