If You Are Frustrated in PT- Read

Status
Not open for further replies.

AlaskanTKR

graduate
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
553
Location
Palmer, Alaska
Ok - So this weekend I totally hit bottom. As many of you know I am 42, RTKR on 7/14, Manipulation 10/15 (??) and PT since forever. Have had lots of trouble with ROM and swelling. Well.. this past Friday we only made it to 100 degrees ROM. Something tore in my knee on Wednesday last causing lots of pain and swelling. Spent thee weekend VERY down in the dumps - couldn,t sleep, very swollen - just ready to give up. This morning (Mon) I was about to call and cancel pt and just throw in the towel - Yes.... Give UP. So... off to school I plodded. Iced, elevated, stretched - the whole routine - Laughed at a few of the ridiculous issues going on in the building I work in..... then off to PT - decided to tell the PT guy that I was just plain DONE. So we heated and when I thought I would talk to him he decided to try a little something different. I never had a chance to say a word. On my stoch I went - out came some strange beltted thing and b4 I knew it we were stretching and bending. He spent a good 20 minutes doing god knows what - but the way he had my knee - it didn't hurt. He took the majority of stress off the torn part of the quad and off we went. So... I wish I could tell you what he did but I couldn't see since I was face down. All I know is it didn't hurt and he was huffing and puffing. After that we went to measure - well....... we hit 110 with no pain or even a wince.... pushed to 115 and then - by now there were 3 of the staff shoving on my knee while I giggled - yes - giggled. Somehow he managed to hold the knee just right and the pain was minimal - we eventually hit 120 - although it was just a tap at the 120. We all just celebrated. It was no effort on my behalf, but holy cow did that team work..... And - somehow he managed to hold the knee just right to avoid the screaming pain that usually accompanies that motion.

Ok - so then we go to the bike to unwind - heck I was fine- they needed the break. The pedal went arouns EFFORTLESSLY - holy cow! Never had that happen -

Moved on to the total gym for deep bends - got to 116 on my own on the total gym - never had that happen. We opted to skip the single leg since he doesn't want to aim at that tear.

Moral of the story..... PLEASE DON'T EVER GIVE UP!!!! I almost lost the opportunity to see progress becuase I was just down right silly and didn't want to keep at it.

Needless to say I am flying right now. I am heading over in the am to bike b4 school and can't wait to go back and do it all again on Wed morning!

So - for all of you who are stuck or reay to throw int the towel - please don't - This too shall pass and thngs will get better!

Thanks for allowing me to always share!
and for ALL your SUPPORT!

It may not be 130 - but it sure closer to 120 than I ever thought I would get!

Marianne
 
Marianne! How great is that? You are about a month behind me in surgery (BTKR on 6/18) I am so pleased for you! I knew it would happen soon, but patience and persistence are virtues! Keep up the pedaling and the total gym exercises.
Within a month your knees are going to start to feel "normal" again. No swelling, and the pain will recede. I am off all hard medications. I do take Celebrex in the AM and PM still. But can function with my new knees just like the old ones before they went bad on me.
Keep up the good work!
Best,
Crystal
 
Marianne,
Wow! I can't even imagine that it could take 3 PTs pushing on your leg to bend it and that you were giggling..... those must be dang good pain meds you are taking or you are super-woman for sure!

I am so happy for you. I hope this is really the last corner for you and all is smooth sailing from now on. (Talk about your mixed metaphors---- yikes! No time for more coherent thoughts. Off to school I go! You understand, am sure!)
Beach
 
Marianne,
That is so wonderful. I was worried at the beginning of your post. Great for you.

Judy

Also great for your students. Somehow I am sure they will get the lesson of don't quit.
Judy
 
Yayyy! That is terrific news! I am delighted - no ecstatic for you!
 
