Pre Knee Replacement Physio

[Shellybelly]

I am having Total Knee replacement surgery in a few months, so I started the muscle strengthening physio the other day. Normally if I walk for more than 10-15 minutes I suffer that night with knee pain so bad I cant sleep. I did the physio and also that night did the exercises I was supposed to do, but the next day I was in so much excruciating pain. I couldnt walk. I had to hobble with help from my husband. Every movement nearly brought me to tears. My dilemma is, I also have suffered gout in that knee, which is the exact same pain. I know the physio is just a muscle strengthening plan so that my leg will be stronger for after the surgery, but I dont know if the exercises brought on the pain or its the gout. 3 days I suffered. Should the physio be so painful? Or do you think it was gout? I dont know what to do. I want to do the strengthening exercises , but not if it makes me totally incapacitated for a few days each time. ANyone help??

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I am having Total Knee replacement surgery in a few months, so I started the muscle strengthening physio the other day. Normally if I walk for more than 10-15 minutes I suffer that night with knee pain so bad I cant sleep. I did the physio and also that night did the exercises I was supposed to do, but the next day I was in so much excruciating pain. I couldnt walk. I had to hobble with help from my husband. Every movement nearly brought me to tears. My dilemma is, I also have suffered gout in that knee, which is the exact same pain. I know the physio is just a muscle strengthening plan so that my leg will be stronger for after the surgery, but I dont know if the exercises brought on the pain or its the gout. 3 days I suffered. Should the physio be so painful? Or do you think it was gout? I dont know what to do. I want to do the strengthening exercises , but not if it makes me totally incapacitated for a few days each time. ANyone help??

Having had a knee replacement myself, I seriously question the benefit of strengthening the leg before surgery. Obviously, the better total shape you're in the better any surgery will go. However, inflammation will only hinder surgery. The truth is nothing will mitigate the muscle atrophy after surgery due to lack of exercise.

 

[olds]

If it was me, I'd talk to my doctor.

 

[Shellybelly]

Having had a knee replacement myself, I seriously question the benefit of strengthening the leg before surgery. Obviously, the better total shape you're in the better any surgery will go. However, inflammation will only hinder surgery. The truth is nothing will mitigate the muscle atrophy after surgery due to lack of exercise.

Thank you Magnus for your reply.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Thank you Magnus for your reply.

Knee replacement is a good thing. The pain after healing completely disappears. The most important thing is to do the rehab after surgery conscientiously. It will hurt but, it gets better faster. Mind the pain meds. Take them when you need them but, don't rely on them.
Do yourself a favor and don't watch the surgery online.

 

[Shellybelly]

If it was me, I'd talk to my doctor.

Yes Probably a good idea Olds.

Knee replacement is a good thing. The pain after healing completely disappears. The most important thing is to do the rehab after surgery conscientiously. It will hurt but, it gets better faster. Mind the pain meds. Take them when you need them but, don't rely on them.
Do yourself a favor and don't watch the surgery online.

I did actually look at the surgery online. lol. But i was ok with it. I realise I will have pain after surgery, just hopefully not as bad as what im going through now. So you think the pre op physio doesn't really help?

 

[highland145]

@pcgeek11

 

[pcgeek11]

I agree with everything Magnus stated above.

I recently had my knee replaced ( 22 Feb 2019 ). I did no preconditioning before surgery and I do not think it effected the outcome at all. I was back at work ( not a desk job ) 5 weeks & 3 days ( 03 Apr 2019 ) after my surgery. I did do 4 weeks of post op physical therapy three times a week. I also did home therapy every day on my own with suggestions from my therapist.

These are the stages I had after surgery:

Week 1 - Using a Walker. What the hell have I done to myself? Gimping around with a walker, hard to use the toilet and lots of pain. Hint: Take the pain pills before you need them. It is easier to stay ahead of the pain than it is to catch up after it starts. Lots of icing to help with swelling. Get an ice machine! This is what I used, but I got it through the doctor and it was cheaper:
https://www.healthproductsforyou.com/p-breg-polar-care-cube-cold-therapy-system-super-saver-combo-pack.html?msclkid=fa40e0e00ea711fa7bcebd81e95f911c&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Specialties-Physical Therapy Shopping&utm_term=4580771606099683&utm_content=Cold Therapy Cold Packs New

Week 2 - Stepped up to a cane. Pain is better, but gets more intense when sleeping or trying to sleep. Getting around is easier, but I tired easier and sooner than I normally would. Doing better but still wondering if I did the right thing.

