On again, off again days

[hess]

I know I keep coming to you with questions, but I really do value the responses. I am having problems, and am getting frustrated! One day, I'm doing okay, and bending well, then the next day, I'm stiff and don't want to do anything. The next day, I am good again, then the next is bad again. Is this normal? I'm getting so frustrated, and on bad days I won't even try to do anything!!

What do you think?
Hess

 

[Gretchendz]

It's a lot like that for me.

My PTs say that it is very common. We all expect a steady straight line of progress and it is often more like a bunch of plateaus (or even steps back) but a gradual improvement.

I now pretty much plan for a stiff less movement day after a good hard-working day. It seems my knee needs a bit of time to recover

Hang in there

 

[Josephine]

Very, very, very normal!

 

[carolinagirl]

Hi Hess,
I am like that! On my Pt days I do really well all day. The next day I am more sore and don't want to do much. I have to really force myself to do the exercises. Weekends are rough, as all my exercising is up to me.

 

[dar]

Ditto - My friends couldn't understand how one day I was fine and the next not moving hardly at all. It gets better.

 

[hess]

So glad to hear that this is normal! Thanks for the quick responses, I feel better already!
Hess

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Hess
B4 I left the hospital today I had a great chat with my OS. He was very pleased with my progress and we laughed about the 0-50 in the cpm machime. Then I told him I thought I was doing ok but the PT was concerned about my range of motion. He askes how. I said she told me I am not bending in far enough - he laughed a bit and said "your 3 days out of surgery - o-50 in the machine is great" Then he went on to say I will have some good days, some bad ones , some really good ones and some really bad ones. But don't get frustrated - rest and just wait for the next day. He was great. Then I saw him while I did a lap around the floor. He said I was looking excellemt and right in front of the pt he said how good both my extension and flection were. HAHAH in your face pt lady. Anyway - If you are having a bad day - remember that's ok and topmorrow is a new one!
REST, ICE and relax!
Marianne

 

[Teach4]

Hess:

I'm having the same problem. Had a really tough workout at the PT yesterday, and WAS SO STIFF last night. This morning it was better. I have good days and bad. PT says its normal. I know it's not easy. I get frustrated so much. Know we're all going through this. I keep hoping it will get better too.

Teach4

 

[referee54]

Why go to an amusement park when you can ride the rollercoaster of TKR PT? I had a bi-lat and some days one of my knees would be stiff, the other days, the other knees would stiffen up---it was like they were punching in and punching out---taking turns at making me wonder...do not wonder or worry---you will be riding this roller coaster for a while---just keep onworking hard and all will work out.

Tim C.

 

[DaleMc]

AlaskanTKR,

I feel sorry for you. You have now given the PT (Personal Torturer) something to get even with when the OS isn't around. They can be so nice but grow horns when behind closed doors. lol

Dale

 

[Gretchendz]

AlaskanTKR,

I feel sorry for you. You have now given the PT (Personal Torturer) something to get even with when the OS isn't around. They can be so nice but grow horns when behind closed doors. lol

Dale

Dale, this reminds me of the day my male (weightlifter) PT started reminiscing about dodgeball from middle school and how he loved it. I said that explains a lot as it is the meanest game ever! Then the next PT over admitted he loved it too.

We decided that there is no need for career testing is schools any more. Have the kids play dodgeball and if they are mean enough to like it, they all get sent to PT school.

We all had a good laugh over it.

 

[faith]

During my first few months post surgery I was either walking a couple of miles to the waterfront or screaming for my cane! One day I was bragging at work how great I felt and the next day was limping and back on the cane.
Time is the great healer.
Faith