PODCAST · health
The Bee's Knees
by X10 Therapy
Stories, articles, interviews about knee recovery, therapy, and life after surgery.
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AVOID MUA in ALABAMA (Cindy’s Story)
Avoid MUA in Alabama (Cindy’s Story) A Report from Program host, Mary Elliott In this episode of The Bee’s Knees, I hosted an inspiring conversation with Cindy, a remarkable individual who recently underwent total knee replacement surgery. Her journey is not just about the surgery itself, but also the challenges and triumphs that came along with her recovery. Cindy candidly opens up about her struggles post-surgery, specifically her frustration with the limited range of motion she was experiencing despite weeks of intensive physical therapy, where she could only achieve 72 to 74 degrees of flexibility in her knee. Feeling disheartened, she decided to seek a different approach after being warned by her doctor about the potential necessity of a manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) if her progress did not improve. As Cindy shares her story, she reveals how her turning point came during a visit to her beach house with friends, where the conversation shifted to alternatives to MUA. This led her to discover the X10 Therapy machine, which promised to provide a less invasive solution to regain her knee’s mobility without the pain and risks associated with surgical manipulation. Determined to avoid MUA, Cindy took action, deciding to try the X10 despite being nearly nine weeks post-surgery — a crucial time frame for optimal recovery. X10 Therapy I delve into the specifics of the X10 therapy, explaining how it operates by gently moving the leg just below the pain threshold, which can be particularly effective if used early in the recovery process. Cindy emphasizes the importance of starting therapy as soon as possible, which she advocates based on her own experience. She discusses the significant commitment she made, incorporating three sessions of X10 therapy into her daily routine. Each session, lasting about 30 minutes, proved to be more productive than hours spent in traditional physical therapy, allowing her to feel immediate relief and encouragement as she watched her progress unfold. Overcoming Challenges | A Happy and Surprised Surgeon Cindy illustrates her journey out of frustration and toward newfound confidence as she tracked her range of motion improvement. Initially starting at 50 degrees, she reached an astounding 110 degrees within just four weeks of consistent therapy, much to her delight and her doctor’s surprise. The overwhelming joy she felt walking into her doctor’s office after such remarkable progress is palpable in her recounting, confirming that her reluctance to keep her doctor informed turned out to be a non-issue as he fully supported her newfound success with the X10. The discussion also touches on Cindy’s transformation beyond physical recovery. She reflects on how regaining mobility removed the fear of disappointment and limitations, allowing her to reconnect with her family and indulge in activities she once thought were beyond her reach. With an optimistic outlook, Cindy expresses her enthusiasm for undergoing the same process for her right knee, fully ready to embrace her second round of rehabilitation with the X10. This episode not only shares Cindy’s incredible recovery story but also highlights the power of perseverance, open-mindedness, and the pursuit of alternative solutions in the face of medical challenges. Join us as we celebrate her journey to reclaiming a vibrant life post-surgery.
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Why Knee Surgery Recovery Is So Hard for Women Under 60
Why Knee Surgery Recovery Is So Hard for Women Under 60 The Paradox of the Efficient Body: Pathophysiological, Biomechanical, and Endocrinological Determinants of Compromised Knee Flexion Following Total Knee Arthroplasty in Women Under 60 Intuitively, chronologically younger patients with “efficient body mechanics” should achieve superior recovery. However, the physiological vigor defining a young, healthy female patient translates into a highly reactive immune and inflammatory response to the architectural trauma of a total joint arthroplasty. This biological efficiency acts as a catalyst for rapid soft tissue contracture. Furthermore, this demographic faces a unique convergence of physiological variables: perimenopausal endocrinological shifts, uniquely female biomechanical alignments (a wider Q angle), and a high susceptibility to amplified central sensitization to pain. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery and recovery. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here. Why Knee Surgery Recovery So Hard for Women Under 60 #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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164
A Knee Recovery Nightmare
A Knee Recovery Nightmare! Right Total Knee Replacement My Physical and Emotional Fight Against Pain Hypersensitivity and Protective Muscle Guarding – written by Cathy Banovac – interview by Lisa Pelley and Mary Elliott – Cathy was coached by Erin Rempher, PTA My name is Cathy and I reside in Arizona. I am 57 years old, a homemaker, and have had a genetic history of chronic osteoarthritis. From a very young age, I have always had a very low pain threshold. Prior to the commencement of pain in my knee, I considered myself a fairly fit and active person…loved gardening, entertaining family and friends, cooking, crafting, playing golf, traveling with my husband, walking our dogs, and playing with our grandchildren. Life was good! Early Summer In addition to the normal aches and pains that come with aging, I began to experience more than usual pain in my right knee. I was experiencing daily occurrences of popping/clicking, giving out when walking at times, difficulty negotiating steps or stairs, and nightly interrupted sleep due to pain. Over the counter medications, icing, heat, etc. was no longer managing my symptoms. Upon visiting an orthopedic surgeon for examination and subsequent imaging, I learned I was over 70% bone on bone in my right knee joint. I was told I was looking at a total knee replacement. I was preparing to head to Michigan for a family vacation on the lake with my kiddos in August, so was not happy to hear this news. I convinced my doctor to give me a steroid injection just to buy me the time I needed to take my vacation. He was reluctant and told me that he predicted it would do nothing to help my condition at the very least or, at the very most, last for a brief time. I made it through the trip, yet 3 weeks post-injection the symptoms had returned. No More Injections My surgeon declined my request for another injection, instead reiterating my need for the TKR. Over previous years, I had witnessed my mother, father, husband and a few friends have knee replacement surgeries. All came through their surgeries with what appeared to me to be a fairly pain controlled, timely recovery and successful return to their regular daily activities. I was told I was on the younger side for this type of procedure, nevertheless, would greatly benefit from extended quality of life and return to desired activity, given my current quality of life and daily activity was becoming more diminished by the day. My Knee Replacement I underwent RTKR on September 25. All went well and as expected with the surgery. I was up and walking, began some light physical therapy exercises, and maintained post-op range and motion through use of a CPM while in hospital. I was discharged to home on the third day post-op, with a couple of narcotic pain medications (initially Percocet/Oxycodone and Morphine) and directions to commence in-home physical therapy the following day. My follow-up visit with the surgeon was scheduled for 6 weeks post-op. Day one at home began my challenging journey of recovery, both physically and emotionally. I experienced difficulty managing my pain even with narcotics and over the counter medications. My swelling was as expected and able to be kept in check with anti-inflammatory meds and icing. I experienced annoying side effects from the narcotics, i.e., headaches, nausea, constipation, and thus was bounced from one medication and dosage to another, none of which seemed to be the right combination or solution to my pain. Out of complete desperation and in uncontrollable pain, I went to the emergency room after being home for four days post-op, hoping to get some relief. A Problem with the Surgery? I thought surely there must be something wrong. A few hours later, together with a lecture from the hospital PT and some morphine, I was discharged back to home. Back on more medication, I failed to again find relief from pain. I was averaging about 2-3 hours of sleep per night and little sleep during the day. My home physical therapist had her work cut out for her. Over the next 4 weeks (twelve 45 min. sessions of in-home PT), I had yet to reach better than 85 degrees flexion and 10 degrees extension. My in-home therapist said she spent most of those 4 weeks strengthening my calves, hamstrings, and quad muscles, all which were extremely weak. Therefore, already I was approximately 4 weeks behind in range and motion advancement. My pain was still very much out of control, all while I feared becoming more and more dependent on the narcotics prescribed. At the first follow-up appointment (six weeks post-op), my flexion was below 90 degrees and extension still not at the zero degree mark. I was informed by my surgeon that I needed a Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA). My knee felt very stiff, pain was still unmanageable, and I was stuck without advancement in physical therapy. Manipulation Under Anesthesia He took x-rays and made sure the appliance was not loose or slipping out of placement. All was found to be in proper order and an examination found no infection that could be causing pain or other symptoms. My surgeon had done his job. I was told however, that he believed I was stuck due to scar tissue build-up and thus was in need of the MUA to break up the scar tissue. This would also permit the ability to continue physical therapy, working towards achievement of the desirable degree of range and motion outcomes. I underwent the MUA six weeks and one day post-op and immediately resumed PT the following day. I was told not to worry about a reduction in my flexion and extension after having the MUA. An MUA tends to put patients back about 3-4 weeks, so it is almost like starting all over again. However, the idea is that advancement in range and motion should become easier now that the scar tissue has been broken up by the procedure. I went to PT for 5 days in a row the first week following the MUA, did my home exercises faithfully on my own twice a day, then returned to PT three times a week for the next several weeks. After the MUA At the two week follow-up appointment post the MUA, I was still in unmanageable pain, still getting only 2-3 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night, and running every gamut of emotion and temperament. My poor husband was beside himself and wondering whatever became of the woman he married 27 years ago. My flexion was still only reaching in the low 90’s and my extension was no better either. I was still experiencing great sensitivity to the touch anywhere on or around my surgical knee. I couldn’t stand wearing pants or having any sheet or blanket covering my knee. My pain was the worst at night, just when I was settling in for some restful moments on the couch watching TV with my husband. I would suddenly be lifted off my seat with either pain that mimicked touching a lit match to my knee, or the stabbing of a knife, or the shock of a taser. Dealing with the Pain This pain varied and sometimes was relentless for several minutes. I was in tears most evenings and headed to bed to ice or apply heat, which calmed the nerve pain somewhat. I would take meds (Hydrocodone/Norco, Extra-Strength Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Zofran (for nausea) Vitamins, a stool softener (due to Hydrocodone) and Gabapentin aka Neurontin. I was soooo sick of taking medications. I think my surgeon was beside himself as to how to control my pain and sensitivity, therefore, he recommended I seek help at a Pain Management Clinic for possible sympathetic blocks, as well as my medicinal pain management. Both he and my physical therapist told me I was forecasting pain neurologically before any exerted physical effort on their part was made to cause any pain. My intolerance for any amount of pain was prohibiting any measurable progress in my range and motion, thus scar tissue was building at a rapid pace. Physical therapy continued to be a challenge as I protective muscle guarded any force applied by my therapist to get better R&M. I cried through most of my sessions. Pain Management At my first appointment with the Pain Management Clinic, I met with the doctor. Most people have sympathetic blocks in their back to relieve nerve pain, but the doctor I was referred to chose to recommend a Genicular Neurotomy, accomplished through a procedure called Coolief Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation. I first underwent a test which involved Lidocaine injections in four areas surrounding my new knee. The patient then logs their pain and activities over the following 72 hours. A follow-up appointment with a Nurse Practitioner then reviews the log and determines eligibility for the ablation procedure. At this appointment she chose to cut my medication cold-turkey for a couple of days as she deemed I was dependent on them, even though I was getting little pain control. I experienced severe withdrawal symptoms for two days. A Change in Medication I thought I was going to go out of my mind. A change in my medication increased the Gabapentin I was taking, and I was found to be eligible for the ablation. I underwent that procedure approximately 6 weeks post my first MUA, just before the Thanksgiving holiday. I was told that I would still be experiencing pain for approximately 4-6 weeks, due to the fact that the ablation was going to make my nerves “angry” as they fought their temporary death. I was also informed that this procedure is temporary as nerve endings most often regenerate themselves over a 6 month to 2 year period. Some patients must undergo two or three of these procedures to get lasting relief. Unhappy News This was not happy news to my ears, yet I was still desperate for relief and reaching out for anything, and I mean anything, that would control my pain. I returned to the pain clinic for a follow-up to the ablation procedure only to report pain still very bad and that I was still taking a boatload of medication, icing, heat to quad muscles to relieve cramping, and poor results in physical therapy sessions. I was told to give it more time and come back in a few more weeks. At my next follow-up approximately 3 weeks later, I discharged myself from the Pain Management Clinic. I felt that their treatment plan was not successful for me and they had no other plan to offer other than continued reliance on prescription medication and time. When recovery goes wrong – Read More A Desparate Time After barely getting through the Christmas holidays, persisting in physical therapy and weaning myself down on prescription medications (since they didn’t seem to be having any great effect on my pain), I began to explore the possibility of medical marijuana as a solution to my pain control. I have never tried marijuana and had little desire to smoke or vape it, but was interested in edibles they have out now. I was desperate and finding myself sinking into anxiety, panic attacks and, at times, depression. My family and my husband were becoming