Type of Physical Therapy

[caz9537]

Hi

I am five weeks post op for LTKR today and, according to the surgeon, doing well with around 110 flex. I am doing strengthening exercises given by the PT but yesterday managed to get on my exercise bike and pedal it. It felt fine but is it too soon to start doing this kind of exercise? Should I wait until I've seen the PT again (next week) or continue to do what I feel I can?

I am now walking around the home without sticks and can stand properly on the leg.

 

[Josephine]

No, it's not too early so long as you don't go mad on it. When are you starting physio?

 

[Doug]

Caz,
I would consider the stationary bike the most critical exercise for my recovery..You can vary your workouts by raising and lowering the seat, and by changing the resistance. Just don't over do it. You are very early in recovery to push too hard.

 

[Jamie]

I totally agree, Caz. My bike was my saving grace. I would ride it for small periods at all times of the day or night. It helped when I had trouble sleeping. There were times that my leg just NEEDED to stretch and that slow, steady motion did the trick. You'll know if you did too much - you'll have swelling and pain at some point afterwards. But go easy and try to avoid that. Don't use a lot of resistance at least for a while....it's the circular rotation that helps limber you up at first. Then as you get better you can increase the resistance to work on your quad muscle.

 

[caz9537]

Hi all

Thanks so much for your comments. It feels right to be doing short bits of gentle cycling so glad to hear that you agree its good as long as I'm sensible. Josephine, you asked when I was starting physio. I have had one session with the physio with a set of exercises for strengthening and flexibility. However, I felt I need more now and am not seeing the physio until next Wednesday (1st April). I have therefore added in a bit of stair/step work and more walking. However, you're all right about taking it carefully.

My leg feels quite strained today as I walked a few hundred yards yesterday after seeing the medic. I have been so looking forward to taking off the DVT stockings next Saturday when the six weeks are up, which I was told by professionals. However, yesterday another medic said keep them on until I've returned to normal activity. But what is normal activity?? I am moving about more now than I did pre op when I got in the car, went to work, sat at my computer, got in the car, came home and vegged out on the settee until bedtime! Studies have used 6 weeks as a beneficial time factor - would be interested to hear what others have been told......

 

[Linda2]

The exercise bike is a great way to work your new knee. You gain ROM and strength without any impact. My OS wants his patients to get on the thing many times a day as soon as they can. I started just moving the pedals back and forth about a week after I came home from the hospital.

 

[marennorge]

I can remember how excited I was the first time I pedaled a complete revolution on the stationary bike. Up to then, I was just rocking the pedals back and forth. So, you are doing well in your early days.

 

[Jamie]

There seem to be a lot of differing opinions on how long to wear the TED hose. Go with what your doctor wants you to do. I wore mine about 10 days after coming home....quit cuz I had torn one trying to pull them back up. They are worn to help prevent deep vein blood clots when you are inactive, so most people say that once you return to "normal" activity, you no longer need them.

 

[backbay38]

Caz my surgeon wants all his patients to wear the TEDs for 6 weeks. I could take them off at night. There is some remote danger, I was told, of blood clots up to 3 months out. But if you're really active there's no real worry. But like Jame said - it's what your own surgeon tells you. Not someone else but the surgeon who did your knee. They all have their own protocols. As to the bike -- it's the best! I started back on my exercise bike about 10 days after surgery with my home PT's initial supervision. But as long as you can make the pedals go round without feeling pain - you're good. Just keep the resistence light and gradually try it higher for short bursts. Also depending on your ROM you may need to raise the seat at first and gradually lower it . (wrote it backwards the first time so corrected it) But it actually does more good early on when it's lower and you have to bent your knee more IF you can do it without pain. I am now nearly 10 weeks out and still find first thing in the AM my knee is a bit stiff for the first few revolutions. As long as that stiffness goes away quickly you're fine. If it hurts -- slack off. I always found I was walking better when I got off the bike.

 

[Nana55]

I started on the bike 3 weeks just trying to get all the way around but was riding at PT and home for 10-15 minutes in 4-5 weeks and now I am 12 weeks and ride at least an hour in two sessions. I agree with others, I am stiff especially in the am and after just a few times around the knee loosens up and I up the resistance and speed. I always feel better afterwards so I can't see how it is hurting.

Hope this helps!

 

[Nursepair]

The bike is the best. It took me many weeks to get round though as my ROM was bad. I was never given stockings to wear at all!!

 

[caz9537]

Hi all

From the discussion we have had, I have decided to take off the stockings at 6 weeks which I was told originally that I could do by the specialist nurse and the surgeon who did the op (unfortunately, I can't see him again).

And I will factor regular cycling into my exercise programme - the first time I sat on the exercise bike, I couldn't do a revolution but then my husband adjusted the saddle, putting it up higher, and I found I could comfortably cycle. My leg gets quite stiff too so I guess it will help loosen it up.

I really want to get back to swimming too but won't do that until I feel more confident on my feet as the pool and changing room floors can get quite slippery. But, I am getting there!

Did some baking and other cooking today which required standing and the good thing was, my leg didn't feel particularly sore afterwards - all in the pursuit of getting back to "normal activities".

My son broke his leg early summer 2007 and has been telling me about the progress he is still making and that's helpful too. I've also noticed my dislocated shoulder has improved rapidly since I've something else to concentrate on!

Very many thanks to those who have contributed to this thread and reassured me on the points I've raised. I am finding the forum really helpful and will pass a link on to anyone I know who is waiting for, or contemplating, replacement surgery. Its great for me because I'm having a pretty good recovery with no complications but I've also noticed how encouraging comments are for those who are not having quite such a good time.

Have a great week, everyone.

 

[Jamie]

Good, Caz....you're approaching the bicycle in just the right way. Start with the seat higher and you'll gradually be able to move it down to where it's a real workout for your ROM. Swimming is great exercise too as long as your incision is completely healed up.