RE: Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/25/2006 7:06:31 AM Eastern Standard Time, know_jack@... writes:

now got a whole list of questions for my OS this week,,,,but it is difficult...And a very important part of being able to walk without a

Bob

What are some of your questions for the Dr?? I go back this week to mine and i can never think of questions while I am there....I know I should be asking something....I do want to know when I can get back in the pool to swim again....

TKR...8/21

[Guest guest]

I guess I went into the surgery with blind faith although I had faith

in God. I went to surgery very calm. I had two pokes with needles

before surgery and the rest was history. I had two great experiences.

Each knee went very smooth. A good doctor helps a lot.

On Sep 25, 2006, at 4:05 AM, know_jack wrote:

> Hey Ann,

>

> I'm still not sure what causes the straightening to be so hard...I've

> now got a whole list of questions for my OS this week,,,,but it is

> difficult...And a very important part of being able to walk without a

> limp...

>

> Please don't panic, you'll be fine...Although I remember before my

> surgery, I wasn't worried about the rehab, I was worried about the

> anestesia(sp?) and afraid that they ould make a mistake & I would

> never regain consciousness(Great Bob, give Ann one more thing to

> worry about),,I became so paranoid about it that I wrote out a will

> and had 2 people sign it, & then sent it certified mail to a friend

> with instructions not to open it until after my surgery(Don't know if

> it would have held up in court, but it was worth a try)...Oh yeah, I

> worried about a lot of things & had months to prepare for my surgery

> & even started my leave of absence from work 3 days early so that I

> wouldn't have some accident at work or on the road that would put my

> in the hospital and delay the surgery...

>

> Oh yeah, I was a basket case!!! I am kind of glad that I didn't find

> this Group before surgery because I might have gotten even more

> suirrelly...But I did research other Sites for medical information &

> just the sheer number of TKRs that were performed & the advances of

> the implanbts & procedures was very comforting in a safety in numbers

> kinda way...So I made lists of things I wanted to be able to do post-

> surgery & cut out pictures from magazines of bicycles & mountain

> trails to hike & stuff like that...

>

> Do whatever you have to do to ease your worries, but I suspect that

> you'll look back on these prior-surgery days and think " That was much

> ado about nothing " .

>

> I've forgotten, your surgery is in October, right?

>

> Bob

>

> >

> > Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs before

> surgery have a problem being able to straighten them after surgery?

> My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO &

> down the medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would cause

> my leg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out.

> Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first week or

> so after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incision

> wouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. I

> don't really understand why people have problems straightening their

> legs after a TKR.

> >

> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg than

> straighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, and

> the swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someone

> straighten me out on this, as it were?

> >

> > Thanks.

> >

> > Ann

> >

>

>

The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace

of God will not protect you.

[Guest guest]

I tend to sleep with my leg bend to 90 degrees. My OS had we wear a

full leg brace for a few weeks as he said bending it that much that

soon was not good for it as there is a lot of healing going on.

On Sep 25, 2006, at 9:36 AM, Berube wrote:

> Hi Ann,

> Before my TKR I was able to straighten my leg. However, because I was

> bone on bone I preferred to keep my knee bent, which created a space

> between the bones. I slept with my leg bent to maintain the space. By

> doing this (and not getting exercise)I was inadvertantly shortening

> the hamstring and associated tissues. As a consequence, I also

> developed trigger points which restricted full extension. Once the

> trigger points were treated my extension improved. I am 8 weeks

> post-op tomorrow and I am transitioning into a Step II program. Step

> II allows me to use the hospital gym for 3 months. My therapist will

> write a program for me to exercise on my own.

> Bending the knee was difficult for me for the first three weeks.

> Before surgery I could not bend it beyond 90 degrees without

> excruciating pain and now I am about 125 degrees. As far as the

> incision goes, it seems like if you bend tour knee the incision will

> split open, but it won't. I hope this helps.

> Carol, RTKR, August 1, 2006

>

>

> >

> > Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs before

> surgery have a problem being able to straighten them after surgery?

> My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO & down

> the medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would cause my

> leg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out.

> Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first week or

> so after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incision

> wouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. I

> don't really understand why people have problems straightening their

> legs after a TKR.

> >

> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg than

> straighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, and

> the swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someone

> straighten me out on this, as it were?

> >

> > Thanks.

> >

> > Ann

> >

>

>

The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven's threshold.

[Guest guest]

I have little choice/control regarding the bend angle of my leg so far. It tends to seek a certain bent angle and then freeze up during the early hours of night. PT theory is when swelling subsides it will get better. I can coax it to a 10-90 degree ROM using the CPM machine but that ROM is lost shortly after I stop the CPM.

Al Welch

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Elaine PoageSent: Monday, September 25, 2006 9:51 AMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

I tend to sleep with my leg bend to 90 degrees. My OS had we wear a full leg brace for a few weeks as he said bending it that much that soon was not good for it as there is a lot of healing going on.On Sep 25, 2006, at 9:36 AM, Berube wrote:

Hi Ann, Before my TKR I was able to straighten my leg. However, because I wasbone on bone I preferred to keep my knee bent, which created a spacebetween the bones. I slept with my leg bent to maintain the space. Bydoing this (and not getting exercise)I was inadvertantly shorteningthe hamstring and associated tissues. As a consequence, I alsodeveloped trigger points which restricted full extension. Once thetrigger points were treated my extension improved. I am 8 weekspost-op tomorrow and I am transitioning into a Step II program. StepII allows me to use the hospital gym for 3 months. My therapist willwrite a program for me to exercise on my own. Bending the knee was difficult for me for the first three weeks.Before surgery I could not bend it beyond 90 degrees withoutexcruciating pain and now I am about 125 degrees. As far as theincision goes, it seems like if you bend tour knee the incision willsplit open, but it won't. I hope this helps.Carol, RTKR, August 1, 2006 >> Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs beforesurgery have a problem being able to straighten them after surgery? My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO & downthe medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would cause myleg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out. Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first week orso after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incisionwouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. Idon't really understand why people have problems straightening theirlegs after a TKR.> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg thanstraighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, andthe swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someonestraighten me out on this, as it were?> > Thanks.> > Ann> The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven's threshold.

