Guest guest Posted March 9, 2003 Report Share Posted March 9, 2003 Hi Trudy, My knee was less than happy too - it was one of the pressing reasons I needed to get something done about the fused hip. I have found my swimming has helped it greatly. Initially it objected for the first half length of the swim but it no longer does that and I noticed this morning when I accidently misplaced weight on it that it only briefly hurt and quickly recovered. In the past it would have been agony in the same situation and given me grief for more than a moment. I only actually swim 2 lengths but then do about 30 mins of walking and swinging the leg through water straight, bent and anything I can think of for variety. I think this has strengthened the knee area heaps. I like the pool work as it doesn't place the weight stress on joints and has seemed to let me strengthen weak areas without stressing the joints themselves. This type of exercise could be done in any pool of water to waist level and now you all have spring excuses for getting into water must be disappearing...........smile Edith LBHR Sydney Aust Dr. Walter Aug 02 > Martha and Edith, > Wow, I can chime in on this one! Martha, you are the first person > who has mentioned cracking in the knees in all the reading I have > done on rehab. That's what I have and it sure is nice to hear that > I'm not alone. Also is shows that I need to build up the muscles > there too. Unfortunately, my PT sucked. They knew about my knees > and did nothing nor did they inform me that I could be helped. I got > standard " old people, THR rehab " . Now I'm in a new year with > insurance and they won't pay anyway for PT. So I'll be doing this on > my own. The knees are now my trouble and interfering with rehabbing > the hips. What kind of schedule did you follow? I don't want to be > too aggressive cuz I'm known for that. I would much appreciate > ANY info you can give. > Trudy > Cormet bilat 1/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2003 Report Share Posted March 10, 2003 Hi Trudy! Can you get your regular family doctor to pay for PT, with a bad knee diagnosis? Even though my insurance refused to pay for the resurf operation, they have paid for the 2 different PT sessions (hip in the fall, knees this winter), since I already have the arthritis, etc. Basically, my schedule is 3 times a week: 15 minutes on the airdyne bike. 15 minutes stretches. 30 minutes weights. I am now considered " post rehab " (for the second time!) and I do these on my own at the gym, just not under the direct scrutiny of the trainer. I try to do the stretches every day. Those days that are not gym days, I try to do 20 minutes on the elliptical cross-trainer that I have downstairs in my home. I have found that the stretches are more influential in strengthening my knees than anything else. As one of my therapists said - " you have the worst combination of muscles - tight and weak muscle groups around the knee. " > > Hi Martha > > > > You sound a lot like me with the need for long term muscle build up > etc. I > > was so delighted today..... I managed to walk up the steps out of > the pool > > normally on both legs without desparately clinging onto the rails. > That has > > taken 2 months of swimming daily......smile........ but gee did it > feel > > nice...... > > > > Edith > > > > > Dr. Gross wrote me out a sheet with exercises when I left the > > > hospital. I did them every day. However, with all my muscle > > > atrophy, etc. I just couldn't get stronger (going up the steps > was a > > > nightmare, etc.). On my 6-week return visit, I asked him if some > PT > > > might be in order. He wrote an order, I took it home to my > regular > > > doctor, and she wrote an order for me. I started in PT in > Septmeber, > > > 2002 and worked very, very hard for 3 months, until just before > > > Christmas. I got good enough with stairs and weights to find out > > > that my KNEES were now suffering from years of imbalanced walk and > > > atrophy of the muscle around the knee.- > > > > > > So, in January, at my 6- month checkup, Dr. Gross again wrote a PT > > > order (I didn't have to ask this time, he could hear my knees > > > cracking!), and my regular doctor re-wrote it once I got home. > Once > > > again, I ended up in PT, for my knees. We started with weights in > > > the pool. Then on to the gym. Lots of weight machines, etc. and > > > this time they added some (still painful) great stretches for my > > > back, legs and knee muscles. > > > > > > I just " graduated " from PT last week, and now am in " post-rehab " > > > where I go to the gym at the rehab center on my own and they sort > of > > > monitor me (but don't stand with me the whole time). It costs > $15 a > > > month, well worth it, I think. > > > > > > With this more aggressive PT I have really zoomed along, almost > all > > > the swelling from my knees is gone, and I have a lot more > strength