Trouble with pedaling at PT

[ladyblue]

Hi everyone...! The other day at PT, I was on the stationery bike doing my usual "rocking" exercise when the one PT grabbed my knee and forced it to go the entire way around. PAIN AND AGONY!! Should I be able to pedal yet? I was in so much pain after that and it was just at the beginning of my session. I am trying to gain back more mobility and occassionally walk without my walker or cane at home. The tightness of the skin and muscle are about the same but I use vitamin E cream. I am taking it one day at a time and trying to be positive. Thanks for all the help/support you have given me!

 

[Josephine]

3 weeks post op, ladyblue? Yes, I would say you should be doing the whole rotation by now. The longer you put it off, the more it will hurt when you finally do it. I'm sorry she seemed so brutal with you but then, that's her job! What's that common phrase or saying we have to thank Ms Fonda for? "No pain, no gain"! Certainly true in this situation.

Stick with, honey - you'll get there.

 

[Doug]

Ladyblue,
I'm nine days post tkr and just had my first experience on the stationary bike.
The first 20-30 revolutions I thought I was going to die. Then it gradually got easier. Never easy. My goal was to make it five mins. About 2 mins. into it, I couldn't believe I had three to go. Well I made it. But for what would normally be a minimal warm up, I was drenched in sweat.
Now I'm sitting here with my best friends. Pills and ice. Maybe tomorrow, I'll hit six mins.
Hang in there and just look for the day we can knock out 30 minutes and then figure out what the next exercise is going to be. For me, I want to get to the elliptical trainer.
Have a good day.

 

[referee54]

You have to push yourself---yes---"no pain, no gain." Remember, there are two kinds of pain---and one of them is telling you that you are making progress. It is the same type of pain that says you are ripping those ahesions apart---gaining ROM. I am now up to 22 minutes on the bike trying to get back my cardio---then I go to the machines or to the rubber bands and strengthen my legmuscles.

You are correct in the"one day at a time" approach---but do not get discouraged. The progress is slowly measured after these operations. I had mine both doneon 11/08/07---andI am now just getting a good night's sleep! My stregth is much, much better, but I still have some muscle stiffnes in my left leg---and it takes time. Do not be in a hurry to evaluate wehere you have been, where you are, and where you want to be! Keep pushing yourself and look forward to a little pain---it means progress.

Tim C.

 

[Sue]

It is hard to believe right now because trying to get the pedals to go around hurts so badly--but in a short time, biking will actually feel good. It went from being my most hated part of PT to being my favorite part in just a few weeks, once I could start getting the pedals to go all the way around.

I'm a little over 3 months post surgery, and I've been released from PT, but I got myself a recumbent bike to use at home. If I go too many days without using my bike, I feel it! I'm way better off when I use my bike every day or nearly every day of the week. It helps keep me flexible and pain free.

Hang in there! It is going to get a lot better!

Sue

 

[kath]

Ladyblue,
I am 4 weeks post surgery and last week was the first my PT put me on the stationary bike. Just rocking back and forth the first 2 times (I go 3 times a week) the second time I had a new person, experienced who stood by me and just made simple relaxing conversation, she also advised to move my seat back a bit. I was talking to her, relaxed just taking it easy, not trying to pedal the whole way around and I did it! Just on my own, no problem. The next time I went in (2 days later) I had a different therapist and she insisted the seat was back far enough. So I rocked it and she walked away and I just rocked. Monday when I go back, I will adjust the seat to the point where I feel I can work up to it and I will start rocking and relaxed I will go the whole way around on my own. Hopefully finding the caring PT. Then I will start moving my seat up a bit until I can handle more pressure. For me, I would rather take a bit longer and work up to things as to be set back by over anxious PT. I know all about no pain no gain, but it depends on each individual. I think we have to take charge of our own bodies. You must do the therapy, you must be aggressive, but I still want to be in charge of my own body. There is pain that needs to occur, but I believe also that there is pain that does not. I personally benefit much more and have gotten my knee up to 102 degrees more by the things I do at home. Don't give up, but perhaps try a different approach.

 

[Doug]

Ladyblue,
I am 16 days post tkr. I've been able to get on the bike 4 times now.
This morning , I started at a very high seat level so that I could stretch the leg,warm it up and work the hamstring. Every 4 mins. I lowered the seat one level. I did this three times and found it less painful than jumping on cold and going for the gold. Hopefully I can go for 3X5 mins. tomorrow.
Also, as soon as I get home, I grab the ice and keep it on there for quite awhile.
You may want to listen to and ipod or something as a distraction measure to take your mind off of the discomfort.
Hang in there and best of luck with with your efforts.
I've just got to ask. With a name of Ladyblue are you in law enforcement?

 

[Pattipoo]

Ladyblue....I'm almost 4 weeks since TKR....I know the pain you felt (I call it psycho pain), I felt the SAME. It gets better and better and better....keep at it.

I'm ready to feel my age (51) instead of 81!!! I'm getting there!
My best wishes to everyone!
Pattipoo

 

[Doug]

Ladyblue,
Well, I'm sitting here at 1:55am on another sleepless night. I wanted to let you know I played with adjusting the bike seat again today and it worked wonderfully. After a 10 minute warm up at two higher levels, I was able to go down lower than before. Most importantly it was with minimal discomfort. The increased flexibility stayed with me for most of the day. As much as I have always hated the stationary bike, I'm determined to not let it get me down. Set a goal and go hard for it.
Good luck and God bless.
Now to see what's on late night t.v.

 

[ladyblue]

Hi everyone. Don't think I would mind it if it was the upright and not the recumbent bike. I am determined to do it though. As far as the name Ladyblue...it was just a nickname since I love the color blue. I will be more determined because I want my life back.

 

[Weezl]

Hi, I'm post op 4weeks, 3 days. I've been on the stationary bike for about two weeks and 4 days. They say i'm doing really well but there is still a lot of pain and still pain when trying to sleep. Just keep trying with your PT and it will come. It's hard to get motivated to do your exercises when you're in pain but whatever it takes to get you started. I take a nice hot bath and bend my knee in the tub. It really loosens you up. Plus it gets you going. As long as you try you'll make progress. Don't let your emotions get the best of you. Keep your chin up!

 

[Barb123]

Gee I'm at 9 weeks post-op and I can't go all the way around on the bike. I feel bad
now that others are doing it at 4 weeks.

 

[gatiger]

Going around depends on the seat placement as much as anything. If your bike seat won't move up or back it will take longer to get all the way around. Don't compare what you can do to others, you can use it as a gauge, but its not a direct comparison. All you can do is all you can do. Just try to get better. God bless you.

 

[JenniferG]

Gat, you is alrite! Just saying................

 

[Pattipoo]

Gat...you was PLUMB sweet!...and accurate!

 

[Skeet]

I was at KMart today and they had Schwinn stationary bikes for $125 on sale. Just if anyone is interested.

 

[Nursepair]

Barb, I am 12 weeks tomorrow and still can only rock back and forth on the bike. I went to Aquafit (low impact) last night and when sitting on the noodle was able to cycle accross the pool. I was so thrilled I cried. Still can't do the bike though!!

 

[JenniferG]

I was at KMart today and they had Schwinn stationary bikes for $125 on sale. Just if anyone is interested.

Were they recumbent or stationary?

 

[Newwoman]

I got a Weslo recumbent bike at Kmart for 125 on sale about a month ago. It works fine.

 

[Skeet]

Is the Weslo sturdy and stuff? I wasn't willing to try the bike at the store.. too embarrassed I might fall off or something. I needed my hubby with me.