After knee replacement surgery

ALL these mails re tkr just reinforce that I will keep pursuing stem cells - even if I have to go out of the country.

ALL these mails re tkr just reinforce that I will keep pursuing stem cells - even if I have to go out of the country.

This fall I'm undergoing TKR, my first. I'm currently talking with Mayo Rochester MN. (Was previously scheduled for 4/14/17 in Roch but 4/11 my appendix burst and I almost bit the dust.) Ten years ago my husband had both of his replaced (in Illinois--we've moved), six months apart.

Ten years ago: he used the passive motion machine for both knees, both in hospital and home; he had an electronic ice machine (like a cooler with a motor) that pumped ice water through the giant pads; he went to physical therapy for a few weeks, that after he had in-home therapy for a couple weeks. But my, how things have changed! Also ten years ago his doctor said if he didn't have TERRIFIC pain control he wouldn't do what he was supposed to and his knees would not heal properly.

For the most part the passive motion machines have been done away with as *many studies showed that a year or two after surgery there was no difference in those who used one and those who didn't. Many docs believe using your own muscles more quickly begins the resuming of strength more quickly. There is more to recovery than degrees of bend; strength matters too. So, no machine for me since doc doesn't believe in them. Guess after wrangling around with that giant machine after my husband's surgery, I'm inclined to think doing without makes sense.

The only people I know lately who've used an electronic ice machine purchased one themselves. I'm assuming this has to do with insurance. ??? They were a God-send for my hubby so I'll be getting one on my own dime whereas he was given (well, insurance paid) a new one with each surgery.

I'm now being told I will not have any official therapy unless my at-home, on-my-own post-op therapy is not productive. My Mayo doc said there are too many too-aggressive therapists, and there's nothing you can't do at home that's done the same with a therapist watching. It's discipline that matters--PLUS being very gentle with the leg that first while, which is apparently when we're most vulnerable to a therapist over-doing things. I have heard stories on both sides of this coin, but more than not people did admit their therapists pushed so hard, the pain was so bad, that they sometimes had to skip the next day's work. (Other side of coin: my husband loved his therapist who he partially credits with how well he did. He also had a terrific surgeon.) I've also heard there is a case to be made that we are more susceptible to infection at therapy facilities. I guess that makes sense.

Today pain meds and their abuse are under fire. However, if you're in too much pain to properly do your exercises, where does that leave you? I do know there's certain amounts of pain we just need to gut through. But good pain control so I can properly exercise will be something I'll go to bat for.

All this to say ... My how things have changed.

I wish everyone well and am firing up prayers and healing thoughts as I type. I notice nobody mentions Doc names. Perhaps there is a rule? It would be great to compare docs' thinking.

ALL these mails re tkr just reinforce that I will keep pursuing stem cells - even if I have to go out of the country.

ALL these mails re tkr just reinforce that I will keep pursuing stem cells - even if I have to go out of the country.

This fall I'm undergoing TKR, my first. I'm currently talking with Mayo Rochester MN. (Was previously scheduled for 4/14/17 in Roch but 4/11 my appendix burst and I almost bit the dust.) Ten years ago my husband had both of his replaced (in Illinois--we've moved), six months apart.

Ten years ago: he used the passive motion machine for both knees, both in hospital and home; he had an electronic ice machine (like a cooler with a motor) that pumped ice water through the giant pads; he went to physical therapy for a few weeks, that after he had in-home therapy for a couple weeks. But my, how things have changed! Also ten years ago his doctor said if he didn't have TERRIFIC pain control he wouldn't do what he was supposed to and his knees would not heal properly.

For the most part the passive motion machines have been done away with as *many studies showed that a year or two after surgery there was no difference in those who used one and those who didn't. Many docs believe using your own muscles more quickly begins the resuming of strength more quickly. There is more to recovery than degrees of bend; strength matters too. So, no machine for me since doc doesn't believe in them. Guess after wrangling around with that giant machine after my husband's surgery, I'm inclined to think doing without makes sense.