in > > > them. As a matter of fact, I have gotten better enough to pursue > one > > > of my old pasttimes - I used to model for a regional store that > put > > > on fashion shows all over the tri-cities. Two weeks ago, I got to > > > put on my heels (hooray!) and model for the fundraiser for the > > > American Heart Association! > > > > > > PT is hard, Dr. Gross told me I had a lot of work to do, and that > it > > > would take me a year to recover to what I was " before " - I > thought he > > > was crazy, I could just bounce back. But, in older folks (like > me), > > > it takes longer to rebuild muscles, build bone, and repair all the > > > damage that years of inactivity have heaped upon my body. I am > > > getting there, though!! > > > > > > Martha > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2003 Report Share Posted March 10, 2003 Hi Trudy! Can you get your regular family doctor to pay for PT, with a bad knee diagnosis? Even though my insurance refused to pay for the resurf operation, they have paid for the 2 different PT sessions (hip in the fall, knees this winter), since I already have the arthritis, etc. Basically, my schedule is 3 times a week: 15 minutes on the airdyne bike. 15 minutes stretches. 30 minutes weights. I am now considered " post rehab " (for the second time!) and I do these on my own at the gym, just not under the direct scrutiny of the trainer. I try to do the stretches every day. Those days that are not gym days, I try to do 20 minutes on the elliptical cross-trainer that I have downstairs in my home. I have found that the stretches are more influential in strengthening my knees than anything else. As one of my therapists said - " you have the worst combination of muscles - tight and weak muscle groups around the knee. " > > Hi Martha > > > > You sound a lot like me with the need for long term muscle build up > etc. I > > was so delighted today..... I managed to walk up the steps out of > the pool > > normally on both legs without desparately clinging onto the rails. > That has > > taken 2 months of swimming daily......smile........ but gee did it > feel > > nice...... > > > > Edith > > > > > Dr. Gross wrote me out a sheet with exercises when I left the > > > hospital. I did them every day. However, with all my muscle > > > atrophy, etc. I just couldn't get stronger (going up the steps > was a > > > nightmare, etc.). On my 6-week return visit, I asked him if some > PT > > > might be in order. He wrote an order, I took it home to my > regular > > > doctor, and she wrote an order for me. I started in PT in > Septmeber, > > > 2002 and worked very, very hard for 3 months, until just before > > > Christmas. I got good enough with stairs and weights to find out > > > that my KNEES were now suffering from years of imbalanced walk and > > > atrophy of the muscle around the knee.- > > > > > > So, in January, at my 6- month checkup, Dr. Gross again wrote a PT > > > order (I didn't have to ask this time, he could hear my knees > > > cracking!), and my regular doctor re-wrote it once I got home. > Once > > > again, I ended up in PT, for my knees. We started with weights in > > > the pool. Then on to the gym. Lots of weight machines, etc. and > > > this time they added some (still painful) great stretches for my > > > back, legs and knee muscles. > > > > > > I just " graduated " from PT last week, and now am in " post-rehab " > > > where I go to the gym at the rehab center on my own and they sort > of > > > monitor me (but don't stand with me the whole time). It costs > $15 a > > > month, well worth it, I think. > > > > > > With this more aggressive PT I have really zoomed along, almost > all > > > the swelling from my knees is gone, and I have a lot more > strength in > > > them. As a matter of fact, I have gotten better enough to pursue > one > > > of my old pasttimes - I used to model for a regional store that > put > > > on fashion shows all over the tri-cities. Two weeks ago, I got to > > > put on my heels (hooray!) and model for the fundraiser for the > > > American Heart Association! > > > > > > PT is hard, Dr. Gross told me I had a lot of work to do, and that > it > > > would take me a year to recover to what I was " before " - I > thought he > > > was crazy, I could just bounce back. But, in older folks (like > me), > > > it takes longer to rebuild muscles, build bone, and repair all the > > > damage that years of inactivity have heaped upon my body. I am > > > getting there, though!! > > > > > > Martha > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2003 Report Share Posted March 10, 2003 Martha, Thanks for the info. I just started a yoga class and have to say it's the best thing I've done yet. As yoga is a complete body workout (workover ) I'm hoping this will help. I wasn't specific enough about insurance. Out deductible is $5000 so even if I got a prescription I'd have to pay. Our insurance is pretty much for extreme circumstances and we never go to the doc unless we're dying. Trudy > > > Hi Martha > > > > > > You sound a lot like me with the need for long term muscle build > up > > etc. I > > > was so delighted today..... I managed to walk up the steps out of > > the pool > > > normally on both legs without desparately clinging onto the > rails. > > That has > > > taken 2 months of swimming daily......smile........ but gee did > it > > feel > > > nice...... > > > > > > Edith > > > > > > > Dr. Gross wrote me out a sheet with exercises when I left the > > > > hospital. I did them every day. However, with all my muscle > > > > atrophy, etc. I just couldn't get stronger (going up the steps > > was a > > > > nightmare, etc.). On my 6-week return visit, I asked him if > some > > PT > > > > might be in order. He wrote an order, I took it home to my > > regular > > > > doctor, and she wrote an order for me. I started in PT in > > Septmeber, > > > > 2002 and worked very, very hard for 3 months, until just before > > > > Christmas. I got good enough with stairs and weights to find > out > > > > that my KNEES were now suffering from years of imbalanced walk > and > > > > atrophy of the muscle around the knee.- > > > > > > > > So, in January, at my 6- month checkup, Dr. Gross again wrote a > PT > > > > order (I didn't have to ask this time, he could hear my knees > > > > cracking!), and my regular doctor re-wrote it once I got home. > > Once > > > > again, I ended up in PT, for my knees. We started with weights > in > > > > the pool. Then on to the gym. Lots of weight machines, etc. > and > > > > this time they added some (still painful) great stretches for my > > > > back, legs and knee muscles. > > > > > > > > I just " graduated " from PT last week, and now am in " post- rehab " > > > > where I go to the gym at the rehab center on my own and they > sort > > of > > > > monitor me (but don't stand with me the whole time). It costs > > $15 a > > > > month, well worth it, I think. > > > > > > > > With this more aggressive PT I have really zoomed along, almost > > all > > > > the swelling from my knees is gone, and I have a lot more > > strength in > > > > them. As a matter of fact, I have gotten better enough to > pursue > > one > > > > of my old pasttimes - I used to model for a regional store that > > put > > > > on fashion shows all over the tri-cities. Two weeks ago, I got > to > > > > put on my heels (hooray!) and model for the fundraiser for the > > > > American Heart Association! > > > > > > > > PT is hard, Dr. Gross told me I had a lot of work to do, and > that > > it > > > > would take me a year to recover to what I was " before " - I > > thought he > > > > was crazy, I could just bounce back. But, in older folks (like > > me), > > > > it takes longer to rebuild muscles, build bone, and repair all > the > > > > damage that years of inactivity have heaped upon my body. I am > > > > getting there, though!! > > > > > > > > Martha > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2003 Report Share Posted March 10, 2003 Martha, Thanks for the info. I just started a yoga class and have to say it's the best thing I've done yet. As yoga is a complete body workout (workover ) I'm hoping this will help. I wasn't specific enough about insurance. Out deductible is $5000 so even if I got a prescription I'd have to pay. Our insurance is pretty much for extreme circumstances and we never go to the doc unless we're dying. Trudy > > > Hi Martha > > > > > > You sound a lot like me with the need for long term muscle build > up > > etc. I > > > was so delighted today..... I managed to walk up the steps out of > > the pool > > > normally on both legs without desparately clinging onto the > rails. > > That has > > > taken 2 months of swimming daily......smile........ but gee did > it > > feel > > > nice...... > > > > > > Edith > > > > > > > Dr. Gross wrote me out a sheet with exercises when I left the > > > > hospital. I did them every day. However, with all my muscle > > > > atrophy, etc. I just couldn't get stronger (going up the steps > > was a > > > > nightmare, etc.). On my 6-week return visit, I asked him if > some > > PT > > > > might be in order. He wrote an order, I took it home to my > > regular > > > > doctor, and she wrote an order for me. I started in PT in > > Septmeber, > > > > 2002 and worked very, very hard for 3 months, until just before > > > > Christmas. I got good enough with stairs and weights to find > out > > > > that my KNEES were now suffering from years of imbalanced walk > and > > > > atrophy of the muscle around the knee.