Hanging legs over edge of bed to regaining ROM?

[ChrisC]

Aaaarrrggghhhh, this is my third attempt at typing a reply here. The first time I looked up another website in the same tab instead of a new tab and lost my post. The second time, my laptop hibernated itself because I had forgotten to plug it in, and I lost my post. I would cross my fingers but it makes it much harder to type that way. You probably won't believe I teach IT for a living. Anyway .....
I have had second thoughts about whether swinging is a good idea as it seemed to make my knees swollen yesterday. Afterwards I got my partner to push on my legs to bend them and we didn't get very good results at all as they were sore before we started.Today I just dangled my legs for long enough to drink a cup of tea (didn't time it), and hooked my other foot over, changing over from time to time. On measuring I had my best ROM ever in my left leg at 85 degrees. Our measurement might not be as accurate as the PT but it had definitely improved since yesterday. We use a carpenter's folding rule, then draw the angle on a piece of paper and measure off the paper with a protractor. Ours is an old wooden rule but you can get plastic ones from a hardware shop. See link for example:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=71636&ts=48500

I have also been using my minibike more. Yesterday I did 4 sessions of 300 revs then left my feet on the pedals and just pushed up and down, changing legs as they got sore. The minibike is easier to use than a full size exercise bike. I start with it as far away as possible for 50 revs, move a little closer for 50 revs, then a little closer again and do 200 revs. Watching TV at the same time is a great distraction and there is a counter on the bike so you don't have to count in your head. If you are not sure what a minibike is, see link:
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500000701&langId=-1&searchTerms=minibike&x=29&y=10

I will have to buy some ankle weights and see if they will improve things. Anything that might help is worth a go!

[fitnesskitty]

Hi Chris,

Sounds like you are doing great!   Congratulations on your progress!  I am envious!!!!  I am seeing a second surgeon at the request of my current surgeon on Friday, and if he agrees, then I will be having surgery with a scope and possibly a manipulation to restore my ROM next week with the knee specialized surgeon.  I just hope it is successful as it has been two months since my first surgery. 

Congratulations on your progress.  That is wonderful!!!  Keep it up and keep us posted!

Sarah

[tanyap]

hi chris,
when i was in your situation trying to regain ROM I had a big ole military style PT who pushed on my legs - gawd it was sore - but it sure worked!!!
i wouldnt be surprised if you had better ROM today after your partner pushing yesterday.

Sounds like youre doing great - well done!!!
Tanya

[ChrisC]

Thanks! My left leg is just about catching up with my right leg. Unfortunately my right leg isn't making any progress and going backwards if anything. I console myself that even if it needs MUA, one MUA is better than two! My next physio session is Friday afternoon so I want to do as well as I possibly can by then. Back to the minibike now I think.

[fitnesskitty]

Hi Chris,

Good luck!  I really hope everything works out for you!

I am seeing an OS for a second opinion within the same practice as my original OS, as the original one wanted the other OS to give his opinion before doing a surgery.  He will have the new doctor take the lead in my surgery, but both will attend.  The new OS is more of a knee expert than my regular OS.  He thinks I will need a scope and MUA, in the same procedure.  I hope the scope fixes things so they can do the MUA at the same time, so I am scared not knowing what will happen.  I guess I will see what the new OS says tomorrow.  I just hope he doesn't hurt my leg while examining it.  I hate when they do stuff that hurts.  Then I will likely have surgery within a week.  I am read yo to get it over with.  I cannot stand living like this.  I need my life back and I am hoping to work and drive before Thanksgiving.  Wish me luck!

Chris, I hope your PT goes well!  Maybe you will only need one MUA, or none at all!  Maybe you will progress without it.  Best of luck to you!

Take care!

Sarah

[ChrisC]

Saw my PT last Friday and managed to pull 85 degrees by myself on his measurement. He was happy with this as I had only managed 75 last time he saw me. He pushed it to 90 degreees, then got me to pull again and I got about 87. My next target is to pull 90 myself by this Friday.

