Pool therapy anyone?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hello everyone,

has anyone tried pool therapy to effectively increase ROM after Knee replacement?

when first returning home from hospital, my ROM was 3 degrees extention to 90 flexion. Those numbers were only possible due to heavy use of pain meds. After 20 days home now, my extension is only around 17 degrees and flexion is stuck at about 77.

 

2

Hi Peter 

I started hydro therapy before Christmas and i found it really good! I had no pain at all whilst in the water. 

There was definitely improved range of movement afterwards. Because you will be doing so much exercise you will need to ice afterwards. 

Take your pain meds before you go and enjoy an easier workout! 

3

Thanks suzidownunder, that sounds very encourageing.

4

Yes Peter. Hydrotherapy is highly encouraged after all ops in Australia. Personally I can say it worked a treat with my shoulder by reducing pain within days, not so with the knees re. Pain but definitely with movement. But knees are the worst and it's a long road and after 9 months with one and 3 months with another , I'm still on it. Continue with hydrotherapy, everyone swears by it.

5

Hi Peter.  It's a superb therapy. Walking lengths but maximise knee lift whilst walking. The water resistance really helps.  This significantly helped my previous TKR. I can't wait to get in water again.  It goes without saying, make sure your safe at weight bearing. Another huge help for knee bends was the steam room and sauna. The heat eases muscles. Let us know how you get on.

Robert

6

Hi Peter, I found hydrotherapy really good after my arthroscopy and first TKR.  It is a lot easier doing exercises in water so really helped.  I also made some good friends there - again sharing experiences like on this forum.

7

I am about to start hydrotherapy with a physiotherapist on the 12 th Jan it is usually a routine treatment out here in Australia I am hoping I can increase my extension of my leg as I can't get it out straight but can bend to 90 degrees

8

Thank you so much evekryone for your response. Sounds like this is a very favorable way to go. Hope my physio follows through with it as I will certainly push for it now.

thanks again

peter

 

9

Hi Peter

I'm a bit confused. What is ROM, EXTENSION and Flexion?

I haven't had physio yet so sorry I'm a little uneducated 

Christine TKR 6 weeks 2 days 

10

Pool physiotherapy followed in a week or two by deep water aquacize (wearing a floater belt has been my lifesaver for two TKRs npw!

11

Christine, I am sending you my book today, had to wait for my son to get home as I could not get it to photocopy onto my computer!  I am not sure but I think they are talking about bend and straightening.  We measure our straightening from 0 being the best upwards, or at least that is how my physio does it!

12

Hi Christine ROM is range of movement  Extension is leg up and flexion leg back. Hope it helps

Robert

13

Hi Christine. ROM stands for Range of Motion.

extension refers to the ability to straighten your leg. 0 degrees being ideal

and flexion refrs to the bend in your leg

14

I am 6 weeks into my Post Op for TKR.  10 days ago, I began doing many of the same exercises that I do at my Physical Therapy sessions, in the pool.  The results have been most encouraging.  Although I still have some discomfort, I am back to work tomorrow.  While I understand that it will take several additional weeks to regain an acceptable range of motion and every day gets better, the fact that my foot is still swollen is annoying now that I need to wear shoes!  All in all, quite pleased and this is my second TKR.  I am truly becoming Bionic.

15

Thankyou Liz

I haven't received anything as yet. My email address is in messages

Kind regards

Christine TKR 6 weeks 2 days