Well, I survived the arthroscopy........but I'm not so sure about the PT...

These look easy, don't they?

Well, they aren't!

I'm thinking my left leg is so weak from months of favoring it that I'm hurting trying to do these...

Well, the only thing to do is just do them, and I am...

OUCH.

That which does not kill me, makes me stronger, or so I'm told.

You do tango don't you? :)

Glad to hear it went well. :hug:

Alas, I don't tango...

But I do like to dance around when my husband plays the piano!

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

You're right...

They want me to do 10 reps, in 3 sets.

I just started today. I know I will get stronger...

Eventually...

Thanks!

and how much it's supposed to hurt. Take your time. Keep a daily log on how you feel because it will help you chart your progress. When you get discouraged, you can look at the log and see that you've made progress even if you don't think you have.

He also waited about 3 more weeks longer to start physical therapy than the dr wanted him to.
He just hurt too much.
he just didn't feel ready to start, so he waited. After he started physical therapy, he did just fine. Has not one problem now with that knee.
The dr didn't like him waiting, but he wasn't the one hurting.

At first, the dr didn't even understand why so much compliant of a problem in the first place because it couldn't be seen on the scans and x-rays, etc..
But when they went in for surgery, they found the tear. I never have quite understood that.

I didn't realize they blow out your leg muscles to fix your knee. ouch.


hope you feel better :fistbump:

very athletic - we were very competitive - had knee surgery @age 45. Didn't do what the doc said - was out playing ball within a few days.
Screwed it up for life.

BTW do you need 3 legs for the bottom exercise?

Yes, it's hard; yes, it's painful, but IT DOES WORK.

Last summer I developed runner's knee after taking up the activity at a relatively older age. The pain was so bad at times that I literally just wanted to take a saw and do a self-amputation. I went to the orthopod, who gave me a two page list of exercises to do twice a day, plus a prescription for pain meds. I did the exercises faithfully, and about two weeks later I saw a marked improvement in my knee -- I stopped with the pain meds -- and about a month later I was back to normal.

(The exercises I was given, in fact, included the two you show above. I did the top one by stretching my foot and leg with a towel.)

Keeping things loose and active is key to healing. In addition, the exercises may tone you up a bit and help with your overall fitness. I've incorporated most of the exercises into my pre-running warmups.

This is a good thing you're doing, so work through it and think how much better you'll feel when it's all said and done.\

Hang in there.

My dear CaliforniaPeggy!
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You almost certainly know from your nursing experience the value of PT
and the problems only recognized down the road if the patient does NOT
follow the regimen.
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It probably should hurt (as in "it's natural", but if it's eye-popping,
stifle a scream pain... definitely check with your doctor.
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I'll be cussing out the PT people myself in less than a week, I'd imagine.
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Take care of yourself.
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:hug:
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It really does.

I refer many of my chronic pain patients for PT. Better than having them on narcotics for the rest of their lives...

just the thought of getting up and down from the floor hurts me!:rofl:

I think once I was down I could probably do the exercises, though. Had to get on the ground yesterday to look at something under the truck and after I saw I just laid there for ten minutes contemplating getting back up.

Keep it up - the suggestion of a journal above is a good one. Or just come here and let us know how its going every day:P

Incidentally, daughter tore ACL skiing, so after surgery went to PT. Was so impressed with the folks and process, she thought of obtaining Masters in PT. Changed her mind, and she's about to finish her Masters in OT!

I appreciate all the good words and suggestions!

The pain isn't so much pain, as discomfort from using muscles that haven't been used much lately. I tried the exercises with my right leg, and that leg is MUCH stronger.

I plan to keep at it. In fact, every time I walk in here to get online, first I'll make sure I do them. Then playing on DU will be my reward!

So, I've already done these once. The doc wants me doing them 3 to 4 times daily.

Love you all!

:hug:

But it does get easier. And I'm SO glad you came through the operation well.
Hugs and vibes...

it won't hurt and you'll be doing fine.
I say this having crushed 5 vertebrae and doing PT religiously. I've had other aches and pains but I've never had any more back problems.

It worked for me and I'm very lazy with a low threshold for pain. good luck.

The PT does get easier. Don't push yourself. Do what you can every day. If you feel pain, stop and resume the next day. Knees are always a challenge, but they do return to normal.

Slow, easy and constant. You'll be back at the Saturday Night Dance before you know it.

:hug::thumbsup:

Otherwise, we might not have heard from you! ;)

:hug: Keep on kickin'!