very concerned as I was changing into a person they did not know and they were at a loss as how to help me through my circumstances. Medical Marijuana Since medical marijuana is legal in the State of Arizona, I sought out a doctor with whom I met and applied for a patient card. This process took approximately 3 weeks, including approval of my application through the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services. Upon receiving my card, I met with a licensed nurse at a dispensary to become educated about the various products and my specific needs. She was recommended by the doctor who signed off on my patient eligibility and works with a number of cancer patients to help control their symptoms. We met for over an hour. She was extremely patient with me, educating me about cannabis (which I knew little of) and gave me recommendations to try. I purchased three of her recommendations. I also decided to try getting a light massage once per week. The massages lasted for approximately three weeks before I decided to suspend them, as I found them not helpful enough to warrant the expense. Little if Any Improvement Having done everything I was asked to do in my recovery and still making little if any gains, I found myself in a very dark place emotionally, desperate to end my pain, and I was done!! One day, I was occupying my time, in between home therapy and out-patient therapy sessions, searching the Internet for anything that might literally save me. When in answer to my prayer, I came across several website postings about a therapy called X10. I shared some of it with my husband, my parents and my kids. They encouraged me to explore it more. After reading some of the patient blogs and watching a few of the videos that I could access, I made my first contact with PJ Ewing by emailing him. PJ responded very quickly telling me that the X10 Therapy and machine was not yet available in the State of Arizona, but he provided me with some other resources. I was initially devastated by this news, but I almost immediately decided that I was not going to accept that response. I instantly thought to myself, “Well, if it is not available in AZ, then maybe I can travel to wherever it is available. Not Taking ‘No’ for an Answer This time, I placed a phone call to PJ and we talked for over an hour. As it so happened, in our conversation I discovered that the X10 headquarters is in Franklin, MI, and I had family who lived in Rochester, MI. PJ was more than gracious in discussing all the parameters and specifics of the possibility of travel to Michigan to undergo the X10 program. To say the least, after completion of my discussion with PJ, I heard God say “Not yet, Cathy, I still have a plan for you on this earth.” I discussed the possibilities with my husband and shared them also with my son and daughter-in-law, exploring their permission to have me as a houseguest for 2-3 weeks. Of course, they couldn’t have been more gracious and welcoming. Pain Still a Big Problem My pain was still out of control, I continued out patient PT three times a week with slow or little advancement in my R&M, had my six week MUA follow-up with my surgeon only to be told I was facing a second MUA. I told my surgeon and my physical therapist about the X10 Therapy website I had discovered, and PJ sent me the clinical data to share with them. Each of them, I am grateful to say, told me they had looked at the data and were “intrigued” by the therapy plan. Both encouraged me to pursue it as an option for me, yet both also strongly indicated that enough time had passed between my first MUA and the ablation, therefore, still recommended I have the second MUA before commencing X10 Therapy. Turning to X10 Therapy after a Second MUA Once my husband and I had made the decision to pursue this plan, the wheels began to roll quickly. Initially, I scheduled the 2nd MUA and a flight out from Phoenix to Detroit by myself the next day following the MUA. I notified PJ of my plans and he began to put things in motion by placing me in contact with Mary Elliott, Melissa, Mike, a therapy Coach, Erin a Physical Therapist, and Marty, a technician for machine home delivery and set-up. The X10 Therapy approach is really a “team” approach to wellness, in addition to the machine itself and the technological programs it delivers to the patient. The Second MUA Was Coming Up As the days approached the 2nd MUA, I became extremely anxious and experienced a couple of panic attacks. I began to stress about the MUA pain, having gone through one already. The thought of flying alone, even though my son would be there to meet me at the other end of my flight, and having to get through a 4 hour flight plus 1 hour car ride to his home in pain, had me scared beyond belief. I was consumed with thinking about how I would manage my pain. Should I just knock myself out to sleep on the plane? What if that didn’t work? What meds could I then take if in pain? What about my leg position – straightening and bending? How would I get help from curb, through security, to gate, onto plane and the same again when arriving including a stop at baggage claim? How am I going to sleep at night? Is this therapy going to put me back in unmanageable pain again, even though the X10 Therapy information says I am in control? What if it doesn’t work? Can this end my knee recovery nightmare? And on and on and on…! Making Plans After talking it over with my husband and doctor, it was decided that I would delay my trip to Michigan for one week following the 2nd MUA. I would continue outpatient PT immediately following the MUA, but have some time to consult with a psychologist concerning my sleep depravation, fears, anxiety/depression and develop a plan to manage my pain, as well as talk to the airline for special assistance to help solve my transportation needs. My husband decided to make the trip with me for a couple of days, just to get me settled and started with X10 Therapy. Armed with a revised medication and travel plan, I notified the X10 Team of my change in start date and all were extremely understanding and accommodating. I had the 2nd MUA on January 18. I continued outpatient PT for three more sessions, in addition to my own home exercises twice per day. My daily sleep and pain control was managed better and I was counting the days until our departure date. It simply could not arrive fast enough! Friday, January 19 This will remain a very important and pivotable day in my life. My journey towards healing, life anew and well-being would begin that very day. Having endured a comfortable flight and having managed all the transportation arrangements with ease (kudos to Delta Airlines), we arrived at my son’s home ready to commence what I can now claim as my own personal miracle. Within an hour, Marty arrived with a smile, this technological marvel known as the X10 machine, and a thorough first orientation/training session filled with words of encouragement and confidence. I was on my way, although until I began to see results (which were really displayed within that first session), I Had Hope I was still cautiously optimistic about where I was headed. Could I really achieve the flexion and extension goals I was unable to achieve thus far with any of my existing recovery methods? Would this therapy really enable me to manage my pain comfortably with mild medications? Could I trust my X10 therapist and her plan for me? Would the X10 team really be there for me when I needed them? Was the X10 therapy the answer to my prayers? Would I really be returning home in as little as just over 2 weeks time to see my surgeon’s and physical therapist’s jaws drop as they witnessed my flexion and extension reach what we all thought would be skeptical results, but instead blow them away with incredible success? It would not be long before I could actually acknowledge to myself that the answers to each of those questions would be a resounding YES! 110º Flexion Once I was able to reach the 110 degree mark for flexion, it was decided that I would add 5 min a day on the stationery bike. As I felt comfortable, I was able to increase that time in small increments and add another bike session in the evening. While my progress was measurable daily, I did experience some cramping in my right thigh and calf, dealt with some bursitis in my right hip for about two weeks, and waking with some right leg pain some nights. Taking Care of Myself I found icing and elevating regularly after each exercise session, icing my hip, heat on my upper thigh at night, Tramadol 50 mg. only twice a day with Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen alternated during the day, and Theraworx Relief foam massaged in the cramping areas once or twice a day helped keep my discomfort manageable. In addition, I spent some resting time researching dietary recommendations for inflammation and pain. I incorporated tumeric, magnesium, Osteo Bi-flex, 100% Cherry or Pineapple Juice, Vitamin B6 & B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Zinc, fresh berries and decaffeinated tea with ginger, lemon and honey in my daily diet. I also decided to limit carbohydrates and sugar intake in an effort to keep my inflammatory response in check. One Week In After one week on the X10 and with constant reassurance and communication from all of my X10 team, I could actually begin to call this journey and the X10 Therapy my miracle. I had breached the 100’s for flexion after starting at 55 degrees, and reached 0 degrees at the end of the first session on my extension, previously at 8 degrees. My fears, anxiety and uncertainty soon gave way to renewed love for life, joy at gaining confidence in doing daily activities again, sharing my daily success by telephone with family and friends, and hope for the future. The almost daily contact from one or more of my X10 team members answered any questions that arose, provided authentic cheerleading for my cause, and motivated me to press on for better and better results. Working with My Coach Mary called often to check in with me and was my calm and steady encourager. My conversations with her were uplifting and kind of like talking to an old friend, casual and comforting. My PT, Erin, made a home visit to discuss my history and offered varied strategies for increasing my flexion degrees, as well as made adjustments in my therapy plan due to some bursitis that I had recently developed in my right hip. She was careful to make the appropriate adjustments to my therapy plan. She and Mike (my strengthening coach and with whom I also met in person to go over exercises), together modified my plan by delaying some of the exercises, while still permitting three sessions a day for range and motion growth. Conclusions As I approach my last day of sessions on the X10 Therapy machine and a return home to Arizona tomorrow, I write my story to encourage anyone who has experienced one or more of the circumstances that I experienced subsequent to a total knee replacement. I am happy to report that I was successful in breaking through some of my scar tissue, reaching 0 degrees for my extension and 117 degrees flexion. My gait is much improved and, as I have returned to walking without a limp or dragging my surgical leg, the pain in my hip and lower back has also improved greatly. My knee recovery nightmare has finally come to an end. Some Rehab Insurance I will continue outpatient therapy immediately upon my return home in order to solidify my current range and motion, and even further improve my flexion as I am able. I write this also as a means of paying it forward to future patients of the X10 and in grateful appreciation to my X10 Team, my family and my friends who affirmed, guided, encouraged, and yes, celebrated, my X10 Therapy journey of success. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, which is said to mean that you can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it. I absolutely cannot wait to share my experience and demonstrate my range and motion achievement in person to my surgeon and PT Team back home in Arizona. Thanks be to my God, to all of my support team and to X10 Therapy… life is good once again! To read about total knee replacement for a younger population, click here. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery and recovery. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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Recovering with Agility: Joyce Jackowski’s Journey to a New Knee
Joyce Jackowski’s Journey to a New Knee Recovering with Agility: Joyce Jackowski’s Journey to a New Knee In the latest episode of The Bee’s Knees Podcast, host Mary Elliott sits down with Joyce Jackowski, a Florida resident and competitive dog agility enthusiast who recently reached the four-week milestone following a total knee replacement on her right knee. For Joyce, the surgery wasn’t just about ending pain; it was about reclaiming a lifestyle defined by movement. After temporary injections failed to provide lasting relief, Joyce realized that to continue running with her dogs, she needed a permanent solution. Her story is a testament to the power of preparation, discipline, and finding the right technology to aid in recovery Choosing a recovery path was a deeply personal decision for Joyce, influenced heavily by her husband’s difficult experience with a traditional recovery that required a painful “manipulation under anesthesia”. Determined to avoid a similar fate, Joyce followed the advice of a friend—another dog agility competitor—and looked into the X10 machine. Despite her surgeon’s initial skepticism, Joyce was drawn to the results she saw online and decided to take charge of her own rehabilitation by bringing the X10 into her home. “My goal was to get back to being able to do all of my dog sports… I have been past the curve for all my measurements this whole time.” – Joyce X10 Therapy The first two weeks of recovery were a significant mental and physical struggle, marked by intense post-surgical pain. Joyce found herself questioning the decision to have surgery as her daily schedule became entirely consumed by a rigorous cycle of X10 sessions and physical therapy exercises. However, her discipline paid off quickly. Her home physical therapist noted that she was “way above the curve,” reaching normal range-of-motion measurements much faster than average. Today, Joyce’s flexion is at 122 degrees, firmly within the normal range of 120 to 125 degrees. “The X10 machine really helped, but the component that makes this program above the top was having the coach support.” – Joyce Overcoming Challenges | The Human Element of Recovery Beyond the technology of the X10, Joyce credits her success to the human element of her recovery: Coach Kim. Having a dedicated coach to provide emotional support, technical advice, and even simple lifestyle tips—like listening to music during sessions or taking a drive to escape the “cabin fever” of recovery—made all the difference. This support system helped Joyce navigate the “down times” and corrected her when she was over-extending herself, such as the time she mistakenly tried to walk down the street the very night she returned from the hospital “Do your exercises. Do them even if you don’t feel like it… Give yourself a break, but do not take a cheat and do not do it at all.” – Joyce Now four weeks out, Joyce is walking without a cane inside her home and looks forward to returning to the dog sports she loves. Her advice to others facing a similar journey is simple: stay disciplined with your exercises. While it is okay to give yourself a mental break on tough days, she emphasizes that you must never “cheat” on the work required to heal. By combining the right tools with a relentless drive, Joyce has turned a daunting surgery into a successful first step back toward her passions.
