Dunkirk NY – I went to physical therapy this morning, and I am finding the experience very different from the last knee. My current therapist is much more hands-on, while my last therapist was much more hands-off. When I went to PT last year, I got an initial set of exercises, an initial workup, and got some training in how to correctly do those exercises. When I came for subsequent visits, I would simply continue to repeat those exercises without much variation. The head PT would check on me probably once, and sometimes not at all. Towards the end he added time on a bike as well as some wall slides. I could do those same exercises at home. Very simple. I went for about six weeks and that was that.
This time around, my current PT (the first one retired) is much more hands-on. First thing was getting on the bike for 10 minutes. Then a series of stretches, only two of which were the same (quad tightening and heel slides). 4-way leg lifts, stepping exercises on stools, knee raises while walking, and some stretching/balancing/lunging exercises have been added. A 2-pound weight was added to my ankle today. Reps keep getting raised. It’s slightly more of a workout that last year, and Tammy is always on top of me, checking in, monitoring my pain level. It’s a much, much more active approach.
I don’t think one approach is better than the other. I tend to prefer the more laissez-faire approach, but I’m OK with the more active approach as well. Honestly, I think the actual act of physical therapy is, not exactly useless, but not really as necessary as one might think. The exercises can mostly be done at home, and good Youtube videos would suffice for training. The simple act of moving and walking and climbing my stairs provides good exercise. And the body itself tends to heal very well. What the PT does do is actually make me get up and get it done, which is the main reason I actually go. Being an essentially lazy SOB does not work well for me when I have to motivate myself to get this done.
I finished today’s session with a short walk from my auto repair shop after dropping the car in to replace a right rear wheel bearing. It was a very nice day today – sunny, with a high of about 52 degrees – so the walk felt good. As today went on, though, i started to feel a bit of pain, so I downed three ibuprofen and took a nap. My son is coming later tonight with his partner and her daughter, so I have to remain awake until about 11 PM, when they are expected to arrive.
So a lot of activity today, which felt good. I still tire somewhat after doing all this, which remains frustrating. But at the very least I feel more active and am slowly getting back into the swing of things. My holiday season is no longer the stressful time it used to be, but being able to be up and about while the kids are home certainly beats being laid up. I seem to have timed this surgery just right. -twl