Alligatorob's Diary
- Thread starter alligatorob
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alligatorob
Respected Member
Not my best food day, but not my worst. I did physical therapy today, but not much else. I have been working really hard on my extensions and my right leg has gotten worse. It was down to 1.5 degrees a couple of days ago, but today was 5 degrees, and it hurt. The physical therapist said I may have done too much with it, so that was my excuse for no more exercises. I did try to walk around the house more than usual.
Other measurements were good, left leg is still at 0 in extension and 121 in flexion, right leg 119 in flexion. Both of the flexion measurements are new highs. The goal is 120, so I seem to be there, but then the physical therapist raised it to 130, I know I should do even better than that.
Taking the rest of the day off has left my legs with less pain, but I am not sure that is for the best right now. I know I need to be pushing things to prevent scar tissue in the wrong places...
Other measurements were good, left leg is still at 0 in extension and 121 in flexion, right leg 119 in flexion. Both of the flexion measurements are new highs. The goal is 120, so I seem to be there, but then the physical therapist raised it to 130, I know I should do even better than that.
Taking the rest of the day off has left my legs with less pain, but I am not sure that is for the best right now. I know I need to be pushing things to prevent scar tissue in the wrong places...
Thanks, I know it varies a lot, mine isn't too bad, so hopefully that means it will go sooner rather than later.
No, and I can only do it holding the rail on one side and with a cane on the other. But I can mostly do it right, one foot after the other straight not sideways.
Thanks Cate, I know it is. However I have to admit to getting discouraged sometimes at slow progress. I know I am improving, but still have a long way to go. Still mostly walking with a cane, more to prevent falls than anything else, but still have the cane...
Curious to know what the therapist uses to measure your extension/flexion. All we get is a protractor and you can’t get half-degree precision out of that if you aren't looking at lines.
It is however normal for people to struggle with extension after practicing flexion and vice versa.
It is however normal for people to struggle with extension after practicing flexion and vice versa.
alligatorob
Respected Member
A better day, ate ok, no cookies but some whiskey at the end of the day. I only drink alcohol a couple of times a month now, so I think that is ok.
My physical therapy break did help with the pain a bit, stopped at about noon yesterday and did not start back until afternoon today. It doesn't hurt as much even after my home PT today. It was a stormy day, so I wasn't tempted to walk. Got our first snow in the mountains, pretty close to here, but we just got rain. Much needed this has been an awful drought.
My physical therapy break did help with the pain a bit, stopped at about noon yesterday and did not start back until afternoon today. It doesn't hurt as much even after my home PT today. It was a stormy day, so I wasn't tempted to walk. Got our first snow in the mountains, pretty close to here, but we just got rain. Much needed this has been an awful drought.
They probably use the same, just plastic protractors. I don't believe they are really accurate to more than a couple of degrees. I think they differ a bit with the individual physical therapists.
I know both my flexion and extension differ depending on what exercises I have done just before measurement. Makes them even less accurate I guess. None the less I am sure my right leg is not extending as well as my left. It will take some work to get to 0 degrees. And on flexion I think I am pretty close to the 120 minimal goal, probably there. Hey @Llama I appreciate your comments and expertise on this, a trusted second opinion is really helpful.
Bodies are just fascinating.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Ate pizza and some cookies for both lunch and dinner, did not track calories, probably too many but no binge. Did most of my PT exercises today, woke up with some pain but as the day went on it got less. Probably feel the least pain I have felt so far, still quite stiff and some pain but better. I have added climbing the longest stairs in our house, 21 full sized steps to my exercise routine. Up and down twice a day and I am careful to keep my knees straight both ways. Still need to hold onto the handrail with one hand and a cane with the other, but it works. I have also stopped using the cane 80% of the time, now I only use it on uneven surfaces and stairs. Could be worse.
Not even close Llama, you are a delight. Always interesting and well informed. I like that you don't hold much back, its refreshing! And your knowledge of the human body and its workings have been quite helpful.
