Posted , 8 users are following.
I had a PKR - 5 weeks ago and have had a single physiotherapy session - 2 weeks ago - the physio has left me with an "open appointment" - which concerns me - I was expecting a few weeks/months of ongoing physio appointments and wonder whether this is common practice ?
0 likes, 11 replies
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louiselost steve83568
Posted
You should have it twice weekly for two weeks and then evaluated - keep at them because you need strengthening - your
physio seems clueless....
CHICO_MARX steve83568
Posted
Don't know the protocol for a PKR. I had a TKR...two weeks home...then 9 weeks PT 2X/week. Went from -14 / +84 to -1 / +128. Gotta break down the scar tissue...but it may be different for a partial.
sandybug steve83568
Posted
Dcweather steve83568
Posted
I would only worry if you haven't been given exercises to do at home because that is all it is really, here in the UK anyway. I had a TKR six weeks ago, was given a piece of paper with exercises to do having been shown them in hospital. Then saw Physio after staples removed, then again after 4 weeks a visit to Physio who had a look, a bit of a massage and a few stretches and gave me a new series of exercises. Said all was good and instructions not to overdo it or walk without one crutch and come back in three weeks which is next week.
So it does seem bad not to get seen at all but doing the basic exercises is the main thing i think.
debbie72922 steve83568
Posted
Hi Steve
Had pkr May 19, they would not send me to PT nor could I private pay without a script . They gave me exercises to do at home and I went on line as well .
I a
Just keep working at it at home diligently and then rest and ice . It'll come.
Debbie
lynn15111 steve83568
Posted
Is that "open appt." suppose to mean come in when you need reinforcement or them to check on your progress? Seems to leave too much on your shoulders.
steve83568
Posted
Pain is now worse than at 2 weeks post op !
lynn15111 steve83568
Posted
I'd say increase your pain meds because that way it's a tool, so you can still do the exercises without the pain dictating a normal response to back off. Obviously if you swell more then it is too much. Let that be your guide as to what is too much. Here's a good one to do every hour: sit in a chair with wheels and slide forward and back so your knee is bending and extending. Set a goal and increase the number of times as long as your knee doesn't start to swell. Continue to ice and elevate. I found icing also helps with breakthrough pain when the pain meds aren't in full force. Small gains over time by being consistant. I was told there will be increases in how far you can bend the knee up to two years post op. <Patience> and lots of hugs.
John5006 steve83568
Posted
Hi Steve,
My experience is almost the same as Dcweather ! I am in Cornwall, UK - I was operated on for a partial knee replacement as an NHS patient in a private hospital in Nov 2015. At a pre op assessment I was given a booklet of pictures showing all the exercises I needed to do as well as their frequency. I wasn't happy with this so went on Youtube and searched for knee replacement exercises - got heaps of short videos showing what was to be done. Did all my exercises at home for 8 weeks - in fact I dedicated 8 weeks of my life 24/7 to exercises AND stayed on my crutches till my 8 week appointment with Consultant. My stitches were staples and self disolved themselves. 13 days after surgery I had my dressing removed and a week later had my one and only PT assessment. I might add I wasn't allowed home from hospital until I had achieved a 90 degree bend.
In a nutshell, no, I don't think you've had the appropriate PT advice and care. During the 8 weeks I very gently, slowly increased my walking - still on two crutches. I also went to my sports injury therapist who massaged both the wound along the scar line and the knee itself to prevent the formation of scar tissue.
Job done - at 8 weeks i was off crutches, back to driving my car, and at 11 weeks back to work driving a bus. Haven't looked back since. Last visit to Consultant was at end of February and he was so pleased he didn't wanna see me till 1st Anniversary of surgery, i.e. Nov 2016.
John
steve83568 John5006
Posted
I have had no physio at all - jiust given a hand writteb scrawl of excercises to do and left to it
I had an appt wiith a nurse last week (9 weeks post op) with another in 12 months
THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE HAD !
My bend is 120 degrees though
CHICO_MARX steve83568
Posted
Twice a week with a PT plus home exercises until you can get the maximum flexion you can achieve. The goal is usually 0 / +120 but the elderly and people with previous knee/leg impairments may not get that far.
It's painful when they crank your leg back or push it down but that breaks up the scar tissue that's forming inside. Gotta do it...no real alternative except walking with a limp forever. This may help at home...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-heel-slide-exercises-526213
If you have that flexion already, start at the gym...you have to rebuild your quads, glutes and core. Recovery doesn't end with PT.