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TAKE THE X10 QUIZ
Get Quick Answers About X10 Based on Published Research Below you can get quick answers about the X10 based on numbers research studies that have been published over the years. Visit our research page to view and download research studies to share with your surgeon or PT team. /* Scope everything to #x10-widget-container to protect site styles */ #x10-widget-container { all: initial; /* Reset only inside this box */ display: block; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; max-width: 800px; margin: 40px auto; padding: 30px; background-color: #CAF0F8; border-radius: 20px; box-sizing: border-box; } #x10-widget-container * { box-sizing: border-box; } /* Header Styles */ #x10-widget-container .x10-header { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 30px; } #x10-widget-container .x10-title { font-size: 28px; font-weight: 800; color: #03045E; margin: 0 0 8px 0; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 12px; } #x10-widget-container .x10-subtitle { color: #475569; font-size: 16px; margin: 0; font-weight: 500; } /* Flashcard 3D Logic */ #x10-widget-container .perspective-box { perspective: 1000px; max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto; } #x10-card-wrapper { position: relative; width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 5/3; cursor: pointer; transform-style: preserve-3d; transition: transform 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px -5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); border-radius: 16px; } #x10-card-wrapper.is-flipped { transform: rotateY(180deg); } #x10-widget-container .card-face { position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; border-radius: 16px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; padding: 40px; text-align: center; } #x10-widget-container .card-front { background: white; border-bottom: 8px solid #0077B6; } #x10-widget-container .card-back { background: #0077B6; color: white; transform: rotateY(180deg); border-bottom: 8px solid #03045E; } /* Content Styles */ #x10-widget-container .category-tag { position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 20px; font-size: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; font-weight: 700; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; } #x10-widget-container .card-front .category-tag { color: #00B4D8; } #x10-widget-container .card-back .category-tag { color: #CAF0F8; opacity: 0.8; } #x10-widget-container .card-text-front { font-size: 32px; font-weight: 700; color: #1e293b; margin: 0; } #x10-widget-container .card-text-back { font-size: 20px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0; } #x10-widget-container .click-hint { color: #94a3b8; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 20px; animation: x10pulse 2s infinite; } /* Progress & Controls */ #x10-widget-container .progress-container { width: 100%; background: white; height: 10px; border-radius: 10px; margin-bottom: 25px; overflow: hidden; } #x10-progress-bar { height: 100%; background: #0077B6; width: 8%; transition: width 0.3s ease; } #x10-widget-container .controls { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-top: 25px; } #x10-widget-container button { background: white; border: none; padding: 10px 18px; border-radius: 10px; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600; color: #475569; box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.05); transition: all 0.2s; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; } #x10-widget-container button:hover { background: #f8fafc; transform: translateY(-1px); } #x10-widget-container .nav-btn { border-radius: 50%; padding: 12px; color: #0077B6; } #x10-widget-container #card-counter { text-align: center; margin-top: 20px; color: #64748b; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; } @keyframes x10pulse { 0%, 100% { opacity: 1; } 50% { opacity: 0.5; } } /* Responsive Adjustments */ @media (max-width: 600px) { #x10-widget-container .card-text-front { font-size: 24px; } #x10-widget-container .card-text-back { font-size: 16px; } #x10-card-wrapper { aspect-ratio: 4/3; } } X10 Recovery Knowledge Master the science of Pressure Modulated Knee Rehabilitation Core Concept The Rehabilitation Gap Click to Reveal Fact / Definition The critical disparity between a mechanically successful surgery and the patient's actual functional recovery. Shuffle Reset Card 1 of 12 (function() { const cards = [ { cat: "Core Concept", f: "The Rehabilitation Gap", b: "The critical disparity between a mechanically successful surgery (implants aligned) and the patient's actual functional recovery (mobility/strength). X10 bridges this gap." }, { cat: "Technology", f: "PMKR", b: "Pressure Modulated Knee Rehabilitation. Unlike passive machines (CPM), PMKR uses active biofeedback to work *with* the patient's pain threshold to gain range of motion." }, { cat: "Statistic", f: "MUA Reduction Rate", b: "X10 users see a Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) rate of <1%, compared to the national average of approximately 4-5%." }, { cat: "Pathology", f: "Arthrofibrosis", b: "The rapid formation of scar tissue during the acute inflammatory phase (first 2-4 weeks). It is the primary cause of permanent stiffness." }, { cat: "Milestone", f: "110° Flexion Timeline", b: "The functional range needed for most daily activities. X10 patients achieve this milestone significantly faster (avg. ~19 days) than standard PT (avg. ~48 days)." }, { cat: "Comparison", f: "CPM vs. X10", b: "CPM is 'passive maintenance' with questioned long-term efficacy. X10 is 'active rehabilitation' that prevents scar tissue and rebuilds muscle." }, { cat: "Outcome", f: "Return to Driving", b: "Research indicates X10 users typically return to driving and work 2-3 weeks sooner than patients undergoing standard physical therapy alone." }, { cat: "Metric", f: "Importance of 0° Extension", b: "Achieving full extension (0 degrees) is critical for restoring a normal gait pattern. Failure to reach this often results in a permanent limp." }, { cat: "Mechanism", f: "Pain-Inhibition Loop", b: "Traditional therapy often triggers pain, causing muscle guarding. X10's biofeedback stops pressure before pain, bypassing this loop." }, { cat: "Protocol", f: "The 'Golden Window'", b: "The initial weeks post-surgery where the joint is most susceptible to stiffness. X10 targets this window to prevent permanent rigidity." }, { cat: "Capacity", f: "Repetition Volume", b: "The system allows patients to perform 3x-4x the number of flexion/extension cycles per day compared to manual therapy." }, { cat: "Economic Impact", f: "Healthcare Utilization", b: "Usage of the X10 home system correlates with a reduction in required outpatient physical therapy visits by up to 50%." } ]; let deck = [...cards]; let cur = 0; const wrap = document.getElementById('x10-card-wrapper'); window.updateXCard = function() { wrap.classList.remove('is-flipped'); setTimeout(() => { document.getElementById('x10-cat').innerText = deck[cur].cat; document.getElementById('x10-front').innerText = deck[cur].f; document.getElementById('x10-back').innerText = deck[cur].b; document.getElementById('card-counter').innerText = `Card ${cur + 1} of ${deck.length}`; document.getElementById('x10-progress-bar').style.width = ((cur + 1) / deck.length * 100) + '%'; }, 200); }; window.nextXCard = function() { cur = (cur + 1) % deck.length; updateXCard(); }; window.prevXCard = function() { cur = (cur - 1 + deck.length) % deck.length; updateXCard(); }; window.shuffleXDeck = function() { deck.sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5); cur = 0; updateXCard(); }; window.resetXDeck = function() { deck = [...cards]; cur = 0; updateXCard(); }; updateXCard(); })(); Sources: X10 Knee Recovery Research Claims.docx Continuous Passive Motion after Knee Replacement Surgery – X10 Therapy, https://x10therapy.com/continuous-passive-motion-knee-replacement-surgery/ The effect of continuous passive motion after total knee arthroplasty on joint function STUDY Are Computer-Controlled, Pressure Modulated Knee Rehabilitation Machines Valuable Following Knee Arthroplasty? – Iris Publishers, https://irispublishers.com/gjor/pdf/GJOR.MS.ID.000510.pdf A New Non-Surgical Alternative to Manipulations Under Anesthesia Following Knee Replacement | Iris Publishers, https://irispublishers.com/gjor/fulltext/a-new-non-surgical-alternative-to-manipulations-under-anesthesia-following-knee-replacement.ID.000528.php X10, In-Home Prehabilitation Increases Post-Surgical Range of … https://irispublishers.com/gjor/fulltext/x10-in-home-prehabilitation-increases-post-surgical.ID.000538.php X10 Therapy References and Resources, https://x10therapy.com/x10-therapy-references-and-resources/ X10, In-Home Prehabilitation Increases Post-Surgical Range of Motion, Quadriceps and Calf Strength – Iris Publishers, https://irispublishers.com/gjor/pdf/GJOR.MS.ID.000538.pdf A New Non-Surgical Alternative to Manipulations Under Anesthesia Following Knee Replacement – Iris Publishers, https://irispublishers.com/gjor/pdf/GJOR.MS.ID.000528.pdf Open Access online Journals | Reprints | Eprints | Iris international Publishers, https://reprints.irispublishers.com/view-reprints.php?rid=17 X10 Research | The Clinical Evidence Behind X10™ – X10 Therapy https://x10therapy.com/research/ The effect of prehabilitation on the range of motion and functional outcomes in patients following the total knee or hip arthroplasty: A pilot randomized trial – ResearchGate, STUDY Manipulation for stiffness following total knee arthroplasty: when and how often to do it? | Request PDF – ResearchGate
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2026 Knee Replacement? Start Here.
Quick Summary Tools, resources, and articles related to knee replacement surgery and recovery here. We cover meeting with your surgeon and questions to ask, pre-surgery email series, the many resources in our KNEE LIBRARY, and a number of patient accounts of their recoveries. 2026 Knee Replacement advice here. Is this for you? If you or someone you know is even just thinking about knee replacement this is the article you want to read and share. Millions of people do this surgery each year, but you want to go into it “eyes wide open.” This article helps allay fears and prepare you for a life-changing event. 2026 Knee Replacement We have nine musts here for anyone planning on knee surgery recovery. You may want to bookmark this page for future use as it will be valuable all through the process of having a knee replaced. So, let’s get started. Online Knee Assessments – Should You Have a Knee Replacement This short written test will give you some answers and guidance when it comes to knee replacement surgery. There are twelve questions. Carefully consider your answers. You cannot go back and change them once you have made your selection. You do not need to share your name or email address. Although, if you do, we will send you some helpful information about knee replacement and recovery. Click here to explore this further: Should I Consider Knee Replacement Questions to Ask Your Surgeon To be honest we don’t care how impressive your surgeon is. How esteemed is his schooling. And how many of your friends told you to pick one particular surgeon. This is your knee and recovery problems come from even the most recognized surgeons. We have first-hand experience with patients from the biggest name surgeons out there. Be confident and persistent and inquisitive… make sure you get all your questions answered. Click here to explore this further: Questions to Ask Your Surgeon The KNEE LIBRARY THE KNEE LIBRARY is Open 24 Hours. You don’t knee a library card and you never need to return a book. All we ask is that you learn about your knee, surgery alternatives, and the best surgery and recovery solution for you. We want you to be the smartest person on the block when it comes to knee health. Click here to explore this further: The Knee Library 2025 Knee Replacement Preparation Email Series Did you prepare for your school tests? Plan for your wedding? Book your hotels and plane tickets in advance of your vacations? It is exactly the same when it comes to knee surgery. Once you have your surgery date you want to sign up immediately so you do not miss any of the series. It begins about six weeks before surgery and runs right up to your surgery date. You need some knowledge and specific tools before you enter that operating room. We have you covered right here. It is our business to help you recover well after knee surgery. Sign up below… It’s free and could make a big difference in your recovery. Click here to explore this further: Pre-hab and Pre-Surgery Email Series Preparing for 2026 Knee Replacement Surgery – with PTA Yvonne LaCrosse A must-see 10-minute video included here. There are many things you can do prior to surgery to help yourself be as prepared as possible and therefore help to make your recovery process as easy as possible. We have for you here and now what you need to know before knee replacement surgery, broken up into three parts. Part 1 Prepare Your Body Part 2 Prepare Your Home Part 3 Make a Plan Click here to explore this further: Preparing for Knee Replacement Surgery What about Going for Two? Sometimes it may be that you actually need both knees replaced. That was the case with Donna. She thought long and hard about it and decided to do a bilateral knee replacement instead of just one knee at a time. This is not right for you if you have other important health concerns, but if you are healthy there are millions of good examples of happy bilateral knee replacements out there. Here is one. Click here to explore this further: Donna’s Decision to Go for Two Gather Practical Information from Actual Knee Patients We have many wonderful private discussion groups, but this is the one of you are considering a 2026 knee replacement: Knee Surgery Recovery & Rehab. Lovely people who are happy to share what they have experienced. If you have already decided to do two knees at once we also have a Bilateral Knee Replacement group that you can find at the link below. Click here to explore this further: Join Knee Surgery Recovery and Rehab Asses Your Knee Condition (Early and Often) We have crafted numerous online knee assessments that you can do yourself to get a handle on your knee condition. These are tests that you can do now, just prior to surgery and afterwards to track your progress. A talented development team built these tools… take advantage of them. Click here to explore this further: Assess Your Knee Condition The Bee’s Knees Podcast Stories, articles, interviews of knee surgery and recovery… and life after surgery. We focus on the patient in this weekly podcast. Our objective is to improve the whole knee replacement (and other knee surgeries) experience from months before surgery to months afterward. In the pod, you will also learn about the pre and post-surgery tool, The X10 Knee Recovery System™. Click here to explore this further: The Bee’s Knees Podcast SCHEDULE A CALL WITH AN X10 KNEE COACH One last thing to do prior to booking your 2026 Knee Replacement is to call us at X10 Therapy. We’re not here to convince you to use the X10 for your recovery, promise. That said we are here to help you in any way we can with the expertise that we have developed for those having a knee replaced. Don’t hesitate… in 15 minutes we can give you peace of mind and some great tips for your recovery. Click here to explore this further: Schedule a Call with an X10 Knee Coach The Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” We step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health as with this article on ‘2026 Knee Replacement.’ In this one-of-a-kind blog, we gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. All our work is related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success, and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. This is for you if you have a surgery upcoming, or in the rear-view mirror. Or maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing To subscribe to the blog click here. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name The link to the research study as presented in the blog episode is here: Conversion to TKA from UKA Risk Factors. Two resources for you below. Both are email series that we created to help those who need some additional thinking for pre-surgery and post-surgery.
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An MUA in NYC
An MUA in NYC A TKA and then a Struggle [PJ Ewing] This episode of The Bee’s Knees features a compelling discussion with Dan Heaney, who shares his personal journey through knee surgery and the ensuing recovery process. Dan’s surgery took place on March 24th, and he recounts the initial challenges he faced, including complications with scar tissue that hindered his mobility post-operation. Despite expectations of a smoother recovery, Dan found himself struggling as his knee remained locked at 85 degrees, leaving him frustrated and uncertain about his future. As Dan describes, he sought guidance from his surgeon, but was met with disappointing advice that seemed to leave him at a standstill. His determination drove him to research alternative recovery solutions, leading him to discover the X10 therapy machine. After a pivotal weekend of frustration and desperation, Dan took matters into his own hands and reached out to the X10 team, initiating a turning point in his recovery journey. X10 Therapy Throughout the episode, Dan emphasizes the dramatic impact the X10 machine had on his rehabilitation. Upon obtaining the machine, he diligently committed to using it three times a day, which quickly translated into notable progress. The support he received from his physical therapist, Candice, further fueled his motivation. With consistent use of the X10, Dan saw his knee range of motion improve from 85 to 125 degrees in a relatively short time, radically transforming his outlook on recovery and life post-surgery. Overcoming Challenges | Advice for Future TKA Patients The conversation touches on the mental and emotional strain of navigating the uncertainties of rehabilitation. Dan shares the profound sense of hope that emerged from his experience with the X10 machine, contrasting this with the despair he felt when relying solely on traditional physical therapy. He vocalizes a desire to inspire others in similar situations to seek solutions and maintain hope during difficult recovery processes. As the episode progresses, Dan reflects on the relationships he built during his recovery and the emotional rollercoaster associated with the fear of losing mobility. His story encapsulates not only the physical challenges of post-surgical recovery but also the psychological battles that accompany them. By the end of the episode, Dan celebrates his newfound ability to return to daily activities, including running and surfing, highlighting the life-altering effects of taking charge of his rehabilitation. Dan’s Recent Wedding – Congratulations!!! In conclusion, Dan’s success story serves as a powerful testament to the importance of persistence, innovation, and self-advocacy in recovery. His experience illuminates the potential for rehabilitative technologies like the X10 to yield transformative results, urging listeners not to hesitate in exploring all options available for their recovery.
