Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbear
It will be 3 weeks tomorrow. I do PT 3 times a week with a PT person and the same exercises myself the other 4 days of the week.
I can flex my knee 116 degrees; with external pressure from the PT person it now goes to 121 degrees. ( grit my teeth and to the max of my pain tolerance ). A long way from 70 degrees the day I got home from the hospital.
The incision looks quite healed and much like the scar I will have going forward although it will probably blend as time goes on.
Walking exclusively with a cane; trying to re-learn my normal stride without a limp is a work in progress. Through the normal range of motion when I walk, the knee sort of feels like it has an ace bandage wrapped around it - not painful, just slightly stiff- just enough to impede a normal gait.
Tylenol is the pain med I primarily take as needed.
The knee is still swollen; Although the swelling has subsided, it still has quite a ways to go and I expect it will take another month or more to even begin to look normal again.
I ice it after the two exercise periods I do every day as well as 2 or 3 random times during the day.
I have another week of in home therapy and will then be going to an outside group - Florida Rehabilitation Specialists in Lady Lake.
I'm cleared to go in my pool now so hopefully as the warmer weather sets in this week that will be a treat for me...
This hasn't been a fun process, but I truly think when its over I will be quite happy. Before my surgery, I couldn't retract my knee more than 114 degrees under any circumstances. - and I'm already a 121 and hopefully headed for 130+.
Until next time -
Regards from Tbear
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With all due respect, you should ask your doctor and your Physical Therapist about your extra excercise on days when you don't have a PT session. I get the feeling that in your determination to heal and heal quickly, you may be overdoing it somewhat.
I had a TKR in 2013. I had daily in home PT the first week , along with daily walks. I then went to a rehab clinic for 3 or so weeks. I too would do exercises at home, a combination of the in home and rehab regimen. I mentioned the extra work I was doing and my therapist told me to Stop!!! He said my body and knee needs time to heal, especially after a rehab session. Too much too soon would cause continued swelling, pain, and inhibit the range of motion in my knee. Among other things. With that advise, my rehabilitation was a great success. I've read your posts from the beginning and hope for your complete recovery. I just sense IMHO that you may be slowing your recovery. Your doctor and physical therapist would be the sources to ask. Good Luck !!!