@babette, I see that you have participated in many of the knee replacement discussions. Thank you for starting one that is centered around a specific type of treatment, laser therapy. I would like to invite @kneeproblem to share their experiences with laser therapy in this new discussion. I would also like to invite @flfirechief who has discussed having cold laser therapy treatments for a different arthritic joint.
@babette, is this treatment something you have you discussed with your provider, or are you trying to get some experiences from others before you ask?
@babette, I see that you have participated in many of the knee replacement discussions. Thank you for starting one that is centered around a specific type of treatment, laser therapy. I would like to invite @kneeproblem to share their experiences with laser therapy in this new discussion. I would also like to invite @flfirechief who has discussed having cold laser therapy treatments for a different arthritic joint.
@babette, is this treatment something you have you discussed with your provider, or are you trying to get some experiences from others before you ask?
@babette - I was curious if you gave laser treatments a try. I’m doing acupuncture, dep tissue massage, myofacial release and Graston technique .gor my scar tissue. I have definitely seen improvement, but I’m a year out of TKR and was considering giving Lazer a shot. I haven’t looked into the cost yet. My chiropractor is just beginning to do it. Not sure if i’m Going to be his Guinea pig as he’s just getting his two hour certification this week. I can’t believe that’s all the training that’s needed...
@golfshrink I haven't tried any of your treatments. I saw a big-deal doc in Boston who Rxs a home exercise program for me and that's what I've been doing. It consists of riding my stationary bike for 30 minutes per day and PT-type exercises. Each morning I get an e-mail instructing me what the day's activity needs to be so as to avoid boredom and too much repetition. I don't know if I will have him do my other knee, but my takeaway from my consult with him was *gentle* PT, if it hurts, don't do it. Quite refreshing given the persistent "no pain, no gain" approach of most PTs and surgeons. I wish you luck if you decide to do the Lazar/laser treatments. Post again once you've done it!
@golfshrink I haven't tried any of your treatments. I saw a big-deal doc in Boston who Rxs a home exercise program for me and that's what I've been doing. It consists of riding my stationary bike for 30 minutes per day and PT-type exercises. Each morning I get an e-mail instructing me what the day's activity needs to be so as to avoid boredom and too much repetition. I don't know if I will have him do my other knee, but my takeaway from my consult with him was *gentle* PT, if it hurts, don't do it. Quite refreshing given the persistent "no pain, no gain" approach of most PTs and surgeons. I wish you luck if you decide to do the Lazar/laser treatments. Post again once you've done it!
@babette It almost sounds as if we have the same doctor, but I never got daily instructions on exercise. He said to do my recumbent bike five days a week, and take two consecutive days for rest, and he was a big advocate for water jogging. These were both exercises that I was already doing so he was quite pleased with that.
He insisted on "gentle PT" which my home physical therapist did great with, but my outpatient PT had no idea what to do with me, that was a waste, unfortunately.
Dr. Fitz by any chance? If so did you go to Faulkner? That hospital was amazing, it was like being in a celebrity hospital, the food was actually pretty good!
JK
@babette It almost sounds as if we have the same doctor, but I never got daily instructions on exercise. He said to do my recumbent bike five days a week, and take two consecutive days for rest, and he was a big advocate for water jogging. These were both exercises that I was already doing so he was quite pleased with that.
He insisted on "gentle PT" which my home physical therapist did great with, but my outpatient PT had no idea what to do with me, that was a waste, unfortunately.
Dr. Fitz by any chance? If so did you go to Faulkner? That hospital was amazing, it was like being in a celebrity hospital, the food was actually pretty good!
JK
Yes, Dr. Fitz. He wants me to lose some weight prior to surgery and that's very difficult for me, as a veteran of many "eating plans." Did he do your first knee?
Yes, Dr. Fitz. He wants me to lose some weight prior to surgery and that's very difficult for me, as a veteran of many "eating plans." Did he do your first knee?
@babette He did not do my first knee, and I was less pleased with that one, although I do not have any serious problems from it. When I do a lot though that knee will hurt a bit and the one with Conformis never hurts. He was recommended to me before my first TKR but when I checked him out it did not say he was certified for some reason. Of course he is so I went forward with him for the second treatment and I am very happy with that decision.
I had lost weight already before I scheduled the surgery so that was never something he mentioned. If you are serious about losing weight I highly recommend myfitnesspal.com to track your intake, and a fitness tracker to be aware of exactly what you have done in the way of burning calories. I attribute those two things, plus a good scale, with my success. My PCP was extremely impressed with my success. I have never done anything like WW, I am not a person who wants to do group stuff like that, but tracking helps so much because if you are honest with yourself it keeps you on track, and you begin to realize how many little things you eat add up.
Dr. Fitz's NP, Kelly, is also great. Before I met her she seemed a bit cold in portal messages but after I met her I really liked her a lot. She is Dr. Fitz's right-hand person and is by his side for all of his surgeries I believe, so if you call her you never hear back until late afternoon after all the surgeries are complete.
Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss anything specific about this. You are in good hands with Dr. Fitz.
