Edmund was a client I first met the beginning of June 2022 for a consultation about a bespoke accelerated rehabilitation programme for his imminent knee replacement surgery. Edmund had recently semi-retired and had more time on his hands and enjoyed walking with his dogs and been outside, his knee pain was preventing this. Another Goal was that at the end of August he was going to Disneyland with his family, and grandchildren and knew from previous experience their would be a significant amount of walking.
Various issues from hospital and surgeons meant that Edmunds operation was delayed till the end of November 2022. Edmund had been to Disneyland and found it difficult at times frustrating that walking was so hard and painful. Edmund had found a temporary solution and had compensated in his walking gait to cope. I first saw Edmund 48 hours post returning home from surgery for a home visit. This is essential as it allows me to assess you specifically in your home and help with any mobility challenges in a structured way.
The first session in bespoke cases is always extensive and at times overwhelming. Edmund worked extremely hard at all of the movements in the lounge, kitchen, and stairs to at as rehabilitation training. Edmunds pain was low post surgery and also he was benefiting from the medication in his system. Treatment from me would help not only with pain from lots of movement but also significantly to reduce inflammation in the knee and lower leg.
The two essential focuses for knee rehabilitation is to get the knee to fully straighten and to bend to around 110 degrees or more!
Both of these Edmund could not do his under pressure bend was 60 degrees and straighten was about 20 degrees off, so lots of work to do. The first few days at home is always difficult as you have to content with a constant challenge of crutches and tasks you cannot do. This coupled with a lack of sleep and a feeling of helplessness and a frustration for having to rely on others does not help. You always feel unexplainably tired in the first week, this is due to the body doing most of its growth and repair when you are asleep.
Treatment knocked Edmund out initially and he had to rest for a significant time afterwards using a exercise ball to elevate his leg and help straighten his knee. We had several treatments together over the first couple of weeks to increase the range of movement along with progressing independence and confidence. I use the home as a gym so we has stair exercises, exercises in the kitchen while making a drink, exercises in the dining room with the focus on frequency and keeping the body square or straight.
Edmund was progressing extremely well and moving around the house largely without the use of crutches using a specific walk to aid recovery and gait. Swelling was the issue, pain was zero unless pushing range of movement then it subsided when pressure released. Swelling in the knee as it healed from the trauma of surgery. Extra treatment focus was on anti-inflammatory progress as excessive swelling reduces knee movement. Edmund also had to increase his fluid intake of water which is difficult as it makes you want the toilet more. The significant benefit is the flush out of toxins, very good for inflammation as healing uses cell energy and produces toxins, the excess then get flushed out with water balance. Just like its important to breathe in for Oxygen, is equally important to breathe out for Carbon dioxide to get out!
The swelling cycle did slow treatment for inflammation but the pay off was a big increase in mobility. Edmund was able to walk long distances with intermittent use of his crutch and shorter distances independently with improved walking technique. As the swelling reduced the range of movement just kept improving and Edmund has finished focused treatment and is exercising and walking on his own. Treatment lasted only six weeks allowing for Edmund to go on a trip to Northern Ireland.
The Second Knee has been replaced
Edmund who had so much success with his first knee replacement, did not hesitate to follow the same process with his second. As Edmund had pushed all his physical boundaries with having knee surgery initially and been able to exercise regularly and do extended walking with the dogs which he was enjoying immensely, the pressure on his other knee was obvious and fast becoming limiting.
Edmund scheduled an operation with the same surgeon and wanted the accelerated rehabilitation as before. Interestingly with his rehabilitation their was considerably less swelling compared to his first operation. As this was his second operation on his other knee his first knee was strong and mobile due to the focused rehabilitation and allowed more pressure on it as it was fully recovered.
The other interesting difference was bending the knee. The first operation the knee bent well initially and just improved, this time straightening was easy but bending more challenging. As Edmund had worked with me before lots of the required rehabilitation movements he knew and he refreshed himself with revisiting my online course ( Available HERE ).
Now initially everything is backwards as you spend time rehabilitating one side you develop new habits which you have to reverse to rehabilitate the other side. Also pacing was more of a issue as Edmund knew he could push more than before, his recovery was swift as he was extremely focused on doing all of the work to get better. The biggest challenge I had was slowing him down a little by doing little and often rather than long bouts. Edmund has made a full recovery and is moving with a flexible range of movement and is out for long walks regularly and enjoying retirement.
Edmund Followed a online programme which you can too HERE
https://energymedicine.io/knee-replacement-rehabilitation/