Marianne, I cannot fanthom you giving up, even if you thought, for just a moment, that you would. You are too much of a fighter to give up, God knows you have been put to the test and then some with all you have been through. I am so happy for your progress, and thank God you have such a marvelous PT team working with you, you deserve nothing less. Continued good luck and speedy recovery. Rowdy
 
Marianne, I just want to thank you. You are such an inspiration to me, you've had such a rough go of things and you are like the little engine that could...you just don't stop!

I was at "the wall" again yesterday and while I went to PT, wanted NOTHING to do with PT ever again, etc. "It's good enough!" Well, my PT is amazing, he got me working, stayed gentle but he did have me work out my knee. My stiffness is gone again. I just did 5 minutes of full rotation on my bike today and then walked down the stairs (1 foot per stair) without even holding onto the handrail and no pain or stiffness whatsoever, like nothing had ever been done to my knee and it's been healthy forever. SUCH a boost to my spirit, and it's all because I read your post telling us how you've managed and did NOT give up even though you have EVERY right to sit down and kick and scream!

If I had a medal to give you, I'd give it to you! Here's a cyber-medal for ya! O<
 
I knew you could do it.

[Bonesmart.org] If You Are Frustrated in PT- Read
 
That is so awesome Marrianne. Just yesterday I left therapy and was frustrated because I did all that they asked me to do, could do the leg presses, walk the stairs one foot at a time and the bike, but I could not stand on my leg with the new knee and lift my other foot. My PT tells me it is phsychological but no matter how well I do everything else I can't do this. So when my husband picked me up, I was crying (my new past time) and told him I was never going back to PT. Maybe now I will stick with it.
 
Justjuls,
Crying after the TKR is normal. Many of us who had ours done back earlier posted about the tears. And it wasn't just a female thing. We have to deal with the frustration, pain, lack of sleep, therapy and constipation from the pain pills...When you look at what was done to get you a new knee, it's no wonder that it takes time and effort to heal.
Now, cry all you want to, and get frustrated. BUT, don't stop your therapy. I do recall thinking it was weird to stand on the knee. But now, I can walk, do the elliptical trainer, and when I have to chase after my sons Lacrosse balls..
Start by standing next to a counter and shifting a little weight onto the leg. Then just take baby steps with it. It will work.
Listen to all of these folks who have gone before you. If this site wasn't useful,and I hadn't found support , I wouldn't have 2700 posts.
 
Hey, Just, don't be down on yourself because you were crying after PT. I am not a crier, more of a growler and a cusser and I sure shed tears after PT. It passes. I just don't think there is anyway anyone can make us ready for this surgery and how much it takes out of you and how much work is required to get better afterwards. I have come to look at us sort of the same way I would look at a war hero. We certainly have seen battle and been through the war. Good luck to you. If the rest of us got through I have faith that you and all those who are yet to come will manage to do the same. Rowdy
 
JustJuls-
This is exactly why I posted what I did. I was sooooooo totally down over the weekend and cried like a baby several times. Totally depressed. Feeling like... who cares. But.... then..... What a group at PT. I guess we all get down in the dumps every so often. I came home from pt last night and all I can say is that it was just like coming up from a deep see dive.... coming out of the water and taking a deep breath of fresh air! WOW! This morning I got up a little earlier and went over to PT and pedaled before heading off to school. Even managed Bus Duty today - waddling outside in calf length sweats (so I can ice during school) and a sweatshirt - air temp was 24 and brillant sunshine! My partner ( a wonderful 2nd grade teacher) was out in full winter gear hat, gloves, long coat. I must have been such a sight hobbling about up and down the bus line ( the other teacher has awful knees and needs a replacement - so I was actually in better shape - go figure).

Yes Doug - with my red leg, yellow snow and somewhat black ice :)

My nine year old came flying out the back door ready to rip my head off for doing Bus Duty. I actually had a blast - I love giving the kids he** for running and I always have a crowd banging on the bus windows waving good-bye!

I actually think the cold was like an all over ice pack - the knee felt pretty good on the way in!

Anyway . no matter what happens at pt tomorrow - it will be fine - I know that after the bad some good will eventually come - so for all you fellow knees that are stuck in under the water - hang in there- at some point we are able to come up for a breath!

