After a long session of flexing and extending my knee, my physical therapist plugged me into an ice machine that circulated cold water around the poor tired limb.
The end result: I’m told I’m healing up very well, the recommendation is that I just do one more PT session and continue exercises at home, but so far I’m ahead of the game. I also managed to walk the 3½ blocks between my house and the hospital without much difficulty.
I look forward to returning to my hobby of Cossack-style dancing next week.
Out of curiosity PZ, what are some of the exercises they suggest? Any stretches too?
Did they use TENS patches on you? Back in 1986 I recall that used before (maybe not after) surgery to get the muscle out of a sort of adaptive shut down state. I imagine if you’re able to walk and exercise TENS might be pointless. I had a quite severe acute injury where blood was drained from my knee by the orthopedist. Still too soon!
You don’t have an ice machine at home already? It was required for my wife’s complete knee replacement. She managed to get three of them from neighbors…there are a lot of old people around here and many of them have had knee surgery. New ice machine are a bit expensive, but the used one’s were free.
Good luck with the Cossack dancing! I did some of that when I was a lot younger, but now I’m afraid my knees would revolt.
New trend: icemaxxing.
numerobis @4
Ice baths and cold water immersion are already promoted by the healthmaxxing influencers. Not quite sure I want to go there. PZ’s ice therapy is more localized with what looks like a glorified blood pressure cuff. Should work well for his current knee issue.
Early last year my water heater croaked and it was a few days for a plumber to come out and replace it. I was forced to take ridiculously cold showers. I read up on that and there are alleged benefits. I’ll pass.
I really cannot envision myself immersed in an ice bath or as a Polar Bear Club participant. Not knocking that sort of extreme experience as invigorating as it may be. YMMV.
The exercises are more for stretching and preventing the joint from locking up — they aren’t going to significantly increase limb strength.
Mary talked about getting an ice machine for home, because she always overdoes it. It looks like I’m not going to really need it, since the knee is healing up fast.