[Guest guest]

Yes, October 17. Thanks for your encouragement.

I'd like to know whether you could straighten your leg before surgery. I'm trying to find out whether that has a bearing on being able to straighten it after. (This would be for TKRs only.)

I'm not too worried about the anesthesia (someone asked how this is spelled -- anestHesia -- it's also pronounced an-es-THE-zha, with the TH -- I've noticed a lot of people suddenly are pronouncing it an-es-TE-zha & am wondering where that's coming from -- please forgive me -- I used to be an editor). I've had enough surgeries not to worry too much about dying from that. I'm hoping to get a nerve block and "light" anesthesia. I had light anesthesia for my partial meniscectomy and woke up a lot faster.

I do update my will each time, though. Just in case.

Ann

Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

Hey Ann,I'm still not sure what causes the straightening to be so hard...I've now got a whole list of questions for my OS this week,,,,but it is difficult...And a very important part of being able to walk without a limp...Please don't panic, you'll be fine...Although I remember before my surgery, I wasn't worried about the rehab, I was worried about the anestesia(sp?) and afraid that they ould make a mistake & I would never regain consciousness(Great Bob, give Ann one more thing to worry about),,I became so paranoid about it that I wrote out a will and had 2 people sign it, & then sent it certified mail to a friend with instructions not to open it until after my surgery(Don't know if it would have held up in court, but it was worth a try)...Oh yeah, I worried about a lot of things & had months to prepare for my surgery & even started my leave of absence from work 3 days early so that I wouldn't have some accident at work or on the road that would put my in the hospital and delay the surgery...Oh yeah, I was a basket case!!! I am kind of glad that I didn't find this Group before surgery because I might have gotten even more suirrelly...But I did research other Sites for medical information & just the sheer number of TKRs that were performed & the advances of the implanbts & procedures was very comforting in a safety in numbers kinda way...So I made lists of things I wanted to be able to do post-surgery & cut out pictures from magazines of bicycles & mountain trails to hike & stuff like that...Do whatever you have to do to ease your worries, but I suspect that you'll look back on these prior-surgery days and think "That was much ado about nothing".I've forgotten, your surgery is in October, right?Bob>> Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs before surgery have a problem being able to straighten them after surgery? My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO & down the medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would cause my leg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out. Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first week or so after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incision wouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. I don't really understand why people have problems straightening their legs after a TKR.> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg than straighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, and the swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someone straighten me out on this, as it were?> > Thanks.> > Ann>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your comprehensive answer.

Ann

Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

Hi Ann, Before my TKR I was able to straighten my leg. However, because I wasbone on bone I preferred to keep my knee bent, which created a spacebetween the bones. I slept with my leg bent to maintain the space. Bydoing this (and not getting exercise)I was inadvertantly shorteningthe hamstring and associated tissues. As a consequence, I alsodeveloped trigger points which restricted full extension. Once thetrigger points were treated my extension improved. I am 8 weekspost-op tomorrow and I am transitioning into a Step II program. StepII allows me to use the hospital gym for 3 months. My therapist willwrite a program for me to exercise on my own. Bending the knee was difficult for me for the first three weeks.Before surgery I could not bend it beyond 90 degrees withoutexcruciating pain and now I am about 125 degrees. As far as theincision goes, it seems like if you bend tour knee the incision willsplit open, but it won't. I hope this helps.Carol, RTKR, August 1, 2006 >> Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs beforesurgery have a problem being able to straighten them after surgery? My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO & downthe medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would cause myleg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out. Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first week orso after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incisionwouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. Idon't really understand why people have problems straightening theirlegs after a TKR.> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg thanstraighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, andthe swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someonestraighten me out on this, as it were?> > Thanks.> > Ann>

[Guest guest]

Oh Ann,

Could I do with an editor!

I am dyslexic and produce a two monthly magazine for my client group. For

some reason, I also write a regular column for a newspaper.

I have some terrible blunders sometimes. Although none as bad as the time I

wrote a 5,000 word essay at university comparing the country and the city.

When my husband was reading it he discovered I had spelt country " cuntry " .

I sat up all night retyping it and just made the deadline.

OH, does anyone know why Orthopeadic surgeons act like they are God? They

perform miracles! (Well that was what it felt like to me with my first hip)

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

Re: Re: Straightening your leg after

surgery

Yes, October 17. Thanks for your encouragement.

I'd like to know whether you could straighten your leg before surgery. I'm

trying to find out whether that has a bearing on being able to straighten it

after. (This would be for TKRs only.)

I'm not too worried about the anesthesia (someone asked how this is

spelled -- anestHesia -- it's also pronounced an-es-THE-zha, with the TH --

I've noticed a lot of people suddenly are pronouncing it an-es-TE-zha & am

wondering where that's coming from -- please forgive me -- I used to be an

editor). I've had enough surgeries not to worry too much about dying from

that. I'm hoping to get a nerve block and " light " anesthesia. I had light

anesthesia for my partial meniscectomy and woke up a lot faster.

I do update my will each time, though. Just in case.

Ann

Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.

[Guest guest]

I could straighten my knee before surgery and can now also. I didn't

find it that difficult after my therapy was over.

On Sep 25, 2006, at 12:42 PM, Ann wrote:

> Yes, October 17.  Thanks for your encouragement. 

