Lynda

First topic message reminder :

How's your knee?  

Thank you Eleanor. One thing is for sure, I will NOT go beyond the "burn" (as Jane Fonda used to say) henceforth, I'm sure it did more harm than good.

Tbh, it might be better to go with your instincts. I'm not a physiotherapist, but I should imagine that you know your own body's limits better than a stranger.

Does it feel that it's improving overall, though? Or is it just as bad now as it was when it was first done?

Generally, Caryll, I think it is getter easier. On crutches, I can walk for short distances without a limp which is very encouraging for me. Without crutches, it is still hard work.

I'm seeing the GP nurse tomorrow, but am dreading the physio appointment on Wednesday.

That's progress! It's not been long since your op, so that's really good!

Try to take your mind off of it. Physio only gets easier each time and is easier to deal with if you go into it positively, as hard as that might be.

Physios are in-the-closet sadists, I swear.

But are you feeling any better yet Lynda , hope so on your BD xxx

At the end of all of this, you'll be able to thank them while you throw darts at pictures of their faces!

That's a good idea!

Thank you Dave, and yes I am. It's a slow and gradual progression, but a progression nonetheless.

Thank the physio-terrorists? I'll let you know!

Well, maybe a sarcastic thank you, accompanied by a friendly scowl?

No, I'll be more gracious than that I hope!

It's just that they are just so super-fit young things. It's like having a midwife who's never given birth herself - they really cannot appreciate the effort and yes pain involved unless they have experienced it for themselves.

I'm not saying that all physios should go through knee or hip replacements themselves, but they push you beyond the point of agony and then make you do it again. And the next time you try to do that particular exercise you feel worse than ever because of the build up of lactic acid in the muscle/s and so cannot achieve what was achieved so painfully before, which is discouraging.

Well, I am going to "listen to my body" - go to the point of agony if I must and not beyond and certainly not again right after. And I'll think my body will learn what is gradually being expected of it and I will be able to progress by slow degrees without backward steps.

As you said, they haven't experienced it. You know what you can and can't cope with, so it's important to let them know when you've reached your limit!

I just hope I'll be tough enough to tell them "this far and no farther - today" and why.

Your body, your decision!

Yes. Remains to be seen how I stand up to the "do you want a fully functional knee or don't you" argument.

Won't know until you try!

I'll let you know!   

Good luck!

 

When's your next appointment?

9 am tomorrow. Middle of the night as far as I am concerned, so I will be mega-stiff and half asleep.

However, I am feeling a lot happier with my progress today so am hoping it won't be too bad, so long as I keep my resolve.

I suppose all you can do is try to imagine the future with a pain free knee, rather than the present with the aches & pains!

Do you think you could ask them if there are any small and easy exercises to do at home in order to speed up the healing process?