Frustration Setting In - Knee Replacement
#42
sorry!
I hit 70 this year....finally bought an A6 GS after having many, many manual vettes and other sports cars...I love it...got all the looks and power, but now I can cruise in comfort and still enjoy the massive power of this car.
Sorry to hear about the knee replacement....I have a miracle doctor who has cured my arthritic, torn knee and shoulders with stem cells and prolotherapy...pain is gone and strength is back. I had many surgeons wanting to saw my bones...but said no....these new treatments are just amazing! Still ride my road bike and ski...just finished installing a 250 foot fence in my backyard.
Sorry to hear about the knee replacement....I have a miracle doctor who has cured my arthritic, torn knee and shoulders with stem cells and prolotherapy...pain is gone and strength is back. I had many surgeons wanting to saw my bones...but said no....these new treatments are just amazing! Still ride my road bike and ski...just finished installing a 250 foot fence in my backyard.
#43
Pro
I know what you mean. I had a total replacement on my right knee 4 years ago when I was 50. Same thing I hurt it playing football years ago and had 2 prior surgeries. I had no meniscus left and was bone on bone. I went to PT religiously and did everything therapist ask but struggled with range of motion also. It was tough and I have always thought I was tough and could take pain pretty well. I would go to PT and see a woman 20 years older than me that had total replacement and she would have a full range of motion and not struggle at all. It was depressing. My therapist told me that for some reason younger men have the hardest time with it. I still don't have full range of motion. I will never be able to squat again. But the constant aching, swelling and pain going up or down stairs or an incline is gone. I'm sure you will get there and be happier with it.
Last edited by ONEBADZ; 09-07-2017 at 05:08 PM. Reason: typos
#44
Racer
Thread Starter
I know what you mean. I had a total replacement on my right knee 4 years ago when I was 50. Same thing I hurt it playing football years ago and had 2 prior surgeries. I had no meniscus left and was bone on bone. I went to PT religiously and did everything therapist ask but struggled with range of motion also. It was tough and I have always thought I was tough and could take pain pretty well. I would go to PT and see a woman 20 years older than me that had total replacement and she would have a full range of motion and not struggle at all. It was depressing. My therapist told me that for some reason younger men have the hardest time with it. I still don't have full range of motion. I will never be able to squat again. But the constant aching, swelling and pain going up or down stairs or an incline is gone. I'm sure you will get there and be happier with it.
What's really irritating now is the lack of muscle strength but that is just going to take time from what everyone has told me. Can't wait to walk without thinking about what's right in front of me.
#45
Pro
I feel your pain. Had a painful but productive session this morning in rehab. Up to 117 degrees now for range.
What's really irritating now is the lack of muscle strength but that is just going to take time from what everyone has told me. Can't wait to walk without thinking about what's right in front of me.
What's really irritating now is the lack of muscle strength but that is just going to take time from what everyone has told me. Can't wait to walk without thinking about what's right in front of me.
#46
Racer
Thread Starter
Yeah it's amazing how much muscle strength you loose in really a short time. My Dr. had me sitting down and holding my leg out straight with muscles tight for 30 seconds he said 20 times a day. I did it probably 40-50 times a day until I could do it without my leg shaking. Getting it stronger is key for recovery.
It's funny, I used to really be motivated by feeling the burn/ache of fatigued muscles. Not so much now it seems.
Last edited by Aggie76; 09-07-2017 at 10:41 PM.
#47
Racer
Thread Starter
Exciting day today as an update. PT got me to 132 degrees after warming up and with their skilled hands and pressure. Now to be able to attain that on my own. Tried getting into the car this evening and the drop and raise from the seat is still too tough to handle.
#48
Race Director
I had total knee replacement on my right back in March, you must do the PT exercises every morning and evening. I drove after 3 1/2 weeks, 6 months out feels great, still numb on right half of knee. It was easier to get in the car leading with my right leg. But with your left leg it would be more difficult right now because you have to put weight on it to get in the car. Best wishes!!
