Sky blue
junior member
TWO other things I'm thinking of right now that I need to tell y'all.
For my left knee TKR six weeks ago, I did NOT use a CPM machine at any time during my recovery. This time I contacted the surgeon's office several days before surgery and told them that it took 5 weeks just to be able to bend my knee to 90º, and for those 5 weeks it was torturous trying to do PT (I exaggerated a little for effect, because I actually did NOT allow myself to hurt that much during PT; but I also made very little and very slow progress). Therefore, I wanted to request a CPM for use in the hospital with the option of taking it home. Surprisingly, my doc approved the request and it was sitting in my hospital room when I got up there. Since my pain was FAR from being under control the rest of that day, I used it for the first time on the day after surgery... twice, for 2 hours each time. We started it at 35º and upped it 3-5º each session. Like I said earlier, I stayed an additional night and used it during the night and twice the next day. By the time I was discharged on Saturday afternoon, we had been able to raise the angle of flexion (with no discomfort) to 55º. Since being home, I've been in it ALMOST non-stop because it's relaxing and puts me to sleep. It's now set on almost 85º, and I promise, with NO discomfort. Of course, I cannot ACTIVELY bend it that far-- in fact, I can hardly bend it at all ACTIVELY ! When I'm ready to start that active flexion, I think it'll be a lot easier this time around. I hope someone can confirm this hope.
2nd, when I called the doctor's office about requesting the CPM, I also complained about not having enough pain medication after my first TKR to last until my first follow up appointment, and that it was real inconvenient to have to ask someone drive 20 miles across town to pick up a refill Rx in person for me, so the doctor went ahead and wrote out two prescriptions (an original and a post-dated refill Rx) which I picked up the day before surgery and dropped off at the pharmacy. I was SO HAPPY that this request was taken seriously and approved, 'cos I know it's gonna make a huge difference in HOW I take my pain meds this time around-- instead of being overly cautious, I'll be able to use what I actually need, knowing that the refill Rx is already on file at the pharmacy.
OK, I think I've told y'all everything I needed to tell you. God bless us EVERYONE tonight, even the ones here that are supporting and encouraging the rest of us!
For my left knee TKR six weeks ago, I did NOT use a CPM machine at any time during my recovery. This time I contacted the surgeon's office several days before surgery and told them that it took 5 weeks just to be able to bend my knee to 90º, and for those 5 weeks it was torturous trying to do PT (I exaggerated a little for effect, because I actually did NOT allow myself to hurt that much during PT; but I also made very little and very slow progress). Therefore, I wanted to request a CPM for use in the hospital with the option of taking it home. Surprisingly, my doc approved the request and it was sitting in my hospital room when I got up there. Since my pain was FAR from being under control the rest of that day, I used it for the first time on the day after surgery... twice, for 2 hours each time. We started it at 35º and upped it 3-5º each session. Like I said earlier, I stayed an additional night and used it during the night and twice the next day. By the time I was discharged on Saturday afternoon, we had been able to raise the angle of flexion (with no discomfort) to 55º. Since being home, I've been in it ALMOST non-stop because it's relaxing and puts me to sleep. It's now set on almost 85º, and I promise, with NO discomfort. Of course, I cannot ACTIVELY bend it that far-- in fact, I can hardly bend it at all ACTIVELY ! When I'm ready to start that active flexion, I think it'll be a lot easier this time around. I hope someone can confirm this hope.
2nd, when I called the doctor's office about requesting the CPM, I also complained about not having enough pain medication after my first TKR to last until my first follow up appointment, and that it was real inconvenient to have to ask someone drive 20 miles across town to pick up a refill Rx in person for me, so the doctor went ahead and wrote out two prescriptions (an original and a post-dated refill Rx) which I picked up the day before surgery and dropped off at the pharmacy. I was SO HAPPY that this request was taken seriously and approved, 'cos I know it's gonna make a huge difference in HOW I take my pain meds this time around-- instead of being overly cautious, I'll be able to use what I actually need, knowing that the refill Rx is already on file at the pharmacy.
OK, I think I've told y'all everything I needed to tell you. God bless us EVERYONE tonight, even the ones here that are supporting and encouraging the rest of us!