HI Susie,
Agree with Duckfan 3 weeks is early and my bend also went down around then due to swelling. We are all different wouldnt worry yet early days. If its too swollen elevate & ice but do gentle PT as you can and slowly increase. If you overdo it give yourself a day off and if the swelling go down it might be easier.
No harm in phoning Consultant next week if you worried. Not may people need MUA apparently I am told.
You will get there slowly but surely. Let us know how you go
all the best Jan
Thanks Marilyn I started the massage today and it feels strange but has made it feel better already. Thanks for your help x
Thanks and how did you get it to lift? It is like it is impossible. I think we should be given sessions before the operation to suggest how we can prepare e.g. Build quads. I blanked the whole thing out of my mind as so anxious but now regret not doing some research.
The massage feels so good. I use bio oil on mine, it kinda heats up and feels so good. I swear its helping.
You are right it is due to swelling. I wish the PT felt the same as I agree it needs a slow recovery. Maybe they have targets to hit. Your suggestions are spot on. Thanks.
I have the stockings are a pain but consultant insists I keep them on for 6 weeks day and night with a 30 min break every other day. You can't even buy a second pair where I live you have to get them from the hospital. I forgot to do this and the hospital is an hour away. The PT said they fit just stop below the knee and so swelling starts at the knee! Just where I need to bend. Massage helping today and elevation and ice. Thanks for suggestions Chris.
Cynthia I am in exactly your position. I have done everything they have asked and given my recovery my total focus. I do feel like a failure and scared about having to go and have a manipulation. I have avoided reading about it. All the best and let me know how you get on.
I will try the heat before physio Chris. Also my assessments won't physio have all been late in the day and I am at my most swollen then. Maybe a morning appointment will help my scores!!!
Good luck Cheryl, my friends mother climbed Snowdon in Wales at 3 weeks......hard to believe. Thanks for your support.
Thanks Marilyn your comments really helped me x
Thanks Martin. Hard to know what is best but I am exercising about 4 times a day. Leg not lifting is concerning but I think you are right and fear is holding me back. I am considering hypnotherapy to see if it will help.
Your therapist might tell you to tell the meddlers on the blog to mind their own business but personally I think 4 times a day is too much and you will wear out and have a backset. A couple times a day and lots of rest are very important. The body will start telling you you to back off as balance is very important. When you get tired you start hurrying and not doing things completely and that just isn't a positive thing
Boy does the body tell you to back off. I'm in my 10th week and using a crutch sometimes. I've been thinking I can do more so I've been cleaning, washing, putting Christmas stuff away, still, and boy am I sore. My knee swells up when it gets tired of me beating it up. Then I lay down, ice, elevate and nap. I'm still getting frustrated because it seems like I shouldn't have to deal with the pain anymore. I keep telling myself, one year, one year, you've got 10 months to go.
Patience.........
I'm with you duckfan. 10 weeks and I feel like its been 10 months. I get frustrated also, but keep thinking what everyone tells me give it time. I take my cane with if need be but haven't used it for a few weeks now. Yay!!
WOW!! I'd love to be the same. But not coming to Wales to climb Snowdon but I sure do want to be well enough to do it!! Thanks so much
I'm not going to take the laptop to hospital, see how signal goes and when I'm up to it I'll get on the mobile. But I'm in for 3-4 weeks so it may be a while till I can get back on. 5-7 days surgery then 2-3 weeks rehab if you're wondering. (My house is 3 storey) - it's hard work. Thank you all for so much love and positive vibes it means so much to me.
Good luck...you'll do great. Just prepare to have your patience tested because it will happen. Its a process and small increments are the way it goes.
The surgery is easy so don't be afraid. The rehab can be frustrating and hard but soooo necessary. You'll do well and stay in touch with this board when you can. It's invaluable.
My hospital gave me exercises to do before and after the op. One of these were the straight leg raises (from the bed). I must admit I didn't do them religiously though BUT I did do the recumbent bike, which builds quads, as much as I could with two bad knees, so I guess I achieved what I needed to.
My hospital issued me with two pairs, instructions to wash them every three days, and a tube of aqueous cream to lather on under them so save the skin from drying too much. So I had no excuse really! Yes, I could very clearly see where the swelling started where the stockings ended. But I'd expected the whole leg to swell, to be honest, and was pleasantly surprised it was just the knee! I'm 9 weeks post op now and thinking about seeing if my old jeans will fit around the knee. I tried them on a few weeks ago and could get them on but they were a fraction tight round the knee:-)))) I do notice even now when I do the extreme bend thing in the evenings while watching tv that the skin around the knee looks shiny with stretching. Joked to my husband that I'll need 'knee lifts' after this:-))))