- > > > > > > > > So, in January, at my 6- month checkup, Dr. Gross again wrote a > PT > > > > order (I didn't have to ask this time, he could hear my knees > > > > cracking!), and my regular doctor re-wrote it once I got home. > > Once > > > > again, I ended up in PT, for my knees. We started with weights > in > > > > the pool. Then on to the gym. Lots of weight machines, etc. > and > > > > this time they added some (still painful) great stretches for my > > > > back, legs and knee muscles. > > > > > > > > I just " graduated " from PT last week, and now am in " post- rehab " > > > > where I go to the gym at the rehab center on my own and they > sort > > of > > > > monitor me (but don't stand with me the whole time). It costs > > $15 a > > > > month, well worth it, I think. > > > > > > > > With this more aggressive PT I have really zoomed along, almost > > all > > > > the swelling from my knees is gone, and I have a lot more > > strength in > > > > them. As a matter of fact, I have gotten better enough to > pursue > > one > > > > of my old pasttimes - I used to model for a regional store that > > put > > > > on fashion shows all over the tri-cities. Two weeks ago, I got > to > > > > put on my heels (hooray!) and model for the fundraiser for the > > > > American Heart Association! > > > > > > > > PT is hard, Dr. Gross told me I had a lot of work to do, and > that > > it > > > > would take me a year to recover to what I was " before " - I > > thought he > > > > was crazy, I could just bounce back. But, in older folks (like > > me), > > > > it takes longer to rebuild muscles, build bone, and repair all > the > > > > damage that years of inactivity have heaped upon my body. I am > > > > getting there, though!! > > > > > > > > Martha > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2003 Report Share Posted March 10, 2003 Martha, Thanks for the info. I just started a yoga class and have to say it's the best thing I've done yet. As yoga is a complete body workout (workover ) I'm hoping this will help. I wasn't specific enough about insurance. Out deductible is $5000 so even if I got a prescription I'd have to pay. Our insurance is pretty much for extreme circumstances and we never go to the doc unless we're dying. Trudy > > > Hi Martha > > > > > > You sound a lot like me with the need for long term muscle build > up > > etc. I > > > was so delighted today..... I managed to walk up the steps out of > > the pool > > > normally on both legs without desparately clinging onto the > rails. > > That has > > > taken 2 months of swimming daily......smile........ but gee did > it > > feel > > > nice...... > > > > > > Edith > > > > > > > Dr. Gross wrote me out a sheet with exercises when I left the > > > > hospital. I did them every day. However, with all my muscle > > > > atrophy, etc. I just couldn't get stronger (going up the steps > > was a > > > > nightmare, etc.). On my 6-week return visit, I asked him if > some > > PT > > > > might be in order. He wrote an order, I took it home to my > > regular > > > > doctor, and she wrote an order for me. I started in PT in > > Septmeber, > > > > 2002 and worked very, very hard for 3 months, until just before > > > > Christmas. I got good enough with stairs and weights to find > out > > > > that my KNEES were now suffering from years of imbalanced walk > and > > > > atrophy of the muscle around the knee.- > > > > > > > > So, in January, at my 6- month checkup, Dr. Gross again wrote a > PT > > > > order (I didn't have to ask this time, he could hear my knees > > > > cracking!), and my regular doctor re-wrote it once I got home. > > Once > > > > again, I ended up in PT, for my knees. We started with weights > in > > > > the pool. Then on to the gym. Lots of weight machines, etc. > and > > > > this time they added some (still painful) great stretches for my > > > > back, legs and knee muscles. > > > > > > > > I just " graduated " from PT last week, and now am in " post- rehab " > > > > where I go to the gym at the rehab center on my own and they > sort > > of > > > > monitor me (but don't stand with me the whole time). It costs > > $15 a > > > > month, well worth it, I think. > > > > > > > > With this more aggressive PT I have really zoomed along, almost > > all > > > > the swelling from my knees is gone, and I have a lot more > > strength in > > > > them. As a matter of fact, I have gotten better enough to > pursue > > one > > > > of my old pasttimes - I used to model for a regional store that > > put > > > > on fashion shows all over the tri-cities. Two weeks ago, I got > to > > > > put on my heels (hooray!) and model for the fundraiser for the > > > > American Heart Association! > > > > > > > > PT is hard, Dr. Gross told me I had a lot of work to do, and > that > > it > > > > would take me a year to recover to what I was " before " - I > > thought he > > > > was crazy, I could just bounce back. But, in older folks (like > > me), > > > > it takes longer to rebuild muscles, build bone, and repair all > the > > > > damage that years of inactivity have heaped upon my body. I am > > > > getting there, though!! > > > > > > > > Martha > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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