Week 3 - Doing much better and actually sleeping through the night with no pain medications at all. The knee only hurts if I overdo my walking or if I twist my knee inadvertently. Still using the cane. Started using the stairs again and driving.

Week 4 - Walking without a cane painless for the most part. Can go up stairs without a handrail and actually climbed a ladder just to see if I could. Knee at this point feels better that the old real knee has in 10 years.

Week 5 - Everything is pretty much normal with the exception of I cannot put that knee on the floor as the knee cap is very sensitive to the pressure. There is still a lot of internal healing left to do. The doctor says it takes about 12 months to be fully healed.

Week 6 - Back at work! The knee replacement and cataract surgery in both eyes are the best two things I have ever done for myself.

I wish you all the best. I hope you have an excellent surgeon as that is the biggest part of your outcome to get the length and angle correct. The rest is up to you.

If you have any questions reply back to this thread and I'll share what I know from my experience. Of course everybody is different.

 

[Shellybelly]

Thank PCGeek for your response. It all sounds very encouraging. I did my first physio 4 days ago, then again at home that night, and have not been able to walk since. Not sure if I over did it or had a gout attack. Am having bloods done tomorrow to see if it was gout. If it was from the physio, I surely will have to take it a lot easier. I am going to get a Recumbent Exercise Bike for pre op physio. They say that kind is the best. I guess some pre op physio cant hurt.

 

[pcgeek11]

Thank PCGeek for your response. It all sounds very encouraging. I did my first physio 4 days ago, then again at home that night, and have not been able to walk since. Not sure if I over did it or had a gout attack. Am having bloods done tomorrow to see if it was gout. If it was from the physio, I surely will have to take it a lot easier. I am going to get a Recumbent Exercise Bike for pre op physio. They say that kind is the best. I guess some pre op physio cant hurt.

Do not allow the therapist to hurt your knee after surgery. Granted it will hurt and be painful after, but some I have seen tend to force things a little too much. If you are not OK with what they are doing make them stop. You are the boss. I stopped my therapist several times.

If they hurt you it causes swelling which will hinder healing.

 

[highland145]

Do not allow the therapist to hurt your knee after surgery. Granted it will hurt and be painful after, but some I have seen tend to force things a little too much. If you are not OK with what they are doing make them stop. You are the boss. I stopped my therapist several times.

If they hurt you it causes swelling which will hinder healing.

Friend had part of his quad torn by the PT. Fun times.

 

[Shellybelly]

Thanks pcgeek. I'll make sure they dont go too far.

 

[pcgeek11]

Thanks pcgeek. I'll make sure they dont go too far.

Let us know how it goes or post back if you have any questions.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I had mine replaced last year.

 

[DReeves]

I just found out last week that my right knee is now bone-on-bone and that surgery is my best option. I've been reading up all weekend on it and concerned about how much help I will need at home, and how quickly is the recovery. I had the ACL in my left knee done 20+ years ago. Does anyone know how the pain level compares to that?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I just found out last week that my right knee is now bone-on-bone and that surgery is my best option. I've been reading up all weekend on it and concerned about how much help I will need at home, and how quickly is the recovery. I had the ACL in my left knee done 20+ years ago. Does anyone know how the pain level compares to that?

Pain level with a knee replacement is definitely higher. That's what drugs are for.

 

[DReeves]

How has your knee been since?

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[MagnusTheBrewer]

How has your knee been since?

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best thing ever although I no longer have that knee.

 

[squirrel dog]

pain for me was a 10 , Change your toilets to right height type , or at least get an extension for your existing toilet , be sure to take a fiber laxative with your pain meds , get a pro type ice pack from walgreens , I bought mine from the pt .