>  

> I'd like to know whether you could straighten your leg before

> surgery.  I'm trying to find out whether that has a bearing on being

> able to straighten it after.  (This would be for TKRs only.)

>  

> I'm not too worried about the anesthesia (someone asked how this is

> spelled -- anestHesia -- it's also pronounced an-es-THE-zha, with the

> TH -- I've noticed a lot of people suddenly are pronouncing it

> an-es-TE-zha & am wondering where that's coming from -- please forgive

> me -- I used to be an editor).  I've had enough surgeries not to worry

> too much about dying from that.  I'm hoping to get a nerve block and

> " light " anesthesia.  I had light anesthesia for my partial

> meniscectomy and woke up a lot faster.

>  

> I do update my will each time, though.  Just in case.

>  

> Ann

>  

>  

>> Re: Straightening your leg after

>> surgery

>>

>>

>> Hey Ann,

>>

>> I'm still not sure what causes the straightening to be so hard...I've

>> now got a whole list of questions for my OS this week,,,,but it is

>> difficult...And a very important part of being able to walk without a

>> limp...

>>

>> Please don't panic, you'll be fine...Although I remember before my

>> surgery, I wasn't worried about the rehab, I was worried about the

>> anestesia(sp?) and afraid that they ould make a mistake & I would

>> never regain consciousness(Great Bob, give Ann one more thing to

>> worry about),,I became so paranoid about it that I wrote out a will

>> and had 2 people sign it, & then sent it certified mail to a friend

>> with instructions not to open it until after my surgery(Don't know if

>> it would have held up in court, but it was worth a try)...Oh yeah, I

>> worried about a lot of things & had months to prepare for my surgery

>> & even started my leave of absence from work 3 days early so that I

>> wouldn't have some accident at work or on the road that would put my

>> in the hospital and delay the surgery...

>>

>> Oh yeah, I was a basket case!!! I am kind of glad that I didn't find

>> this Group before surgery because I might have gotten even more

>> suirrelly...But I did research other Sites for medical information &

>> just the sheer number of TKRs that were performed & the advances of

>> the implanbts & procedures was very comforting in a safety in numbers

>> kinda way...So I made lists of things I wanted to be able to do post-

>> surgery & cut out pictures from magazines of bicycles & mountain

>> trails to hike & stuff like that...

>>

>> Do whatever you have to do to ease your worries, but I suspect that

>> you'll look back on these prior-surgery days and think " That was much

>> ado about nothing " .

>>

>> I've forgotten, your surgery is in October, right?

>>

>> Bob

>>

>> >

>> > Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs before

>> surgery have a problem being able to straighten them after surgery?

>> My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO &

>> down the medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would cause

>> my leg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out.

>> Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first week or

>> so after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incision

>> wouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. I

>> don't really understand why people have problems straightening their

>> legs after a TKR.

>> >

>> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg than

>> straighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, and

>> the swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someone

>> straighten me out on this, as it were?

>> >

>> > Thanks.

>> >

>> > Ann

>> >

>>

>

The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven's threshold.

[Guest guest]



Ah! Finally! So my next question is, did you have osteoarthritis, and -- OK it's more than one more question -- how bad off were you before the surgery?

Thanks.

Ann

Re: Straightening your leg after surgeryHey Ann,I'm still not sure what causes the straightening to be so hard...I've now got a whole list of questions for my OS this week,,,,but it is difficult...And a very important part of being able to walk without a limp...Please don't panic, you'll be fine...Although I remember before my surgery, I wasn't worried about the rehab, I was worried about the anestesia(sp?) and afraid that they ould make a mistake & I would never regain consciousness(Great Bob, give Ann one more thing to worry about),,I became so paranoid about it that I wrote out a will and had 2 people sign it, & then sent it certified mail to a friend with instructions not to open it until after my surgery(Don't know if it would have held up in court, but it was worth a try)...Oh yeah, I worried about a lot of things & had months to prepare for my surgery & even started my leave of absence from work 3 days early so that I wouldn't have some accident at work or on the road that would put my in the hospital and delay the surgery...Oh yeah, I was a basket case!!! I am kind of glad that I didn't find this Group before surgery because I might have gotten even more suirrelly...But I did research other Sites for medical information & just the sheer number of TKRs that were performed & the advances of the implanbts & procedures was very comforting in a safety in numbers kinda way...So I made lists of things I wanted to be able to do post-surgery & cut out pictures from magazines of bicycles & mountain trails to hike & stuff like that...Do whatever you have to do to ease your worries, but I suspect that you'll look back on these prior-surgery days and think "That was much ado about nothing".I've forgotten, your surgery is in October, right?Bob>> Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs before surgery have a problem being able to straighten them after surgery? My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO & down the medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would cause my leg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out. Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first week or so after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incision wouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. I don't really understand why people have problems straightening their legs after a TKR.> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg than straighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, and the swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someone straighten me out on this, as it were?> > Thanks.> > Ann> The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven's threshold.

[Guest guest]

Yes I have osteoarthritis all over. My fingers are getting large a

the knuckles and crooked. I was in a lot of constant pain with bone on

bone. The minute I came out of surgery the old pain was gone. I just

had the pain from the surgery which was a different type of pain. Now

all of the previous pain is gone. the first surgery my doctor wanted

me to have synvisc to hopefully prolong the surgery. It didn't work.

This time I told him just do it...no shots or other measures which he

did. i was in so much pain that the sooner the better.

On Sep 25, 2006, at 8:18 PM, Ann wrote:

> Ah!  Finally!  So my next question is, did you have osteoarthritis,

> and -- OK it's more than one more question -- how bad off were you

> before the surgery?

>  

> Thanks.

>  

> Ann

>> Re: Straightening your leg after

>>>> surgery

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> Hey Ann,

>>>>

>>>> I'm still not sure what causes the straightening to be so

>>>> hard...I've

>>>> now got a whole list of questions for my OS this week,,,,but it is

>>>> difficult...And a very important part of being able to walk without

>>>> a

>>>> limp...