#49
Racer
My left-sided sciatica and lumbar back pain etiology has a couple different components, both a small disk bulge and a left posterior benign mass near my sacral nerves, all MRI confirmed. Yet, it’s likely a chronic, torn lumbar tendon aggravating my sciatic nerve with diffuse lumbar pain.
The provider informed me that disk surgery is successful in approximately 50% of cases. The remainder show no or marginal improvements, and some get worse. We determined the disk defect was likely too small for the symptoms. Key: We provisionally diagnosed my back/sciatica symptoms was likely a chronic, aggravated torn lumbar tendon from a 2000 injury. Based on the medical history, I agreed with this “good news”.
The single physical therapy exercise that helps me most is pulling my knees up to my chest, knees bent, like a fetal position. Bending my knees reduces tension on my sciatica nerves, allowing deeper lumbar muscle stretches. I do lumbar stretches sitting up in bed for several minutes. I also sleep on my side in a fetal position when it’s bad. Proper body mechanics at all times is also key. I exercise my abs carefully, limiting range-of-motion to best balance my core ab/back muscles. A muscle relaxer called Flexeril 10mg before bedtime is helpful. Physical therapy, exercising, posture and weight control are all part of my conservative treatments.
I will see a physiatrist (MD’s and DO’s) or sports medicine doctor before agreeing to surgery by an orthopedist. In summary, my pain appears to be a torn lumbar tendon causing sciatica symptoms similar to larger disk issues. I erred on the side of the safest, most conservative treatment pathway, based on my medical evaluation results.
If you've experienced Sciatic nerve pain, what has been your outcome? [/QUOTE]
The provider informed me that disk surgery is successful in approximately 50% of cases. The remainder show no or marginal improvements, and some get worse. We determined the disk defect was likely too small for the symptoms. Key: We provisionally diagnosed my back/sciatica symptoms was likely a chronic, aggravated torn lumbar tendon from a 2000 injury. Based on the medical history, I agreed with this “good news”.
The single physical therapy exercise that helps me most is pulling my knees up to my chest, knees bent, like a fetal position. Bending my knees reduces tension on my sciatica nerves, allowing deeper lumbar muscle stretches. I do lumbar stretches sitting up in bed for several minutes. I also sleep on my side in a fetal position when it’s bad. Proper body mechanics at all times is also key. I exercise my abs carefully, limiting range-of-motion to best balance my core ab/back muscles. A muscle relaxer called Flexeril 10mg before bedtime is helpful. Physical therapy, exercising, posture and weight control are all part of my conservative treatments.
I will see a physiatrist (MD’s and DO’s) or sports medicine doctor before agreeing to surgery by an orthopedist. In summary, my pain appears to be a torn lumbar tendon causing sciatica symptoms similar to larger disk issues. I erred on the side of the safest, most conservative treatment pathway, based on my medical evaluation results.
If you've experienced Sciatic nerve pain, what has been your outcome? [/QUOTE]
#50
Racer
Thread Starter
Had a good day at rehab at being able to get my range of motion up to 127 degrees on my own without PT assistance. Felt so good I decided that after work I was going to try out getting in and out of the Vette.
So it was very exciting tonight as I was able to fold myself into my C6 and get out again!!! Called my wife inside the house and said we're taking our Corvette to dinner so off we went so grab your purse and let's go. Went to a nice restaurant about 25 miles away and then got home and washed it for the first time in two months which felt great.
Wasn't easy and a bit painful but with only about a month of decent weather left I am going to drive it every chance I get.
PT has me focused now on maintaining the range of motion and spend most of the time on strengthening muscles moving forward. Still having swelling and some pain but it's gradually getting better.
I've appreciated all the support and wishes - not sure when I will schedule the other knee for replacement. Certainly not until this one is 100% back to normal.
#51
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '15
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That's really good news and appreciate the update!