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Finally broke through a ROM milestone!

Posted , 6 users are following.

justnora
justnora

I've been stuck in the 90's for weeks. 

Went to PT today. Therapist said she was going to have to push on me if I didn’t reach at least 100 degrees today. I don’t know if it was the motivation (or fear of getting pushed on) or I was already there, but I REACHED 100 DEGREES FLEXIBILITY!

I'm having my 2 TKRs done 8 weeks apart. Trying to do all I can prior to getting knee #2 done here in about 4 weeks. 

Celebrating hitting 100!cheesygrin

 

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • mommermom
    mommermom justnora

    Posted

    Yea! All of your hard work is paying off. Good job. You are an encouragement to others.
    • justnora
      justnora mommermom

      Posted

      Thank you mommermom. I only recently found this forum and it has been an absolute lifeline for me. 

      I think it's very important for us to share our successes (and frustrations) so we can support each other. I'm hoping to give back a fraction of what I've already received from everyone in this forum.

      Best,

      Nora

    • mommermom
      mommermom justnora

      Posted

      I found this forum about 2 weeks after my 2nd TKR. I was so discouraged because I breezed through the first one apparently and this one was much more difficult. I just needed to know I wasn't alone and stumbled across this. It was hard not to gauge my success against others but it allowed me to know that I fell in some sort of a range and that the feelings I was experiencing we're perfectly normal. Even though I'm four and a half months post-op I still find encouragement from this. I also hope I can be an encouragement to others. Please share your successes ( and even setbacks) as it really is a help to others. Best wishes.

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 justnora

    Posted

    Good for you...next week 105, 2 weeks after that 110. Don't let anyone tell you it won't keep getting better just cause its stuck. I remember on my 3rd prosthesis I was at 105 for some time. Just because it was my 5th rehab I knew it would happen. Suddenly I was at 117 when the surgeon told me he would be happy wit 110 because I'd had 11 surgeries. The body is a strange and wonderful thing

    • justnora
      justnora Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Thank you. You're right.  And I'll fully admit I was getting super frustrated. I am feeling encouraged to keep plugging forward!

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX justnora

    Posted

    Told ya...  Advances, setbacks and plateaus...which are THE WORST!!!  Glad you got through it.

    PS:  My guy put my heel on a block and pushed down hard on my knee seven times per session 2x/week for 10 weeks.  Went from -14 / +84 to -1 / +123.  Really, really painful but effective.  Now try this...

    To get closer to zero:

    - Lie face down on your bed.

    - Your knee should be ON THE BED not over the edge.

    - Let your leg down and let it hang...gravity will do the rest.

    - Do NOT use any muscles to hold it up!!!  Just let it hang.

    - If you get adventurous, add a 2-pound ankle weight.

    Just remember that gravity is a LAW and that it must be obeyed!!!

    To get past 100, try this...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-heel-slide-exercises-526213

    Use the "belt trick" as described.  Very effective.

    You can do both of these techniques as many times a day as you want.  Helped me get my ROM back in 10 weeks.  Right now, you may only be able to hold a position for 10 seconds.  Fine.  Next time, count to 11.  Before you know it, you'll do 30 and then 60 seconds at a time...just build up to it.

    And if you're having #2 done soon, I'd start rebuilding the current dead quad strength ASAP.  That leg needs strong muscles if the other one's going to be out of commission for a while.  If you can't get to a gym, try squatting on the bad leg only to work on that strengthening; hold onto a chair.  Get a good set of exercise bands (20#, 30# and 40#) and do all the leg exercises in the accompanying booklet.  The door stop that comes with a set lets you adjust the height of the band from floor to over your head for maximum effectiveness.  Get strong!!!!!

    • justnora
      justnora CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Wow, thank you for the great suggestions! I will start trying these today. 

      Totally with you regarding the bands, etc. I have a set here at home and I'll add them to my daily PT stuff. I've also been going to the gym and hitting the recumbent elliptical almost every day for a minute longer per workout. And I've been working with my trainer, who is former US Military Special Ops Medic, on doing everything I can tolerate right now. He kicks my butt, but I know it's for the best. 

      Everyone in this forum is so incredibly helpful. I'm grateful. And in particular, I've bookmarked a number of your posts. 

      Thank you for the suggestions and ongoing motivation!

  • robin15577
    robin15577 justnora

    Posted

    Congrats! That's awesome. So,happy you broke through. It's such a great feeling. Best wishes on knee two! smile 

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