>>>>

>>>> Please don't panic, you'll be fine...Although I remember before my

>>>> surgery, I wasn't worried about the rehab, I was worried about the

>>>> anestesia(sp?) and afraid that they ould make a mistake & I would

>>>> never regain consciousness(Great Bob, give Ann one more thing to

>>>> worry about),,I became so paranoid about it that I wrote out a will

>>>> and had 2 people sign it, & then sent it certified mail to a friend

>>>> with instructions not to open it until after my surgery(Don't know

>>>> if

>>>> it would have held up in court, but it was worth a try)...Oh yeah, I

>>>> worried about a lot of things & had months to prepare for my surgery

>>>> & even started my leave of absence from work 3 days early so that I

>>>> wouldn't have some accident at work or on the road that would put my

>>>> in the hospital and delay the surgery...

>>>>

>>>> Oh yeah, I was a basket case!!! I am kind of glad that I didn't find

>>>> this Group before surgery because I might have gotten even more

>>>> suirrelly...But I did research other Sites for medical information &

>>>> just the sheer number of TKRs that were performed & the advances of

>>>> the implanbts & procedures was very comforting in a safety in

>>>> numbers

>>>> kinda way...So I made lists of things I wanted to be able to do

>>>> post-

>>>> surgery & cut out pictures from magazines of bicycles & mountain

>>>> trails to hike & stuff like that...

>>>>

>>>> Do whatever you have to do to ease your worries, but I suspect that

>>>> you'll look back on these prior-surgery days and think " That was

>>>> much

>>>> ado about nothing " .

>>>>

>>>> I've forgotten, your surgery is in October, right?

>>>>

>>>> Bob

>>>>

>>>> >

>>>> > Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs before

>>>> surgery have a problem being able to straighten them after surgery?

>>>> My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO &

>>>> down the medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would cause

>>>> my leg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out.

>>>> Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first week

>>>> or

>>>> so after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incision

>>>> wouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. I

>>>> don't really understand why people have problems straightening their

>>>> legs after a TKR.

>>>> >

>>>> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg than

>>>> straighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, and

>>>> the swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someone

>>>> straighten me out on this, as it were?

>>>> >

>>>> > Thanks.

>>>> >

>>>> > Ann

>>>> >

>>>>

>>>

>> The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven's threshold.

>>

>

" If God brings you to it He will bring you through it. "

[Guest guest]



Hi, Elaine,

The finger thing is either Heberden's Nodes (distal joints) or Bouchard's Nodes (middle joint). I have that also (only Heberden's so far). Of the 3 that have stopped hurting, 2 went back to their original shape. The other one also shrank but left me with a bone spur. I had cortisone injected into the 2 that shrank all the way back. It's an inflammatory condition so responds to the cortisone. The cortisone only works for about 3 months, and then I got a 2nd injection. Then after 3 months the swelling started again. However, because a lot of people who get this are left with distorted joints, I think maybe the cortisone helped mine return to normal. I now have two that are relatively new that hurt like hell, and one that's stopped hurting and is in the process of shrinking. Unfortunately I can't remember whether I had cortisone shot into that one or not.

Ann

Re: Straightening your leg after surgeryHey Ann,I'm still not sure what causes the straightening to be so hard...I've now got a whole list of questions for my OS this week,,,,but it is difficult...And a very important part of being able to walk without a limp...Please don't panic, you'll be fine...Although I remember before my surgery, I wasn't worried about the rehab, I was worried about the anestesia(sp?) and afraid that they ould make a mistake & I would never regain consciousness(Great Bob, give Ann one more thing to worry about),,I became so paranoid about it that I wrote out a will and had 2 people sign it, & then sent it certified mail to a friend with instructions not to open it until after my surgery(Don't know if it would have held up in court, but it was worth a try)...Oh yeah, I worried about a lot of things & had months to prepare for my surgery & even started my leave of absence from work 3 days early so that I wouldn't have some accident at work or on the road that would put my in the hospital and delay the surgery...Oh yeah, I was a basket case!!! I am kind of glad that I didn't find this Group before surgery because I might have gotten even more suirrelly...But I did research other Sites for medical information & just the sheer number of TKRs that were performed & the advances of the implanbts & procedures was very comforting in a safety in numbers kinda way...So I made lists of things I wanted to be able to do post-surgery & cut out pictures from magazines of bicycles & mountain trails to hike & stuff like that...Do whatever you have to do to ease your worries, but I suspect that you'll look back on these prior-surgery days and think "That was much ado about nothing".I've forgotten, your surgery is in October, right?Bob>> Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs before surgery have a problem being able to straighten them after surgery? My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO & down the medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would cause my leg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out. Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first week or so after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incision wouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. I don't really understand why people have problems straightening their legs after a TKR.> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg than straighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, and the swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someone straighten me out on this, as it were?> > Thanks.> > Ann>The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven's threshold. "If God brings you to it He will bring you through it."

[Guest guest]

thanks for the information.

On Sep 26, 2006, at 11:03 AM, Ann wrote:

> Hi, Elaine,

>  

> The finger thing is either Heberden's Nodes (distal joints) or

> Bouchard's Nodes (middle joint).  I have that also (only Heberden's so

> far).  Of the 3 that have stopped hurting, 2 went back to their

> original shape.  The other one also shrank but left me with a bone

> spur.  I had cortisone injected into the 2 that shrank all the way

> back.  It's an inflammatory condition so responds to the cortisone. 

