Physical Therapy (PT): How long? Where did you do it?

Hi @emb123 - On my first TKR in 2017 I did formal, professional PT for 12 weeks. On my most recent one in Jan 2019, I did it for 8 weeks. But I still do exercises at home; do the stationery bike or walk every day; and I'm about to start doing water exercises (on my own - not in a class). Do you feel like your walks are giving you all of the exercise you need to maintain your flexibility and strength?

@emb123 I had my second TKR in October, 2017. I can't remember exactly how long I had PT for but I know it was done a couple of weeks before Christmas, so I am thinking 8 or 9 weeks total.
After outpatient PT I did keep up with the exercises at home. It sounds as if you are probably beyond the point when most people stop PT, unless you have a problem that is not typical.
JK

Thank you, Debbra.....Yes, I feel quite strong in the knee/body. I do know when I've done "too" much, though. Knee feels "tight" on occasion, but while I'm not worried about my ROM, I know it still feels awkward when going down stairs the right way, not the way I use to do it. Just hoping that that's because it's still awkward doing it the correct way after so many years of guarding it and doing the "up with the good, down with the bad" scene.

Thank you, JK. You and Debbra have eased my mind.

emb123: I went back and looked at my statements. Had home therapist 3 times the week after surgery, then a total of 8 outpatient PT session within 9 weeks. The last one was basically a question and answer session, I opted to have this extra one. After previous surgeries I was always so proud of getting out of PT asap, but I’ve learned my lesson. The 2 therapists in the same facility that I’ve been seeing over the years are excellent. Their approach is to assign some exercises after assessment, make me do them to see them done correctly, then let me work at home. Roughly every 7 to 10 days I went back, reported how it worked (they had to modify some exercises bc. of long-standing Sciatica), was given more difficult exercises, and so on. No forceful bending/stretching of knee ever.
As mentioned in other posts, in addition to walking and swimming I still do some squats, clams, and bridges - can’t hurt, and it gets the lower body in decent shape for swimsuit season!

@emb123 I think stairs are the last thing that gets accomplished. I still feel good about it when I go up and down without having to hold the rail!

@debbraw What type of exercises will do in the water? I'm curious, wondering if it's something I might like to add to my own water routine. I do the class then do another 45 minutes or so jogging up and down the lane in three different ways. I do what is basically jogging, then I do a "faux breaststroke" with my feet still on the bottom, and then I go backward, raising my knees as high as I can.
JK

@emb123 - I so much understand what you are saying. ROM came pretty easy to me, but throughout my PT, we worked and slaved on balance and stair climbing. Although I can go up AND down stairs w/ the reciprocal step that normal people use, I am still very much aware of my position. And balance is a lot the same - I still feel a little more unsettled than usual on uneven pavement or ground. From my experience on my first TKR, I expect both of these to improve in the upcoming months. I bet by the end of July, you and I are both going to see good improvement and more comfort! You mention stairs but not balance. If you don't mind sharing, how are you doing with that at this point?

@contentandwell JK - I used to do all of the water aerobics exercises - but just for myself so I could set the pace - not in a class. That would include these:
Water Walking. Using the water to add resistance, this basic cardio exercise can be progressed to provide an aerobic challenge. ...
Jumping Jacks. ...
Water Treading. ...
Knee to Chest Jump. ...
Side Shuffle. ...
Scissor Jump. ...
Butt Kick
Plus - lots of stretches
Finally - laps across the pool with a kickboard to strengthen my legs.

@debbraw you would enjoy our class, we do many of those things and all the instructors always say to do things at your own pace and only what you can do. There are people in the class who are probably around 50 years old all the way up to mid-80s!
JK

Somehow my iPad lost the function “mention someone”, so consider yourself tagged. . Either one of you do so such strenuous exercises in the pool, you must be in great shape, and / or in a very good pool/fitness center. The one I joined did a super job of designing knee rehab exercises, throwing in balance and upper arm strength workout, but in the end for me I worked up to basically swimming. Distances. Mostly 800 meters, a few times 1000 meters. Good aerobic workout, loosening up knee, and life is good in the water. This center also offers a great variety of water exercise classes, but the timing - mid morning, but I’m already going places then - does not work for me. In SC. Where it gets pretty warm, pretty soon, both in the day, and in the season. So the mornings from now on out are for yard work. And planting. And pulling weeds. And harvesting - first batch of sugar snap peas 2 days ago. Spinach, lettuce, and radishes, of course. (Just in case there are gardeners out there). Who also can’t kneel well. Oh well.......... sorry to get off subject.