13 Jul – 18 Jul 07, Fri – Wed, D45 – D50. The 7th week.
Have been increasing the flexion range of motion (ROM) gradually by 5° a day, from 30° to 60° on the CPM machine. Felt a little soreness in the knee, but otherwise, it was not really painful. Have also started to put my operated foot down on the floor. Got pins and needles feeling whenever you put any pressure on the foot. The medical term for this symptom is called paraesthesia. This is probably caused by the long period of non-weight bearing and the nerves have "fallen asleep’’. I read that this is quite normal and it will gradually fade away after putting repeated pressure on the foot. During my daily session of sunshine, I would deliberately put the foot down on the hot pavement. The burning sensation would overwhelm this pins and needles discomfort.
Went for my 4th physiotherapy session yesterday. It was a long session, lasting almost 2 hrs. Have progressed to doing a series of leg exercises with ankle weight. The physio noted the good progress I’ve had with the ROM on the CPM machine, but said he wanted to test the limit of the flexion. He put my leg on the Gym’s CPM machine and started raising the flexion angle beyond 60° – stopping only when the pain came on at 85°. Next he set me on a cycling machine. I tried but could only pedalled about 180°. Putting pressure on the pedal from the good left leg, my stiffened right knee joint was forced to flex as far as possible within the pain limit. This was alternately repeated in the reversed direction. This is what I call self-inflicted torture :-( There are many machines in the Ortho Gym which I saw other patients using. I’ll probably be using these machines in due course – there’ll be many more painful episodes to overcome. To keep up with the momentum and the ‘good’ progress, I’ll be going to the Ortho Gym again this coming Sat…
Have been increasing the flexion range of motion (ROM) gradually by 5° a day, from 30° to 60° on the CPM machine. Felt a little soreness in the knee, but otherwise, it was not really painful. Have also started to put my operated foot down on the floor. Got pins and needles feeling whenever you put any pressure on the foot. The medical term for this symptom is called paraesthesia. This is probably caused by the long period of non-weight bearing and the nerves have "fallen asleep’’. I read that this is quite normal and it will gradually fade away after putting repeated pressure on the foot. During my daily session of sunshine, I would deliberately put the foot down on the hot pavement. The burning sensation would overwhelm this pins and needles discomfort.
Went for my 4th physiotherapy session yesterday. It was a long session, lasting almost 2 hrs. Have progressed to doing a series of leg exercises with ankle weight. The physio noted the good progress I’ve had with the ROM on the CPM machine, but said he wanted to test the limit of the flexion. He put my leg on the Gym’s CPM machine and started raising the flexion angle beyond 60° – stopping only when the pain came on at 85°. Next he set me on a cycling machine. I tried but could only pedalled about 180°. Putting pressure on the pedal from the good left leg, my stiffened right knee joint was forced to flex as far as possible within the pain limit. This was alternately repeated in the reversed direction. This is what I call self-inflicted torture :-( There are many machines in the Ortho Gym which I saw other patients using. I’ll probably be using these machines in due course – there’ll be many more painful episodes to overcome. To keep up with the momentum and the ‘good’ progress, I’ll be going to the Ortho Gym again this coming Sat…
On a cycling machine - forcing the right knee to flex
Every morning, upon waking, in addition to the leg exercises, I would be doing the crunches & sit-ups – these exercises help to give the body some workouts. I would move both my arms, as well as slide out the healthy leg during the sit-ups – this is also like swimming breaststroke with one leg or simulating the rowing action. The trick is to move all the limbs and upper body, and yet not strain the operated leg. Did 610 sit-ups on Sunday - why 610? I originally intended to do only 305, but since I felt good and energetic that morning, I thought I could add another 100 or 200, but ended up doing another 305 sit-ups instead :-)
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