> The cortisone only works for about 3 months, and then I got a 2nd

> injection.  Then after 3 months the swelling started again.  However,

> because a lot of people who get this are left with distorted joints, I

> think  maybe the cortisone helped mine return to normal.  I now have

> two that are relatively new that hurt like hell, and one that's

> stopped hurting and is in the process of shrinking.  Unfortunately I

> can't remember whether I had cortisone shot into that one or not.

>  

> Ann

>> Re: Straightening your leg

>>>>>> after surgery

>>>>>>

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Hey Ann,

>>>>>>

>>>>>> I'm still not sure what causes the straightening to be so

>>>>>> hard...I've

>>>>>> now got a whole list of questions for my OS this week,,,,but it is

>>>>>> difficult...And a very important part of being able to walk

>>>>>> without a

>>>>>> limp...

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Please don't panic, you'll be fine...Although I remember before my

>>>>>> surgery, I wasn't worried about the rehab, I was worried about the

>>>>>> anestesia(sp?) and afraid that they ould make a mistake & I would

>>>>>> never regain consciousness(Great Bob, give Ann one more thing to

>>>>>> worry about),,I became so paranoid about it that I wrote out a

>>>>>> will

>>>>>> and had 2 people sign it, & then sent it certified mail to a

>>>>>> friend

>>>>>> with instructions not to open it until after my surgery(Don't

>>>>>> know if

>>>>>> it would have held up in court, but it was worth a try)...Oh

>>>>>> yeah, I

>>>>>> worried about a lot of things & had months to prepare for my

>>>>>> surgery

>>>>>> & even started my leave of absence from work 3 days early so that

>>>>>> I

>>>>>> wouldn't have some accident at work or on the road that would put

>>>>>> my

>>>>>> in the hospital and delay the surgery...

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Oh yeah, I was a basket case!!! I am kind of glad that I didn't

>>>>>> find

>>>>>> this Group before surgery because I might have gotten even more

>>>>>> suirrelly...But I did research other Sites for medical

>>>>>> information &

>>>>>> just the sheer number of TKRs that were performed & the advances

>>>>>> of

>>>>>> the implanbts & procedures was very comforting in a safety in

>>>>>> numbers

>>>>>> kinda way...So I made lists of things I wanted to be able to do

>>>>>> post-

>>>>>> surgery & cut out pictures from magazines of bicycles & mountain

>>>>>> trails to hike & stuff like that...

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Do whatever you have to do to ease your worries, but I suspect

>>>>>> that

>>>>>> you'll look back on these prior-surgery days and think " That was

>>>>>> much

>>>>>> ado about nothing " .

>>>>>>

>>>>>> I've forgotten, your surgery is in October, right?

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Bob

>>>>>>

>>>>>> >

>>>>>> > Did people who had TKRs who could straighten their legs before

>>>>>> surgery have a problem being able to straighten them after

>>>>>> surgery?

>>>>>> My OS says he's just going to cut between the fibers of the VMO &

>>>>>> down the medial side of my kneecap, so I'm not sure what would

>>>>>> cause

>>>>>> my leg, which is pretty limber now, to not want to straighten out.

>>>>>> Someone mentioned incisions and scar tissue, but in the first

>>>>>> week or

>>>>>> so after surgery, for straightening, it seems to me the incision

>>>>>> wouldn't be affected, and there wouldn't be any scar tissue yet. I

>>>>>> don't really understand why people have problems straightening

>>>>>> their

>>>>>> legs after a TKR.

>>>>>> >

>>>>>> > A couple of people here said it was easier to bend their leg

>>>>>> than

>>>>>> straighten it. It seems to me, with the incision, the bandage, and

>>>>>> the swelling, it would be a lot harder to bend it. Can someone

>>>>>> straighten me out on this, as it were?

>>>>>> >

>>>>>> > Thanks.

>>>>>> >

>>>>>> > Ann

>>>>>> >

>>>>>>

>>>> The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven's

>>>> threshold.

>>>>

>>>

>> " If God brings you to it He will bring you through it. "

>

I am too blessed to be stressed

[Guest guest]

Margaret, that reminds me of a famous quotation from Shakespeare, but that time it was intentional. Sadly, I can't remember the play from which it is taken. Maybe some of our more literary members can locate it.

Aussie

---Oh my gosh, Margaret! I'm practically rolling here! I haven't had a laugh this good in a long time. Thanks! ..... MaxineIn Joint Replacement , "Margaret" <zztinau@...> wrote:>> Oh Ann,> > Could I do with an editor!> > I am dyslexic and produce a two monthly magazine for my client group. For > some reason, I also write a regular column for a newspaper.> > I have some terrible blunders sometimes. Although none as bad as the time I > wrote a 5,000 word essay at university comparing the country and the city. > When my husband was reading it he discovered I had spelt country "cuntry". > I sat up all night retyping it and just made the deadline.> > OH, does anyone know why Orthopeadic surgeons act like they are God? They > perform miracles! (Well that was what it felt like to me with my first hip)> > Aussie Margaret> RTHR 1990 revised 2004> > Re: Re: Straightening your leg after > surgery> > > Yes, October 17. Thanks for your encouragement.> > I'd like to know whether you could straighten your leg before surgery. I'm > trying to find out whether that has a bearing on being able to straighten it > after. (This would be for TKRs only.)> > I'm not too worried about the anesthesia (someone asked how this is > spelled -- anestHesia -- it's also pronounced an-es-THE-zha, with the TH -- > I've noticed a lot of people suddenly are pronouncing it an-es-TE-zha & am > wondering where that's coming from -- please forgive me -- I used to be an > editor). I've had enough surgeries not to worry too much about dying from > that. I'm hoping to get a nerve block and "light" anesthesia. I had light > anesthesia for my partial meniscectomy and woke up a lot faster.> > I do update my will each time, though. Just in case.> > Ann> > > > Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.>

[Guest guest]

I had the same thing as the " Russian " whatever but I had it on for 30

minutes. I also wen to a sports therapy place. They also used

ultrasound on my knee for 10 minutes. They believe that these two

items plus the exercises they had me do helps in rehabilitation and I

agree.

