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PT for how long?

Posted by dna41 @dna41, 4 days ago

I had my TKR on March 9, 2026. I had PT in my home 1 or 2 times a week until the end of May. Then I decided that I didn't need any more and I let the therapist go. Should I have gone longer? What is the common length of time?

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dmk | @dmk | 2 days ago
In reply to @dna41 "@covidstinks2023 I think I am doing quite well. My range of motion is very good. My..." + (show)
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@covidstinks2023 I think I am doing quite well. My range of motion is very good. My main complaint now is balance. Also, my other knee needs a TKR so that makes it hard for me to tell how well I am doing because I'm still experiencing pain with stairs. squats, etc. I just didn't know what the suggested time-frame for PT was.

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@dna41 everyone is different I was in therapy 6 weeks pre TKR to strengthen then 5 months post TKR therapy. Yes balance for me was an issue of which my PT addressed. A good therapist knows when you are ready to be discharged five years later I’m getting ready for the other knee to be replaced and I do find balance is issue at times again which my pt will address

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sstopalian | @sstopalian | 1 day ago
In reply to @gallari "PT DURATION TOTALLY DEPENDS ON THE PATIENT." + (show)
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PT DURATION TOTALLY DEPENDS ON THE PATIENT.

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@gallari Cannot stop PT whether physical therapy or personal training. need to exercise forever.l

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gallari | @gallari | 1 day ago

Agree but PT and EXERCISE are different things. You understand.

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dna41 | @dna41 | 1 day ago
In reply to @fwintracy "You’ve gotten lots of good commentary and information imo. I had two TKRs (one in Jan..." + (show)
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You’ve gotten lots of good commentary and information imo. I had two TKRs (one in Jan 23, one in Jan24). I have continued to stretch and strengthen to this day. I try to go to yoga class at my local YMCA once or twice a week, and work out (cardio and weights) 2-3 times a week. I also stretch my knees every night as I go to bed.

My surgeon (a friend of mine) told me that I would always know that these “are not my God-given knees”. I get it now. If I let up on the stretches and workouts, the stiffness returns. Will this change with time? I don’t know but I suspect not.

The good news is that this activity is good for me as I age (I’m 69). Further, any discomfort is significantly less than the pre-op pain levels. Any hopes I had (thankfully?) of becoming a couch-potato in my later years are dashed.

Keep working and be thankful that, hopefully, you’re now more mobile and in less pain than before. Best of luck to you.

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@fwintracy Thank you for your comments. I used to love doing yoga and pilates but I can no longer get down on the floor. If I somehow manage to get down, I cannot get up. It's a real problem for me. Are you able to kneel?

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 1 day ago
In reply to @dna41 "@fwintracy Thank you for your comments. I used to love doing yoga and pilates but I..." + (show)
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@fwintracy Thank you for your comments. I used to love doing yoga and pilates but I can no longer get down on the floor. If I somehow manage to get down, I cannot get up. It's a real problem for me. Are you able to kneel?

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@dna41 This would be an excellent reason to work with a PT for a few weeks. One of the dangerous things about aging is being unable to get up from the floor or ground. It is a skill I work on all the time. I may not look graceful getting, but I can do it. Right now I am working on doing it one-handed as my new wrist is in a cast, and will be non-weight-bearing for several months during rehab.
Have you talked to your PT or a Yoga instructor about getting up?

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Tracy | @fwintracy | 1 day ago
In reply to @dna41 "@fwintracy Thank you for your comments. I used to love doing yoga and pilates but I..." + (show)
Profile picture for dna41 @dna41

@fwintracy Thank you for your comments. I used to love doing yoga and pilates but I can no longer get down on the floor. If I somehow manage to get down, I cannot get up. It's a real problem for me. Are you able to kneel?

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@dna41 My favorite yoga instructors constantly emphasize “modify for you” or reminding us that class isn’t a competition so just do what you can. Admittedly, I go to the YMCA during the weekday and I’m surrounded by people like me - older (and older means ya got stuff going on), or folks with surgeries, etc. It’s very encouraging.

I identify with Sue’s comment about not being graceful but doing what and how I can. I just missed two weeks of yoga and workout (life, holiday guests, etc) and I really missed it. I could feel my joints (not just my knees!) stiffening. I know I have to keep doing the routines as long as I can move.

To answer your question about being on my knees, initially I couldn’t bear “standing” on my knees. After some time (sorry I don’t remember how long), I could increasingly bear it. It would be cool if you had a friend to go with you and give you a hand up until you can do so solo.

The most important thing, imo, is to continue to push yourself to do more. Here’s another comment from my surgeon/friend after about 6 months - “you can’t screw up anything I did so keep pushing”. (Talk to your own surgeon on this point, please!)

While your days of ever becoming a yogi are likely passed, you’ve got this. Keep moving, keep pushing (within reason), and make it a habit.

You can do this!

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dna41 | @dna41 | 12 hours ago
In reply to @fwintracy "@dna41 My favorite yoga instructors constantly emphasize “modify for you” or reminding us that class isn’t..." + (show)
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@dna41 My favorite yoga instructors constantly emphasize “modify for you” or reminding us that class isn’t a competition so just do what you can. Admittedly, I go to the YMCA during the weekday and I’m surrounded by people like me - older (and older means ya got stuff going on), or folks with surgeries, etc. It’s very encouraging.

I identify with Sue’s comment about not being graceful but doing what and how I can. I just missed two weeks of yoga and workout (life, holiday guests, etc) and I really missed it. I could feel my joints (not just my knees!) stiffening. I know I have to keep doing the routines as long as I can move.

To answer your question about being on my knees, initially I couldn’t bear “standing” on my knees. After some time (sorry I don’t remember how long), I could increasingly bear it. It would be cool if you had a friend to go with you and give you a hand up until you can do so solo.

The most important thing, imo, is to continue to push yourself to do more. Here’s another comment from my surgeon/friend after about 6 months - “you can’t screw up anything I did so keep pushing”. (Talk to your own surgeon on this point, please!)

While your days of ever becoming a yogi are likely passed, you’ve got this. Keep moving, keep pushing (within reason), and make it a habit.

You can do this!

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@fwintracy Thank you for the suggestions. I live alone and it's too easy to procrastinate when there is no one around to help motivate me. Like many people my age, I also have back issues and seems like there is very little relief for that. I need to search for or create a routine for myself that I can do daily.......and then actually do it! I really appreciate all the replies I have received urging me to keep moving!

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