The Bionic Man

[bigjohnsd]

A little depressed and frustrated after PT today, going the wrong direction

More pain, more swelling, less bend, less straight.

PT guy said go home, take more drugs, Ice more and do lots of range of motion stuff.

I hate going backward and I hate pain.

Krap

 

[HotRodZilla]

Don't stress that. You JUST had surgery that is violent. Give it some time. It'll level out and then progress will continue. Pushing too hard just makes it go slower, so take it slow. Sorry about the pain. It does suck.

 

[wetwolf]

Out of curiosity, how old are you. I had my left knee (ACL) done 30 years ago and it's blown up again, worse then before. Doc says I can't get a bionic knee because I'm too young and will wear it out with all the physical stuff I do. I'm a young 52 year old.

 

[exskibum]

Ouch. Hang in there, like Zilla says. You'll be ready for rock climbing and 10 mile hikes by YFO!

 

[bigjohnsd]

Wetwolf: Just now Medicare eligible

 

[wetwolf]

Thanks for the answer. so 2 weeks out of surgery and walking with a cane. Keep up the PT and you will be dancing before you know it. Have you considered a CBD for pain management?

 

[bigjohnsd]

Have you considered a CBD for pain management?

Not here in South Dakota, if I was with my son in Oregon........

 

[Pterodactyl]

Had to look-up CBD. Probably okay here in MT.

I wonder what a full body massage in the stuff would cost?

 

[Uncle Hud]

bigjohnsd,

PT is long and tough and often painful. The reward is a fully-functioning knee -- which is essential to living out the remainder of your life. Have faith in your therapist (helps if it's a cute girl), your doctors, and your own body. Nose to the grindstone, eyes on the goal, my friend.

[from the other side of the psychology couch] WTF, man? Two weeks out of surgery and you expect to be ... hiking? Cross-country skiing? Riding your FJR? STFU and be glad you don't have to do this PT **** in springtime. Since you can't walk, ask your wife to pour you another Scotch.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Stitches out today, 108 degrees and 5 degrees from straight. Both PT and MD happy with where we are.

 

[dcarver]

See what a day and a scotch or two will do?

 

[bigjohnsd]

https://share.photobucket.com/shareprofile/indexshare.php?id=NDY0MDg=

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

https://share.photobucket.com/shareprofile/indexshare.php?id=NDY0MDg=

That's quit a zipper! Heal strong and well comrade.

 

[bigjohnsd]

I keep seeing improvement, can bend 118 degrees now and can get it straight with just a little pressure on the knee cap.

Quadricep muscle still pretty weak, working on that but it is easy to overdue the PT which results in swelling, pain and further delay.

PT Guru says I'm doing better than expected,

I, of course,feel that progress is way too slow.

Lots of Ice seems to help.

 

[RossKean]

Lots of Ice seems to help.

On the knee or in your drink?

 

[wetwolf]

Hell, in SD, there is prolly ice everywhere.

 

[Pterodactyl]

They sell ice cream in suppositories in SD. It's known locally as ice cram.

 

[bigjohnsd]

They sell ice cream in suppositories in SD. It's known locally as ice cram.

Gives new meaning to the term "Poopsickle"

 

[GinaMcD]

Out of curiosity, how old are you. I had my left knee (ACL) done 30 years ago and it's blown up again, worse then before. Doc says I can't get a bionic knee because I'm too young and will wear it out with all the physical stuff I do. I'm a young 52 year old.

Get another opinion! They fed my husband the same line of BS for years until he sought an opinion from a doctor outside his regular practice. He was in agony and suffering, and doubting whether he'd be able to keep working long enough to reach Medicare eligibility before having to be declared eligible for LTD and then Medicaid. He was in his late forties when he had his two total knee replacements, and he got his life back. He knows he'll likely have to go through the surgeries again, but he says knowing what he knows now, he'll do it again in a heart beat.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Update for those still interested:

Doing better than I expected, my wife and I start Dance class next Tuesday night.

PT guy and Doctor are happy. I can bend it 125 degrees now and straighten it out. It swells and hurts a little if I spend 3-4 hours in the garage, but it is at least as good, if not better, than before surgery.

Still building quadricep strength back up, stairs are still no fun.

Looking forward to Australia in March, bike trip to Portland and Yosemite in Late May and the big ride to Dawson, Inuvik, Fairbanks and points TBD in June/July.