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9 weeks Post TKR and looking for a gym routine
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: 3 hours ago | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
@dinoss100 Hmmm! That's an interesting way to practice medicine. At nine weeks post-surgery you are barely healed, full healing takes several months as the implants and bone grow together and muscles, tendons and nerves mend. Does the surgeon not realize how much "junk science" is out there, some of it actually dangerous?
I personally would go back to him and ask for a referral to a Rehabilitation Physical Therapist to get a routine tailored for myself. It might cost a few $$$ in co-pays, but it could save a lot of pain later.
Do you feel comfortable asking? It should only require a phone call or inquiry on your patient portal. @steveinarizona - any input?
Replies to "@dinoss100 Hmmm! That's an interesting way to practice medicine. At nine weeks post-surgery you are barely..."
I asked my outpatient therapist several times for routine, but he didn't provide one. I'll leave that as a comment for their company.
My surgeon realizes the healing takes a year or more. He was very happy with my xray and my checkup, that why he had no restrictions. I agree that they should have a post surgery exercise program. I'll figure out something using all the leg exercise machines at the gym. I'll start with the least amount of weight I can select.
Thanks for your response.
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@sueinmn It depends upon how successful the procedure was.
At 5 weeks my magician told me that I had no limitations but he was aware that I am an 80 YO male and not about to enter the ironman program. I had no post surgery pain. My surgeon had me starting PT in the the third week and that week my therapist measured my ROM at 122 degrees and my extension as flat.
I recently had my six month checkup and, again, he told me I had no limitations. This time I asked him if that meant that I could go on trampolines with my grandkids; he said yes. I asked him if that meant I could run; he said if I want to.
For most TKR recipients, 9 weeks would be too soon. But on an individual case, not necessarily so.
But I agree with Sue. That is no way to practice medicine. I was listening to Dr. Radio on Sirius XM and the docs were talking about "abandonment" and how a doctor should never abandon a patient saying things like "I have done all I can; sorry".
I would suggest having the PT build an exercise routine for the poster and run it by the surgeon but I don't know, in this case, if the surgeon would look at it, understand it, or otherwise use his "skill" to determine if it is safe.
The implant itself should not be a problem. It is the trauma to the bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles that support the knee that have been injured and need to recover.
But this is also a conundrum. It sounds like the poster had an extremely successful procedure to get him this far. So the surgeon must be skilled. So I think I would work with the PT to develop a program and run it by him...in writing...and ask him to approve or modify it as necessary.
I am not usually so uncertain but this is definitely a conundrum.