The "Bend" - how do I get there?????

Morning Robert

I would like some bend at all!!!!.   No that is an exaggeration!   I can slightly.  I feel as though I am doing things very ad hoc though.  Since joining this group I realise the importance and relief of icing - nothing was mentioned to me about this.   I had been cutting down on my medication as I found the general daily and nightly pain copeable.   But this has meant that I could not cope with all the exercises and may have allowed myself not to push with some exercises.  I am now going to up the meds and push harder - I hope.

I am in Birmingham UK and under the ROH which is supposed to one of the best - at the moment the support for me makes this debateable.

best wishes

I live in Walsall UK. I was lucky my Doctor put me through Little Aston, rather than Walsall Manor Hospital. Which they do so many NHS list each week. I cannot fault them. I have just carried on each day, pushing myself unless my body said different.

All the best Lynn.

Morning Federico

I dont know what to say to that - seems daft not to see the man who did the work.

I am really determined to achieve a better bend and will not rush.  Yes we all heal and achieve at differing rates but I feel as though I am groping in the dark and just 'having a go'.   I can straighten my leg flat with no problems now.   so my questions will include - are there other things I can do or should I do more of...........?

This group has given me so much information and it worries me that there are others out there who like me would just drift until necessity and knowing that things are not right causes us to search the internet.

Good luck with your recovery you sound so positive!

I just spent 6 weeks in pt 3 X's a week. I too was not achieving the bend I needed. My surgery was 3/18 and I had manipulation done on 4/27. 3 days after the mua the bend was there but it soon was list. The pt worked too aggressively on my leg. He jammed my leg every time I was there. At times I was brought to tears. It swelled and was so painful my dr pulled me from pt for 3 days. I decided I needed to find a new pt person . Monday was my first day with Bob. He said until I strengthen the muscles - quad and ham string I won't get range of motion. He said my muscles were weak. After 6 weeks of pt! I was not happy. So the first visit I layed on a table. Towel rolled up under my knee. Squeezed my quad and ham string while pushing the back of my knee into the towel. He had me stop all exercises I had been doing ( all wrong he said). And wants me to strengthen the muscles first. He measured after first visit I was at 80. I had never been above 65. Muscle strengthening seems to be first and foremost. Then everything else will fall into place.

Thank you so much - I am now after pt support from the hospital!

Lynn,  you. At exactly where I was in recovery.  Once flat...then you have to strengthen you muscles to get your bend.  Squats holding onto chair...do not let you knees come over feet..squat back like you are going to sit in chair.  10 per set, 2 sets a day.  Stand in front of counter...raise up on toes...same 10 per set 2 sets a day.  Also the pushing down exercise Linlee mentioned.  Leg lifts....do mine in bed.  Tighten thigh and lift leg 6 to 8 inches off bed hold for 3 count...2 sets 10  2 times a day.  Once you get used to these...which will be a while...then add 2 of each till you work up to 20 per set.  Take time adding...I added 5 of each and over did it.  Also, I got a large rubber strip from physical therapist....I tied it to the step post in the house and do stretches....band around ankle on back...tighten thigh muscle...pull band backwards...then turn around and do them forward..tighten thigh muscle first.....then put both feet inside and operated leg on outside pull out to side.....started with 5 of each 2 sets a day.  I also walked outside daily as weather permitted.  Broke a band....so you can take an old t-shirt that is stretchy and cut a band...may need to tie two pieces...just knot it hard...if no post to use....then shut a knot in the door.  

These are the exercises I did at PTherapy and in 2 weeks my bend doubled.  Then I borrowed a stationary bike and added it to routine...if u get one start at 6 minutes. Only one time a day.

hope this helps.

pam

Pam thank you for these exercises. I'm looking to add strengthening to my new pt regiment. My muscles are weak from 6 weeks of poor pt with therapist. Thank you again. Hopefully I will be progressing now.

Linlee,  you are welcome.  I found it interesting that these exercises seemed so easy to me.  I started them at 5 weeks po.  But they work.  Prior my in home PT had me put cups on the floor and step over them also....8 solo cups....the plastic throw always.  Set them in groups of 2 just far enough apart to step over....go over 4 times each way.  Then stand beside them and step over side to side same 4 times each way,  next is harder to explain, but here goes it...take every other cup slide it to line up inbetween the other ones, but keep them where you will step over all the cups one foot at a time, like setting up tires to run thru by stepping in them.  Same 4 times each way....this makes you bend to step over the cups.  When you get used to them add more...I worked up to 8 times each way.

hope it makes sense...good luck.

Pam

It does make sense. ..After reading it a couple times..lol. Thank you!

Interesting, Pam, and many thanks for all your exercise ideas I will add them gradually to my routine, at the very least I shouldn't be bored ( trying to work out the cups etc ...lol ) and hopefully they'll help my strength and mobility.

This place is great! 

Many thanks again

Just got back from 2nd pt appt with new pt. I measured 90! 80 on Monday! I am beyond excited! I'm making progress! ! Can't wait to start the exercises you suggested! Thnx again Pam!

They will...the cups I did at 2 weeks po and kept doing till 7 weeks.  They will help with your strength and balance.  I did them with a cane at 2 weeks.

You are very welcome...they will improve your bend.  They are all considered muscle strengthing and balance improvement.  So happy for your increase in bend...keep up the good work.  Pam