Josephine, Question for ya

[gatiger]

If NewWoman is here ,she might can help. I go back to the OS Wednesday, and on the last visit he 'casually mentioned' that if my knee wasn't bending better by this Wednesday he would do the 'manipulation'. Well, that may be, but, I think I'm to a point that I can do pretty much do what I 'need' to do, job-wise and life-wise. My question is, what should the 'goal' be? 'm not really worried about the procedure, I don't see it as a necessarily 'bad thing', but I don't really know what to ask or how to discuss it with him. I NEED him to give me a release before I can go back to work, and I really think I'm ready to do that, but Dr.s don't really care about what I need. I am pretty much OK with what I have in terms of ROM, about 110* and I figure to pick up a little more with time. So what should I look at to make the decision? My wife is a wonderful woman and my best friend, but we are at oppisite ends of the spectrum in terms of personality. She thinks I have given up, whereas I think I have reached my goals. I just don't think I can do anymore on my own and don't really know what I should/can expect from this. Can anybody help a man out?

 

[Pattipoo]

Are you SURE you're everything you want to be...and more? You can sit on the floor the way you want to? Can you run? (I know it's a little early for that....but you WILL want to)...can you sit cross legged...can you plunk down on the couch the way you want to?

at work and can't give it lots of attention.....but you need to ask yourself lots of questions....

just your GIRL - asking a question or two!!!!

 

[gatiger]

I'm not a US Marine if thats what you're askin.

 

[Doug]

Interesting questions from both that I have been pondering myself....
I was told never to run again. No problem there unless I'm being chased by a big greased monkey.
I can get cross legged, may not get uncrossed.
Got on the floor to wrestle with my son. Looked like a drunk crab trying to get up.
I just don't want to lay on a table and look up while they are hunting for a place to stick me again for a long long time.
So, let's keep working.
But then that generates another question.
At what point after our surgery do we quit doing all of the bending and stretching??? When are we safe from a adhesion sneaking up on our new leg??

 

[SusieSW]

Great questions. Along similar lines - at what point can we do work on our own and stop going to PT? I'm over four months post-op now, and it looks like I'm going to be working full-time again very soon. I'm also running out of covered PT sessions, so I won't be able to afford to pay out of pocket. I know I still need to work on strength, balance, stamina. My ROM is at about 116-117. I can see myself continuing to work on my own at the gym - but I wonder if I'm not giving myself the best outcome if I stop PT. So how do we measure success?

 

[Pattipoo]

My Dr. released me from PT at 5 weeks. I do everything on my own. I bike...stretch...stairclimb....PT showed me a "squat on a box" thing to do at home..(hee hee hee - that made me laugh)...I'm working full time...taking care of two HUGE men (boys!)....throwing parties and cleaning - walking around the block....cooking....what MORE can I do.

I think you'll be fine to do your own "thang".....

but what do I know....

 

[Doug]

I agree with Patti. I was released at three weeks. But then, the Dr. knows me and knows that I know how to work out.
The squat on a box thing is also called a bench squat and it is very good for rebuilding the front thighs(quads).
I hated the bike at first now I really enjoy it. Play with the seat height and crank down on the intensity. Do intervals. 20 sec. hard and 40 sec. light. Great workout.

 

[gatiger]

My gosh, Patti, what do the rest of your folks do? Just kiddin' Shuga. Here I was thinking that I was the only one having this question. I am STILL waiting on Josephine, but in the meanwhile.......for those interested. My PT gave me a little trick to work on a few weeks ago that still gives me a workout. Get one of those big exercise balls, might be a BFM ball, go to a wall; put the ball between your butt and the wall. Put you feet out in front so you're leaning on the ball, feet about shoulder width apart and squat as low as you can go then push yourself back up. GIMME 30.

 

[SusieSW]

I've been doing the squats all along - both at PT and at home. My hubby likes to say I've been "a Marine" about working out - meaning, I've gone to PT religiously and worked out every day at home - (he means it in a good way - hard-working and disciplined). Before my surgery, I was working out at the gym to build strength in both upper and lower body - it made a huge difference in the hospital because I was strong enough to haul myself around when my legs were trying to learn how to work again. I really think I can get myself the rest of the way along the recovery road on my own - my motivation remains very high. I've been trying to figure out how I'm going to integrate PT into my schedule. The really great news is that I've received an offer to work with a private psychotherapy practice (my dream ever since I went back to school for my Master's degree at age 43 - huge news for me!) - but the office is at least a 45 minute commute each way. I don't have a bike at home, but I do still belong to a gym. I guess I'm looking for confirmation that I won't lose ground if I stop getting PT soon. Probably should just check with my dr's office. My fear is that I would not give myself the best chance to fully recover - we all know that at four months out, I've come a long way, but there's a lot still ahead. thanks for your suggestions!

