Hello,
I was wondering if any of you might have some helpful anecdotes or advice about this one. Here's the story. About five years ago, my mum was hit by a car on her way to work (she is now 62). Her left knee/tibia were badly, badly messed up, and she required a bone transplant from her hip, as well as a steel plate, the patch it all up. About a year and a half ago, she had a second surgery to remove the steel plate.
Because of long-term heart and hypertension problems, she was always an avid walker (as opposed to more strenuous forms of exercise). Loosing the ability to walk was devastating to her. She can now walk unaided, but never for exercise, and she is in constant pain. Takes major painkillers for this, and finds it very upsetting.
She stopped physiotherapy a while ago, because her physio was pushing her way too hard, which caused her knee to feel a lot worse. But in a few weeks' time, she's going back to the former physio place, for water exercise therapy. (But she hates being in the water.) I really hope that it helps her.
I'm just concerned that she never seems to improve, especially pain-wise. This whole thing has aged her incredibly - she appears, yes, frail, when before she was very fit. (She is 5'4'', 100 pounds - I know, way too thin, but she's always had a bit of an undereating problem.) Has anyone else been through something similar, and most importantly, has anyone conquered/controlled pain through physical therapy (or other, non-drug, means)?
Sorry for such a long post, but the thought of my mum living out her life in constant pain is so sad, and I really want to help her if I can.
Thanks,
Hild
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To be honest, the phsiotherapy was okay..although I only got 6 weeks on the NHS, but the best thing was to get moving. What hurt more was letting it seize up through lack of exercise. I started by hobbling, then walking, swimming, cycling and eventually running. It hurt a LOT!! But you kind of just have to grit your teeth and tell yourself that it is really helping to build the muscles up and ten years later it gives me very little trouble at all. (Although it has recently starting clicking when I run...if anyone can explain that I'd be very interested.)
The other thing that really has helped has been yoga. You can do it at your own level but it helps with posture, balance and strengthening muscles gently without being aerobic.
I know my situation is vastly different, but I hope it might help a little bit. Good luck to your Mum...knee pain is excruciating and takes some guts to overcome.
I'm 99% better now, thanks - took nine months of physio to get me back on track. Basically, my knee wouldn't heal until I had some biomechanical problems with my leg alignment sorted out. So that took six months and after that I started to get better. I still wear orthotics tho' - but I'm training and racing again, and really enjoying my running. Keep us posted on how your mum is getting on
I suggested yoga once, but she's definitely not the mind/body type of person. But I think that even doing most of the postures would not be possible for her - leg too weak.
Perhaps it simply has a lot to do with age?