OP
OP
smcsmc727
junior member
United StatesI'm exhausted! I didn't realize there were so many boxes of "Pity Party" decorations to get down from the closet for our big gala on Thursday. The last time I actually put up all of the black crepe paper, and blew up all of the balloons was in 2009 when we both lost our jobs and bought a worthless bed and breakfast in Avon Park, Florida. You should have seen the turn-out for that PP when we realized we had lost half our retirement savings. But that's another story altogether.
In any event, I gave my knee the day off yesterday, if you can call a 1/8 mile walk from the parking lot to the doctor's office and back again, being "off." Originally, my first follow-up appointment after my surgery was supposed to be on Monday, but on Thursday my knee had swollen, the pain increased, and I wasn't thrilled with the Physical Therapists after two visits to their gym. They were able to squeeze me in yesterday.
Basically, I wanted to talk to my doctor about two issues. First, making a switch to another P.T. group. During my 2nd appointment they had the receptionist take over for the therapist and she went to work with another client. Throughout my hour session she'd come back and check on me, but it left a bad taste in my mouth, like when you think you're about to drink a root beer and it turns out to be Dr. Pepper instead. Also, while my wife was waiting for me in the receptionist area she heard some of the staff make some very unprofessional remarks about someone else in their group.
The 2nd thing I wanted to discuss with my doctor was achieving the balance between an enthusiastic approach to physical therapy that didn't go beyond the point of diminishing returns. I was concerned that I could push myself too far and the result would be a response from my body in the form of swelling and pain that would make subsequent efforts that much harder.
I have read dozens of threads here and many common elements run through them all. There are people that have enjoyed great success in range of motion with a gentle gradual physical therapy program, and others who achieve similar results with a slightly more aggressive program.
I think for me the important thing is not to allow myself to be pressured into meeting a physical therapist's expectations at the expense of my own comfort factor. Like others here, my tendency is to "suck it up" and push myself. I have to remind myself this isn't a race. Also, whatever I'm going through now, I'll be doing again, more or less, when I have the other knee done in the
Spring.
My doctor instructed one of his super competent office staff to cancel my remaining appointments with the first physical therapy group, and to set it up for me to go to a different group in the area. My first appointment with them is on Monday.
While was I was at the doctor's office he looked at my knee and decided to remove the 20 staples, something originally scheduled for Monday. He said "It looks good." I braced myself for some short term pain, but honestly, I didn't feel much pain as he took them out one by one. He placed strips of tape across the wound and told me I could shower now without a vinyl boot, and to leave them on until they fell off of their own accord.
Today is a relatively good day, but owing to the bi-polar nature of total knee replacements, I know that the process is one filled with peaks and valleys. That's why I am leaving the Pity Party decorations in their boxes in a readily accessible location in the corner of my bedroom. If I need to stage another PP, I want them to be handy.
Stu
TKR - right knee, February 9, 2017
leads eventually to 
. Give your knee half a chance to heal and settle down, eventually you will have a pain free knee and a real zest for life back. 