On Sep 26, 2006, at 3:13 PM, know_jack wrote:

> Ann,

>

> The PT will do whatever they want!!!...You, my Dear, will just have

> to figure out your limits...

>

> And PT's can vary from area to area....And here comes my personal

> history...

>

> In 1980 & 1996 I had barely competent PT's...Actually, they were

> very incompetent PT's...However,

>

> This last year, after my TKR( & 2 weeks with a PT who came to my house

> & taught me the basics of excercises) I was fortunate enough to go to

> a PT Clinic that specialized in 'Sports Rehab'(They do all the work

> for the DC United Soccer Team)....Whew, were they good!!!! They

> really put me through it.....They even had a 'treatment' that they

> called 'The Russian'....The 'Russian' is 6 little 'sticky things'

> that they attach to various muscles of your leg,,, & those sticky

> things are attached to a 'machine'... & the Machine sends an electric

> shock to the Sticky Things....5 seconds of electrical

> shock...followed by 10 seconds of 'nothing'...followed by 5 seconds

> of shock....For 10 minutes!!!!....

>

> But the Sticky Things & Shocks are a way to 'wake up your muscles' &

> hurt like $%^* & *^..But afterwards,,,well,,,My long dorment muscles

> were woken up, although a little grumpy....I have no regrets, and was

> happy to find a competent PT Group!!!

>

> I suspect that not very many other folks in this Group have had the

> benefit/pain of " The Russian " ...Although if you have, then I would

> like start another 'Thread' about electrical current being sent

> through your body to jolt your muscles awake....

>

> Bob

>

>

> >

> > Hi, ,

> >

> > Everyone says the PT is a killer. What do they do to you?

> >

> > Thanks.

> >

> > Ann

>

>

" Relying on God has to begin every day as if nothing had yet been done. "

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

1. I have been told by PT that you should not have ultrasound applied around a TKR as it can loosen the implants. Perhaps you should ask your doctor about this to be sure.

2. The Russian is also called a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator ) machine. I own my own which I purchased online. I did obtain a prescription for it. I used it for my shoulder after surgery and more recently on my TKR around my calf muscles and thighs to help push out the swelling. My PT has also hooked me up to one for the same reasons.

For those asking what PT does... they work on increasing range of motion. Often this is painful as they stretch the tendons and joints in an effort to increase the range. My PT puts a canvas belt across my leg and then under the electric table. Then she raised the table until the belt pulls tight and forces the leg into extension. Then while in that stretch, she pushes down on my knee using her weight to press my knee into the table. This is a tortuous process. I suspect most others on this site and had this process applied to their leg. Prior to this process, they massage the back of the knee to help relax the tendons. They have you on your stomach for 8-10 minutes with a weight on your ankle and your leg hanging over the edge of the table so that gravity and the weight are working to force you leg into a straight extension position. This also hurts a whole lot.

Al Welch

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Elaine PoageSent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 3:58 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

I had the same thing as the "Russian" whatever but I had it on for 30 minutes. I also wen to a sports therapy place. They also used ultrasound on my knee for 10 minutes. They believe that these two items plus the exercises they had me do helps in rehabilitation and I agree.On Sep 26, 2006, at 3:13 PM, know_jack wrote:

Ann,The PT will do whatever they want!!!...You, my Dear, will just have to figure out your limits...And PT's can vary from area to area....And here comes my personal history...In 1980 & 1996 I had barely competent PT's...Actually, they were very incompetent PT's...However,This last year, after my TKR( & 2 weeks with a PT who came to my house & taught me the basics of excercises) I was fortunate enough to go to a PT Clinic that specialized in 'Sports Rehab'(They do all the work for the DC United Soccer Team)....Whew, were they good!!!! They really put me through it.....They even had a 'treatment' that they called 'The Russian'....The 'Russian' is 6 little 'sticky things' that they attach to various muscles of your leg,,, & those sticky things are attached to a 'machine'... & the Machine sends an electric shock to the Sticky Things....5 seconds of electrical shock...followed by 10 seconds of 'nothing'...followed by 5 seconds of shock....For 10 minutes!!!!....But the Sticky Things & Shocks are a way to 'wake up your muscles' & hurt like $%^* & *^..But afterwards,,,well,,,My long dorment muscles were woken up, although a little grumpy....I have no regrets, and was happy to find a competent PT Group!!!I suspect that not very many other folks in this Group have had the benefit/pain of "The Russian"...Although if you have, then I would like start another 'Thread' about electrical current being sent through your body to jolt your muscles awake....Bob>> Hi, ,> > Everyone says the PT is a killer. What do they do to you? > > Thanks.> > Ann "Relying on God has to begin every day as if nothing had yet been done."

[Guest guest]

On Sep 26, 2006, at 4:39 PM, Al Welch wrote:

> Elaine,

>  

> 1. I have been told by PT that you should not have ultrasound applied

> around a TKR as it can loosen the implants.  Perhaps you should ask

> your doctor about this to be sure. My doctor said it was all fine and

> it posed no problem for me.

> 2. The Russian is also  called a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve

> Stimulator ) machine.  I own my own which I purchased online.  I did

> obtain a prescription for it.  I used it for my shoulder after surgery

> and more recently on my TKR around my calf muscles and thighs to help

> push out the swelling.  My PT has also hooked me up to one for the

> same reasons.

>  

> For those asking what PT does... they work on increasing range of

> motion.  Often this is painful as they stretch the tendons and joints

> in an effort to increase the range.  My PT puts a canvas belt across

> my leg and then under the electric table.  Then she raised the table

> until the belt pulls tight and forces the leg into extension.  Then

> while in that stretch, she pushes down on my knee using her weight to

> press my knee into the table.  This is a tortuous process.  I suspect

> most others on this site and had this process applied to their leg. 

