Yes Celle I know you are right and my usual therapist listens to me even my Dr said not to let them push my knee down.
The therapist that I had Friday was bending my knee back while I was crying and then when she pushed it down was like “you’re really not going to like me now.”
If your therapist keeps on doing something when you have asked her not to, she is committing n assault on you. She has no right to do it.
If it should happen again, get off the table and walk out. Take your knee to a place of safety.
I don’t know why I feel so intimidated when I am there. I guess I just feel judged or lazy if I don’t complete the exercises.
It's because you see the PT as an authority figure. Actually, she's not. She works for you. You are paying her, either directly or indirectly, through your insurance. You are the boss and you are in charge of what happens to your knee.
Try not to feel that you have to justify what you do to anyone. It's your knee, your recovery, and your choice.
My surgeon is a big proponent of starting pt right away and that it’s the only way to get back to normal.
Your surgeon believes that because that's what he was taught. There are other ways and other surgeons who think differently.
My surgeon doesn't allow any formal PT at all for the first month after a knee replacement. He says your knee needs that time, to start on its journey of healing. For that month, we rest, ice and elevate our leg, and walk around the house. The walking is our exercise and we increase it a little each week.
After that month, we just go to PT once every 2 weeks, where we are shown a few new exercises to do at home each day.
His patients all do well and achieve good ROM, as I did, and he hasn't had to do a manipulation (MUA) to help with ROM for the past 5 years. I think that speaks for itself.
I try to bring up the Bonesmart way even to my fiancé’s daughter (who is an OT and works in nursing homes) and she said if you don’t do them you’ll have to get a MUA and you don’t want that.
Here's a suggestion: Try not to discuss your knee with anyone. If they ask, just say something like "It's doing all right." If they ask if you're doing your exercises, say "Of course." After all, walking is exercise and you're walking, aren't you?
An OT is not trained in post-op care of a TKR. She's just picked up the general idea from the nursing homes (who often get it wrong anyway).
I also re scheduled a trip to Colorado from June 26th to August 10th as my daughter and grandkids and son in law and her friend and kids were going and didn’t want to go if we weren’t going. They had to change all of their reservations and I guess I am worried that I won’t be in shape to go and I don’t want them to lose $.
Well, they've all placed a guilt trip on you! They made their choices.
The most important thing is your knee and your recovery - not trying to please your family. If you feel your knee isn't ready for that August holiday, then don't go.
If you do go, make sure you schedule regular times to rest every day. This is the time to be selfish and insist that you need to take care of your knee. This summer you need to be less active than usual, but next summer you should be well up to speed again.
Nurturing mother: how to let go and accept help
I think they all go “by the book” and seem pretty closed minded when you suggest other ways of doing things.
Don't bother suggesting other ways, it's a waste of time. You won't change their minds.
Just say something like "This is my knee and I am doing it this way." Then change the subject.
People who haven't had a knee replacement just don't understand.
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