TENs machine

[AZgirl]

Hi everyone!

I'm two weeks and two days from my left TKR and doing OK. My ROM finally reached 100 today but not comfortably. My therapist thinks I should have been at 110 at least. I had a lot of swelling (they forgot to give me TED stockings till this week). The doctor prescribed a TENs machine and it is supposed to help with pain and strengthen muscles. Have any of you used it? I wish it would help my swelling and ROM. What do you think?

Bridget

 

[loggon]

First you therapist needs to get in the real world. Most OS think you are doing good at 90 when you are 4 weeks out.

The tens machine is great for pain. Strengthen muscles well did not know that . I have used one several times. I got one several years ago for some muscle problems.

The TED stockings are a pain but they do help with some swelling.

you are doing good at 90. Just read some of the post on here and you will see how good you are doing.

 

[Texas]

I agree your at 5 weeks 100 is good i was only at 68 so take it easy keep up your excercises...........I think you are doing fine.......yea gotta love those stockings.............lol

 

[Jamie]

AZgirl, I agree...you're doing just fine. The TENS machine will help with pain, but not swelling. That takes ice, elevation of your leg above your heart and anti-inflammants taken on a schedule day and night. You'll get there...

 

[Josephine]

I have been a great fan of TENs machines. Used properly, it's a great thing. In fact, when I had my arthroscopy, I used it on my knee to go to work. Had to wear scrubs so was not to be seen and the machine in my pocket. Enabled me to keep working! I've also used it on back, shoulders and back of neck and am currently on my third machine! It just works by blocking the sensory nerves and preventing the pain signals from being sent to the brain. Simple and safe.

 

[FrogFeathers]

I only had access to the TENS machine in the PT office and I kept threatening to steal it when I'd leave. I wish I had one of those around the house!

Two weeks and two days and you're at 100, that's awesome. I wasn't even close to that far till three or four months out.

 

[AZgirl]

Hi Everyone!

Thank you so much for your answers to me about my lack of ROM. The home therapist had me scared to death, she said I would have to have an MUA if I didn't do better, that I was letting the scar tissue grow.

I started outpatient therapy today and this therapist didn't seem nearly as worried about it, and said that it can improve for months. After hearing your own personal experiences, I think I am in line with what most TKR patients do. Thanks for reassuring me!

I love the TENs machine and it does help with the pain.

Bridget

 

[Josephine]

I never had any PT at all! Just a sheet with exercises (badly drawn) and left to my own devices. I am not generally a very proactive person so did very little indeed. I was 90 when I left hospital and by the time I got to see the PT for an assessment at 3 weeks I was already 110+. I devised my own flexing exercise which was to shuffle my behind on the the very edge of my seat, slide my foot towards me as far as I could and then lean forward as much as I could bear to and then a little more. I never let it get to real pain point - just very nearly. By the time I saw the surgeon at 8 weeks, I was 120+/-5!