Yes, I think it did. Today was another not real hard day, weather kept me from walking much, though I did make a couple of runs to the store. I think not over doing my knees, but keeping with the basic PT exercises is probably best. We'll see what I measure tomorrow.
Thank you my friend.Sounds good to me. How does measuring day compare to weigh-in day?
alligatorob
Respected Member
Not my best food day, but really just didn't control portions no binge. I did however eat a really big cookie. It was given to me, probably could and should have passed but I didn't.
Did a lot of physical therapy. Really worked on my right, bad, knee and when measured it got to 0 degrees for the first time. I know it will be a struggle to keep it there, but I made it! Physical therapist said my other knee was obviously straight, no need to measure. Flexion was better in both knees, 126 on the right and 129 on the left. The therapist said I have now made all of the 6 week goals, and today was 3 weeks. He said now we need to work more on strengthening thinks, whist keeping up the range of motion. He is also helping me to walk more upright, only now possible that my extension is good. My knees do hurt a bit tonight, hope I didn't over do it...
Did a lot of physical therapy. Really worked on my right, bad, knee and when measured it got to 0 degrees for the first time. I know it will be a struggle to keep it there, but I made it! Physical therapist said my other knee was obviously straight, no need to measure. Flexion was better in both knees, 126 on the right and 129 on the left. The therapist said I have now made all of the 6 week goals, and today was 3 weeks. He said now we need to work more on strengthening thinks, whist keeping up the range of motion. He is also helping me to walk more upright, only now possible that my extension is good. My knees do hurt a bit tonight, hope I didn't over do it...
Good question, for me not a lot of correlation. Today was a very good measuring day, not a great weigh-in, but it could be worse. I am thinking that measuring needs to keep up for a while, but maybe less important now that I seem to be ok.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Today was a better day. This morning's weight gain was a bit of a wake up, so I recorded and watched my food more closely. And no cookies!
I did 2 hours and 20 minutes in the gym and did some PT exercises. The best exercise day I have had yet. I did a 50 minute upper body weight thing and then the lady who teaches Tabata convinced me to try her class. I did things on a couple of steps set up as a bench rather than going down on the mat. Had to modify a few exercises to accommodate my knees, but not too much. Also did 20 minutes on the elliptical bike. It all felt good, kind of like I am starting to get back to normal.
I did 2 hours and 20 minutes in the gym and did some PT exercises. The best exercise day I have had yet. I did a 50 minute upper body weight thing and then the lady who teaches Tabata convinced me to try her class. I did things on a couple of steps set up as a bench rather than going down on the mat. Had to modify a few exercises to accommodate my knees, but not too much. Also did 20 minutes on the elliptical bike. It all felt good, kind of like I am starting to get back to normal.
Thanks Llama, I got a call today from the friend who had the same double replacement a few years ago. His experience is really what inspired me to do the double. He is, and always has been, in excellent condition. He said the same thing, keep measuring and keep pushing to do better. He also said I was well ahead of where he was at 3 weeks, that felt good. I know he was trying to make me feel better about it all, but he is pretty honest, would not overstate things a lot.
It's normal for people to want to make you feel better when you're in pain. It's not at all normal to be doing this well three weeks after major surgery. You're allowed to not want to take credit for that but I'm not letting you get away with thinking it's anything less than spectacular 
alligatorob
Respected Member
Not my best day, not my worst. If it has not been for poptarts in the afternoon it would have been fine, in the end my calories were not awful, so some success.
Good exercise day I went to the gym rode an elliptical for a while, did some band exercises, and then did a Tabata class. Still having to make accommodations in Tabata, I do what I can and find an alternative to what I can't. Still a reasonable workout and it feels good getting back into the swing of things. Spent and hour and a half at Physical Therapy today, they keep adding exercises and I take almost twice as long as most, I have one more joint to exercise. No measurements today, the therapist told me my knees and range of motion were looking good and suggested we only measure every other time. He was probably right. Also did some home PT, not as much as some days, but I am going up and down the stairs a lot now, still a bit awkward but getting better.
Good exercise day I went to the gym rode an elliptical for a while, did some band exercises, and then did a Tabata class. Still having to make accommodations in Tabata, I do what I can and find an alternative to what I can't. Still a reasonable workout and it feels good getting back into the swing of things. Spent and hour and a half at Physical Therapy today, they keep adding exercises and I take almost twice as long as most, I have one more joint to exercise. No measurements today, the therapist told me my knees and range of motion were looking good and suggested we only measure every other time. He was probably right. Also did some home PT, not as much as some days, but I am going up and down the stairs a lot now, still a bit awkward but getting better.
Thanks for the kind words Llama, and I know my exercising has helped. I also suspect I had a very good surgeon, when I compare to others I have and had a lot less bruising and swelling, I think that is probably a sign of good surgical technique.It's normal for people to want to make you feel better when you're in pain. It's not at all normal to be doing this well three weeks after major surgery. You're allowed to not want to take credit for that but I'm not letting you get away with thinking it's anything less than spectacular
Thanks for saying so Cate, you are a kind person. I don't know why complements make me a bit uncomfortable, guess I am not alone in that.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Today was a good day, I ate well and feel good tonight.
Did a lot of exercise, at the gym for 2:45, half an hour on the elliptical bike, some band exercises, an upper body weight lifting session and a Tabata class. None of it as vigorous as before surgery, but getting there.
I also did a lot of home PT exercises, walked up and down stairs at least 4 times and took about a 1 km walk. The walk was different, I used no poles or canes and did my best to walk upright and stride normally. I also walked up and down our small hill. It was a lot better than the last time. Things are slowly improving, don't want to give the wrong impression I am still far from cured or painless, but I can see progress, maybe even a light at the end of the tunnel. That's about all I can expect. Oh, and none of the powerful pain pills for about 10 days now, I am done with those, and I have not iced in several days, think I am past needing it.
Did a lot of exercise, at the gym for 2:45, half an hour on the elliptical bike, some band exercises, an upper body weight lifting session and a Tabata class. None of it as vigorous as before surgery, but getting there.
I also did a lot of home PT exercises, walked up and down stairs at least 4 times and took about a 1 km walk. The walk was different, I used no poles or canes and did my best to walk upright and stride normally. I also walked up and down our small hill. It was a lot better than the last time. Things are slowly improving, don't want to give the wrong impression I am still far from cured or painless, but I can see progress, maybe even a light at the end of the tunnel. That's about all I can expect. Oh, and none of the powerful pain pills for about 10 days now, I am done with those, and I have not iced in several days, think I am past needing it.
Thanks Llama, and no binge today!! Not even a close call. As to overdoing things, I am trying to do as much as my legs will let me do. I did a lot today, but slowed down when it started to hurt more. I can feel it tonight, but not bad, think I am ok.
Thanks, and I did try to get ready. I know being at a reasonable weight helped, walking and doing things would have been a lot harder if I were heavier. Not that I wouldn't like to get back down 15 pounds or so, but who wouldn't. And I don't think 15 pounds makes much difference to my knees.
alligatorob
Respected Member
Yesterday was not a great day foodwise. I binged on chocolate, first time in a few weeks.... But today is another day and so far so good.
My exercise yesterday was good, an hour and a half in the gym and another hour and a half in physical therapy. Also did some PT at home. Got measured and flexion in both knees was a little better, 125 and 129, extension about the same 0 degrees. However I have to work a lot harder on the right knee to get there than the left.
My exercise yesterday was good, an hour and a half in the gym and another hour and a half in physical therapy. Also did some PT at home. Got measured and flexion in both knees was a little better, 125 and 129, extension about the same 0 degrees. However I have to work a lot harder on the right knee to get there than the left.
Thanks Llama, and you are right I would not want to lose muscle, but I know I have some fat that could go. One thing I have noticed is that the people who had just one knee done seem to be a lot more mobile than I am. Guess the reason for that is obvious, I don't have good leg to stand on, LOL. However I do not think they are progressing as fast as I am, probably in part for the same reason. Every time I get up I have to work bad knees.
I am not so sure Cate, I know I have more fat now than I did when I was lighter. I am sure some of my weight gain is muscle, but not all...