JK
@babette - I was curious if you gave laser treatments a try. I’m doing acupuncture, dep tissue massage, myofacial release and Graston technique .gor my scar tissue. I have definitely seen improvement, but I’m a year out of TKR and was considering giving Lazer a shot. I haven’t looked into the cost yet. My chiropractor is just beginning to do it. Not sure if i’m Going to be his Guinea pig as he’s just getting his two hour certification this week. I can’t believe that’s all the training that’s needed...
Hi @golfshrink - I was intrigued by your mention of the alternative therapies you are trying - especially acupuncture. I'm doing great with my extension & flexion but I would love to be able to reduce the discomfort and get off the pain meds. At 4 weeks out of surgery, I'm still taking 3 oxycodone per day. Can you tell me how often you are doing acupuncture and whether your can see a reduction in your pain level as a result? I have a great acupuncture therapist but I have not been to him since my surgery. Any tips appreciated!
I go twice a week. I really have seen a decrease in pain- particularly the nerve pain that I experience in my thighs at night. Since you’re only a month out, you’re still likely in for some pain, but it may help. I’ve also noticed my gait has become more natural. Give it a shot!
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@babette, I see that you have participated in many of the knee replacement discussions. Thank you for starting one that is centered around a specific type of treatment, laser therapy. I would like to invite @kneeproblem to share their experiences with laser therapy in this new discussion. I would also like to invite @flfirechief who has discussed having cold laser therapy treatments for a different arthritic joint.
@babette, is this treatment something you have you discussed with your provider, or are you trying to get some experiences from others before you ask?
I'm seeking information from others who may have used this. It's being offered at a PT clinic near me, not the one I usually go to ...
It was effective at first then less effective after about a week so I stopped
@babette - I was curious if you gave laser treatments a try. I’m doing acupuncture, dep tissue massage, myofacial release and Graston technique .gor my scar tissue. I have definitely seen improvement, but I’m a year out of TKR and was considering giving Lazer a shot. I haven’t looked into the cost yet. My chiropractor is just beginning to do it. Not sure if i’m Going to be his Guinea pig as he’s just getting his two hour certification this week. I can’t believe that’s all the training that’s needed...
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2 Reactions@golfshrink I haven't tried any of your treatments. I saw a big-deal doc in Boston who Rxs a home exercise program for me and that's what I've been doing. It consists of riding my stationary bike for 30 minutes per day and PT-type exercises. Each morning I get an e-mail instructing me what the day's activity needs to be so as to avoid boredom and too much repetition. I don't know if I will have him do my other knee, but my takeaway from my consult with him was *gentle* PT, if it hurts, don't do it. Quite refreshing given the persistent "no pain, no gain" approach of most PTs and surgeons. I wish you luck if you decide to do the Lazar/laser treatments. Post again once you've done it!
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Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@babette It almost sounds as if we have the same doctor, but I never got daily instructions on exercise. He said to do my recumbent bike five days a week, and take two consecutive days for rest, and he was a big advocate for water jogging. These were both exercises that I was already doing so he was quite pleased with that.
He insisted on "gentle PT" which my home physical therapist did great with, but my outpatient PT had no idea what to do with me, that was a waste, unfortunately.
Dr. Fitz by any chance? If so did you go to Faulkner? That hospital was amazing, it was like being in a celebrity hospital, the food was actually pretty good!
JK
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2 ReactionsYes, Dr. Fitz. He wants me to lose some weight prior to surgery and that's very difficult for me, as a veteran of many "eating plans." Did he do your first knee?
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2 Reactions@babette He did not do my first knee, and I was less pleased with that one, although I do not have any serious problems from it. When I do a lot though that knee will hurt a bit and the one with Conformis never hurts. He was recommended to me before my first TKR but when I checked him out it did not say he was certified for some reason. Of course he is so I went forward with him for the second treatment and I am very happy with that decision.
I had lost weight already before I scheduled the surgery so that was never something he mentioned. If you are serious about losing weight I highly recommend myfitnesspal.com to track your intake, and a fitness tracker to be aware of exactly what you have done in the way of burning calories. I attribute those two things, plus a good scale, with my success. My PCP was extremely impressed with my success. I have never done anything like WW, I am not a person who wants to do group stuff like that, but tracking helps so much because if you are honest with yourself it keeps you on track, and you begin to realize how many little things you eat add up.
Dr. Fitz's NP, Kelly, is also great. Before I met her she seemed a bit cold in portal messages but after I met her I really liked her a lot. She is Dr. Fitz's right-hand person and is by his side for all of his surgeries I believe, so if you call her you never hear back until late afternoon after all the surgeries are complete.
Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss anything specific about this. You are in good hands with Dr. Fitz.
JK
Hi @golfshrink - I was intrigued by your mention of the alternative therapies you are trying - especially acupuncture. I'm doing great with my extension & flexion but I would love to be able to reduce the discomfort and get off the pain meds. At 4 weeks out of surgery, I'm still taking 3 oxycodone per day. Can you tell me how often you are doing acupuncture and whether your can see a reduction in your pain level as a result? I have a great acupuncture therapist but I have not been to him since my surgery. Any tips appreciated!
I go twice a week. I really have seen a decrease in pain- particularly the nerve pain that I experience in my thighs at night. Since you’re only a month out, you’re still likely in for some pain, but it may help. I’ve also noticed my gait has become more natural. Give it a shot!
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Helpful -
Hug
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