PSA: Don't Cheat on Assigned Physical Therapy

[Old No7]

PSA = A Public Service Announcement

I'd posted down below ("Left-handed "7 Finger Blues" . . . . .) about me having to play with 1 hand for many weeks as I've recovered from shoulder (rotator cuff) surgery. Well, the good news is that I'm 2 weeks ahead of where they thought I'd be on the recovery, and the great news is that I'm back to playing with both hands -- but avoiding any Jon Lord-style 4-octave glisses, for now...

Many of us may know friends or relatives who didn't like all the added self-induced pain and didn't do all their assigned Physical Therapy exercises, and as a result most of them don't fully recover what they'd lost. But I've been a stickler about mine by enduring any pain -- and it's been quite considerable at times, I'll tell ya -- but I can see the results by the improvements I've already gained in mobility and strength. I still have a long way to go (9 to 12 months post surgery to get most of my strength back, especially for lifting overhead), and I've adopted "No Pain, No Gain" as my mantra to get me through.

I wouldn't wish shoulder/arm/hand surgery (or other types) on anybody, but if you have to do it and get PT assigned -- be sure to do it just as they say, as it helps.

Old No7

 

[happyrat1]

I find it easier to just say YES to drugs.

 

[Rayblewit]

Is Jack Daniel's part of the therapy program?
Or
Was it the cause of the accident in the first place?

Seriously, well done mate. And thanks for the good advice.

 

[Bouncingogre]

Very good advice from Old No 7.

I had a total left knee replacement 2 years ago, and the last thing you want to do is do exercises after major surgery. But you must! You really must.

I had to go to physio for several weeks after the operation, and on one such occasion I saw a guy who I'd shared the same ward with.
He was still using crutches, and in great pain, because he admitted to the physiotherapist that he had been lazy and not doing the exercises.... As you say.... No pain, No gain.

Soon after surgery you wonder if you'll ever walk properly again. You will. The pre op pain will have gone and you will heal.

I have fully recovered, my titanium space age knee works really well.

Enough to Kick Ass as my Son tells me!

 

[Biggles]

Great news No 7.

Way back in 2019 I had a total hip replacement and rigorously followed the prescribed PT Exercises and gradually increased the distance walked.

Then in late 2019 we got a rescue dog so there was then no excuse cone rain, storm or pestilence for not taking her for her daily walks.

The problem being, things were not right following the operation and I was still in massive pain and the pain meds sent be very drowsey. The Surgeon had screwed up and I had to have surgery for a hernia that had developed so more PT.

Still no reduction in pain, then came Covid.

Transfered to a Professor and he found the issue straight away, corrective surgery in 2024 and after literary 3 months of not walking on the right leg just doing basic exercises. Then being able to drive and sort of walk I could go for PT but at least now I was relatively pain free.

OMG that PT was painful and one day something went twang as I was doing the exercises and I am back walking with a limp and throwing my right leg as I walk.

The pain is there and disabilitating but it comes and goes, walking is OK but I still cannot do the distances that I would like. At least the level of pain is not at the level it was pre 2019, so that is one bonus.

A Consultation with the Professor resulted in a “it is what it is” agreement, I am not going through all that again with even more surgery, I have other back issues that are more concerning.

So yeah, PT can work but conversely it can screw you up again.

So do what is right for your body.

 

[Gourockian]

PSA = A Public Service Announcement

I'd posted down below ("Left-handed "7 Finger Blues" . . . . .) about me having to play with 1 hand for many weeks as I've recovered from shoulder (rotator cuff) surgery. Well, the good news is that I'm 2 weeks ahead of where they thought I'd be on the recovery, and the great news is that I'm back to playing with both hands -- but avoiding any Jon Lord-style 4-octave glisses, for now...

Many of us may know friends or relatives who didn't like all the added self-induced pain and didn't do all their assigned Physical Therapy exercises, and as a result most of them don't fully recover what they'd lost. But I've been a stickler about mine by enduring any pain -- and it's been quite considerable at times, I'll tell ya -- but I can see the results by the improvements I've already gained in mobility and strength. I still have a long way to go (9 to 12 months post surgery to get most of my strength back, especially for lifting overhead), and I've adopted "No Pain, No Gain" as my mantra to get me through.

I wouldn't wish shoulder/arm/hand surgery (or other types) on anybody, but if you have to do it and get PT assigned -- be sure to do it just as they say, as it helps.

Old No7

Glad to hear it and great advice for us old codgers.