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BACK TO FLYING AFTER KNEE MANIPULATION
BACK TO FLYING AFTER KNEE MANIPULATION A TKA and then a Struggle [Mary Elliott] In this episode of The Bee’s Knees Podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Richard Tienan, who shares his candid journey through knee surgery and the complexities he faced during his recovery. We dive into Richard’s experience, starting from the initial surgery on May 7th, which presented unexpected challenges that led to a manipulation under anesthesia. This procedure was essential for improving his mobility, and Richard reflects on how pivotal it was in his recovery process. Richard’s insights on the X10 therapy machine are particularly valuable. He describes how this innovative device assisted him in achieving and tracking his progress post-manipulation. Unlike traditional methods that leave you guessing about your range of motion, the X10 provides real-time feedback on degrees of bend. Richard emphasizes the importance of understanding your limits and recognizing progress, which not only aids in recovery but also boosts motivation. Through his detailed recounting, listeners gain understanding on the physiological and psychological aspects of knee rehabilitation. X10 Therapy We delve into Richard’s struggles with both bending and straightening his knee, highlighting how he found particular comfort in the X10’s monitoring capabilities. His revelation that he reached a remarkable 123 degrees of knee flexion within three weeks of his surgery illustrates an inspiring turnaround, especially after hitting a plateau at 110 degrees prior to his manipulation. Richard discusses both the emotional highs and the physical discomfort of this journey, stressing the significance of resilience and the role of goals in rehabilitation. Overcoming Challenges | Advice for Future TKA Patients In addition to Richard’s story, we explore the supportive role of his wife, Patty, and emphasize how having a support system can make a notable difference in recovery. Through her encouragement and the advice from his telemedicine coach, Richard stayed focused and driven. This episode provides practical tips and shared experiences that can guide anyone facing similar surgical challenges. Richard’s journey exemplifies the power of determination, the importance of professional guidance, and the necessity of tools like the X10 in recovering mobility post-surgery. The episode wraps up with Richard sharing valuable insights to motivate others undergoing knee surgery. His suggestion to massage the thigh during therapy sessions to alleviate discomfort is particularly noteworthy, showcasing adaptation and resourcefulness. As Richard now looks forward to returning to previously enjoyed activities, including flying, he leaves listeners with an uplifting message about reclaiming freedom and joy in daily life. This episode serves as an essential resource for anyone navigating the complexities of knee surgery, offering hope, practical advice, and the reassurance that positive outcomes are possible with the right tools and support.
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MOTHER OF THE BRIDE | WALKING DOWN THE AISLE AFTER TKA
WALKING DOWN THE AISLE AFTER TKA A TKA and then a MUA [Mary Elliott] In this episode, I speak with Dawn, who shares her personal journey navigating the challenges of knee replacement surgery and the hurdles she faced during her recovery. Dawn, only 55 years old, initially experienced a meniscus tear and osteoarthritis, which led her orthopedic surgeon to recommend a knee replacement to prevent further issues down the line. Despite her initial reservations about being so young for such a procedure, she chose to move forward, seeking relief from her increasing pain. Dawn outlines her struggles post-surgery, particularly with bending and flexing her knee, which became a significant roadblock in her recovery. After multiple home therapy sessions and outpatient treatments, she found herself regressing instead of making progress. This period of frustration was compounded by her timeline—her daughter’s wedding was approaching, and she felt a pressing need to improve her mobility quickly. X10 Therapy As our conversation unfolds, Dawn reveals that after a manipulation under anesthesia, which was necessary due to the stiffness and scar tissue buildup in her knee, she discovered the X10 machine. This device promised a gentler approach to therapy compared to traditional methods that left her in pain. Once she started using the X10, her progress transformed dramatically. With its programmed gentle movements, she was able to achieve improved flexibility in a supportive manner. Overcoming Challenges | Advice for Future TKA Patients Reflecting on her experience with the X10, Dawn highlights the significant progress she made in just a few weeks. From starting at 55 degrees of flexion post-manipulation, she reached an impressive 110 degrees shortly after, which was a major milestone for her. The emotional and physical journey culminated in her ability to walk her daughter down the aisle without assistance, a moment deeply cherished amidst her recovery challenges. Dawn’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the importance of finding the right tools for recovery. She advocates for the X10 machine, emphasizing that its gradual approach to motion can significantly aid those struggling with post-surgical rehabilitation. As we wrap up, she encourages others facing similar hardships to remain open-minded and proactive in seeking out effective solutions that can help reclaim their independence and quality of life. Her journey illustrates that sometimes, the right tool can make all the difference in promoting healing and regaining autonomy.
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THREE MONTHS AFTER TKA: POOR FLEXION
THREE MONTHS AFTER TKA: POOR FLEXION A Podcast Featuring Chuck Penny and Mary Elliott (host) In this episode of The Bee’s Knees, I have the privilege of hosting Chuck, who shares his transformative journey through total knee replacement and subsequent challenges he faced with recovery. Chuck’s story underscores the complexities of knee surgery and rehabilitation, and it’s a vital conversation for anyone facing similar challenges. He recounts that his surgery in April initially seemed routine, but soon spiraled into a hurdle-ridden path marked by complications like excessive scar tissue and pain. The key turning point in Chuck’s recovery came when he was introduced to the X10 therapy machine after experiencing significant setbacks post-surgery, including the denial of a necessary manipulation procedure by his insurance company. It was alarming for him as the pain returned and mobility decreased dramatically, dropping from an initial success of 113 degrees of flexion to merely 95 degrees. In this challenging moment, Chuck, fueled by anxiety about his quality of life and desire to return to an active lifestyle, researched mechanical knee therapy options on platforms like YouTube, leading him to discover X10. He explains how this machine operates on the principle of offering feedback while also ensuring that recovery remains within a manageable comfort level, moving beyond the idea of traditional, painful rehabilitation. X10 Therapy Chuck delves into details about his misgivings at the start and how the X10 machine fundamentally shifted his experience, enabling him to engage with the rehabilitation process on his own terms. The therapy allowed him to perform sessions multiple times a day while receiving real-time guidance from his coach, Candice. This personalized support proved to be instrumental in recalibrating his expectations and accelerating his progress, eventually leading to a breakthrough session where he achieved an impressive 120 degrees of flexion. Furthermore, he emphasizes that having control over his recovery without the excessive pain typically associated with rehabilitation has been a game changer. Overcoming Challenges | Advice for Future TKA Patients The discussion transitions to Chuck’s reflections on his initial decision to undergo knee replacement surgery. He shares heartfelt advice for potential patients, stressing the necessity of patience and persistence. Emphasizing that even though the surgical path is daunting, the rewards can be life-changing, he endorses the value of being informed and seeking additional resources like X10 therapy to enhance recovery. Chuck’s optimistic approach, despite the setbacks, serves as an inspiring reminder that the journey of healing, particularly after major surgery, is often fraught with obstacles but can ultimately lead to the lifestyle and activity levels one aspires to regain. As this episode concludes, Chuck’s story not only provides insights into the importance of innovative rehabilitation solutions but also highlights the role of community support in navigating the often-overwhelming journey of recovery. I hope his experience resonates with listeners and offers encouragement, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles and that with the right tools and support, recovery is indeed possible.
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Understanding Swelling and Scar Tissue After Knee Replacement
An Interview with Lisa Alarcon, Director of Physical Therapy Understanding Swelling and Scar Tissue After Knee Replacement The composition of the swelling that occurs in the knee depends on how long it’s been there. The longer the swelling is in the knee the more likely you will have to deal with stiffness. If you’ve ever noticed you can push on someone’s skin and it stays ‘dipped’, those patients have a lot more protein in that fluid. And so what happens as you get that fluid in the knee structure that supports it (the joint capsule,) it swells like a balloon. Swelling and scar tissue after knee replacement are the two biggest challenges you will face. So the more swelling that’s in that knee, the tighter the balloon gets. Once that balloon gets too tight, you have a significant limit in how much you can move your knee. When that happens, you don’t move your knee because it hurts, it’s uncomfortable, so you keep it still. Keeping it still only creates kind of this vicious cycle. Now it doesn’t move, so you can have scar tissue start to set up. Anytime you put your body in a certain comfortable position and then you start to move out of that position, everything’s like, oh wait a minute, that doesn’t feel so good. And that’s also what’s happening in a fresh knee joint, especially immediately following surgery. Those structures are not happy that they’ve been disturbed. They like to be where they are. They don’t want to be cut, and that has all happened with the surgery. The body’s natural system says, “I’m going to limit how much motion I want this knee to have, and so I’m going to send the swelling in.” Fibrosis Fibrosis is another way to look at scar tissue. It’s ‘scar tissue plus.’ You can kind of think of the tissue surrounding the knee like spider webs. And so we can move the knee joint a little bit, or the shoulder, or whatever joint it happens to be, and we can break those spider webs, and we can get some range of motion back. With fibrosis the tissue is more like duct taping the joint. The components that make up something that’s fibrotic versus something that’s strict scar tissue is that the tissue is a little bit more intense. The tissue is stronger, the tensile strength is stronger. It’s thicker. So fibrosis compared to kind of what I would consider normal scar tissue is just really kind of ‘scar tissue on steroids,’ and it’s a lot harder to break through. Usually those with this thicker scar tissue are the people that need the Manipulation Under Anesthesia (see: Julie Avoids an MUA) because they’ve had that fibrotic tissue start to set in, and so that’s the difference really between kind of general scar tissue and something that’s gone fibrotic. You may have seen people that have those really big, bumpy kind of gnarly looking scars. Those patients are more likely to have that same kind of body response on the inside. Fibrosis depends on genetics, it depends on how long you want to sit still for, it depends on things like: ‘I had a knee replacement, and then I had an injection, and then I had another knee replacement.’ So if you have some or all of these other factors, that limit your ability to move that joint, you’re going to get that fibrosis a lot faster. And so the ‘when and the why’ of fibrosis kind of combine, and based on genetics and these other extenuating circumstances recovery can be more challenging. Certainly the less you move the knee, the less frequently you move the knee, the more likely you are to build in that kind of block, and it really feels like a block. The X10 Knee Recovery System™ I think the X10 helps prevent scar tissue in general. If we can prevent general scar tissue, we certainly can prevent scar tissue on steroids, when you talk about something like a fibrosis, because you get in and you get moving early. We’ve had physicians who love the progress of their patients so much, they don’t want to put the CPM in the hospital, they want to bring X10 into the hospital, okay? And that’s amazing, to take someone who’s an orthopedic surgeon who’s been an orthopedic surgeon for a long time, who’s relied on the CPM for a long time and have them say, “I don’t want to do that anymore. I like the X10. I like how it works so much, I’m going do it even sooner. I want that patient on the X10 the hour after they come out of surgery or in those kinds of parameters.” And so X10 as far as preventing fibrosis I think is absolutely what it does. But beyond that, I think if you have a patient that has fibrosis in their knee, or has some kind of a contracture, you can also bring X10 in in that situation, because of the ability to alter the hold times on the machine. On the X10 you can hold in a challenging but not painful position for three seconds, or for longer than that. With the fibrotic joint, I just need to hold longer. So even if a joint is fibrotic, we may not have to worry about a manipulation. In those situations, whether it’s preventing the fibrosis or taking the fibrosis and trying to kind of break through it and get some more stretching out of it, I think is very possible to succeed using the X10. And I think we’ve seen it, certainly in the prevention stages … in the prevention stages, and we’re just starting now to kind of use it in patients that have contractures and have fibrotic joints to see how well it works in those situations. And it’s certainly not just for total knees. We’ve seen young kids with ACLs, young athletes. We’ve used it on a variety of different patients. It was created to help patients who had a total knee replacement, but I tell my physicians, I tell my patients, if you have an issue with your knee and range of motion is a problem, let’s start here. Flexion and Extension Contracture Contracture is a shortening of the muscle itself. So, fibrosis is something that sets up, like we talked about, as a spiderweb, and it connects bone to bone. Contracture is an actual shortening of the muscle, the tendon, because it’s been in a short position for so long. You know that whole ‘use it or lose it?’ That’s real. That really happens. And so if you don’t move that muscle, it’s going to contract, it’s going to stay short, because that’s all it ever had to do. And that’s why sometimes strengthening after a knee replacement takes longer, because you most likely didn’t have that range of motion before surgery. If you had a knee, and that knee was only bending to 70 degrees, then the quadriceps knew that it had to work from 70 to zero, and that’s all the quadriceps had to do. And the hamstrings only pulled the knee back to 70 degrees. They didn’t pull it back any further, right? So, those muscle fibers that exist after 70 degrees on either side of the joint, they’re on vacation, and they like being on vacation. And when you ask them to start working again it takes a little bit of time for them to remember what their goal was, what their target was, what their job is. If we can get that range of motion faster, we can get those muscle fibers to start firing a lot faster. And certainly in our patients that get to outpatient with the X10 in a clinic, who really were significantly limited in their range of motion prior, we see that strengthening over that longer range happens faster, Because with the X10 we can focus specifically on this particular range, and be very accurate with it because of how we can set the X10 machine. Scar tissue and swelling after knee replacement are the biggest challenges for most patients. Do your homework and make a plan for your recovery. With a good physical therapist and the right approach to recovery you will get back to your life in no time. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery and recovery and such subjects as Understanding Swelling and Scar Tissue After Knee Replacement. Voted Top 10 Knee Blog of 2018. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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Knee Replacement Recovery Gone Wrong: The Oklahoma Rescue