 

[gatiger]

This brings up a secondary issue. (how y'all like that- 4 syllables; can't spell though) When you guys go to PT, does the PT really work with you or just get you started? I kinda feel like I'm on my own unless he comes up with something new. IF that is the same for y'all then I'd say you know what to do, and God knows we all seem to expect more from ourselves than we can get.

 

[gatiger]

Patti, my previous post does not apply to you. You may continue.

 

[Nursepair]

With my PT it's a bit of both,, sometimes she gives me heat if I am stiff and massages then sets me up with my small equipment for on the bed. Then I progress to the gym, but she and the assistants are always there to remind me of the numbers of sets, never can remember them all in the right order, always blame it on the meds!! Then she is back and works again with me if needed, or measures and then puts me on the pain control machine. I usually get an hour and a quarter for my hour payment. I don't mind going most times as she gives me a lot of encouragement and it's people to talk to!!

Where is Josepine? Hope she is OK. Not seen her here lately.

 

[Doug]

Susie,
It sounds to me like you have the drive to do it. But you alone know if you can push yourself hard at a gym. I bet you can.
Congrats on the job offer. Hope everything works out for you. Bye the way just from the tone of your posts you sound as if you are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[SusieSW]

My PT points me in the right direction, checks the settings on the machines, etc - I pretty much do it all and she sits there or works with someone else. It seems like with a good plan, I can do it without paying her the co-pay twice a week. By the way - I've been using the exercise ball behind me to do the squats - works great! What I like about it is that it helps me keep my body in the right position during the squat - I feel more balanced.

Anyway - your point is well-taken - I'm pretty much on my own already, so why not do it at my convenience at the gym or at home?

 

[SusieSW]

Doug - just saw your last post. Yes! I am feeling so much better than that week when I was so sick and "feeling overwhelmed." Everyone on this forum helped me through one of the lowest points I was at during this whole process since my surgery. This job offer is so amazing I've been holding back until it's all a sure thing - afraid to jinx it! I've been working toward this for a long time.

 

[gatiger]

BINGO for Susie!!!!!!!!

 

[Nursepair]

Congrats Susie, sounds as if you worked really hard for it!!!

 

[Newwoman]

Hi Gatiger,
I haven't been typing much because of the mess that is now known as the back of my left hand. I am so angry about this I don't know what I am going to do about this. I go back to the os on Thursday and I can't wait for them to see this awful looking thing. I took a picture of it and I would post it here but I don't want to make everyone sick.
As far as manipulation is concerned I would do that again if I was stuck where I was stuck which was at about 50 degrees and 5 degrees straight. There is no way that would have ever been acceptable. I couldn't have lived even close to a normal life with that bend.
Although the day of the manipulation was really bad by 12 hours later I started to feel better and pt ever since has been so much better because I can feel the stretch not a brick wall like before.
This is a decision that only you can make Gatiger and if I was at 110 degree bend and the surgeon wanted to do a manipulation on me I would tell him to put it where the sun doesn't shine.
I don't expect to be a gymnist or return to my high school cheerleading days only walk up and down stairs and carry grandchildren if I want return to acting and dancing on the local stage if I want.
You make up the decision and I'm sure your wife will support you in whatever makes you happy.
God Bless and know I'm always here if needed.
Cathy

 

[gatiger]

Thanks Cathy, that is pretty much my thoughts too. I got a new knee that doesn't hurt, I did not expect to return to my twenties. I didn't realize that your ROM was so limited. If I were where you were then no doubt I would have done it too.

 

[Newwoman]

You do whatever makes you happy buddy and keep me in your thoughts for my hand. I'm hoping that the antibiotics they gave me will take care of my hand and it won't affect my knee because if anything happens to me I've told my husband he owns all involved with that mishap.
I'm like you I just wanted to be able to move again without having to be on massive pain meds, that sure doesn't seem like a lot does it. Today was a really good day because I increased 3 degrees in therapy and the sun was shining and in southern Ohio it was 69 degrees outside so that makes for a good day but as I type this I can hear the rain outside so all good things come to an end.
Let us know what the doctor says on Weds.
Cathy