Thanks for all the inspiring comments )and pictures (Doug!!!). You guys are awesome!! I am so glad to have found you! Maybe we can get to 122 if the UPS guy is there tomorrow morning and feels like joining in the pushing party!!! HAHAHAHAHAH- Just joking! I wish I could have taken a pic of what it looked like - I think a few of the other people were like... why are they torturing that poor lady! Tomorrow it will be quiet so I am sure the torture will be interesting (I have an 8am apt - I have an inservice in the pm I can't sneak out early from).

Have a wonderful night - If you are in the wild east coast weather - I hope you are all warm and safe!

Marianne
 
I only have one thing to add to this thread - I think you guys are all AWESOME!!
 
Well, I went to PT and was in the Aquacisor (underwater treadmill, with jets) feels great in there. I think I want one for Xmas... it's only about $65,000 so I guess I need to start saving!(funny part is I used to work for the company that made these, never thinking I'd need one). Anyway, I did well, I even stood on the "bad" leg several times balancing and even done some squats while standing on the one leg. So why I can't do it on dry land is baffling me. Although, I am elevated and iced at the moment and I am having some pain in my quads, I did it. I truly wasn't going to try, but all of you insisted that I keep at it. Thank you all so much for your love and support!
 
Way to go Juls1! Keep going, it works eventually. I am still only up to 109 ROM after 9 months, but I am still plodding along to physio. I don't have any pain in the leg just stiffness and swelling, that I can deal with. I hope when I need the other one done it won't take so long, but as long as I have no more knee pain I can live with it!! Good luck.
 
Well, I went to PT and was in the Aquacisor (underwater treadmill, with jets) feels great in there. I think I want one for Xmas... it's only about $65,000 so I guess I need to start saving!(funny part is I used to work for the company that made these, never thinking I'd need one). Anyway, I did well, I even stood on the "bad" leg several times balancing and even done some squats while standing on the one leg. So why I can't do it on dry land is baffling me. Although, I am elevated and iced at the moment and I am having some pain in my quads, I did it. I truly wasn't going to try, but all of you insisted that I keep at it. Thank you all so much for your love and support!

Good for you!!! Keep at it; things can change quickly.

I know what you mean--I can't wait to get back to outpatient PT next week. They have a 95 degree hydrotherapy pool. It ALMOST made the rest of the torture worth it!
 
Way to go JustJuls!!!!!! Keep up the AWESOME job!!!!!

I hit 119 on the total gym this am!! We struggled on the bend while sitting on the table. My Pt was pushing for rom but the only other person there was the office manager so she got down and literally crawled under the table and tried pulling back. Another scene that should have had a picture taken at the time. We seemed to be jamming the femur into my hip and OWIE! We couldn't get the rom that way this am but we got it on the total gym so it was still a success! I really need to find out more about the whole hip thing and how it may or may not be affecting the rom in a sitting position.

Keep plugging away all!
Marianne
 
I can get to 120 on the total gym and leg press but can only get to 113 in the sitting position and to about 115 when the PT decides to torture me. I think she is starting to be more frustrated with her self and is forcing the issue. I am pleased with where I am and my doc is pleased. I did ask her yesterday if she was forcing the issue for me or herself and she looked at me and said lets move on to something else. I didn't mean to be rude but I am not grading her achievements only my own. So part of me wonders if she is a perfectionist that won't be satisfied until I've reached 120 in the passive position. After yesterday in the aquacisor I felt so good, shortly after I made my post on here thought I'd lay down and just rest, I had worked hard. Lord have mercy I had muscles aching that I didn't even know I had and shortly after that the pain across the top of my new knee was horrible and the heat. So back to ice and elevate! This morning, I am still achy but my gait seems more normal. I am so glad ya'll talked me into sticking with PT. I might even make it to our little towns Halloween festivities tonight. Thanks to all of you and I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day!


Juls
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom