What's the point?

[gatiger]

Hey guys, I need your help again. I've got 3 more sessions left with therapy before going back to the doctor next week. ROM seems to be stuck at 110*, which is about 15* more than it was 3 weeks ago. The doc told me on the last visit that he would do the manipulation thing if 'it doesn't improve'. I really can't complain about anything other than not bending, everything else is getting better. I am finding it very hard to go back to therapy and go through the pain of them bending my knee 3 more days before going back to the doc. I keep asking why, it hasn't changed hardly at all in the last week, so why go through that ****? I'm aware of 'no pain-no gain' but when you take the pain and SEE no gain it makes it awful hard. My mind wants me to go, but my spirit isn't so sure. Can I get some help here?

 

[beachcomber]

I have no wisdom.... but much empathy. You have been working so hard and going through so much. I feel for you.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers....

 

[bsassy]

i guess i'd go with how it feels to you on a day to day basis......if 110 is all you're going to get w/out going through MORE pain , and if it's comfy when you sit , walk, bend etc... then i'd say no way.....we've been through so much to date. i'm 116 as of a wk. ago and it's totally comfy.....in fact, i have the other problem, i sit w/it bent so much that i can't get it to straighten completely....that's what we're dealing w/now in p.t. ahhhh will it ever be a happy day again?

 

[Josephine]

Comes a point, gatiger, when physio can't do it and it's too much for you to cope with anyway.

What's happened is that there are adhesions meaning some of the muscles and ligaments have stuck together and can't glide past each other freely like they should. Some people call this scar tissue but that's not strictly accurate. At that point you have to accept the inevitable and let the surgeon do his biz. It's not a big deal, truly. He will break down the stuck together patches after which you should be able to make more progress in your physio. There will be pain immediately after but nothing that can't be controlled with meds that and it shouldn't last too long.

 

[TitaniumMan]

Gatiger: I was released from PT after about 2 months at 115*. My good leg is 130*. Im ok with that and so was the Dr. In time, im sure I will get a degree or two. I think that you need a boost from us like I got from you guys yesterday when I changed Doctors and changed to a "pain management Doctor". I was stuck at 113* for about two weeks but with constant work from the PT's and my insane desire to go walk at Hope Depot or the local Mall, and lots of Hut Tob therapy, I got to my point of 115* DONT YOU DARE GIVE UP ON US OR HAVE THAT WHATS THE POINT ATTITUDE! The point is you may gain that few degrees you need in the next three PT sessions. Im going to Jacksonville Fl. in the next few weeks, dont make me stop in Ga. to chase you around a bit and manipulate that knee a degree or two! Judging by the size of both of us, Im sure we can get that tin knee to bend! Fight the good fight Brother and when you are stretching and doing PT, we are behind you in empathy and spirit! Please go to myspace.forgivenryder.com and read the biker code. Never say never, and never give up. We have a common bond...the desire to ride our Harleys, live a good life, and care for our loved ones!
Respects and Godspeed,
Chuck

 

[gatiger]

Thanks, T-man. I knew I could count on you, and thank you Josephine and Beachcomber for the PM. I really think I have tried all I can. I've tried to tough it, I've prayed and I've 'pilled up' and I really don't know what else to do. I go back to the OS next Wednesday and it is what it is. You guys have been so great and such encouragement, I feel like I'm letting y'all down as well as myself, but I can't take the therapists bending my knee anymore. I have worked on this with them for 6 weeks, 3 times a week plus what I can do on my own. I feel like I've just been beat down, and I can't do it anymore. I can get around, drive, handle stairs AND RIDE MY BIKE. I'm OK with that. I don't know what I'll be like next week or tomorrow for that matter, but right now, I can't do this stuff anymore. God bless everyone of you guys for taking the time to respond, and even thinking about me. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

 

[Skeet]

I can relate. I'm at 0 and 115+ and I wonder if I want to try to go further. I have trouble going down stairs still. Is that helped if I am more than 115?? Does anyone know? Or do I just need to practice more? I hate exercising but I do the minimal amount. I am focused most on increasing the strength in my involved leg's calf. I lost a lot of muscle and I'm working to rebuild it. That is pretty easy though. I understand, Gatiger, and sometimes taking a break is fine. It's your life and you know when you are at the point that you can do what you want and need to. God bless you.

Skeet

 

[Doug]

Skeet,
I live in a two story house. I would think the 115 bend would be enough for the stairs. I get the pain on the tendon at the top of the knee or lower thigh. I really feel it when I first get out of the bed.
The Dr. cut me a good 4in. above the knee so hopefully it is just a matter of the injury fully healing. I have to remind myself that we were not only cut open, but stretched wide, sawed, and hammered on.
I'm thinking about doing more high repetition, light weight seated leg presses.

 

[Skeet]

Doug, my incision is also about 4 inches above my knee. Hurts a lot still. Maybe the stairs are more about balance and psychologically scare me. I'm still trying to improve on them.

Skeet

 

[[email protected]]

i got to 118 pretty easily and quickly. My therapist said the next part would be harder and take longer. This was because, as he said, "you have not bent that knee at 120 for along time, way before the surgery." and he was right. he said now I am working on 'old' stuff, muscles and whatever that have not bent far in ages and they will take time; that was three weeks ago and now I am at 122. And i can say that going downstairs at 122 is a lot more comfortable that when it was 115!

Persevere!

Liz

 

[gatiger]

Thanks guys. To have have never met any of y'all, your encouragement and caring have come to mean SO much to me. T-man, I HATE losing man, I really do, but I'm afraid I have to give up on this one. There comes a point when you have to admit your limitations and I think I have reached mine. Before the TKR, I had full 135* ROM, so Liz, I can't see that as my problem, 'ppreciate the thoughts though. I am not quitting on this, I just think there has to be some other way to get there. Mentally, I'm to the old "it is what it is" and we'll see what the OS says next Wednesday. My wife has done her best to talk me through all of this and God knows it has been hard on her too. Unfortunately, she can only do so much, I sometimes wish I had her 'fight to the death' attitude. She tries to understand and help me out but unless you've been there...... When she asks, "HOW does it hurt when they bend it?", I can only say, "Like hell." Those conversations really don't get anywhere. The good news is, God is in control and He has never left me. I hope every one of you guys get blessed today and everyday for the way you have tried to help me. Love y'all.

 

[Rowdy66]

Gatt: (Sorry about the abbreviation but I lost it after the second T which I, also, started becoming unsure of so, please forgive me) I have not yet had my BTKR yet but reading your posts I have to tell you I feel like I have been there for your PT with you. I loved the answer to your wife, by the way when you said it hurt like hell. I have spent so many years with pain and it seems like there always comes a time when they want me to try PT again. I have truly learned to dread the thought of any kind of PT even when I do well and have a therpist who is good and knows what they are doing. I know I am going to have to go after surgery, no way around it. I went after they scoped my knees last spring and saw what they put the TKR patients through and so I know it is going to be hard. I just pray that you get the releif you need physically, mentally and spiritually but the bottom line is that if you have reached the point where you need to stop going for a bit what will the consequences be? And what is meant by the doctor manipulating your knee? From what Josie says it sounds like another surgery, is it? I keep thinking, my God, what have I gotten into. What is the number they are wanting you to reach? I was only at 118 after my scopes and haven't been able to straighten my leg in forever. Any way, what I wanted to say before I started rambling was you are in my prayers and I just hope you don't stop posting here. You have no idea how important you guys, everyone of you are to people like me who are going to have the surgery. I just feel for ya, kid! Jan (Rowdy66)

 

[Pattipoo]

Hold on babe....there's light at the end of the tunnel.....

 

[gatiger]

Thanks, Rowdy. I guess some of posts are pretty frightening to folks who haven't done this yet. I really don't mean to scare anyone off, except for the therapy, I have much less than what I used to call normal pain. At 9 weeks, and that is just a minute compared to the last 10-12 years; I am already better off. I'll get through or past this bending thing one way or another. This board has been a HUGE help to me and I sure do not want to cause anyone to stumble by sounding negative about the TKR. My situation is not the 'norm', there are lots of people on here and on the street that I'm sure must think 'what's up with that guy'. Everybody does not have the same problems and there really is no 'norm', you just need to talk, ask questions and decide what is best for you. May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you Peace.

 

[gatiger]

Patti, you're just wrong for that.

 

[Doug]

I kind of felt like that dog after I ate too many prunes attempting to deal with the post op. constipation!!!!!!

 

[gatiger]

There have been times that I felt like the prunes.

 

[Skeet]

Pattipoo - you made me laugh out loud, even snorted!! Love you to death, girl!

Skeet

 

[Sue]

That light shining through thing only happens with my dog when you put the light up to one of his ears...

 

[kath]

Well guys, all these numbers...there must really be something wrong with me. I am now officially at 8 weeks since it is after midnight. I am only at 105. I am thrilled as my old knee was so bad that half the time I walked with them locked so I didn't have to bend them at all, a pretty sight, but I am so happy at 105, I go up and down the steps, I walk better than I have in 10 years and I still have the other knee to do in 2 weeks. I had my dr. appt. today and he told me that I will get better and better and was very pleased with the way my leg healed. He had to straighten my leg as it was really bowed.
I would be thrilled with numbers like 115, 120, I didn't expect to be that far at this point I guess and I am a whimp also, I preferred to be happy, enjoy PT somewhat and take a little longer to progress. I thought I was doing really good, but I am sort of embarrassed to even admit 105 with all of you high rollers out there. I think it takes time and as long as you keep improving no matter how small of an improvement, it is still positive. So it takes an extra week or so or month or so. Sure is better than the way it was before.
Does anyone wish they had their old knee back instead? Not me, even at 105 I welcome this PITA new knee.