Physical therapy (PT) following total knee replacement is a sore subject for anyone who has had to endure it. When I was first asked about the goals I had for PT, I responded, “I want to hike the coastline of Scotland.” I was then told that the PT goals of most patients my age ranged from “getting to the mall” to “picking up the remote.” Seriously. Further, some patients completely opt out of PT or quit after a few weeks.
I felt very fortunate to have the same physical therapist for my right knee replacement as I had had for my left knee replacement in August 2021 and my right hip replacement in October 2022. Her name is Apryl, and she combines resolute motivation with patient encouragement. She was determined to get me back on my feet even when I tried to knee-gotiate [groan] less painful sessions.
PT following surgery entails exercises to improve range of motion, strength and power and balance and coordination. After every session, Apryl would write a session report and her knowledge of postural assessment, hip flexion and abduction, knee flexion and extension and palpation was impressive even though I had no clue what any of this meant.
The first main goal was to be able to flex my right knee to 90 degrees; and eventually to 120 degrees. This entailed using the dreaded therapeutic band (see above photo) to pull your leg and bend your knee as far as you could toward you.
Apryl would then stealthily open a secret closet where instruments of measurement and torture were hidden so she could measure the flexion of the knee. The look on Apryl’s face immediately let me know if I had achieved a new degree of success or if I had tragically regressed. New degree of success?: Slight uplifting smiles. Tragic regression?: The slightest of slightest heartbreaking frowns.
Once range of motion improved, Apryl put me to work on balance and coordination, lining up cones for me to step over:
In addition to showing up for PT, I was also expected to faithfully do home PT which involved a variety of therapeutic tools:
I would be remiss not to mention others on Apryl’s staff who patiently assisted me: Eddie, Emani (forgive me if I misspelled that) and Jessica. Everyone made me feel like I was part of a community; a place that really did become a home away from home for 10 weeks.
On May 20th, I unexpectedly graduated from PT. Apryl took my photo as I rang the bell indicating that my PT had come to an end and it was time for me to venture out on my own. I look happy, don’t I? That’s because I had a caring and skilled physical therapist. Measure for measure, Apryl was and is the best.
TOMORROW: SURGICAL LESSONS — RESOLVE!
So glad you had such a good physical therapist!
Me too, Neola! Apryl also laughed at my corny one-liners which was a true test of her patience. For example, I came in one morning and told her that I really wanted to do well that session so the night before I had eaten yeast and car wax.
“What? Why did you do that?” asked Apryl.
I replied, “So I could rise and shine.”
See what she had to put up with?
😄
It was recommended that I purchase a 5-pound weight for home PT or in lieu of a 5-pound bag of rice. I knew I would never actually use the rice so opted for a 5-pound bag of birdseed. The smallest weight I already owned was 8 pounds which came in handy when I needed to add weight to further straighten my leg.
“What am I supposed to be focusing on — bending my knee or straightening my leg?” I asked Apryl during one session. It seemed that working on bending the knee would not assist in straightening the leg. In true Apryl fashion, she simply replied: “Focus on both.” GRRRRR.
You are impressive. Go girl.
I had no idea what you had to go through. Truly CONGRATS
Charlotte, think of what Apryl had to go through, not to mention, Adrienne!
I had been through PT for my left knee replacement and dreaded this right knee replacement mostly because of subsequent PT. However, while it took 14 weeks of PT to get my left knee up to recovery standards, it took less than 10 weeks for my right knee. The primary reason may be that my orthopedist did not have to straighten my entire right leg during surgery as he had to with my left leg which was, post-surgery, bruised from my upper thigh to my ankle.
My orthopedist considers Adrienne and me his “favorite couple” because of her superlative caregiving and, according to him, “My willingness to do the work.” Thus the name of this post.
Such Good work! Congratulations! When do you head to the coastline of Scotland? Will you take Apryl?
Beth, not sure yet about the Scotland coastline. Want to come?
And no, Apryl won’t be coming. She needs a vacation away from me!
Impressive work! You are one strong, determined woman, and I suspect that Apryl and the others all enjoyed working with you, even if you may have been, from time to time, a challenge! I suspect they all loved your determination and your sense of humor through it all!
One can only hope, Carol. I sent Apryl the link to this post. I hope she likes it.
And yes, the staff did like my sense of humor, telling me several times that I needed to try stand-up. Thinking about it now, however, I wonder if they were telling me to literally try standing up. Sigh.