A Knee Replacement Recovery Gone Wrong (and then gone right again!) by Mike Wyckoff My name is Mike Wyckoff. I underwent total knee replacement surgery (which included a lateral release) on May 18. Here’s the story of the XIO Knee Machine and how it affected my life. A Tough Recovery My post-op recovery had been very difficult. I was using the routine CPM (continuous passive motion) machine three times a day for two hours each session. And my knee had swollen almost to the size of a bowling ball. I saw the doctor for the first time two weeks after my surgery. He was surprised to see so much swelling. He told me to stop all physical therapy for a few days to rest my knee. I then began a full PT regime with a therapist three days a week. And I rigorously followed all instructions to perform several exercises at home every day. I never missed a day, and I pushed hard. I still had much residual swelling, and a large hematoma on the side of my knee where the lateral release was performed. Five Weeks Post-Surgery Five weeks after my knee replacement surgery, I had severe prostatitis and had to be hospitalized for IV antibiotics. Fortunately, the bacterial infection did not affect my knee replacement. This was thanks to the quick, diligent response from my surgeon and an infectious disease specialist. But I lost nearly two weeks of real physical therapy, and my knee was not progressing in its extension and flexion. Ten Weeks Post-Surgery Ten weeks out from surgery, the orthopedic surgeon said we needed to schedule an MUA (manipulation under anesthesia). He said he was concerned that in my case, the manipulation might be counterproductive considering my post-op difficulties with such intense swelling. Nevertheless, my MUA was scheduled for the next week. My wife came home from our doctor appointment, prayed, and went to the internet to search ‘alternatives to MUA.’ The X10 machine popped up. She spoke with PJ Ewing (while I was at PT). And when I returned home, limping in the door from my PT, she asked me to look at the on the internet site and call PJ. To say the least, I was skeptical, exhausted, and discouraged. Getting the X10™ I spoke with PJ and he said a machine could be sent to my home. But it would be five days in arriving. My MUA was scheduled in seven days. PJ said they could get an X10 to Georgia by the next day. I have a nephew who lives in Georgia. So my wife and I got in the car, drove almost all night to Georgia. We met the technician who delivered the X10 to my nephew’s home the following day. I used the X10 for four days in Georgia and, with PJ’s consent, took it back to Oklahoma. I then asked for an appointment with my doctor the day before my scheduled MUA. The orthopedic surgeon was shocked at my progress and cancelled the MUA. I had progressed in my flexion from 96 degrees to 112 degrees, and my extension was also much improved. By the time I saw the surgeon again ten days later, my flexion was at 125 degrees and my extension was at O degrees. God answered our prayers, I avoided the MUA, and my knee continues to improve daily. The X10 Team From Dave Lahmann, who delivered the XIO to my nephew’s home in Georgia and showed me how to properly to use it, to his wife (and my recovery coach) Tricia, who provided excellent advice and timely encouragement throughout my time with The X10 to the entire support staff – all were wonderfully instrumental in the success I had. And PJ, not enough thanks can be spoken for his understanding of my struggle and his flexibility in allowing me to transport this machine back to Oklahoma. Finally, I cannot speak enough praise for the X10 machine. It is like a progressive, controlled, measured manipulation, rather than an MUA administered in a few minutes in surgery by the doctor. With the machine, I gradually broke up the scar tissue without increasing swelling at all. Further, the discomfort of “pushing to the next degree” of flexion was accompanied by absolutely no residual pain. It was truly amazing. I offer the strongest encouragement to anyone to try this machine. Just maybe, the X10 will be the answer to your prayers too! The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery and recovery and such subjects as knee replacement recovery gone wrong. Voted Top 10 Knee Blog of 2018. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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154
PT PUSHING TOO HARD
PT PUSHING TOO HARD (Knee Replacement Recovery) A Podcast Featuring Rebecca Hart and Mary Elliott (host) In this episode of The Bee’s Knees, I engage in a conversation with Becky Hart, who recently navigated the challenging journey of total knee replacement surgery. Becky, equipped with a PhD in chemistry, brings a unique analytical perspective to her recovery process, sharing insights that can help others on a similar path. We delve into the difficulties she faced post-surgery, particularly during her physical therapy sessions, which she felt were too aggressive and left her in considerable pain. This experience propelled her to seek alternative solutions, ultimately leading her to discover X10 therapy, a treatment that changed the course of her recovery. As we unpack her experience, Becky describes her initial physical state just three weeks after surgery—limited to a range of motion between zero and 80 degrees. Her desire for a quicker and less painful recovery is evident, and she emphasizes the importance of having control over her rehabilitation. The convenience of X10 therapy, available at home and featuring remote physical therapist support, played a crucial role in her journey. With this approach, Becky was able to gradually increase her range of motion to an impressive 120 degrees in just over three weeks, avoiding the need for more invasive procedures like manipulation under anesthesia. X10 Therapy Becky is keen to impart her hard-earned knowledge to anyone considering knee replacement surgery. Her advice veers towards preemptive action—setting up the X10 therapy in advance of the surgery to hit the ground running upon returning home. She underscores the urgency of early movement to prevent complications like scar tissue buildup. Our discussion shifts towards practical steps listeners should take, including consulting with their surgeons and potentially advocating for insurance coverage to make therapy more accessible. Becky’s conviction is clear: the investment in a healthy knee is invaluable and can pay dividends in terms of quality of life. Overcoming Challenges As we conclude the episode, Becky reflects on the transformative nature of her journey and the gratitude she feels for overcoming her challenges. The conversation serves as both a source of encouragement and a call to action for others to remain hopeful and proactive in their recovery processes. This episode encapsulates not only the potential hurdles of knee surgery but also highlights the successful strategies that can lead to a more resilient and empowered recovery experience.
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Avoid MUA 12 Weeks Post Surgery (Dianne’s Story)
Avoid MUA 12 Weeks Post Surgery (Dianne’s Story) “The Dianne Story” – Part II We are pleased to share this interview from The Bee’s Knees Podcast and KNEE RADIO 1. We share the account of Dianne Smith’s recovery after total knee replacement. Dianne avoided a manipulation under anesthesia after 12 weeks struggling in outpatient PT. Avoid MUA 12 Weeks Post Surgery Dianne faced an additional challenge in that she had three blood clots in her calf when she started on X10. At the end the blood clots were gone. Details in the article below and on the podcast. This is part two of a two-part series. From the blood clots, her leg had swelled up. She was suffering from swelling from quite a long time, her leg was very tender, and wasn’t getting anywhere with range of motion. PJ on our team first talked to her just said, “Listen, whether you get the machine or not, you just have to stop doing what you’re doing. Ride the bike three times a day. Just stop this forceful stretching. This pain mechanism is not going to stop.” So she decided to get the X10. Before she got the X10, she already had gained nine degrees from doing what PJ had told her to do. We were so happy. We’re all a team here, so we want the best for the patient. We were happy that she was able to gain that much range. And then 23 days after her blood clots were gone. Dianne said, “I don’t know. I don’t know what happened. I don’t care how it happened, but they’re gone. My leg is no longer swollen. It’s not painful. I can touch it. You know, anybody, you know, my grandkids touch my leg. I don’t jump. It’s l like, it’s a miracle, you know? And she was so thankful of finding X10. From Dianne’s PT: And we had our doubts. We had our honest talks about, “Hey, you know, I can’t promise you that this is going to get you to where you think you want to go, where want to be. But I can guarantee you it’s going to get you better than what you were.” I told Dianne, “You trusted that process and you did it!” KNEE RADIO 1 (powered by The Bee’s Knees Podcast) This interview is available exclusively on The Bee’s Knees Podcast and on KNEE Radio 1, a new radio station engineered to help the millions of knee surgery patients each year. You can listen to KNEE RADIO 1 right here: KNEE RADIO 1 CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR KNEE RECOVERY BASICS #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; max-width: 600px;} /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to Knee Recovery Basics * indicates required Email Address *First Name Last Name State (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);
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Avoid Manipulation Under Anesthesia (12-weeks after knee replacement)
Avoid Manipulation Under Anesthesia (12-weeks after knee replacement) An Interview with PTA, Kim Sajewski “The Dianne Story” – Part I We are pleased to share this interview from The Bee’s Knees Podcast and KNEE RADIO 1. We share the account of Dianne Smith’s recovery after total knee replacement. Dianne was able to avoid manipulation under anesthesia after 12 weeks of struggling in outpatient PT. Dianne faced an additional challenge in that she had three blood clots in her calf when she started on X10. At the end, the blood clots were gone. Details in the article below and on the podcast. This is part one of a two-part series. Hello, my name is Kim Sajewski, and I was fortunate enough to be the recovery coach for Dianne Smith. When I first spoke with her, she was about 83 days post-surgery. Typical patient that I talk to are frustrated, struggling, dodn’t know where to go. Dianne found us at at x10therapy.com: and she did her research. She was a great patient. She wanted to know what else she could do. And I was upfront and honest with her. We talked about where she was in her recovery, what she had been doing. She was in outpatient therapy. She was zero degrees extension, which she had full, and she had about 103 degrees flexion. The unique thing about Diane and I have not seen before with X10 is Diane had three blood clots in her calf. She still had them when she came to us, and I told her I was concerned. I had never seen it before, but she had been in outpatient therapy. The surgeon told her there’s nothing that they can do about them. She, she was on blood thinners; they didn’t give her any restrictions. Kim Sajewski In going through what she was doing in outpatient therapy, I knew the X10 would be way more gentle than the outpatient therapy was for her. She was being forced into manual stretching to the point that she was like, “Kim, I was smacking my hand on the matt / table, tapping out. I’m tapping out like in a wrestling match.” And I said I understood, and it’s not the way to go, but it is what it is. We both said the same thing. As soon as I started saying it, she started finishing it for me. I said, “You know, when patients continue, you have your trust with your therapist and things are going okay, but then things don’t go so well. But then they keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.” And she said it right with me. She said, “That’s a definition of insanity, to keep doing the thing, the same things over and over again, and expecting something different, an outcome, something different.” And we laughed. She’s like, “I knew I couldn’t keep doing this anymore. I was a young 60-year-old grandmother who wanted to play with the grandkids. I had places to go. I wanted to travel. I did this for a reason. You know, my knee was so painful before surgery, and I did this because I wanna get back to life.” Unfortunately, this happened. From the blood clots, her leg had swelled up. She was suffering from swelling from quite a long time, her leg was very tender, and wasn’t getting anywhere with range of motion. PJ on our team first talked to her just said, “Listen, whether you get the machine or not, you just have to stop doing what you’re doing. Ride the bike three times a day. Just stop this forceful stretching. This pain mechanism is not going to stop.” So she decided to get the X10. Before she got the X10, she already had gained nine degrees from doing what PJ had told her to do. So I was, I was so happy. We’re all a team here, so we want the best for the patient. And I was happy that she was able to gain that much range. Now she’s excited, right? She is gaining this range, and now she’s getting a little bit ahead of herself. So that’s where the coaching with my patients, what all the coaches do: ometimes we have to pull the reigns back. It’s a slow process. It’s the slow not forceful process that works. And the knee takes some time to slow down. It takes some time to get used to that, and it’s not going to happen overnight. And I told her that, I said, “It’s not a miracle machine. You have to give the knee some time to calm down. It has to reset itself again. And it has to realize that you are not doing something that is going to make it hurt and is not going to be painful. So once it starts to calm down and realize that it’s okay, what it’s doing, and it’s okay to go one degree at a time, everything starts to follow through.” And so she did that. She was re respectful of that. She trusted the process. She trusted that this was the road for her. She knew she couldn’t get any worse than what she was. Maybe she could, I don’t know if they caught forcing her, but she knew she wasn’t going to go back to that. I had spoken to her about her outpatient therapy as well. And I said, you know, if you have a good relationship with your therapist, just tell ’em that you have this machine. You can or cannot, you know, but just say, you know, let’s just try not forcing my knee into, into a bend. Let’s just try doing other things. Let’s, let’s focus on the strength. Let’s focus on hamstring flexibility, but not, not the bend. Let’s not do that. And her therapist was very respectful of that. He listened and he said, okay. And soon all of these things started taking place, and her knee was calming down.,she started to notice that she was walking better. Then when she went into her outpatient PT clinic, everybody’s like, “Wow, you’re walking so much better. You’re more fluent. You know, you’re not stumbling. You’re getting that full stride.” And so, that really made her happy, and she wanted to do more. But I, once again I reminded her, “Diane, let’s pull the reins back. We talked about it going slow and steady. Dianne continued that progress as the days went on. The numbers were going up, she was gaining. She was progressing well. She was progressing as she should. One degree at a time. And the knee was accepting it. However. To me the numbers, yes, they mean a lot. But… functionality meant even more. She was now able to get in and out of her car. Her husband said, “You bounced out. You bounced out of the car. Like it was nothing.” She was walking. She got to go down on the floor and play with her grandkids. And on the phone I could hear the tears in her voice. She was just so happy that she was able to be down on the floor playing with her grandkids. I think 19 days after she had the machine, she got to zero degrees extension and 130 degrees flexion (that is traditionally full flexion for most of us). She literally texted me that night, a picture of her screen, and she’s said, You have to celebrate this with me!” I, of course, called her and I said, “Oh my gosh, who would’ve thought this happened ?? !!” And then 23 days after her blood clots were gone, she called me once again. Dianne said, “I don’t know. I don’t know what happened. I don’t care how it happened, but they’re gone. My leg is no longer swollen. It’s not painful. I can touch it. You know, anybody, you know, my grandkids touch my leg. I don’t jump. It’s l like, it’s a miracle, you know? And she was so thankful of finding X10. And we had our doubts. We had our honest talks about, “Hey, you know, I can’t promise you that this is going to get you to where you think you want to go, where want to be. But I can guarantee you it’s going to get you better than what you were.” I told Dianne, “You trusted that process and you did it!” So it was amazing! Now we’re just friends. I told Dianne, you’re not only my patient, but you’re my friend. So she’s sending me pictures of her grandkids and everything. And it was, it was pretty. It’s an amazing story. I’m so happy for her. KNEE RADIO 1 (powered by The Bee’s Knees Podcast) This interview “Avoid Manipulation Under Anesthesia” is available exclusively on The Bee’s Knees Podcast and on KNEE Radio 1, a new radio station engineered to help millions of knee surgery patients each year. You can listen to KNEE RADIO 1 right here: KNEE RADIO 1 The X10 Meta-Blog “Avoid Manipulation Under Anesthesia” We call it a “Meta-Blog.” We step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health as with this article on ‘Avoid Manipulation After Anesthesia (12-weeks after knee replacement)’. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. All our work is related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. This is for you if you have a surgery upcoming, or in the rear-view mirror. Or maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing To subscribe to the blog click here. GET HELP NOW – TWO FREE EMAIL SERIES BELOW Two resources for you below to help with knee replacement pain management. Both are email series that we created to help those who need some additional thinking for pre-surgery and post-surgery.