> Prior to this process, they massage the back of the knee to help relax

> the tendons.  They have you on your stomach for 8-10 minutes with a

> weight on your ankle and your leg hanging over the edge of the table

> so that gravity and the weight are working to force you leg into a

> straight extension position.  This also hurts a whole lot.

> Interesting. I didn't have any of what you are talking about.  Guess

> different pt do different things. My therapy this time was better I

> thought than when I had the first TKR three years ago.

> Al Welch

>

> From: Joint Replacement

> [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Elaine

> Poage

> Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 3:58 PM

> Joint Replacement

> Subject: Re: Re: Straightening your leg

> after surgery

>

> I had the same thing as the " Russian " whatever but I had it on for 30

> minutes. I also wen to a sports therapy place. They also used

> ultrasound on my knee for 10 minutes. They believe that these two

> items plus the exercises they had me do helps in rehabilitation and I

> agree.

> On Sep 26, 2006, at 3:13 PM, know_jack wrote:

>

>> Ann,

>>

>> The PT will do whatever they want!!!...You, my Dear, will just have

>> to figure out your limits...

>>

>> And PT's can vary from area to area....And here comes my personal

>> history...

>>

>> In 1980 & 1996 I had barely competent PT's...Actually, they were

>> very incompetent PT's...However,

>>

>> This last year, after my TKR( & 2 weeks with a PT who came to my house

>> & taught me the basics of excercises) I was fortunate enough to go to

>> a PT Clinic that specialized in 'Sports Rehab'(They do all the work

>> for the DC United Soccer Team)....Whew, were they good!!!! They

>> really put me through it.....They even had a 'treatment' that they

>> called 'The Russian'....The 'Russian' is 6 little 'sticky things'

>> that they attach to various muscles of your leg,,, & those sticky

>> things are attached to a 'machine'... & the Machine sends an electric

>> shock to the Sticky Things....5 seconds of electrical

>> shock...followed by 10 seconds of 'nothing'...followed by 5 seconds

>> of shock....For 10 minutes!!!!....

>>

>> But the Sticky Things & Shocks are a way to 'wake up your muscles' &

>> hurt like $%^* & *^..But afterwards,,,well,,,My long dorment muscles

>> were woken up, although a little grumpy....I have no regrets, and was

>> happy to find a competent PT Group!!!

>>

>> I suspect that not very many other folks in this Group have had the

>> benefit/pain of " The Russian " ...Although if you have, then I would

>> like start another 'Thread' about electrical current being sent

>> through your body to jolt your muscles awake....

>>

>> Bob

>>

>>

>> >

>> > Hi, ,

>> >

>> > Everyone says the PT is a killer. What do they do to you?

>> >

>> > Thanks.

>> >

>> > Ann

>>

>>

> " Relying on God has to begin every day as if nothing had yet been

> done. "

>

>

" If God brings you to it He will bring you through it. "

[Guest guest]

Just a note:

"The Russian", as you call it, may be one of two similar devices.

TENS - Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (aka Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator), which is generally used on stroke patients to rehabilitate and stimulate neural activity or to relieve chronic pain.

EMS - Electrical Muscle Stimulation, which is used more often as part of a physiotherapy plan to stimulate muscle activity and improve muscle tone. (If anyone has seen those "ab builders" that require "no effort", they're simplified versions of this device).

I think it's more likely that your "Russian" is an EMS. BTW, the "sticky things" are the electrode pads.

A quick search just now showed me there's also a combination TENS/EMS device on the market. Orginal development of the TENS and EMS was done by one Dr. ph Tannenbaum, head of the Biomedical Department of the Hebrew University of jerusalem in the 1970s. For more information, including rental/purchasing info, google "TENS+EMS".

I've worked with Dr. Tannenbaum on another project, electromagnetic bone growth stimulation (accelerated fracture healing), and although he's almost 80 years old, he's still active and has all his marbles... if anyone has any complaints about his inventions, let me know, and I'll pass them on... :-)

Greywolf - RTHR-2003; LTHR-2004

mdavison@...

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Al WelchSent: 27 September, 2006 1:40 AMJoint Replacement Subject: RE: Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

Elaine,

1. I have been told by PT that you should not have ultrasound applied around a TKR as it can loosen the implants. Perhaps you should ask your doctor about this to be sure.

2. The Russian is also called a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator ) machine. I own my own which I purchased online. I did obtain a prescription for it. I used it for my shoulder after surgery and more recently on my TKR around my calf muscles and thighs to help push out the swelling. My PT has also hooked me up to one for the same reasons.

For those asking what PT does... they work on increasing range of motion. Often this is painful as they stretch the tendons and joints in an effort to increase the range. My PT puts a canvas belt across my leg and then under the electric table. Then she raised the table until the belt pulls tight and forces the leg into extension. Then while in that stretch, she pushes down on my knee using her weight to press my knee into the table. This is a tortuous process. I suspect most others on this site and had this process applied to their leg. Prior to this process, they massage the back of the knee to help relax the tendons. They have you on your stomach for 8-10 minutes with a weight on your ankle and your leg hanging over the edge of the table so that gravity and the weight are working to force you leg into a straight extension position. This also hurts a whole lot.

