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Revision TKR To Work or Not to Work?

Man I love this place. In my heart I know this is the correct advice. Will do. You are all helping me lift the black cloud that had been looming over my head for months. So appreciative!
 
Just think of that beautiful sunset in your avatar -- next summer you'll be on that beach :SUNsmile:
 
I am glad that we helped you. We all speak from experience with rehabbing knees which is more that most PT's or Docs can do. We have been there and worked our way out to the light!!!
 
Update: Well, I talked with my PT today. He actually suggested we cut back on aggressive therapy, even going so far as suggesting maybe 3 days a week of light stretching, stim and ice. He said pushing it wasn't working so we should try more resting. Wow, huh? The kicker here is that because it's comp he has to clear it with the OS and make sure that this approach complies with any comp mandates about therapy hours. I put a call into HR to see what my options are about taking more time off into the start of the school year. Haven't heard back yet. Thanks again for all the advice I'm getting from this group.
 
I sincerely hope that's the new way you're moving forward and think you'll see a difference. Do try to spend as much time as possible resting, icing and elevating your knee until you see a turn around.
 
Welcome JMB. I am a principal, and my school year begins tomorrow, which means teacher work days started on Friday, and I wasn't there. I teleconferenced with my staff to wish them a great start to the new year. I did it with a brave face on, but I was crying inside. I do have a sub,and things are already a mess with certain situations. A teacher had to be hired without my input, budget decisions were made against my better judgment. So many issues have already cropped up because I'm not there. People call, text, and email me every day with issues they want me to deal with even though I'm on medical leave. So I feel your dilemma. I'm going to tell you what I have to keep telling self: take care of your health first. The work will be there when you've back, an you'll deal with it when you're well enough. Until then, focus on your recovery and healing.


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Thank you Ruby. I needed to hear that. I talked to my district today. I just need to give them a heads up in about a week on my decision. I can get the time off . I just don't know what to tell a sub to cover in my absence. I mean I know what I was planning on doing, but it doesn't involve books or preprinted handouts. I agree my health is more important. Not having a set timetable to heal is a real bummer.
 
It's hard to be an educator and take sick leave. Less than a week after TKR surgery and while still in the hospital my sub wanted another week of lesson plans. At two weeks I had to enter grades and remarks into the computer for report cards and was having phone conferences with parents in rehab after my infection surgery. :doh:
 
I am a cashier at Walmart... any thoughts on when I should go back? I have a stool that I can use so I don't have to stand the whole time, which is nice.
 
@JMB
[QUOTE="JMB, post: 1051610, member: 26511 I put a call into HR to see what my options are about taking more time off into the start of the school year. Haven't heard back yet. Thanks again for all the advice I'm getting from this group.[/QUOTE]
Your options are what your doctor recommends. Ask him for a note stating that young cannot come back before-----( date. They have to comply by law.
 
JJ65 said:
I am a cashier at Walmart... any thoughts on when I should go back? I have a stool that I can use so I don't have to stand the whole time, which is nice.
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How long can you sit without elevating and icing your knee? Be Careful z!
 
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Update: So my PT spoke with my OS who told him "No" to the idea of easier less aggressive PT. He also approved me for 8 more weeks of PT from the date of my manipulation. My PT and I will take his advice into consideration since my continued comp case relies on my doctor's recommendation. That being said, "We will work in a manner that my body best responds to without setting back my recovery".
 
Sorry to hear that JMB. Hopefully your PT will work with you, despite the OS edict. My PT, fortunately, does that. The docs are generally focused on the #'s so it up to you and your PT to get there in a way that, as you say, does not set back your recovery and that works best for your body.
 
Ugh. I hate that these OS aren't evidence based and feel like harder is better when it comes to PT. Mine is the same. My extension is coming along slower on my 2nd knee and he lectured me about PT, how I need to see his guy who will push onmy knee and really work it straight. I know what I know from BS but that tiny nagging voice keeps saying "what if he's right? What if you never get straight?"
 
Same here Jenn . . . but I'm trusting my PT who is not worried - and my gut which has been pretty reliable for almost 60 years. Of course I am giving it attention every day but I'm not gonna do anything stupid or overly painful.
 
I was so blessed to have an up-to-date surgeon who knew that aggressive PT was counter productive in this surgery. Your knee isn't out of shape, it has been wounded, with two bones cut off and drilled and pounded on, and the tendons and muscles moved way out of the way to put this implant in. Your knee needs to heal. Ice and elevate as much as you can, and don't do anything at home but ADL, (activities of daily living). This is all your knee needs to recovery.
 
Sistersinhim: Did it work for you? How long did it take for you to see improvement? They keep telling me to do my home exercises, but I've been icing and elevating like the people here suggested. I will follow your advice. I hope for some small sign of improvement soon.
 
I worked with my PT because, given half a chance, I'm a complete sloth. Walking is the only exercise I like (as is swimming, but that was out), but walking isn't all that fun, or even possible, right after surgery. So I worked with PT. But when my therapist wanted to get aggressive, I put on the brakes. My body. My knees. If I didn't want to "pull the strap until you scream" I didn't pull the strap. I didn't let him push on my leg to "see how far it will go." I said I'd do it myself or it wasn't happening. If I liked an exercise, or it didn't hurt, or I thought it really helpful, though... those I did with enthusiasm.

I saw more improvement BETWEEN my therapy sessions. My knees would be less stiff. I walked better and with less pain. Since quitting PT, with my surgeon's blessing, several weeks ago, I've improved more rapidly. I ice and elevate three or four times a day still. For exercise, I walk a few miles a day, part of that through daily activities and the rest through strolls around my neighborhood. I walk up and down stairs, holding the rail, easily.

Do I think PT hurt me? Not at all, and some of the exercises for balance really were helpful in building my confidence. But I never let the therapist push me and I never did any exercises at home, except some walking, using those days to rest and heal my new joints. To the extent that you can "customize" your PT experience, I think you will find that a good path to success.
 
JMB said:
So my PT spoke with my OS who told him "No" to the idea of easier less aggressive PT. He also approved me for 8 more weeks of PT from the date of my manipulation. My PT and I will take his advice into consideration since my continued comp case relies on my doctor's recommendation. That being said, "We will work in a manner that my body best responds to without setting back my recovery".
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When push comes to shove, this is your knee and you have the absolute right to say what will happen to it. If you feel that aggressive PT has achieved nothing and you want to stop, say so. Speak up on behalf of your knee and do what feels right for it.

Your surgeon can recommend, but you have the right to choose whether or not to accept his recommendation.
Saying no to therapy - am I allowed to?

I suggest you keep going to PT, but only do the gentle work your therapist recommends. You will have been compliant in continuing PT, but you could choose how much to do when you're there.
 
@JMB, I hope you can reconcile your OS with PT. Knowing it is workman's comp does cast a different light on the subject.

@Ruby9297 what excellent advice! I'm not even back to part time management from home yet but have been sucked in to numerous phone conf each week, both internal and external. I feel this urgency but it will all me here and a reality before I know it so I better keep smellI got the roses and stop pushing to get things done when I should be out.

@JMB i had my manipulation just this morning so I'm really early in the game to know much. I wish you the best on your journey!
 
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