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Bilateral Knee Replacement for Olympic Cyclist
Bilateral Knee Replacement for Olympic Cyclist an interview with Chris Nowacki Chris Nowacki spends time with us discussing her husband’s bilateral knee replacement. Wallander (Wally) Nowacki was an Olympic cyclist for Team Poland early in his life. However, finding himself in need of two new knees at age 65, he took the leap and did both knees at once. Chris and Wally did extensive research on how to best prepare for knee replacement surgery. They examined how to best recover afterward. Click the Play button above to listen to the interview. 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} .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-af237030bc2b8cfc8d8af736510c972d.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-af237030bc2b8cfc8d8af736510c972d.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-af237030bc2b8cfc8d8af736510c972d.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-af237030bc2b8cfc8d8af736510c972d.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-af237030bc2b8cfc8d8af736510c972d.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-af237030bc2b8cfc8d8af736510c972d.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-af237030bc2b8cfc8d8af736510c972d.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } The Impact of Cycling on the Knee Cycling is a great low-impact aerobic activity. Cyclists are usually more efficient on both hills and flat terrain when they pedal quickly (at about 80-85 rpm) rather than at slower cadences. And cycling is considered a knee-sparing exercise. This is because it does not require an impact with the ground. However, the repetitive motion of pedaling can lead to a variety of overuse knee injuries. The majority of cycling injuries are indeed caused by overuse. This leads to cumulative tissue microtrauma and consequent symptoms. In overuse injuries, the problem is often not acute tissue inflammation, but chronic degeneration. Source: Chester Knee Clinic More Bilateral Knee Surgery Articles Below Click here for Ray’s Story. Here is the article. Click here for Tom’s Story. Thank you Chris and Wally for your commitment to getting the X10 for recovery. This bilateral knee surgery for Wallander Nowacki, was a great success. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” In these articles, we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health. We explore surgery and recovery and such subjects as ‘Bilateral Knee Replacement for Olympic Cyclist’. This is a one-of-a-kind blog. We gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. And it is all related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success, and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, and patients. And as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. You may have a surgery upcoming. Or in the rear-view mirror. Maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. In all cases, you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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Knee Replacement Recovery for Women: Your Guide to Strength & Renewed Mobility
Knee Replacement Recovery for Women: Your Guide to Strength & Renewed Mobility The Bee’s Knees Podcast | Susanna In this episode of The Bee’s Knees, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Susanna, a vibrant individual who shares her inspiring journey through knee replacement surgery and recovery. Susanna recounts her experiences leading up to her full right knee replacement on December 19th. Having managed a knee that had been previously injured for 45 years, she faced the difficult decision of replacement surgery after realizing the extent of the wear and tear on her knee joint. What stands out in her narrative is not only her courage to undergo surgery but also the distinct contrasts in recovery experiences between her and her husband, who had his knee replaced a year earlier. As we delve into her recovery process, Susanna highlights the initial challenges she faced with pain and limited mobility, specifically her struggles to bend her knee beyond 90 degrees. She details ongoing consultations with her orthopedic doctor, which culminated in undergoing a manipulation under anesthesia to improve her knee’s flexibility. Susanna’s commitment to recovery shines through as she explores various approaches to physical therapy, ultimately discovering the X10 Therapy machine, which she enthusiastically describes as a transformative tool in her rehabilitation journey. .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: -20px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev i { padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: -20px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-next i { padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav i { font-size: 18px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover) i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover) i:before { color: #ffffff; background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i:before { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285 .owl-dots { top: calc(100% + 20px); left: 50%; transform: translateX(calc(-50% + 0px)); } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285 .owl-dots { transform: translateX(-50%); margin-left: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285 .owl-dot { width: 10px; height: 10px; margin: 0 8px; } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.hide-arrows .owl-nav a { display: none; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 10px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 10px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285 figure, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285 .rollover, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285 img, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285 .gallery-rollover { border-radius: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-171606981ca58691020c04ec7eff4285.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } Knee Replacement Recovery for Women: Susanna’s Story Throughout our conversation, Susanna emphasizes her approach to recovery, wherein she committed to using the X10 machine and engaging in personalized physical therapy. Her dedication to this alternative method, in conjunction with traditional rehabilitation techniques, has significantly improved her range of motion, allowing her to achieve 115 degrees on her own within just three weeks after starting with the machine. We discuss the vital role of motivation and determination in her recovery process, as well as the importance of having professional support from coaches who provide guidance and adjustments along the way. As we reflect on her progress, it becomes clear that Susanna’s story is not just about physical recovery; it is also about attitude and resilience. She encourages others who are going through similar situations to keep an open mind regarding unconventional recovery options and to actively seek solutions that resonate with them. Susanna’s newfound appreciation for her capacity to recover and regain strength serves as an inspiring example for anyone dealing with the repercussions of orthopedic surgeries. In closing our episode, I express my gratitude for Susanna’s willingness to share her journey and insights with us. She embodies the spirit of resilience and the continuous pursuit of a more active and fulfilling life post-surgery. This conversation is a powerful reminder of the possibilities that lie ahead and the importance of tailored recovery plans that align with individual needs and circumstances. Join us as we continue to explore more inspiring stories and expert advice on knee surgery and recovery in future episodes.
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Stiffness After Knee Replacement | Secondary Research
Stiffness After Knee Replacement | Secondary Research Literature Review (MUA After TKA: Women) We have done some research recently on the incidence of MUA with a focus on women. This is considered a Literature Review. Literature Review: This is a comprehensive summary and analysis of the existing scholarly literature on a specific topic. A literature review seeks to identify what has already been written on a subject, identify key themes and debates, and point out any gaps in the current research. It is often a preliminary step in a larger research project but can also be a standalone publication. To get the full story in the easiest way possible, listen to the podcast for a full rundown on our learnings. MUA after TKA: Women This infographic is an easy way to digest the findings. It provides a quick look at the incidence and risk factors of Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) following Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). This review has a specific focus on women and MUA. Identifying At-Risk Patient Profiles The Critical Window: Early vs. Delayed Intervention The MUA Paradox: A Solution and a Signal MUA After TKA: Women | Works Cited Manipulation Under Anesthesia After Knee Replacement – OrthoInfo – AAOS, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/manipulation-under-anesthesia/ Manipulation under anesthesia after total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study of 145 patients – PMC, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9214639/ Manipulation under anaesthesia post total knee replacement: Long term follow up | Request PDF – ResearchGate, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51248496_Manipulation_under_anaesthesia_post_total_knee_replacement_Long_term_follow_up Risk Factors for the Need for Manipulation Under Anesthesia …, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40180278/ Manipulation Under Anesthesia – Oxford Clinical Policy – UHCprovider.com, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://www.uhcprovider.com/content/dam/provider/docs/public/policies/oxford/manipulation-under-anesthesia-ohp.pdf Manipulation under anesthesia after primary knee arthroplasty in …, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6746267/ Younger age is associated with increased odds of manipulation …, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31471257/ Factors predicting manipulation under anaesthesia after total knee …, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39849219/ Factors predicting manipulation under anaesthesia after total knee replacement, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388326048_Factors_predicting_manipulation_under_anaesthesia_after_total_knee_replacement After Manipulation Under Anesthesia – X10 Therapy, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://x10therapy.com/after-manipulation-under-anesthesia-failed-knee-recovery/ Risk Factors for the Need for Manipulation Under Anesthesia Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. – FirstWord Pharma, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://firstwordpharma.com/story/5948557 Manipulation under anesthesia for stiffness after total knee replacement: A systematic review, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269807965_Manipulation_under_anesthesia_for_stiffness_after_total_knee_replacement_A_systematic_review Influence of Gender on Age of Treatment with TKA and Functional Outcome – PMC, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2882007/ Outcomes of Early Versus Delayed Manipulation Under Anesthesia for Stiffness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – PubMed, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38797451/ Timing of manipulation under anaesthesia for stiffness after total knee arthroplasty – PMC, accessed on June 10, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4669325/ This infographic synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed medical literature on MUA following TKA. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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More Than a Knee: Overcoming a Blood Clot, Surgery, and Setbacks
More Than a Knee: Overcoming a Blood Clot, Surgery, and Setbacks A Podcast Featuring Kevin Evans and Mary Elliott (host) In this episode of the Bees Knees Podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Kevin, who shares his personal journey following knee surgery and a manipulation under anesthesia. Originally from the UK and now residing in the U.S., Kevin opens up about the challenges he faced throughout his recovery process, providing an inspiring insight into not only the physical hurdles he overcame but also the mental resilience required to push forward. Kevin recounts his initial knee troubles that were exacerbated by his passion for motorcycle riding. The dynamics of stopping quickly on a bike led to his eventual decision to seek medical help. Following a cortisone injection and unfortunately facing an infection that necessitated surgical intervention, Kevin found himself in a hospital setting longer than anticipated. His hospital stay involved not just surgery but also battling a blood clot, which added complexity to his recovery journey. Despite these obstacles, he approached his rehabilitation with determination, gradually moving from a limited range of motion to notable improvement with physical therapy. More Than a Knee: Overcoming a Blood Clot, Surgery, and Setbacks. Just Bending the Knee After his initial recovery period included at-home therapy, Kevin transitioned to external physical therapy, where he faced the daunting task of regaining the full functionality of his knee. Each milestone in this journey was marked by pain and effort, especially as he attempted to bend his knee to the desired angle. His perseverance paid off as he shared his progress, reaching a range of motion that spurred his motivations to keep striving for more. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right therapist, which proved pivotal in achieving further improvements in his recovery. Knee Manipulation Under Anesthesia As Kevin shares his experiences, he reflects on the moment when he decided to undergo a manipulation procedure to assist with the tight scar tissue that was hindering his mobility. This decision came with its own set of fears, but upon reflection, he found that the manipulation was instrumental in loosening his knee and providing the much-needed range of motion he sought. This episode stands out as a testimony to the trials and triumphs of rehabilitation, capturing the emotional and physical battles faced in such recovery processes. Personalized Assistance and the Trusty X10 Machine We delve into the specifics of the innovative X10 therapy machine that Kevin used during his recovery, which offered personalized assistance in his rehabilitation. He highlights its intuitive technology that adapts to the user’s movements, empowering him to regain control over his physical therapy. Kevin’s excitement about using the machine and the positive changes he experienced in just two weeks is palpable, demonstrating the integration of technology and personal effort in recovery. Ultimately, Kevin’s journey unveils a powerful message about not accepting limitations. His love for biking, which motivated him through difficult times, serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining passions and chasing an active lifestyle, no matter the challenges that arise. As he approaches a full recovery and anticipates getting back on his bike, he shares valuable insights for others who might be in similar situations, encouraging them to keep moving forward. MORE ABOUT MUA More Than a Knee: Overcoming a Blood Clot, Surgery, and Setbacks. An interview with Kevin about his knee replacement, MUA and X10 recovery.
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NURSE DEBRA AND A KNEE RECOVERY IN NORTH CAROLINA
KNEE RECOVERY IN NORTH CAROLINA A Podcast Featuring Debra Conti and Mary Elliott (host) In this episode of the Bees Knees Podcast, I engage in a deeply insightful conversation with Debra, a registered nurse from North Carolina, who shares her personal journey through the challenges of post-operative recovery following a total knee replacement. Debra provides an honest look into her experience, detailing not just the surgery but her difficult recovery process plagued by the development of excessive scar tissue. She candidly recounts how initial physical therapy fell short of addressing her complex pain management needs, particularly the nerve injuries that arose during her treatment. Debra describes her pivotal decision to reach out to me after conducting her own research on recovery solutions. She discovered the X10 Therapy, an in-home therapy machine designed to facilitate recovery under the guidance of professional therapists. In our discussion, she emphasizes how this innovative tool became a game-changer in her healing journey. The ability to perform tailored therapeutic exercises from the comfort of her home allowed her to regain mobility and improve her range of motion significantly—with personal touches from her X10 Recovery Coach, Halima, who provided consistent support throughout the process. X10 Therapy We dive into the technical aspects of how the X10 Therapy operates, highlighting its unique mechanism that safeguards against overexertion. Debra describes her experience enhancing her range of motion by 20 to 30 degrees, while the machine’s thoughtful design provided real-time feedback on pain levels, a feature she found particularly empowering. Through her narrative, listeners will gain insight into the importance of personalized care and the ongoing adjustments that one must navigate in their recovery journey. Emotional Support As her story unfolds, Debra reflects on how vital emotional support is throughout recovery. She appreciates the care she received, not just from the X10 Therapy team but also from others in the medical community. Her fondness for the machine and her therapists radiates through her words, marking a poignant connection between patient and caregiver that transcends traditional clinical boundaries. As we move towards closing the episode, Debra expresses both gratitude and a bittersweet sense of loss as her time with the X10 machine comes to an end. Resilience and Determination In wrapping up our conversation, I invite listeners to take inspiration from Debra’s resilience and determination. Her story is a testament to the power of seeking help, leveraging technology in healthcare, and the value of community support in navigating the complexities of recovery. We hope her insights resonate with anyone facing similar challenges, encouraging them to remain hopeful and proactive in their healing journeys..
