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Moist Heat On Knee Replacement !!

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dovcar2000

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Hello to everyone....this is a question that I am wondering about.
About 6 weeks ago I had a TLKR and I have been on here asking for advice and it has really helped me. One of my questions was that I had so much tightness in the knee.
Most advice was to ice it and elevate it, which I did but it still hurt a lot so the other day my Physio lady suggested I try a moist-heated heating pad....
This seemed to have helped me so much and I was able to move my knee more. I found with the ice it was just stiffening up on me and it was so hard to do my exercises.
I have read so many of the post now and past and found nothing on moist heat....
So my question is ...does anyone else use this method of treatment for your knee???
Thanks Carol
 
I didn't but I think others have. I had it in PT before my surgery,favorite part of the day it felt so good. I figure as long as the wound is healed and you can stand any sensitivities on the scar.
 
Carol,
I didn't use a moist heating pad, but found great relief in my hot tub. Heat relaxes my muscles and when alternating with ice really helped to knock back the swelling and get my knee moving better. We all just have to find what works best for us. Glad you found what works for you!
 
When I went to PT they would put moist heat on the joint
before the workout to help it get limber. Then after the
exercise they would elevate and ice for 10 minutes.
 
I have tried dry heat above and below the joint but I've been afraid to try any kind of heat on the joint for fear of swelling. Maybe Jo can tell us what the moistness does?

Cookin in the Carolinas!
 
I don't know what it does but it sure makes it feel better. I am still putting ice on the knee after I do the exercises but later on only the moist heat...
I am just surprised no one else mentioned it as I would have given it a try before now...
Hopefully this helps someone else with their pain.
This sure is a long recovery...much more then I expected but then I don't think I really realized how invasive this surgery was or how painful...
Live and learn...Carol
 
Whatever happened to whirlpools in physical therapy? I remember how wonderful it felt when I was in PT for several knee and foot issues but they don't seem to do that anymore do they? My PT has a swimming pool, but no whirlpool. Anyone know?
 
That is a good question...mine has kind of a small tub and I do see people go in that back room but they have never mentioned it to me.........
I am going to ask about that next week when I go back.
I have been wishing we had a hot tub so that I could get into it but we do not..
I am unable to get into the tub as I assume most of the rest of you cannot.......darn!!!
The moist heating pad is helping that is for sure but I really overdid it on Christmas Day and it is so sore today...
Yes Josephine...I know....Ice and elevate...lol
Carol
 
Both of the physio places I use, normally put moist heat on my knee for about 10 minutes before I start any treatment. One PT told me heat will loosen the knee, ice will stiffen it.

I also get more relief from heat. I usually heat up one of those bean bag units in the microwave just before I get into bed for the night and lay it on top of my knee or on either side of the knee.

I have also been attending a hydrotherapy class at our local Y. I start in their hot tub (104 degrees) and use a blue Theraband in the water to pull the knee back as far as I can.

Happy holidays,

Vern
 
Cold or heat, it's debatable. The theory is if it's for swelling and pain from inflammation, heat will make it worse. But if it's for general aching and/or exercise ache then heat would work as well.

My overall approach is to go with what works!
 
My PT place has pool therapy--it is heaven!

Before PT, I do 30 minutes of exercises in the 95 F pool under the eye of a Pool therapy PT. Lunges, bends, walking, even some with those styrofoam noodles on my leg.


It does relax the muscles and make the knee more limber.

It feels great and the water resistance makes the workout better.

If you have a choice of PT places, I highly recommend one with pool therapy!
 
I also use a wheat bag that you heat in the microwave, just warm enough to be soothing, and I only use it until the pain or discomfort settles. Until I found the right temperature for me it did make it swell a little but with trial and error I have it working for me now. Sometimes the ice is too uncomfortable and stiffening on my knee.

Chris
 
I always say go with what works for you. My sister is a big wheat bag fan but I never got on with them that well. If I need heat I much prefer a good old fashioned hot water bottle! Can't beat it when my back is playing up. (Which it rarely does nowadays thanks to a superb chiropractor.)
 
An interesting topic

For me I find a hot bath in the mornings helps a lot. I also have my swiming pool set to 29 degrees C and thats where I do my excercises. I did do a fair bit in the local hydrotherapy pool for the first few weeks after I got home (Supervised hydrotherapy)

I have not used ice since I got out of hospital as I have never felt the need. I guess everyone is diferent
 
This forum shows how different we all are and how our recovery rates are so different. It's been great, I was happy to find this thread as I was using the heat and thought I was doing something wrong but it was working, so I was happy to find others who had experienced the same. I still use ice occasionally. A gel pack. As Jo said it's good for swelling and the heat helps the aches. Thanks for the reassurance all :)
Chris.
PS. My friend tried to get me to join various forums over the years, I always said, I didn't have time. Look at me now, you will all get sick of hearing from me LOL.
 
We've never got sick of anyone on here. Everyone is valued!
 
Thats all very interesting. Ice is good - but in bed its nice to have a hot water bottle next to knee! Not for too long but just to make it nice and cosy!
 
Another question I have is, What about electric blankets, are they ok, and spa's, (hot tubs) is there a limit to the temperature they can be?
 
Max Wallace said:
Ice for swelling / heat for flexing and healing
Click to expand...

Another trick---- alternating ice/heat in 20 minute intervals (after the immediate post-op period). My PT said that was the best way to knock back the swelling.
 
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