I went 13 weeks after my knee replacement surgery without using any heat on my knee. I was icing like crazy but never heat. Whenever I had asked my PT I was pretty much given the same answer, "use ice, not heat". My thoughts are that initially ice treatment is a no brainer but after awhile surely heat helps healing? I decided to experiment for a week. I only used ice after my stretches and once a day when I alternated ice and heat. I do 15 mins ice, then 15 mins heat, followed by 10 and 5 min intervals. In the evening mainly while watching tv I used heat. It's now a week later and I have to say my experiment was a success, I'm much improved, my ROM increased 10% and I just "feel" better, I'm now able to do more stretching and strength exercises without swelling. Initially when I cut back on the ice my swelling increased but after three days the opposite happened. Anyone else have experience using heat? If so, how often do you use it, etc.
Interesting!!!! I only used heat for a day or so but immediately noticed the bend was relaxed after the heat - it suddenly felt as though the knee was 'oiled'. I didn't need it again after that. I used flannels rinsed in hot water then kept them warm with a big towel round them. To me it does make sense not to ice just before you're doing stretching, yet none of our physio's at the hospital mentioned heat.
I was told not to use heat in the first 3 months. And If I had to just to use the heat in the back of the knee. I was told because of the metal in the prostectic. However, every PT and doctor are different. J-21370
You were told this by your PT?
Yes, my physical therapist told me that. However, after the third months they started applying heat for 15 minutes while they crunch me in a machine. As you know, every patient, surgeon and PT are all different with different PT techniques. My first PT person told me to she y5 days after my surgery that if I did not start moving faster and doing more excercise that I will have to have a manipulation. At 5 days I could
not lift my leg and I did not know why. The PT kept pushing and insisting to raise my leg - I just couldn't. I asked her to call my doctor and find out why. She did the reason was that they have
numb my knee and leg and since I have Fibromyalgia it took longer to wake up. J-21370
"While they crunch you in a machine"?? Sounds like the pits!
😁😂😀
Did they crunch you or was that an auto spell error!😀😂😃
At eleven weeks I find ice best for the front of the knee and warmth best for the back!
Great suggestion Jenny. I think I'll give that a try. I have a heat pad that I usually wrap around the entire knee.
I think your Psycho Therapists might be related to mine.