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THREE CHALLENGING KNEE RECOVERIES | WITH ROBERT DOUGLAS
THREE CHALLENGING KNEE RECOVERIES A Podcast Featuring Robert Douglas and PJ Ewing (host) PJ and Robert discussed the challenges of adapting to frequent changes in technology and software updates, as well as their personal backgrounds and experiences. They also shared their experiences with knee surgeries, the importance of range of motion in recovery, and the role of AI tools in their work. The conversation also touched on the benefits of subscribing to email series, podcasts, and books, with a focus on those related to health and technology. In the meeting, PJ and Robert discussed their personal backgrounds and experiences. PJ shared his interest in jazz guitarists, particularly Pat Metheny. Robert, a 57-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, shared his military service as an army nurse and his current life with his wife and three daughters. The conversation then shifted to Robert’s knee recovery experiences, which will be the focus of future discussions. Robert Douglas’ Knee Surgery Experience Robert shared his experience with knee surgeries, starting with a torn meniscus and cartilage in 2016. After a steroid injection, his knee became septic, requiring two back-to-back incision and debridements. The infection destroyed all soft tissue, cartilage, and bone, leaving him unable to walk for six months. He received his first knee replacement, which failed due to misalignment and scar tissue. After a revision surgery, he used the X10 therapy device to improve his range of motion from 70 degrees to 125 degrees. He emphasized the importance of an experienced surgeon and proper physical therapy. He has used the X10 three times for his knee surgeries and found it helpful in his recovery. Robert discussed his experience with knee replacement surgery, emphasizing the importance of range of motion in recovery. He praised the x10 machine for its precision in tracking progress and its role in his rehabilitation. PJ acknowledged the challenges Robert faced and the x10’s effectiveness in such situations. PJ also asked Robert about his experience with the dark period of his recovery, seeking insights for others in similar situations. Robert’s Knee Replacement Recovery Journey Robert shares his personal experience with depression following knee surgery and his journey to recovery. He emphasizes the importance of finding hope and a competent surgeon, as well as the critical role of range of motion in rehabilitation. Robert credits his faith, the X10 machine, and a rigorous therapy routine of using the X10 three times a day for 35 minutes each session as key factors in his successful recovery. He strongly recommends prioritizing range of motion exercises and considers the X10 an invaluable tool for knee replacement recovery. Overcoming Challenges With Faith and Action In the meeting, PJ and Robert discussed the importance of maintaining hope and taking action to overcome challenges. Robert shared his personal experience of overcoming a knee problem through faith, hope, and action, including finding a good surgeon and physical therapist, and using tools like the X 10. They emphasized the need to find the right tools and strategies to manage recovery effectively. Robert also shared a recent setback in his recovery process, but expressed confidence in overcoming it with the guidance of his coach. .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.owl-carousel .owl-nav div { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: -43px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); 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background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i:before { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4 .owl-dots { top: calc(100% + 20px); left: 50%; transform: translateX(calc(-50% + 0px)); } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4 .owl-dots { transform: translateX(-50%); margin-left: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4 .owl-dot { width: 10px; height: 10px; margin: 0 8px; } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.hide-arrows .owl-nav a { display: none; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 10px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 10px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4 figure, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4 .rollover, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4 img, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4 .gallery-rollover { border-radius: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9160a381417d9067c4162975fa364ae4.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } Knee Surgery Recovery With Coaching Robert discusses his experience with knee surgery recovery and the importance of having a coach. He explains how his coach, Kim, advised him to reduce his range of motion from 95 to 80 degrees, which helped alleviate bruising and improve his overall recovery. PJ emphasizes the value of coaching in the X10 program, stating that it is instrumental to patients’ success. Robert agrees, noting that he wouldn’t have had the confidence to adjust his approach without Kim’s guidance. They both stress the importance of not giving up and seeking proper support during recovery, with Robert adding a final tip about the benefits of pre-surgery strength training. Robert and PJ discuss podcasts and books they enjoy. Robert recommends “Genius Foods” by Max Lugavere, which explores the impact of food on the body, and its accompanying podcast “The Genius Life.” He also mentions a podcast called “Cold War: Prelude to the Present.” PJ then enthusiastically recommends Dan Carlin’s “Hardcore History” podcast, praising its in-depth historical content, particularly the episodes on Genghis Khan. They both express interest in exploring each other’s recommendations. Email Series and Podcast Recommendations In the meeting, PJ and Robert discussed the benefits of subscribing to email series like Knee Surgery Preparation and Knee Recovery Basics. PJ also shared his appreciation for Robert’s talent as a host and his ability to make people feel comfortable sharing their stories. They also discussed their shared interest in podcasts, with PJ recommending several shows including Pivot, Macbreak Weekly, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and science-focused podcasts. The conversation ended with PJ encouraging Robert to revisit podcasts and find new shows to enjoy.
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145
After Three Knee Procedures | Steady progress came faster than expected
After Three Knee Procedures, Finally a Rehab Solution “Everyone involved went above and beyond to make recovery easier—it’s about kindness and generosity.” [MARY ELLIOTT} In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Rana Palowski, a resilient and inspiring individual from Middle Tennessee who courageously shares her journey through knee surgery and recovery. At 61, life took an unexpected turn for Rana after she sustained a significant knee injury while working. Despite her background as the child of a surgical nurse, she realized that recovery from a total knee replacement on November 14th was more challenging than she anticipated. Rana discusses the initial optimism she felt, believing she would quickly bounce back, only to face difficulties with what she referred to as a “quad shutdown” post-surgery, which left her unable to lift her heel for nearly three weeks. Rana opens up about her experience with physical therapy, detailing how her leg remained swollen, hindering her progress to achieve the crucial 90-degree bend needed for recovery. She candidly expresses her desperation and dwindling hope after months of little improvement, even considering what she thought might be the end of her healing journey. However, everything changed when she found a community online dedicated to total knee replacement experiences, where she learned about X10 therapy—a therapy machine that piqued her interest. Initially skeptical, Rana researched and presented this option to her physical therapist and doctor, ultimately deciding to invest in the machine herself, driven by the desire to regain her mobility. After Three Knee Procedures | Steady progress came faster than expected. Rana Palowski’s X10 “There’s not a number you can put on your own health or being able to walk—investing in yourself makes all the difference.” As Rana shares her transformation from skepticism to empowerment, listeners will feel her journey’s emotional highs and lows. After acquiring the X10 machine, Rana experienced a remarkable shift in her recovery. She vividly recalls the moment when, merely days after her third surgery, she achieved 90 degrees of movement—something deemed impossible for her after months of struggle. Rana emphasizes the importance of having the machine available to her at home, facilitating daily progress and allowing her to make significant strides towards regaining her mobility and independence. Throughout our conversation, I am struck by Rana’s courage, resilience, and willingness to advocate for herself and her health. She acknowledges the support she received from the physical therapists and doctors but highlights the unmatched value of consistency and accessibility that the X10 machine provided. Rana’s story serves as a testament to the power of persistence, faith, and the willingness to explore new avenues for healing, even when the path seems dim. After Three Knee Procedures, Finally a Rehab Solution Rana’s journey not only illustrates her personal triumphs but also inspires others to remain hopeful and proactive in the face of adversity. By sharing her struggles and ultimately, her success, she embodies the spirit of resilience and reminds us all that healing is possible, and there are always options available. This episode is not just about physical recovery; it’s about embracing possibilities, fostering connections, and inspiring each other to pursue our best selves. .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 5px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev i { padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 5px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-next i { padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav i { font-size: 18px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover) i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover) i:before { color: #ffffff; background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i:before { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6 .owl-dots { top: calc(100% + 20px); left: 50%; transform: translateX(calc(-50% + 0px)); } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6 .owl-dots { transform: translateX(-50%); margin-left: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6 .owl-dot { width: 10px; height: 10px; margin: 0 8px; } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.hide-arrows .owl-nav a { display: none; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 10px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 10px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6 figure, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6 .rollover, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6 img, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6 .gallery-rollover { border-radius: 25px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-5d5e927f3b973fdcef1eab21a9ceb1a6.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } “It takes an immense amount of faith, even when things aren’t going well, to still be hopeful and open to possibilities.” After Three Knee Procedures, Finally a Rehab Solution
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Four Weeks After Bilateral Knee Replacement
Four Weeks After Bilateral Knee Replacement Melissa’s Story (Owings Mills, MD) Melissa put together the perfect recovery for herself by doing the right things before and after her bilateral knee replacement surgery. She provides us with an update four weeks after bilateral knee replacement in her own words, and in the videos below. Melissa’s Recovery: In Her Own Words My name is Melissa. I’m 47 years old and I had bilateral knee replacement surgery four weeks ago. I used the X10 the day that I returned home from the hospital. And now four weeks later I’m able to walk without the aid of a cane or any other device. I’m looking forward to having my new knees. Knee Pain at an Early Age I started having knee problems at 35. I had been doing a class at the gym on a treadmill and the next day my knees just blew up and I figured I tore something. So I saw an orthopedist and was told that my knees were ‘twice my age’. And that I was ‘way too young’ right now, but someday I’d need a knee replacement. And I was advised to take Ibuprofen and just deal with it. So over the years I saw an orthopedist and a rheumatologist looking for help. Injections, Shots, Managing My Knee Pain I had injections and shots and all of that to try to manage the pain. At that age I was quite active, but I wasn’t able to run anymore. I had pain just standing up from a chair because my knees would be so stiff. I would have pain during the night. There was a period of years when I felt like I was managing it quite well. I wasn’t seeing any doctors or having any injections at that point. But I would have copious amounts of Ibuprofen. I was able to do most of the things I wanted to do, but certainly not everything that somebody my age could do. One Year Ago Then about a year ago they started getting fussier and I was experiencing significantly more pain. I sought out another orthopedist. And I was fully expecting to just get some shots and to be told again that I was not a candidate for total knee replacement. Dr. Richard Winakur By this time I was 46. On my visit with Dr. Winakur I said, “look, I know I can’t have a knee replacement, but if there’s something else I can do…” He had taken my x-ray and he said, ‘oh no, you are a candidate. If you want a knee replacement you just let me know, but it is completely your decision. You’ll know when the time is right’. That was kind of a revelation to me. Nonetheless. I did go through a series of cortisone shots, which helped for a time. And after having more conversations with Dr. Winakur about what was involved with knee replacement, I decided to go ahead with the surgery. He said to me it’s a quality of life issue, and that the implants are getting better and better every year. OK, I’m Done! I said, ‘you know what? I’m done. I’m done being this constrained at this age. I want to be able to be more active and just walk my dog pain-free.’ So I thought, okay, I’m definitely gonna do it. Then the question was, do I do one or both knees? Dr Winakur felt very strongly, given my age and fitness prior to surgery, that I was an absolute candidate for bilateral. And to me that sounded like a more pragmatic approach. Anyway, it’s one and done. So I went for it and I’m glad I did it that way. So it was NOT so painful One of my big surprises is that, at least in my experience, it wasn’t this horrible, painful, awful thing that so many people warned me about. Prior to surgery I was a little nervous because so many people said I was crazy. But St Joseph’s Medical Center was great. My pain was managed well in the hospital, and by the time I got home I was able to keep track of it. And like I said, I got on the X10 immediately. I think just having something that I could do for myself, to move toward healing, was great psychologically. In fact the machine promotes a reduction in swelling. I think I just put that together, and it ended up being a pretty painless process. On X10: Dynamic Strength and The Pump Test I had the help of the physical therapist at home who helped me to fire those muscles up. We started doing work there and then we moved on to the Dynamic Strength exercises on the X10, primarily the Pump Test. This was where you’re pushing down against weight to get the quadriceps muscles back in the game. Managing My X10 Time What worked best for me was two X10 sessions of 45 minutes on each leg. That’s a big chunk of time when you’ve got two legs. I did toy around trying three 30 minute sessions once. I just preferred a morning and a late afternoon session. So I did 45 minutes on one leg, ice the knee, then 45 minutes on the next leg and then ice. And after a 45 minute time I felt like that was enough time to really get the joint loose and push my range of motion a bit. Just Breathe And I would feel it a little bit, but not to where I was screaming out in pain at all. I mean, it’s just that like ‘breathe through it kind of pain’ is all, nothing. And if that’s too much, you can back off. Loss of Strength In fact, one of the most surprising things to me through this whole surgery was what happens to your muscles. It was crazy. It was almost like they were paralyzed at first. I was somebody who had most of my strength in my legs. And to have them turn to mush was extraordinary and disconcerting, to say the least. Driving Before Two Weeks Was Done The big turning point for me came at the end of week two when my PT moved me from a walker to a cane. That made me feel like I had a lot more freedom and could get around better. And at that point I was able to start driving too. That was another big game changer. You start to feel a little bit more like yourself when you can have independence. I was excited by that. I started cooking and doing laundry and being on my feet a lot more, probably even a little too much a couple of times. I would feel the tightness and the stiffness come back. But fortunately I still had the X10 at that point, so I could loosen up my joints by doing a session, with the range of motion on the X10, which, kept me limber. Next Stop Peloton So now that I’ve finished up with the X10, I’m lucky that I have a Peloton bike to turn to. That was something that I was avid about prior to surgery. I have already started using it a bit. And so I will just fall into that pattern. Now that I don’t have the X10 my daily routine will be to take a class on my stationary bike. And of course, doing the physical therapist’s exercises; they give you plenty to work on, so I’ll do that too. Editor’s Note: To learn how to use a stationary bike after knee replacement, click here: Getting the Most out of a Stationary Bike After Knee Surgery To read more about Bilateral Knee Surgery and Recovery click here. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” We step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health as with this article on ‘Four Weeks After Bilateral Knee Replacement’. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. All our work is related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. This is for you if you have a surgery upcoming, or in the rear-view mirror. Or maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing To subscribe to the blog click here. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name Two resources for you below. Both are email series that we created to help those who need some additional thinking for pre-surgery and post-surgery.
