OT, new knee rehab

Anonymous-0 · Nov 27, 2009

Hi folks, Looking for some real life experience with knee replacement rehab. I got a full replacement 2 weeks ago. Rehab is a pain, hurts worse than the surgery, but I want this thing to work. Which exercises are critical? What frequency do you suggest? What should I avoid?Your insights are appreciated.

MarkB_MI · Nov 27, 2009

This is probably not the best place to get medical advice. While I believe that most physical therapists have a bit of sadist in them, that's no reason not to follow your therapist's instructions.

Fordfarmer · Nov 27, 2009

My Dad has had both knees, both hips, and both shoulders replaced over the last 15 or so years. FOLLOW YOUR THERAPIST'S ADVICE.

Chester5731 · Nov 27, 2009

I did the exercises half @ssed. The physical therapy I did like I was supposed to. I also walked a lot and still do. About four months after I had It done I started walking on my lunch hour at work. It didn't take long to get to three miles in forty-five minutes. Just keep moving and it will all work out fine.

JMS/.MN · Nov 27, 2009

I had a hip replacement last Feb- turned out excellent. Most important thing is to do the exercises- ALL of them. Each tones various muscles, some you didn"t know that you had. Did mine daily for six months. Friends that complain about poor results are the ones that did not do the exercises. One guy was climbing the silo daily- certainly didn"t need the money from the cattle- said the surgery didn"t work.

John M · Nov 27, 2009

I had mine replaced about 3 weeks before my Dad passed away in 1999. (In fact the day after they let me come home, I stayed overnight because of a reaction to the anesteshia(sp), my dad was admitted.) I did my PT at home they wanted me to do, and went to their office twice, but the main thing that helped me more thatn anything was all the pacing, walking, I did at the hospital. My doctor told me that did more than anything the PT had me doing.

kendak · Nov 27, 2009

wife [55] had hip replacement two years ago ...took a year to get off the walker ...just now getting around on a cane & is in constant pain..have to hire to get my house cleaned & work [2] jobs to pay for her meds....she is on medicare & my BCBS insurance & still cost me about $600 a mo....all I can say is DON'T get cut on ...take care ...Kent

Spook · Nov 27, 2009

My mother had a knee job 5 years ago. She hated the theraphy, but did it. She is fine now. You have to do the theraphy!!

RodinNS · Nov 27, 2009

I've never been down that road but both of my uncle's have. One has had both knees done and got along well. No pain, no problems with the knee, no therapy. Back on the go pretty well 100% (both times) within a week to 10 days. He had some other complications from surgery, being under, etc... but also has Parkinsons... but the knees are good.
Other fella had one done; is waiting for the other. They're after him to lose weight...
He was days before he could even get out of bed afterwards. Months of therapy to get his mobility back. Probably a year or more before it really made much improvement. Also stubborn as hell about doing what the therapist wanted... wouldn't help himself much.
I think you best do everything the therapist tells you, and if they say more is better, do that too.

Rod

Big Sal · Nov 27, 2009

I had my left hip replaced last March and my right hip replaced three weeks ago. I walked with a walker for a week both times and then a cane for a week. After three weeks I'm walking normal without any help and feel fine. You must do the exercises and the therapy, and keep moving.Having said all that, eveyone tells me that recovering from knee replacement is much harder. I'll find out next year when I have both my knees" replaced.

Jerry/MT · Nov 27, 2009

The excercises that you"ll be given need to be faithfully followed if you want to fully recover. They don"t give you them for the heck of it. It"s what they have found works and if you do them as perscribed you can have a high probability of a successful out from your surgery.

gitrib · Nov 27, 2009

Had both knees replaces about six years apart. First on went great as back milking cows in short order. Did have the new knee cap break after about five years, It was rare so they just put in a new one off going again. I really used the constant motion machine at home and I would set it to staighten my leg outI would do all of the exercises I was told to do. The second knee was done by a new hi-tech surgeon, The other had retired. He had a new replacement. Less cutting and smaller. Would not allow use of contant motion machine. It has been he--- and has never came back. Young guy was asked to leave hospital,
gitrib

Anonymous-0 · Nov 27, 2009

Do the stretching everyday. I had a stationary bicycle and also rode it everyday. Started at 10 minutes and gradually increased it to 35 minutes. The old adage "no pain, no gain" applies to knee replacement rehab.

