topic Re: Physical therapy motivation in Wellness

Physical therapy motivation

Evie2004 — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 00:50:45 GMT

I am about 6 weeks post-op from total knee replacement..I had 4 weeks of in home therapy & now go to PT twice a week..my incisional pain is finally better & I'm able to extend my leg pretty well, but am only at 107 degrees of flexion...my therapist says her goal for me is 120 degrees & I cannot imagine bending my knee that far. Still needing to take rx pain med twice a day & am anxious to get off that.

I totally dread going to therapy..I have no intention of being a marathon runner..I'm 69 years old & had put this surgery off for 3-4 years (my mistake) I just want to be able to walk the equivalent of a mile or so at a time & be able to climb steps when necessary.

But I am totally unmotivated to go back..I am approved for 4 more weeks of therapy.

guess I am just wondering when someone who has had this surgery "turned the corner"

..how long does it take to feel that it has all been worth it?

any motivation will be greatly accepted..thanks..Vickie

Re: Physical therapy motivation

hoosieroriginal — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 01:05:46 GMT

Recovery takes time - please go through with the rest of your therapy - you won't regret it. I've had a torn achilles and 5 hour shoulder surgery. I hated going to my therapy, but I stuck with it and am so glad I did. Listen to your doctor. After my torn achilles, I used to go home and cry thinking I would never walk correctly again,it seemed to take FOREVER, . My therapist pushed me and I'm so glad he did.

Re: Physical therapy motivation

GenXmuse — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 01:32:11 GMT

The surgeon did his job now it's your turn to put in the effort to get the best result from the surgery. Now, go kick some booty!

Re: Physical therapy motivation

Mistreatedbycs — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 01:58:08 GMT

Physical therapy isn't meant to "cure" you, these people show you exercises for you to feel and get better, it's up to you to follow thru.

Motivation? Sit in a wheel chair all your life? Continue on pain meds the rest of your life? Wait for someone to do something for you?

Hope that's motivation itself and if not, find a young good looking stud of a physical therapist and you'll be begging to go there for a year or more.

Hope you feel better, really it's up to you and we can't say anything, you need to do it.

Re: Physical therapy motivation

RedTop — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 03:22:03 GMT

It has been 4 years since my knee replacement; my surgery and outpatient PT was done in the hospital where I worked, so it was like being cared for by my family.

The majority of my physical therapy was done under the guidance of the director of the department. I was always eager and willing to try whatever she had planned for me. My bend and flex measurements were beyond her expectations after only a few weeks, but I continued to do strengthening exercises, and loved pushing weights. I never lost my motivation because my therapist mixed up the sessions so much that I was never bored. Perhaps someone else needs to work with you, and change your routine.

I suffered for 13 years prior to making the decision to have surgery. I was 56 and thinking I was not going to be able to walk within another year, and was determined I was going to fix myself, get my life back, and NOTHING was going to get in my way. By saying "you just want to be able to do this and this" sounds to me like you are willing to settle for the least amount of rehab to achieve that goal. Regardless of your age, you owe it to yourself to push for the maximum expectation; surprise yourself by finding inner strength you didn't know you possessed, and push yourself as far as you can.

Five years from now you do not want to be experiencing weakness or any other issue that would fall back on your physical therapy and you knowing deep down that you did not push yourself hard enough during your initial sessions. Just do it, so that you look back and have pride in yourself for fighting hard to get your life back. Best wishes to you!

Re: Physical therapy motivation

number one queen — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 04:32:15 GMT

Here is my story,I had a fracture knee and tibia, I spent 3 weeks in hosp. 3 months in a leg brace straight ,could not bend it, and in wheelchair at home. I then needed a total knee,because, it did not heal right. Lahey, near Boston, has a unique pre- op, you go for one day and all your work is done that day. I was told what would happen and given a booklet with exercises that I should start before surgery. These were the core exercises,that I would be doing after the operation. I did these and had the surgery,I came home had the visiting nurses 2-3x's a week and a physical therapist 2 x's a week, for approximately 6 weeks. During this time besides the nurse, few friends I was alone all day, my husband worked came home to me at night. I did these exercises multiple x's a day, Iwas able to ride the bike all the way around on my 1st visit. These core exercises and the stretching are so important,you must do these ! Yes , I don't tolerate pain well but I took my pain Meds before physical therapy and I use a lot of ice. My physical therapist gently but firmly told me what I needed to do all the way through my journey. You need a supportive therapist ,it is worth going up the stairs and walking, age does not define you , Get Going! Ps I had it done in Dec. the following Nov. I had the second one done. I am a few years younger than you, still want to enjoy life!

