Guest viewing is limited

TKR ROM issues

Wow that is amazing for so early on!
Congratulations!
 
skiforever said:
No PT exercises, but I walked to the lake on the trail and back on the road (1.7 miles), went paddle-boarding into a head wind (good balance and leg torque work), rode my electric bike a couple times to check wind/water conditions, and went kayaking into a strong headwind (upper body work). I noticed that putting on hiking shoes is the figure 4 exercise, biking outside requires the same flexion as the stationary bike, and paddle-boarding works everything in the leg.
Click to expand...
This was PT.
 
Oh my…..another member in the Over-Did It Club (ODIC). We all join at one time or another. It always happens that these activities we love are so enjoyable while doing them and the muscle fatigue and pain don’t come until the next day. Fortunately, some rest and tender loving car will take care of things and you can start again - just a little slower next time. Remember that you are still healing. Rest, ice, take some Tylenol if needed for pain and you should be better in a few days.
 
Here are my modified (=manageable) home PT Exercises to be done 3x/day or until the target range of motion for the day is met.

Bending
* Seated Heel Slide 20 reps
* Stationary Upright Bike

Straightening
* Prone Knee Extension Stretch on bed hold 1.5 min
* Bridging hold as long as possible
 
Last edited:
RTKR is a TKR of the right knee (Nov 2019).
LTKR is TKR of the left knee (June 2023).
Left is the rough recovery done recently.
 
Your signature has been edited.
Thanks for clarifying. I hope you‘ve recovered from the other day.
Have a great rest of the week! :)
@skiforever
 
Does anyone have trouble with being set back by physical therapy? It seems I need 2 days rest after going for an hour of PT.
 
Yes, many do and they usually either dial it back, or stop PT completely. You are active enough that it doesn’t seem you need it. If you’re feeling the way you described…it’s a clear indication that it’s too much.
Please give this some serious consideration to save yourself discomfort, pain and energy.
Best wishes!
@skiforever
 
Based on my own experiences I completely agree with Layla's post. Pain is counter productive, being set back is counter productive.
 
Does anyone have any idea what to do if the muscles in the upper leg are always tight (contracted)? It is probably more the medial side and hamstrings than the quads, but both are affected.
 
skiforever said:
I need 2 days rest after going for an hour of PT.
Click to expand...
This kind of PT is bad PT. You'd be much better off without it, it's only causing you setbacks. You really don't need it, you are already doing just fine.
skiforever said:
Does anyone have any idea what to do if the muscles in the upper leg are always tight (contracted)?
Click to expand...
You need time for these to relax. They will loosen up as your swelling goes down and you knee heals more.
 
skiforever said:
Does anyone have any idea what to do if the muscles in the upper leg are always tight (contracted)? It is probably more the medial side and hamstrings than the quads, but both are affected.
Click to expand...
I don't know if you can access or afford it, but over the decades I have had highly skilled body workers (not just massage therapists certified in Swedish/Esalen massage) do gentle muscle release - including my current practitioner who did a glorious very gentle upper leg release on my first TKA about 7-8 weeks postop. No stretching was involved; the muscles at their origination at hip and pelvis were essentially coaxed into relaxing. I am looking forward to seeing her Friday!
 
With one more PT session tomorrow, is there something I can ask for that might be helpful?
 
I am sorry you’re dealing with the discomfort of tight muscles.
skiforever said:
PT Exercises to be done 3x/day or until the target range of motion for the day is met.
Click to expand...
There really is no such thing. In reality, there is no set timeline because we all recover at different rates for a variety of reasons. While your range of motion is currently limited, it will naturally increase over time. You’re only seven weeks into a process that can last a full year and even longer for some. I would advise you stop all of the exercising and if you feel you must go to PT tomorrow, while there, don’t do anything that hurts.

Return to the basics of rest, ice and elevation along with any meds you’re still on, or OTC meds if you need them temporarily. I fear you will be stuck in the ODIC (Over Did It Club) until you’re able to step away from all of the exercising and PT you’ve been engaging in.

Try engaging in the activities of daily living as your exercise and a reasonable walk each day, starting out slow and increasing time and distance only as your body “comfortably” allows.

I hope your pain eases soon. :console2:
 
skiforever said:
With one more PT session tomorrow, is there something I can ask for that might be helpful?
Click to expand...
Everything you've written about the PT you're seeing indicates they are in the "stretch it into submission" camp, which will only harm you.
I have had PTs who were moved to independently study advanced bodywork techniques and incorporate it into their PT work; they can be gems, but they are rare.
 
mendogal said:
skiforever said:
With one more PT session tomorrow, is there something I can ask for that might be helpful?
Click to expand...
Everything you've written about the PT you're seeing indicates they are in the "stretch it into submission" camp, which will only harm you.
I have had PTs who were moved to independently study advanced bodywork techniques and incorporate it into their PT work; they can be gems, but they are rare.
Click to expand...
Yes, you are right on! The PT focus is to stretch these tight muscles and the tight hip joint to make them relax and enable movement. But it does not work for me. I lost another day today; I am not willing to exercise when I need a pain killer to tolerate it. No more pain killers. No more going backward with PT. It has been 3 weeks of PT with no progress. I just want a slower pace, one that does not kill ROM progress. I want to be able to walk and bike; that means 0 to 115 degrees, so I have to improve ROM. I would love to experience some of your advanced bodywork. I have now tried chiropractic, massage therapy, physical therapy, and nothing (my own exercises under my control). It seems nothing has worked the best.
 
How do you direct a comment at someone? I see these @ thingies but do not know how to use it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 1,846 (members: 0, guests: 1,846)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom