It pays to speak up...especially when your health is involved...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I've been going to PT since my left knee got operated on last week.

Well, I knew there would be some unpleasant stuff, but somehow I didn't expect pain.

Yesterday, there was a lot of pain, and I wondered if that was supposed to be happening.

Today, I got the word. I'd called my doc to get clarification and his assistant called me back. I told her what was going on, and she kept saying oh no, that's not right etc.

Seems the therapist was using too much force on my legs while stretching them out, and while massaging my left knee to break up the scar tissue. Damn, but it hurt!

I had a little bruise, and apparently this is a no-no. I felt like a wimp for calling, but my doc's girl assured me that I'd done the right thing.

So now the PT is on indefinite hold, at least till I see my doc in a couple of weeks.

I am relieved!

[pacalo]

1. Good message, Peggy. I can only imagine how painful your knee must be.

I hope when your knee heals it'll give you a new lease on life.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear pacalo!

Actually, it mostly doesn't hurt during my usual day...

It IS better...

I am looking forward to that new lease on life! They don't come along every day, you know!

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

[struggle4progress]

2. My dear CaliforniaPeggy!

I'm sorry your knee hurts and I'm glad you contacted your doctor's office

I think I'm also glad you weren't packing heat in PT!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear struggle4progress!

Me? Packing heat?

Never!

I'm glad too, lol!

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

[elleng]

5. DEAR CalPeg, should'a asked me. ALWAYS speak up!!!

And if you have a question, p.m. me; daughter getting Masters in OT.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear elleng!

Hey, I did!

I have to admit, I did hesitate...

My husband got in on it too, by also encouraging me to call...

I'm REALLY glad now!

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

[applegrove]

7. Good advice. I have often not complained when I should have.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. I think this is true for far too many people...

Thank you, my dear applegrove!

[UTUSN]

8. Best vibes!1 I learned a tip about getting doctors to document things

At first, with doctors, I thought that I didn't have to bring up issues with the nurses, that the doctor was the only one who counted. Skipping details here, I needed things documented, and in an early year or two I noticed that the doctor in the consultation room was only writing in the chart responding to issues the nurses had written in their ushering-in interview. I would bring up things and the doctor would respond orally but wasn't writing up the "new" issues. So I learned to tell the ushering nurse EVERYTHING I wanted in the chart, then the doctor HAD to address everything in writing.

If it's not documented, it never happened.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Thanks for the vibes, my dear UTUSN!

I'm not sure how your situation applies to me, though.

:shrug:

[csziggy]

9. You're in PT only a week after the operation?

That sounds too soon. With both my knees, they kept me in a brace for a few weeks before I started therapy, especially the right one.

PT should NOT hurt so I am glad you called the doctor. Maybe he needs to set out a more specific course for your therapy. Just don't skip it - it WILL make a world of difference in the long run!

Take it easy while you can and let the knee heal.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. My dear csziggy!

Actually, I started a light sort of PT at home, the day after the surgery, per the doc's orders. But it was really easy and not at all painful.

It did help me get stronger right away. The surgery was, after all, a fairly simple arthroscopy for my left knee.

I had the surgery on the 12th, and the formal PT started on the 19th. It didn't seem too soon then. It's just that there has been a lot of pain this last time.

He wants me to rest, and we'll re-evaluate my condition when I see him on June 10th.

I am planning on resuming my gym workouts. They're not difficult and I can tailor them to my own comfort level.

Believe me, I am taking it easy!

And thanks!

[Philippine expat]

21. My wife had a total knee replacement

stayed in the hospital 3 days and started PT 2 days after discharge from the hospital

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. Welcome to DU!

And thanks for contributing!

I hope your wife is doing well with her new knee!

:hi:

[csziggy]

25. I've heard after total replacement they get you on your feet fast

And I guess it depends on what kind of surgery you have. With my left knee and removal of the medial meniscus, I started therapy after about two or three weeks. The right knee had more damage and I was in a brace for a solid month before I was allowed to begin therapy. Then I blew off the therapy too early and have regretted it ever since.

While the left knee hurts, the right one is getting debilitating. According to the surgeon my only option for both knees is total replacement. When I am ready for that I'm going to insist on both at the same time. I'm not going through two more surgeries in a short amount of time. In the last ten years I've had five major surgeries and I am fed up with the recovery time, the PT time and how much all that crap takes out of me.

[raccoon]

13. Peggy, I'm glad you spoke up.

Yes, you did the right thing. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. I thank you, my dear raccoon!

Even though I did hesitate, I am really glad I spoke up too...

:hug:

[rurallib]

15. when a person has no insurance or a high deductible

they can't afford to speak up, nor can they afford to not speak up.
Little daily terrorisms in America today.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. I hear ya, my dear rurallib...

And what a fucking awful situation it is ...

[rurallib]

23. I was afraid you might take my comment as a shot at you

Thank goodness you didn't. I would not want to lose your respect.
All this crap around Medicare is depressing me. On top of the already insane health system.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. I know you better than that!

And the respect definitely goes both ways, sweetie...

I hear you about the insanity re Medicare and our insane health system...

:hug:

[Kali]

16. well hell!

another medical set back, dang, Peggy I hope this is minor and resting will solve the issue. meh I'm about ready to just go back to bed today! can't seem get anything done, I think I will blame insurance companies

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. Not to worry, my dear Kali...

Blaming the insurance companies is always a good thing to do!

I'll be fine.

[Curmudgeoness]

19. My dear CA Peggy, I am so glad that you said something.

We can all take a lesson from this. Hell, what does a phone call to your doctor's office cost! And I am sure that the doctor is grateful that you called too. He does not want you to be dissatisfied with the results.

Best of luck with the recovery.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. My dear Curmudgeoness!

I think he's glad to know just what's going on...

After all, if there's a problem, how can he have any effect on it if he doesn't know about it?

Thanks for your good wishes, sweetie...

:hug:

[Forkboy]

26. My ex-wife always came with me to the doctors because she knew I never asked anything.

I still don't. All I can think is, "Get me the hell outta here!"

And this will sound horribly sexist most likely, but my endocrinologist is a beautiful woman, and for the first few minutes of every visit I'm like, "Cancer? What cancer?". If I ask her anything it's probably going to be, "Are you free this weekend?" I'd probably be cured by now if my doc was Ernest Borgnine, but I'm in no hurry to cure it at the moment. ;)

[kimi]

27. No, don't ever feel like a wimp for calling!

Some pain is to be expected but not to that extent! And that's really odd, most PTs I've ever dealt with have been such very cool people, they work with you to get you back to full steam, and are very approachable and understanding and helpful. They know your limits and don't push them.

Pain is not right beyond a few moments, from what I've experienced in PT sessions I've gone through. That's not beneficial. You did the right thing. I really hope that things work out and you get a PT who works well with you, you deserve it!