Re: Physical therapy motivation

kismet — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 04:42:08 GMT

buckeye mom,

I've been through 2 knee replacements and you have to keep going with physical therapy. I know it's painful and sometimes you don't feel like doing it but if you don't you'll have stiff knees and that's not good. You went through the surgery so now it's your job to make sure you get the best outcome from it. I knew what was expected of me when I had it and my doctor talked to my husband after the surgery while I was in recovery telling him I must exercise and do what has to be done. Strange since I knew all of this and my husband would be the one that wouldn't do what he had to do. I had therapy come to the house for a week and then was able to out to physical therapy. I was 64 when I had the first knee done and 65 when I had the second knee done. It's hard and one day you'll hit a point where you will be at 120 and feel great. It just takes time and everyone is different.

If you remember when you came out of surgery you couldn't bend the knee at all then in a few days you could a little. It hurt but things were looking up. Think of the long term goal and go for it. The day will come when you'll get there. Don't look back, look forward.

It took me time to realize I could do a lot of what I couldn't do before the surgery. Somethings as easy as stepping on rocks in the garden I hestitated to do. I was in the habit of avoiding this because before surgery it hurt so bad. It takes time to do steps and one day you'll do things without thinking. An example is I would see my GP and he would ask me to get up on the table and I would say I would rather sit in the chair. I couldn't get on the table without pain. One day he said to me "did you notice you just jumped up on the step and got on the table".

Be sure to go to physical therapy as directed by your physician. I went 3 times a week for the first month then 2 times a week from then on. PT wanted me to come for 3 months so I did. There were times I felt stiff when I went but by the time I left I felt a lot better and my knee was not as stiff. I did exercise every day at home twice a day on the days I didn't go. I didn't mind cause I knew I was getting better. I was told I could take Aleve with my pain medication. I never used all the pain medication because I don't like taking them. Make sure you ice. I also had a large massager, I purchased it when I had stiffness after a meniscus tear, years before. I found using that on my thighs worked well and took some of the stiffness out of my knee. Just used it on the thigh and not the knee. Also, was told to massage the incision with my fingers to smooth it out so it heals flat. It works.

After surgery there is no easy way to get back to normal. You can do it if I can. I had pain for so many years that I would of done anything to not have it.

Good Luck, every day will be easier.

Re: Physical therapy motivation

SeaMaiden — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 12:23:13 GMT

@Evie2004 wrote:
I am about 6 weeks post-op from total knee replacement..I had 4 weeks of in home therapy & now go to PT twice a week..my incisional pain is finally better & I'm able to extend my leg pretty well, but am only at 107 degrees of flexion...my therapist says her goal for me is 120 degrees & I cannot imagine bending my knee that far. Still needing to take rx pain med twice a day & am anxious to get off that.
I totally dread going to therapy..I have no intention of being a marathon runner..I'm 69 years old & had put this surgery off for 3-4 years (my mistake) I just want to be able to walk the equivalent of a mile or so at a time & be able to climb steps when necessary.
But I am totally unmotivated to go back..I am approved for 4 more weeks of therapy.
guess I am just wondering when someone who has had this surgery "turned the corner"
..how long does it take to feel that it has all been worth it?
any motivation will be greatly accepted..thanks..Vickie

@Evie2004

I had Bilateral total knee replacement in 2013.... at about 8 weeks is where I say I turned the corner.... but it can take up to two years to see complete deep tissue healing. Along the way you may have occational aches and pains... for up to three years following surgery.... know that these are normal in the healing process.

Now just at three years out, I have absolutly no pain... am walking hours a day and doing all the things I use to do. Hang in there.. you are almost to that turning point!

As far as getting THAT BEND... the better the bend the better your knee will be when totally healed. It does make a difference to what you can do just in everyday activities to have a good flexition.... it affects everything including just how you walk and can affect your back and such as well.... I am going to make the suggestion to take the "GIFT" of four more weeks of PT. You will find that it will become easier as the swelling goes down and when you are where I am at 3 years out, you will be thankful you hung in there and took advantage of the PT. I know it sounds like alot as far as numbers to reach... but you can do it with the encourgement of your physical therapist. Best wishes to you!

Re: Physical therapy motivation

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 12:40:29 GMT

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Re: Physical therapy motivation

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 14:29:27 GMT

@Evie2004 wrote:
I am about 6 weeks post-op from total knee replacement..I had 4 weeks of in home therapy & now go to PT twice a week..my incisional pain is finally better & I'm able to extend my leg pretty well, but am only at 107 degrees of flexion...my therapist says her goal for me is 120 degrees & I cannot imagine bending my knee that far. Still needing to take rx pain med twice a day & am anxious to get off that.
I totally dread going to therapy..I have no intention of being a marathon runner..I'm 69 years old & had put this surgery off for 3-4 years (my mistake) I just want to be able to walk the equivalent of a mile or so at a time & be able to climb steps when necessary.
But I am totally unmotivated to go back..I am approved for 4 more weeks of therapy.
guess I am just wondering when someone who has had this surgery "turned the corner"
..how long does it take to feel that it has all been worth it?
any motivation will be greatly accepted..thanks..Vickie

@Evie2004

I just read your post twice and still am not clear as to WHY you are reluctant to go back.

Are you afraid of more pain? What is holding you back?

Re: Physical therapy motivation

hckynut — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 17:05:49 GMT

@Evie2004

I have been to so many physical therapy sessions there is no way to count the number. I do remember my 36×36 Cardiac Rehab Therapy Sessions, with my 2 heart attacks.

As an athlete I expected a lot of them. I actually did much more of my rehab at home. Maybe because I was eager to get back to my hockey/running and skating, i have always kept myself motivated, regardless of the type of injury.

Were they painful for me? Sure they were, but I quickly learned my limitations, and stayed within the parameters of knowing good pain from bad pain. That kept each session showing improvement. I learned very early in my athletic ventures, to never rush the process. It took me many setbacks from injuries to understand that many times "Less is More"? My problem was in keeping myself back from doing too much.

I am older than you, but a lot of my therapy sessions were at an older age than you. Everyone has to find their own motivation. Mine was and always will be my ease of mobility and keeping active. Having always been an optimist, I always look at the good parts of all my therapy sessions, not the bad.

Any joint problem or spinal problems that need therapy? I do not know even 1 of them that is not both physically and mentally painful. I have seen first hand what happened to many that did not follow the recommended therapy, and none of them did well.

Even when I got back to 100%, I never quit doing the preventive exercises necessary to keep my same flexibility and mobility. To me those are as important as the recovery therapy I had done to recover.

I can't motivate you, I can only tell a synopsis of my many PT sessions. Each person has to set their own personal goals and hopefully that leads to their motivation.

Good luck to you,

hckynut(john)

Re: Physical therapy motivation

AnotherView2 — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:16:13 GMT

My SIL is unbalanced, in pain, and has a weak knee to this day because she dropped out of PT soon after her surgery and also didn't do any of the assigned "homework" daily exercises.

Your compliance is critical to become pain free and have a good result.

I also know two other people who dropped out and had bad results.

It's risky to drop ou t and not do the assigned home exercises.

Even if you think it's good enough now, it isn't. You also run the risk of it not healing properly to the point where it's worse or as bad as it was prior to surgery since it won't heal well.

Re: Physical therapy motivation

Evie2004 — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:22:21 GMT

Having reread the comments, thanks to all who responded..I am in the process of being thankful that I have the availability of PT, I had a good session yesterday & am going to try my hardest the next few weeks. I think I was just disappointed in my progress so far, my therapist gave me lots of encouragement, so thanks for your comments & tales of your successes.

Re: Physical therapy motivation

tansy — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:31:45 GMT

@Evie2004 wrote:
Having reread the comments, thanks to all who responded..I am in the process of being thankful that I have the availability of PT, I had a good session yesterday & am going to try my hardest the next few weeks. I think I was just disappointed in my progress so far, my therapist gave me lots of encouragement, so thanks for your comments & tales of your successes.

I was just going to suggest that you try another therapist to see if you can enjoy the sessions more. Do the exercises at home, maybe broken down into small bits, every day. The more bend, the better. I agree with SeaMaiden that it all feels worthwhile by week 8 and that your knee will keep improving for a good year. @Evie2004@

Re: Physical therapy motivation

Evie2004 — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 02:20:50 GMT

Thank you Tansy, I am going to try my best these next few weeks..& hopefully will have some good news to report soon...

Re: Physical therapy motivation

Zhills — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:39:28 GMT

I was in a really bad auto accident several years ago and was told that I would never walk without pain again.

I met a wonderful Physical Therapist who gave me my life back and I have been pain free and pain pill free for 10+ years now.

I swear by PT.

Re: Physical therapy motivation

debcakes — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 03:07:49 GMT

@Evie2004, I feel certain you will begin to enjoy your therapy and see more progress. I, too, am 6 weeks out from a TKR. I only got 4 weeks of therapy and really liked it. It was more motivating for me to go to the therapy and have them telling me what to do. I actually would have liked to have a little more time to work on stairs. I did get to the 120 in 4 weeks, but still can't go down stairs any better than before the surgery.

Everyone requires different work outs and a different amount of time to recover. Have patience and be kind to yourself. Do what the therapists say and you will get there.

Re: Physical therapy motivation

Evie2004 — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 21:58:50 GMT

Am posting this about about a month after my "dreading my PT", following knee replacement in April..well, I just finished PT, was not fun even though I had a great therapist..she continued to encourage me with every visit..

I did not make her goal of 120 degree flexion, but I am ok with that..I have 3 specific exercises that I try to do twice a day..& am working on increasing my walking time & distance. My husband reminds me that we weren't able to go on our vacation last summer, due to my knee..we are hoping to go somewhere in a few weeks, when our weather cools off some.

I feel I am 50% better than I was before, but, in all honesty, it has been tough & I wish someone (such as my Dr, a nurse, or the joint class I attended) had prepared us better, that it can take up to a year for deep tissue healing to occur. My scar is a non-issue for me. So, hopefully everyone that is considering this surgery, be patient, do your PT, & don't feel guilty for asking for pain meds, as long as you need them..good luck to everyone dealing with crappy knees (& hips) 😊

Re: Physical therapy motivation

HappyDaze — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 02:34:19 GMT

gosh I just think about PT differently. It wasn't a chore for me at all because I dreaded the alternative- a lifetime of disability and inability to walk again. That scared me. I considered it a lifeline to live a more normal life again. I was happy to do it. It was hard work but I saved myself from potentially life-altering operations and a life-time of debilitating pain. I still do exercises they gave me. Please don't take it for granted- you are lucky that you have the option and to take part in your own health and recovery. Many people would love to have or have had that option.

ETA: I do want to add that I had to go through a few therapists before I found one that actually made a difference in my pain and mobility. If you feel you aren't getting stronger day by day and you aren't "meshing" well with your therapist, please try another. Once you find a therapist that actually understands your condition and helps you improve with every visit, even just a little, I think (hope?) your opinion on PT will be much different.

Re: Physical therapy motivation

Classylady — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:53:32 GMT

I'm sorry you are in so much pain but you need the therapy. And I know that deep down you know it too.

I'm 4 weeks post op for major shoulder surgery and the pain is horrible. I was almost in tears yesterday when I left t herapy. I have several months left and I'm going to do them even if it makes me cry.

So please finish so you can walk without pain.

Good luck