Al Welch

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Elaine PoageSent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 3:58 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

I had the same thing as the "Russian" whatever but I had it on for 30 minutes. I also wen to a sports therapy place. They also used ultrasound on my knee for 10 minutes. They believe that these two items plus the exercises they had me do helps in rehabilitation and I agree.On Sep 26, 2006, at 3:13 PM, know_jack wrote:

Ann,The PT will do whatever they want!!!...You, my Dear, will just have to figure out your limits...And PT's can vary from area to area....And here comes my personal history...In 1980 & 1996 I had barely competent PT's...Actually, they were very incompetent PT's...However,This last year, after my TKR( & 2 weeks with a PT who came to my house & taught me the basics of excercises) I was fortunate enough to go to a PT Clinic that specialized in 'Sports Rehab'(They do all the work for the DC United Soccer Team)....Whew, were they good!!!! They really put me through it.....They even had a 'treatment' that they called 'The Russian'....The 'Russian' is 6 little 'sticky things' that they attach to various muscles of your leg,,, & those sticky things are attached to a 'machine'... & the Machine sends an electric shock to the Sticky Things....5 seconds of electrical shock...followed by 10 seconds of 'nothing'...followed by 5 seconds of shock....For 10 minutes!!!!....But the Sticky Things & Shocks are a way to 'wake up your muscles' & hurt like $%^* & *^..But afterwards,,,well,,,My long dorment muscles were woken up, although a little grumpy....I have no regrets, and was happy to find a competent PT Group!!!I suspect that not very many other folks in this Group have had the benefit/pain of "The Russian"...Although if you have, then I would like start another 'Thread' about electrical current being sent through your body to jolt your muscles awake....Bob>> Hi, ,> > Everyone says the PT is a killer. What do they do to you? > > Thanks.> > Ann"Relying on God has to begin every day as if nothing had yet been done."

My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti-spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com.

[Guest guest]

I believe I've seen em on EBay but not sure.

Sherry

RE: Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

Just a note:

"The Russian", as you call it, may be one of two similar devices.

TENS - Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (aka Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator), which is generally used on stroke patients to rehabilitate and stimulate neural activity or to relieve chronic pain. EMS - Electrical Muscle Stimulation, which is used more often as part of a physiotherapy plan to stimulate muscle activity and improve muscle tone. (If anyone has seen those "ab builders" that require "no effort", they're simplified versions of this device).

I think it's more likely that your "Russian" is an EMS. BTW, the "sticky things" are the electrode pads.

A quick search just now showed me there's also a combination TENS/EMS device on the market. Orginal development of the TENS and EMS was done by one Dr. ph Tannenbaum, head of the Biomedical Department of the Hebrew University of jerusalem in the 1970s. For more information, including rental/purchasing info, google "TENS+EMS".

I've worked with Dr. Tannenbaum on another project, electromagnetic bone growth stimulation (accelerated fracture healing), and although he's almost 80 years old, he's still active and has all his marbles... if anyone has any complaints about his inventions, let me know, and I'll pass them on... :-)

Greywolf - RTHR-2003; LTHR-2004

mdavisonnetvision (DOT) net.il

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Al WelchSent: 27 September, 2006 1:40 AMJoint Replacement Subject: RE: Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

Elaine,

1. I have been told by PT that you should not have ultrasound applied around a TKR as it can loosen the implants. Perhaps you should ask your doctor about this to be sure.

2. The Russian is also called a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator ) machine. I own my own which I purchased online. I did obtain a prescription for it. I used it for my shoulder after surgery and more recently on my TKR around my calf muscles and thighs to help push out the swelling. My PT has also hooked me up to one for the same reasons.

For those asking what PT does... they work on increasing range of motion. Often this is painful as they stretch the tendons and joints in an effort to increase the range. My PT puts a canvas belt across my leg and then under the electric table. Then she raised the table until the belt pulls tight and forces the leg into extension. Then while in that stretch, she pushes down on my knee using her weight to press my knee into the table. This is a tortuous process. I suspect most others on this site and had this process applied to their leg. Prior to this process, they massage the back of the knee to help relax the tendons. They have you on your stomach for 8-10 minutes with a weight on your ankle and your leg hanging over the edge of the table so that gravity and the weight are working to force you leg into a straight extension position. This also hurts a whole lot.

Al Welch

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Elaine PoageSent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 3:58 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: Re: Straightening your leg after surgery

I had the same thing as the "Russian" whatever but I had it on for 30 minutes. I also wen to a sports therapy place. They also used ultrasound on my knee for 10 minutes. They believe that these two items plus the exercises they had me do helps in rehabilitation and I agree.On Sep 26, 2006, at 3:13 PM, know_jack wrote:

Ann,The PT will do whatever they want!!!...You, my Dear, will just have to figure out your limits...And PT's can vary from area to area....And here comes my personal history...In 1980 & 1996 I had barely competent PT's...Actually, they were very incompetent PT's...However,This last year, after my TKR( & 2 weeks with a PT who came to my house & taught me the basics of excercises) I was fortunate enough to go to a PT Clinic that specialized in 'Sports Rehab'(They do all the work for the DC United Soccer Team)....Whew, were they good!!!! They really put me through it.....They even had a 'treatment' that they called 'The Russian'....The 'Russian' is 6 little 'sticky things' that they attach to various muscles of your leg,,, & those sticky things are attached to a 'machine'... & the Machine sends an electric shock to the Sticky Things....5 seconds of electrical shock...followed by 10 seconds of 'nothing'...followed by 5 seconds of shock....For 10 minutes!!!!....But the Sticky Things & Shocks are a way to 'wake up your muscles' & hurt like $%^* & *^..But afterwards,,,well,,,My long dorment muscles were woken up, although a little grumpy....I have no regrets, and was happy to find a competent PT Group!!!I suspect that not very many other folks in this Group have had the benefit/pain of "The Russian"...Although if you have, then I would like start another 'Thread' about electrical current being sent through your body to jolt your muscles awake....Bob>> Hi, ,> > Everyone says the PT is a killer. What do they do to you? > > Thanks.> > Ann"Relying on God has to begin every day as if nothing had yet been done."

My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti-spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com.