I have just had my second physio appointment which was delayed (because of a bad UTI) and rescheduled closer to home. It was a revelation because I learnt that I had been concentrating almost entirely on the gold standard of a 90 degree knee bend. Instead I should have been building up my thigh muscle (quad) which, some four and a half weeks post surgery, has lost most of its function. If this muscle doesn’t work the knee will not bend properly. I now have just over a week to achieve a straight leg raise off the bed before I see my surgeon. A tough ask.
The hospital physio (who didn’t even give me any exercise sheets) never mentioned this and I feel very let down. The first six weeks post op are crucial from the physio point of view because the scar tissue formation will also affect the future movement of the knee and, from the surgeon’s point of view, the op’s success.
It’s a hard enough op to endure but not to have the right information to recuperate successfully makes this even harder. The relentless pain has sent me into some very dark places.
I have spent hours researching information online to get me through this. Someone needs to write a short guide to recovering well and it needs to be both realistic and idealistic.
Written by
BonnieMagic
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I had my shoulder operated on just before the first covid lockdown - so I never received any physio appointments- most of my exercises were taken from off the internet -apart from the initial ones I brought home from the hospital.
You need to state your concerns to your surgeon -it’s a team effort-and if there are shortfalls everyone need to be aware.
I would suggest you also report this lack of appropriate follow up to your local Integrated Care System - ICS - which has a remit to look at all NHS commissioned services across care settings. Some ICSes such as Nottinghamshire have a full MSK care pathway which starts at the GP and ends post surgery [when surgery was decided as treatment]. I would be happy to send you the infographic but Health unlocked does not seem to have the functionality for uploading documents or images..
You can upload photos - but if you want to send documents-best to contact poster by chats/message facility . You can then exchange email addresses if both happy to send that way. But please don’t put email address on open forum.
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Hi, I'm waiting for my knee surgery, in the mean time I go to a Hydrotherapy pool twice a week where I excersise to strengthen my quads, ham strings etc.I have a great fear of water but the pain in my knee and leg was enough for me to give it a go.
It is amazing!
There are also people using the Hydro for post op excersises and they are really pleased with how much they can bend the knee in the warm water.
Just wandered if you could be referred, I think you need to go through your Physiotherapist. That's how I got the opportunity to use the pool.
I'm certainly not regretting the decision to 'face my fear'.
Oh you’re so lucky and well done for facing your fear. You’ll be miles ahead of everyone else in the recovery stakes.
I had hydrotherapy many years ago before I had a hip operation which was suggested by my very forward-thinking orthopaedic surgeon. It helped tremendously.
Unfortunately I’m pretty sure there isn’t a hydrotherapy pool near me but I will double check.
Wishing you good luck when it comes to your time. Let us know how you get on.
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