The only people I know lately who've used an electronic ice machine purchased one themselves. I'm assuming this has to do with insurance. ??? They were a God-send for my hubby so I'll be getting one on my own dime whereas he was given (well, insurance paid) a new one with each surgery.

I'm now being told I will not have any official therapy unless my at-home, on-my-own post-op therapy is not productive. My Mayo doc said there are too many too-aggressive therapists, and there's nothing you can't do at home that's done the same with a therapist watching. It's discipline that matters--PLUS being very gentle with the leg that first while, which is apparently when we're most vulnerable to a therapist over-doing things. I have heard stories on both sides of this coin, but more than not people did admit their therapists pushed so hard, the pain was so bad, that they sometimes had to skip the next day's work. (Other side of coin: my husband loved his therapist who he partially credits with how well he did. He also had a terrific surgeon.) I've also heard there is a case to be made that we are more susceptible to infection at therapy facilities. I guess that makes sense.

Today pain meds and their abuse are under fire. However, if you're in too much pain to properly do your exercises, where does that leave you? I do know there's certain amounts of pain we just need to gut through. But good pain control so I can properly exercise will be something I'll go to bat for.

All this to say ... My how things have changed.

I wish everyone well and am firing up prayers and healing thoughts as I type. I notice nobody mentions Doc names. Perhaps there is a rule? It would be great to compare docs' thinking.

ALL these mails re tkr just reinforce that I will keep pursuing stem cells - even if I have to go out of the country.

ALL these mails re tkr just reinforce that I will keep pursuing stem cells - even if I have to go out of the country.

ALL these mails re tkr just reinforce that I will keep pursuing stem cells - even if I have to go out of the country.

This fall I'm undergoing TKR, my first. I'm currently talking with Mayo Rochester MN. (Was previously scheduled for 4/14/17 in Roch but 4/11 my appendix burst and I almost bit the dust.) Ten years ago my husband had both of his replaced (in Illinois--we've moved), six months apart.

Ten years ago: he used the passive motion machine for both knees, both in hospital and home; he had an electronic ice machine (like a cooler with a motor) that pumped ice water through the giant pads; he went to physical therapy for a few weeks, that after he had in-home therapy for a couple weeks. But my, how things have changed! Also ten years ago his doctor said if he didn't have TERRIFIC pain control he wouldn't do what he was supposed to and his knees would not heal properly.

For the most part the passive motion machines have been done away with as *many studies showed that a year or two after surgery there was no difference in those who used one and those who didn't. Many docs believe using your own muscles more quickly begins the resuming of strength more quickly. There is more to recovery than degrees of bend; strength matters too. So, no machine for me since doc doesn't believe in them. Guess after wrangling around with that giant machine after my husband's surgery, I'm inclined to think doing without makes sense.

The only people I know lately who've used an electronic ice machine purchased one themselves. I'm assuming this has to do with insurance. ??? They were a God-send for my hubby so I'll be getting one on my own dime whereas he was given (well, insurance paid) a new one with each surgery.

I'm now being told I will not have any official therapy unless my at-home, on-my-own post-op therapy is not productive. My Mayo doc said there are too many too-aggressive therapists, and there's nothing you can't do at home that's done the same with a therapist watching. It's discipline that matters--PLUS being very gentle with the leg that first while, which is apparently when we're most vulnerable to a therapist over-doing things. I have heard stories on both sides of this coin, but more than not people did admit their therapists pushed so hard, the pain was so bad, that they sometimes had to skip the next day's work. (Other side of coin: my husband loved his therapist who he partially credits with how well he did. He also had a terrific surgeon.) I've also heard there is a case to be made that we are more susceptible to infection at therapy facilities. I guess that makes sense.

Today pain meds and their abuse are under fire. However, if you're in too much pain to properly do your exercises, where does that leave you? I do know there's certain amounts of pain we just need to gut through. But good pain control so I can properly exercise will be something I'll go to bat for.

All this to say ... My how things have changed.

I wish everyone well and am firing up prayers and healing thoughts as I type. I notice nobody mentions Doc names. Perhaps there is a rule? It would be great to compare docs' thinking.