Fancy Farm · Nov 27, 2009

I have to have a shoulder restored in the next couple of weeks really looking forward to the rehab but I will do it like it needs to be done.
We all need regular real exercise even if nothing is broke.

cadet trooper · Nov 27, 2009

My wife is a PTA and here is her answer: First of all make sure you have the best PT you kind find and exercise is the most important and she doesn't agree with no pain is no gain.Most important exercises are quad sets,straight leg raises- with knee straight -no bend,heel slides,short arc quads- knee on 6 inch roll under knee and straighten knee fully,knee extention- heel on small roll with knee straight- -only start with 2-3 minutes and increase till you can do 10 minutes- this one is VERY uncomfortable- You can usually start on a stationary bike when you can bend your knee to about 103 degrees- be careful will be hard to get around at first.Hope this helps.SHH! she just left the room after typing this poor thing has to have a knee replacement herself soon due to over 25 years on the hospital floor walking up and down the halls doing what she loves the most. Good Luck CT

HENRY E NC · Nov 27, 2009

I have had both knees and both shoulders replaced. Much rather the shoulders. As far as the knee goes, the motion machine is a pia. The first knee I sat in my computer chair with foot on ground and rolled back and forth. Very little pain after a couple of weeks. Second knee 2 years later the same doc said get up and start walking a mile a day. Got rid of walker in ten days and started walking. Went much better. No further rehab . Now the shoulder needed to be stretched to prevent adhesions and those girls just loved to hear me holler. All over in 4 weeks. Just be prepared to have some pain now and then for about 6 month. Friend of mine went to same doc for new knee and was back out rebuilding tractor in ten days and walking a mile each day. We both are/were over 70. Henry

cadet trooper · Nov 27, 2009

Hah! when I needed physical therapy back when I had ankle surgery I said PT should stand for Pain & Torture but they helped me. My wife being a PTA can dish it out but she's a wuss when it comes to her pain but she absolutely loves what she does.

fixerupper · Nov 27, 2009

Fancy, last February I had shoulder surgery for a torn rotor and one reattachment. I was told it wouldn't be fun and it wasn't, but it was well worth it. There was a kind of epedemic of shoulder surgeries around my small community at the time I had mine done and we all turned out OK. I now have full motion and can throw a ball for the first time in five years or so. So suck it up and git-er-done. You won't be sorry. Jim

chevt73 · Nov 27, 2009

Glad to read all this. I'm having my knee replaced on Dec. 28. I guess i better do the therapy.

John A. · Nov 27, 2009

Edd, The "Bottom Line is...The Amount of pain You are willing to stand in Rehab, the New Knee WILL give You in useability and Flexibility! What ever exercises Your P.T. gives you DO IT!!!
I have had Total Shoulder Replacements on both of mine. Basically I have an 1&1/4 ball hitch in each of my Shoulder replacements.
Would not go back to the way I use to hurt. I did everything my P.T. said to do, I am extremely happy with my progress so far, No problems, But I have NOT TEMPTED FATE by being Stupid and do things my Dr. said NEVER again!
Hope this helps!
Later,
John A.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 28, 2009

After reading all the comments and having a complete shoulder replacement one year ago I agree with the advice of, "Do as your therapist directs!!!" Pain.... oh you bet. But if you want to use your joint normally, get through the pain. I told my Dr. I can do anything I want to do except pass an airport security "hazing". I went on a mission trip to Ecuador where I laid a lot of cement blocks and did a lot of manual labor, built myself a 24' x 60' shop building (digging the footing with a "Mexican backhoe") and a lot of other jobs...... only because I did my therapy as I was instructed. Oh, yes, I'll be 70 early next year. I wouldn't even think about going back to the way it was before surgery.

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