The bad news is that he seems to have written off my right leg and says "that's as good as it's going to get" (measured Friday at 80 but has been highest 95). On one hand I'm glad he doesn't want to do MUA, but on the other I don't know whether I will be able to cope with that ROM in day-to-day stuff. I will see the OS in December and see what he thinks. Hopefully if he wants to do MUA there will still be time for this before I need to go back to work in the New Year. There doesn't seem to be a strict time limit on when they can be done so if I am struggling I might get to the stage where I would actually request MUA and just take a week's holiday from work to get it sorted out.
Chris

[fitnesskitty]

Hi there,

Glad to hear one leg is doing better.  Maybe you could see your OS sooner regarding the other one.  I am having a scope to clean up scar tissue and an MUA on Thursday of this week.  I am a bit scared but excited at the same time to see my leg bending.  I really am hoping for the best outcome with my surgery and tell myself that it will go great and I will beat this thing with this surgery and some PT.  I am happy to see my leg bend but scared the surgery won't go well or will make things worse.  I will beat this and be better than new.  I really want this to be the surgery that corrects my knee.  I am desperate to get back to my real life.  I can hardly wait to do that.

I wish you the best of luck Chris.  I can post back after my surgery and let you know how it goes and what it was like for me.

Take care,

Sarah

[ChrisC]

Good luck with this Sarah. I have heard that it gives you a tremendous boost just to see your leg bending in a way that you didn't think was possible. There's no way of seeing my OS before December so I will just see how I go on between now and then.

Look forward to hearing from you after your MUA.
Chris

[fitnesskitty]

Thank you, Chris.  I wish you the best in your physical therapy, too.  You have a good attitude and you are working hard and that is all you can do.  I think you will be just fine.  I would probably ask the PT to push the other leg too since you have been getting as much as 96 degrees.  Best of luck to you and I definitely will post after my surgery.

Have a great day.

Sarah

[ChrisC]

Just got back from physiotherapy and I am pleased to announce that I got 90 degrees by myself! He was satisfied with this and didn't push it any further, just said to keep up the good work. Of course this has taken me five weeks post op when some people get it in five days, but I am still "chuffed to me back teeth" as they say round here. Way-hay!!!
Chris

[fitnesskitty]

Hi Chris,

That is really great!!  Congratulations!  I was 10 weeks post op and stuck at 50 degrees.  I had my surgery yesterday and got 80 degrees today at PT!  I am excited.  I had an LOA to clean out scar tissue and an MUA where the surgeon got 120 degrees.  The surgeon wants me at 90 by Monday but I will probably be there by tomorrow.  Woohoo!  We are both making some progress! 

Keep up the good work!

Sarah :-)

[ChrisC]

Well done Sarah. I'm glad it was all worth while. Race you to 95 next week!
Chris

[tanyap]

Well done Chris!!!
You are doing so well!!! You must be chuffed!!!
That sounds brilliant, its great you have a good physiotherapist who is working so well with you.
You know the secret of course dont you??? It ges easier after 90 - the first 90 are the hardest!!!
When you get past 90 you can start kneeling on your bed and leaning back, you'll put much more weight into it that way and get much more stretch.

oh about the 'some people do it in 5 days' - my physiotherapist says this : It doesnt matter how quick your progress is so long as your improvement is steadily moving forwards.

[fitnesskitty]

Hi All,

I got 95 degrees on my CPM machine today, but I have to stop here as I am not supposed to go farther till I see the OS tomorrow morning.  I am hoping to impress him tomorrow.  I am not sure I can get as much on my own without the CPM, but my discharge orders say to get 0-90 on my CPM as tolerated, and I went a few extra degrees for good measure.  I hope I can get as much at PT when I go on Tuesday.  The CPM machine maxes out at 120 degrees.  I am looking forward to getting there.  That is going to be really amazing.  I cannot wait till my ROM is normal and I am walking good and living life again.  I am still hurting a lot when I walk but I assume that will get better over a few days more or so.  I have not been walking a lot because it hurts but I will ask tomorrow if I should be.

Anyway, I hope you are alll having a good day.  Weekends go by so fast, don't they?

Sarah       Hugs!

[tanyap]

Hi Sarah,
wow - well done!!! so now youre even ahead of doctors orders!! I bet the improvement feels fantastic!!!

dont worry a bit about being sore and hurting when you walk, you will probably be like that until you heal up a bit, itll go though. The main thing for you for the next few days is to keep that ROM coming along.

Ill be looking forward to hearing what your OS has to say - he is gonna be thrilled with you.
xx
Tanya