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TKR Put the right knee in...and then the left.

@sistersinhim The norm expectation around here seems to be that there's just 6 weeks to regain ROM--I know, that's a myth--but it's the prevailing story that just about everyone tells from the folks on the inpatient unit who wanted me to be at 110 before I left the hospital to the in-home PTs to the PA I see for follow ups, etc. To her credit, this lady did go on to say that ROM gains can happen past that time.

I actually liked this woman and valued her support (and in general have benefitted from PT over the years) so I didn't feel like I was putting her in her place--that sounds more adversarial than our relationship was--more just a gentle reminder that I was doing fine :) And again to her credit, she acknowledged my perspective and never mentioned the pillow stack issue again.
 
I like to think I was nudging her oh so gently toward a more BoneSmart way of viewing things.
 
It really does take time to get accustomed to another way of thinking. Used to be with my old knees, I would be confronted with a position or movement and think, yeah, I can do that - only to be confronted with the reality that it had been years that I could. Now I can do it but the brain is thinking - uhhh, nooo. It does help to have a coach along to prod us a bit...
 
Sometimes, a little nudging is all they need. Once they see the results of the gentler way, they will come around!
 
Drove my car this morning for the first time in a month. The good news: knee and leg work fine. Moderate news: some pain with holding leg in bent position still (even with seat pushed back--I have long legs) so I won't go far. Bad news: nasty noise from car engine so have to figure out getting it into shop etc. Aargh! Tempting to just rent a car for the week and a bit I have before second surgery and deal with all this after the 2nd surgery but...that would be silly and expensive.
 
Wow, Gertie, driving four weeks out! Sounds like a major success to me, even with some aches and pains. Way to go! When is your next surgery planned?
 
@nensi Next surgery is scheduled for August 2nd. Yikes! Racing towards me. How are you doing today?
 
Gertie, what an impressive day you've had already and it's not even one o'clock yet! Congratulations on the stairs, the driving and graduating from home PT! Your ROM isn't exactly shabby either, lol. It sounds like Western, MA has a bit of catching up to do with the Boston area in terms of viewing TKR through a more BS lense. But, this is not really surprising, given the population difference between our two areas and the amount of surgeries performed. I hope you can find a more progressive, Outpatient PT after Knee#2, but if not, I have every reason to believe you will manage to help them see the wisdom in a more gentle approach. :SUNsmile:

<----*Blowing Raspberries* at the car! Aaarrggh! Just have a friend accompany you to the garage and drop it off. It would be silly to rent a car for such a short amount of time and as you've discovered, short trips will be the order of the day. I still can't drive more than 30 minutes.
 
@Pheebs52 I'm curious who your surgeon was. And did you go to New England Baptist (which a lot of folks I know have done)? I think I have a good surgeon and he's new to the area but yes, the practice as a whole seems to be still locked in older thinking about things as is the hospital they use. There's one other practice/hospital in the area and friends have gone there and my sense is that they have the same approach to things.
 
Gertie, I went to New England Baptist for my hip replacement 5 years ago and though I found the hospital stay and actual surgery superb, all the follow-up visits to Brookline (I had some complications, so there were many) were very inconvenient. The particular surgeon I had at that time had wonderful *grades* as a surgeon, but was severely lacking in bedside manner. As such, I decided to go locally this time. I chose a satellite hospital of Beth-Israel Deaconess, in Milton, MA. The surgeon has been a dream come true, and he came very highly recommended by personal friends, some of whom are local nurses. He's been in practice for more than 30 years and has replaced the knees and hips of 80% of Milton and Quincy's arthritic population. He's actually had a knee replacement himself, lol.
 
I wonder if it's the fact that he's been through it himself that's key to his understanding.
 
Whoops, I forgot to mention his name and am wondering if doing so is against the Forum rules? If not, I'm happy to provide you with it.
 
I doubt that it's against the rules--and I suspect I know who you saw (initials SM???). Friends have seen a doctor there who they say is technically wonderful but distant (although he's apparently improving in that aspect).
 
Well, yes, that certainly plays a part, but I also think his lengthy experience with a large number of people must also be a big factor. I'm sure there are surgeons at The Baptist who would also have more of a BS philosophy, I just wouldn't recommend the one who did my hip and that's based purely on personality. The biggest selling point at The Baptist is their rate of infection; it's very, very low. And that's because they only do orthopedics. No one goes there for anything else....there's no ER or any other type of health care offered.
 
I thought about going there but it's just too far, especially since I'm single and depending on friends for rides and support. The hospital I go to has a dedicated ortho unit that is mostly joint replacement so that helps keep the infection rate low.
 
The surgeon I saw at The Baptist has initials of DW. The surgeon who did my knee at BID Milton, has initials of MB. The first is a *ahem* "Deity." The second is a skilled and wonderful human being.
 
If you can get competent treatment locally, I feel that's the wisest move. If not, that's a whole different story. Because we don't have crystal balls, and can't forsee our recoveries, we have to weigh the importance of follow-up care for any complications that might arise post-surgically. I can't imagine living out in the western part of the state and having to travel into Brookline for all the follow-up care I needed. 'Twas bad enough from here!
 
Can't abide those "deity" docs. Too full of themselves. I pay attention to what the nurses say (they seem to really like my guy)--if they're treated well, it says a lot.
 
The nurses are all knowing Gertie! Are you by any chance going to UMASS Medical Center in Worcester?
 
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