Ouch!

[Coppernob]

My first physiotherapy session was today and it was tough! The physio said I still have a lot of fluid in my leg and my circulation is sluggish and so the first 10 minutes or so were spent with her massaging my leg, knee and scar. Massages I've had before have been relaxing and therapeutic - this was just the opposite. It was very painful, not only in the knee but all down my leg and in my ankle. I didn't experience anything like this after my previous two operations so don't know whether it's a common problem or not. I'm sure someone will know though! Then it was on to exercises - 5 minutes on the bike, balancing (or not) on a wobble board and lots of knee bends and stretches onto tiptoe. I came out feeling far worse than when I went in, and I've got to go through it all again next Tuesday! When I knew I'd got to have another revision operation just 7 months after the previous one, I was far more upset about the thought of having to start physio from scratch again than the surgery itself and today I remembered why! I know it will get easier and the hard work will be worth it in the end but it doesn't feel like it at the moment. Time for more ice I think! Linda

 

[Gretchendz]

Hi Linda,

What you experienced is very typical. The massaging they need to do is to break down scar tissue and get your muscles extending. NOT a relaxing therapeutic massage.

At my last session, as my PT was working my calf he said "If I were rubbing a normal person this way, they'd be going through the roof." I laughed cause I've gotten so used to it, it almost feels good.

I've been in PT on my two TKRs almost non stop since April It still hurts for 24-48 hours after each session. In fact, I'd say, if it doesn't hurt after, something's wrong *grins*

In fact, my session Monday, felt like an easy session while I was in it. That night & the next day I had much more pain than usual. I finally had to break down and take some vicodin, which I had given up a week or so earlier.

It IS worth it as you regain strength and mobility, but it won't always feel like it. Often, we make good gains, and then "plateau" for awhile which can get very discouraging.

My best advice: Keep posting here with questions or concerns, have good communication with your PT (they can and will adjust if you just cannot tolerate something), but accept the fact you need to have just a bit more pain before you're able to live pain-free again Oh yes, and as you obviously already know, keep icing and keep going with your pain meds

Good luck!

 

[JudyS]

Linda
I remember the hip/leg massage. We need to come up with a new term for that breaking up of tissue and extending muscles. My pt kept checking to see when the tears would come. OUCH is right.
Pain meds on schedule, oh and stool softeners.
Judy

 

[Linda2]

I loved PT. Yes, the deep massage hurts, but like the old song says, it "hurts so good!" I rarely hurt much afterward. I think the e-stim at the end of each sentence helped with that.

 

[nin]

Mt p/t told me this massage is called "loving your knee"..warped sense of humour physio's but she was right and it doe work.......
Nin

 

[Gretchendz]

I loved PT. Yes, the deep massage hurts, but like the old song says, it "hurts so good!" I rarely hurt much afterward. I think the e-stim at the end of each sentence helped with that.

Yes--the e-stim and icing can help a lot!