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Warming up knee before doing Physio exercises

Posted , 9 users are following.

simon27733
simon27733

4 weeks after tkr, had setback and just starting Physio again. I was thinking of heating up one of my ice packs in microwave and warming up knee prior to the exercises..

any thoughts welcome

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

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  • nwf477
    nwf477 simon27733

    Posted

    Just wondering why would you warm up an ice pack?? The best thing I have found for swelling and inflammation is an ice pack. Heat is good for lots of things but as far as TKR's go as many times as I have been to therapy no once did they ever suggest heat. I may be wrong but I would think the heat would make things worse. Not implying your wrong I have had 5 TKR's getting ready for # 6 so its not like I have not been thru this.

  • Snoozy69
    Snoozy69 simon27733

    Posted

    Hi Simon, do mean you have a gel pack that you can either heat up or freeze. I have a couple of those   Myself. I find that warming the muscles up prior to exercise is beneficial so you could rest it on your quad before you start exercising. After exercise ice and elevate to keep swelling down x
    • simon27733
      simon27733 Snoozy69

      Posted

      Yes I’ve got gel packs that freeze or microwave, my thoughts were that my knee feels so cold and hard to move that maybe warm it up a little and I may have more pliable knee to start exercising 
    • Snoozy69
      Snoozy69 simon27733

      Posted

      Most definitely, give it a try it can't do any harm. I find it helps X 

  • ann18637
    ann18637 simon27733

    Posted

    I massage my knee with bio oil before exercising it helps me.
    • simon27733
      simon27733 ann18637

      Posted

      the instructions on the bio oil say not to use on broken skin and I’ve not healed up from staples yet
    • ann18637
      ann18637 simon27733

      Posted

      Try vitamin e I've been using it since week 4 now at week 10 and fine. Pt said I could use the bio at wk 4 if I wanted so long as wound not weeping.

  • nwf477
    nwf477 simon27733

    Posted

    I must say I have never heard of warming up the knee prior to exercises?? Never claimed I knew it all but if it works great. I will give it a try once I get home from the hospital.
  • MAT2018
    MAT2018 simon27733

    Posted

    I was told if the incision is not completely closed do not use heat.  My PT folks said around the knee ok but not on the knee.  My incision took 12 weeks to close because of a reaction I had to the glue they used to close it.  I didn't put any ice on my knee before PT but did some warm up exercises.  

  • MAT2018
    MAT2018 simon27733

    Posted

    Having written what I just wrote....I have to say I was VERY, VERY  SWOLLEN.  The PT folks were amazed at how swollen I was so that might of been why they didn't want me to use heat.  

     

    • nwf477
      nwf477 MAT2018

      Posted

      I was told the same thing on a swollen knee the best thing to use is ice heat will have the opposite effect. Not trying to imply anyone is wrong but I have never heard of using heat after a TKR, I would think based on the 5 that I have had someone at therapy would have suggested it. They had me do warm up exercises at first, ride a stationary bike for 10 - 15 minutes then they would massage my knee after that exercises once done ice. Not once did I ever have heat so that is why I am questioning?
  • bobbymac57
    bobbymac57 simon27733

    Posted

    My physio did advise using heat before therapy. Just saying...
  • max07424
    max07424 simon27733

    Posted

    Hi.I also cant understand why you would want to heat an ice pack?, I find using an ice pack certainly helps with swelling, i use an ice pack about 3 times a day (20 minutes) and the swelling has reduced, make sure you dont put the ice pack directly on your knee put a cloth under the ice pack or you might find the ice will burn your skin, i havent tried heat on my knee as i would have thought if your knee is hot already why put more heat on it? we are all different so what ever suits you and it works carry on. good luck. Max
  • laurel65763
    laurel65763 simon27733

    Posted

    6 weeks post op LTKR my physical therapist warmed my knee with a warm pack she put in the microwave and wrapped in a towel, before starting PT. Heat helps to relax/loosen muscles for stretching and movement. After PT she applied an ice pack for ten minutes. Then I put on leg warmers (wintertime) to keep my muscles supple and elevated my leg at home. That was May 2017. My LTKR is strong and pain free. 
    • simon27733
      simon27733 laurel65763

      Posted

      Thanks Laurel

      thats exactly what I was thinking of using the heating pack for

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