Many of us were worrying (needlessly) last night as to whether or not we were doing *enough* physically to ensure a good recovery. As such, I know you'll all be pleased to hear Gary's thoughts on this very subject today during my PT session. He would like me to do more, but with qualifiers. He told me to do more of anything that is *natural*, specifically, walking, cycling, stairs and bending to retrieve something from the floor. You know, the things knees were actually made to do.
Sound familiar
@sistersinhim? LOL! More time perfecting what I am capable of now. He does NOT want me to join a gym, swim, ski, play soccer (I don't) or engage in any type of sport from jogging to tennis at this juncture. Why? Because lots more healing needs to take place. Period. I can review those activities with him or the OS at 6 months and 9 months, or 12 months if it takes that long, but not yet....much too soon.
I'm just a few days shy of 4 months and according to him, I'm right on target. I laughed and told him about my difficulties this week with the bike and stairs and also mentioned the heel slides I tried last night seemed to indicate less flexion. He measured. Apparently, my fat, currently achy knee, is now at a very proud 105 flexion! What? Last time it was measured, several weeks ago when I felt quite good, much better than now in fact, it was still at 98. I actually didn't believe him and felt certain he'd made a mistake, so he measured again, and again, 105! This was done in the much hated, prone heel-slide position with no *assistance* from him whatsoever; just me and my knee. Frankly, because it's still ouchy, I didn't even really try all that much. Sitting, it measures at 108!
So, how can this be? It's swollen, it's a bit painful, it feels stiffer, tighter and looks fatter, yet...these are the numbers. As he insists, *popping the adhesions* from my bike mishap is the answer. Hmmm. I asked if I would ever be rid of the blasted things, and if so, how would I know? I mean, really, is this ever going to stop? Answer: Yes, it will stop. You have a few more. I can feel them. We work on them every time you come here. Huh, who knew? Certainly not me! He's never once hurt me, so obviously this is a covert or covfefe move on his part, lol. According to him, the rest of my flexion (and this would apply to extension as well for those who suffer with that issue) will just come through *natural activity,* over ......can you guess? Hahaha, yes, of course you can. Time. The Great Healer. The Bonesmart Healer.
He did say that once I am around 115-120 (yes, I will get there and so will all of you) my question about knowing if all are gone becomes moot. If one can *move and groove* at those latitudes, it simply doesn't matter if you still have some adhesions. Makes sense, right?
According to him today, and my OS a few weeks ago, swelling will continue for at least up to 6 months, very possibly up to 9 months, and for some people, up to a year. It's ahem, *normal.* He says it shouldn't keep us from being active in a *natural* way, we should simply respond appropriately with ice, elevation and perhaps modify the length of time for walks, cycling and so forth. Sound familiar?
In summary, for any here who may sometimes feel conflicted about the Bonesmart way, his is an objective, professional and very experienced, outside voice who subscribes to all Bonesmart theory.
Feel better about yourselves now?
I do!
They're simply not appropriate ideas right now, and only serve to frustrate. This type of thinking is akin to being a size 12 and trying to squeeze into the size 8 jeans....not going to happen. So, right now, I need to practice what's been so hard-won; stairs, the exercycle, kneeling, getting in and out of the bath tub, and of course, the very basic act of walking normally. I believe this is attainable. I want to execute all of these moves with more grace, and *normalcy*! And hey, this isn't such a bad thing, ya know? Ease versus struggle is my new focus. Gary, time and Bonesmart have given me the tools and I need to keep those tools handy and sharp. When I lose sight of these basics and misplace my tools, I go off the rails and I really don't like that neighborhood....it's downright scary!
For the last few classes, we held a tournament, in which the worst bowler was paired with the best bowler, and so on. And "we" won the tournament!! (He was a ringer added to the class to help the instructor. His average was like 196). So I do have a plastic bowling trophy somewhere packed away, probably with my moth-eaten degree. BTW, many of the females were drooling all semester over my hunky partner. My other "prize" was that he and I ended up dating for a while after the class. We just never went bowling again.
- just kidding.
I guess it was an attempt to find hope in the TKR wasteland that we are wandering through!
It didn't help me much either! 
This little walking friendly doesn't even have arms - what's up with that? Whoever ever gets to Phase 3 first let us know what it's like and what to expect. It's not a race.
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United States
@Polkadot ~ wonderful musings from all of you.
Pheebs52!