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How the CPM Machine Failed to Solve Knee Surgery Recovery
Why the CPM Machine Failed to Solve Knee Surgery Recovery The Continuous Passive Motion machine (CPM) does not increase a patient’s range of motion or strength. It does not or shorten recovery. It doesn’t help, and can even hurt a patient’s knee. The CPM machine is a story of failed early research and technology. If you are interested in the enormous body of research about the Continuous Passive Motion machine click here (as compiled by orthopedic surgeon, Dr. David Halley). The Great Hope of the Late 1970’s Robert Salter (MD) and John Saringer (an engineer) commercialized the CPM in 1978. The original idea was to stimulate cartilage production in knees, at which the machine succeeded extremely well in rabbits, but not for humans. Human knee cartilage has no blood supply and consequently cannot grow back. Range of Motion Soon patients began using the Continuous Passive Motion machine to increase knee range of motion. Most research studies, before 2005, compared the range of motion of patients who used the CPM to patients who had only bed-rest. When that comparison was made it looked as though the CPM had a tremendous effect. However, after 2005, the experiments on the CPM evolved. These studies compared people who used the CPM to those who did not use the CPM, but who also were not confined to their beds. The non-CPM control group could move about. None of these studies showed that the CPM could increase range of motion better than those who simply moved about. The results were remarkably clear: the Continuous Passive Motion machine failed to increase knee range of motion. The CPM lost its allure in a single decade. Surgeons who took a close look at the research stopped using the device. The Continuous Passive Motion machine failed to do what was claimed. Moving from a six-week cast to modern recovery In the early 1970’s most civilian knee surgery patients had their knees in a cast for six weeks, and were largely confined to bed. The military not only did not cast injured knees, they immediately got patients up and moving. At that point in time the research showed that some movement was superior to no movement. Dr. Salter reasoned that if some movement was better, continuous movement would be better still, and hence the invention of the CPM. What Continuous Passive Motion Does Basically, the CPM flexed a patient’s leg through a prescribed arc. In order to work properly, the patient was to lay absolutely still for up to 20 hours a day. The purpose behind laying still was to preserve the alignment between the patient and machine. However, simply moving a patient’s head disrupted the alignment, and to make matters worse, the machine itself moved over the surface of the bed. Even bolting the machine down did not solve the alignment problem. Because of the alignment problem patient’s legs only experienced 68% of the prescribed arc. And the CPM was painful for most patients. Lastly they were not very compliant. Surgeons who have kept abreast of the research, as a rule do not prescribe the CPM, though some will admit that they offer it if patients ask for it. How the CPM failed (the research) – Read More Click the Play button above to listen to a full analysis of the CPM including recent research by hospital, surgeons, and therapists from the U.S. to The Netherlands to China. We welcome your feedback in the comments below. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” In these articles we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health. We explore surgery and recovery and such subjects as ‘How the CPM Machine Failed.’ This is a one-of-a-kind blog. We gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. And it is all related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, and patients. And as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. You may have a surgery upcoming. Or in the rear-view mirror. Maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. In all cases you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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142
Many Knee Surgeries, Finally a Rehab Solution
Many Knee Surgeries, Finally a Rehab Solution Leslie Harrington shares her profound journey of overcoming multiple knee surgeries and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. Leslie recounts a significant turning point in October 2022 when a freak incident caused her knee joint to fracture, leading to a pivotal surgery to remove debris obstructing her range of motion. We discuss her initial recovery from that surgery and how it quickly devolved into new challenges when her knee began to float in the joint, resulting in excruciating pain. Driven by the need for relief, Leslie opted for a partial knee replacement but faced disappointment when it did not yield the expected results, ultimately leading her to undergo a full knee replacement. Leslie Harrington Throughout her journey, Leslie highlights the mental battles alongside the physical pain—struggles with muscle guarding and psychological hurdles that compounded her recovery experience. After discovering the X10 Knee Recovery System™, Leslie began to see a significant improvement in her mobility and pain management, emphasizing how crucial it was to have the right tools and support throughout her recovery process. As we explore her sessions with the X10, Leslie shares uplifting insights on achieving newfound ranges in her knee, the correlation between distraction and progress, and the importance of patience in the healing journey. With laughter and vulnerability, she offers advice to others undergoing similar struggles, reminding listeners to stay true to their own recovery pace and not compare themselves to others. Many Knee Surgeries, Finally a Rehab Solution Leslie’s reflections culminate in a sense of hope and excitement for her life moving forward. She articulates her goals not only to regain full physical functionality but also to embrace activities that bring her joy, such as dancing and fitness. Her story stands as an inspiring testament to resilience and the transformative power of self-compassion and support in overcoming life’s challenges. .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.owl-carousel .owl-nav div { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 5px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); 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} .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-d6db97ec7d589bdaed7e6a35aea7cc10.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } Many Knee Surgeries, Finally a Rehab Solution
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141
Kevin’s Bilateral Knee Replacement and Recovery
Kevin’s Bilateral Knee Replacement and Recovery Bilateral Knee Replacement and Recovery and golf in the spring. Now that’s a bilateral knee replacement story you want to hear. One After the Other In this episode of The Bee’s Knees Podcast, we delve into the inspiring recovery journey of Kevin, who has experienced bilateral knee replacement surgery within a brief timeframe. At 64 years old, Kevin shares the challenges he faced due to chronic knee arthritis for nearly eight years, which ultimately led him to decide on surgeries for both knees—first in late August and then just 11 weeks later. Kevin’s choice to undergo the procedures sequentially, rather than simultaneously, stemmed from a blend of apprehension and the desire for a timely resolution to his debilitating pain. Kevin Boggs Kevin discusses the pivotal role the X10 therapy system played in his rehabilitation. After his first surgery, he faced a concerning delay in accessing traditional physical therapy. However, with the X10 available in his home, he was able to facilitate his own recovery processes. His commitment to using the device consistently helped him achieve significant progress, much to the delight of his physical therapist during his first official appointment a week post-surgery. Kevin’s diligent work ethic, aided by the expert guidance of his coach Halima, contributed to his remarkable outcomes. Through a structured regimen of physical therapy, he focused on restoring flexibility, strength, and addressing scar tissue, all while engaging rigorously in exercises that accelerated his recovery. Reflecting on his experience, Kevin expresses how his actual recovery trajectory far surpassed his expectations. His confidence in the X10 was reaffirmed when he opted for the same therapy approach following his second surgery. Four weeks post-operation, Kevin is driving without assistance and reveling in a newfound freedom from the pain that once confined him. He emphasizes the importance of taking charge of one’s health and views his investment in the X10 as a crucial step toward achieving a vibrant lifestyle again. Bilateral Knee Replacement and Recovery Kevin’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of health and the lengths one should go to regain it. His journey illustrates the critical nature of timely medical interventions, informed choices about rehabilitation, and the potential of technological advancements in physical therapy. As he looks forward to resuming his everyday activities, including golf and travel, it’s clear that the hurdles he has overcome have only fortified his resolve to enjoy life to its fullest. This episode encapsulates not just a personal victory, but also serves as a beacon of hope for others grappling with similar challenges, encouraging listeners to prioritize their health and pursue the most effective recovery paths available. .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 5px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev i { padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 5px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-next i { padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav i { font-size: 18px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover) i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover) i:before { color: #ffffff; background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i:before { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08 .owl-dots { top: calc(100% + 20px); left: 50%; transform: translateX(calc(-50% + 0px)); } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08 .owl-dots { transform: translateX(-50%); margin-left: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08 .owl-dot { width: 10px; height: 10px; margin: 0 8px; } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.hide-arrows .owl-nav a { display: none; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 10px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 10px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08 figure, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08 .rollover, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08 img, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08 .gallery-rollover { border-radius: 25px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-e49f4472777745cb97aae33326132b08.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } Kevin’s Bilateral Knee Replacement and Recovery
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140
Lack of Full Knee Flexion in 2025
Lack of Full Knee Flexion Part Four of our investigative series: Threats to a Proper Knee Replacement Recovery by PJ Ewing Flexion is… We define ‘good flexion’ as a minimum of 110º bend. A lack of full knee flexion is a problem that can linger forever after a knee surgery if not solved somewhat quickly after surgery. Watch this short video to get a handle on what we’re talking about with range of motion, and why flexion/bending is a crucial part of knee surgery recovery: Lack of Full Knee Flexion We care about flexion because it greatly impacts our overall mobility and activity levels. Mobility is crucial to our overall well being. John McKay (RN) writes in great detail about how important mobility is in his article: Want to Live Longer, You May Want to Start from the Ground Up. You need good flexion to do basic things like walk up stairs, enter/exit a vehicle, play sports, garden, kneel down to play with your grandkids. Here are some benchmarks: Stand up from a seated position: 90º Sit comfortably at a dining room chair/desk: 95º Walk up stairs 105º Get in and out of a car 110º Ride a bike with seat in proper position: 115º Bend down, kneel to garden: 117º Dig out a tough low shot in tennis 120º If you do not get “good flexion” what are the implications? Your overall mobility will be compromised You will move less as moving can be painful You will not build your strength back after surgery Your heart and lungs get “lazy” and less productive as there is less demand on your cardiovascular and pulmonary systems You will age more1 than otherwise There is a decline in muscle strength and other factors as we age. Being mobile helps put off the impact of those conditions. Knee Surgery Coming Up? For those facing surgery, your pre-surgery flexion is predictive of your post-surgery flexion as demonstrated in this research by Natarajan, Narayan, and Vijayaraghavan. In the study it is shown that “pre-operative flexion significantly influenced the post-operative flexion”. Pre-operative flexion “is a good parameter for predicting the post-operative outcome.” 2 One Critical Finding “There was a positive correlation between pre-operative and postoperative flexion; the better the pre-operative flexion, the better the post-operative flexion. However, good flexors tend to lose flexion while the poor flexors tend to gain some. TKR can produce a predictable result, not totally dictated by poor pre-operative flexion. Interestingly, restoration or even improvement in ROM for those with good pre-operative flexion may be limited by implant design and soft tissue tension.” Just think about that for a second. “Good flexors tend to lose some and poor flexors tend to gain some,” meaning that even if you have good bending before surgery you might lose ground. And if you have poor flexion before surgery there is an opportunity for gains. With a knee replacement surgery, it is not simply the new mechanical joint that can be the determining factor. Rather, it is the ligaments, tendons and muscles that you have had all your life that may impact how well you can flex your knee. And just for the record this is news for all of us as the study points out: “Other factors such as age, sex, etiology, type and kind of prosthesis did not show much evidence in influencing the outcome on postoperative ROM at the end of one year follow up interval.” What can you do if surgery is ahead of you and you have poor flexion? The Answer is Pre-hab That said, the question becomes which pre-hab program should you go through? For a definitive comparison between a rigorous eight week “boot camp” pre-hab program, and a short prehab program using the X10, listen to this interview with Dr. Carl Freeman. Or just know that you can get more done in 10 days on the X10 than eight weeks of hard core pre-hab using conventional methods. Pre-hab before Knee Replacement Surgery To read research about pre-hab before knee surgery click here: The Value of Pre-hab Before Knee Sugery To hear patient accounts about their pre-hab see below: Reba’s Pre-hab and Rehab for Total Knee Replacement Fred’s Prehab Program What if you have poor flexion now (with or without a past surgery)? First look at this quick guide to knee flexion/bending: Very Poor Flexion: <80º Poor Flexion: 80º – 95º Manageable Flexion: 96º – 109º Good Flexion: 110º – 120º Great Flexion: 121º+ Now let’s explore your options depending on where you fit into one of these categories. Very Poor Flexion If your flexion is ‘very poor’ (<80º) you may need a procedure like MUA/Arthroscopy or even TKA. See a surgeon to discuss your options. If you have already had a surgery there is the option to consider using the X10 to help your ability to bend your knee. Frank had poor flexion two years post surgery and was still able to fix the problem. You can watch Frank speak about his recovery here: Frank’s Story. Poor Flexion If your flexion is ‘poor’ (80º – 95º) Use X10 to gain knee flexion Find a great physical therapist to work with you daily Manageable Flexion If your flexion is a concern but ‘manageable’ (96º – 109º) Use X10 to gain knee flexion Use a stationary bike to gain flexion Find a great physical therapist to work with you daily Nan struggled after her total knee replacement for many months until she finally got to her goal. You can read (and listen to an interview of) her story here: Nan’s Story Good Flexion For those with flexion over 110º Use X10 to gain knee flexion up to 130º Find a great physical therapist to work with you daily Strategies and Techniques to Consider for Knee Flexion For more on how to use a stationary bike to help with flexion click here: Using a Stationary Bike After Surgery. An alternative to stationary bike is using a rocking chair which can help you work from 90º to 100º. Another technique is to sit on a dining room table (or better yet a massage table), wrap a TheraBand around your ankle and gently pull back to the point of tension, but not pain. Do this as often as you can for increments of 10 seconds. Flexion is the number one challenge for most patients after any knee surgery including ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL, Patellar Fracture and Total Knee Replacement. A lack of full knee flexion is the number one reason patients call us six weeks after surgery looking for an “X10 Intervention” Suffice it to say about knee flexion: “If you don’t got it, you want it. If you got it, keep it!” This is Part Four of a series of articles on threats to a proper knee surgery recovery. I encourage you to explore the other articles in the series which you can find by clicking on the links below. Deep Vein Thrombosis and Knee Replacement Infection and Knee Replacement Lack of Full Knee Extension Source Material 1: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/walking-speed-survival/ 2: Does pre-operative flexion factor influence the post-operative range of motion in total knee arthroplasty by Ganesh Babu Natarajan, Veera Ram Narayan, and Vijayaraghavan Lack of Full Knee Flexion in 2025 Knee Recovery Basics This is a free 15-part email series that runs for 30 days. We give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health. And we are highly prescriptive on what you can do right now to solve a tough knee recovery. We explore surgery and recovery and such subjects as ‘Lack of Full Knee Flexion’. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; max-width: 600px;} /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to Knee Recovery Basics * indicates required Email Address *First Name Last Name State (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);
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SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
SAD, Depression, or Something Else? Self-Care Can Help by Kimberly Hayes If your feelings of depression and low energy tend to peak in the winter, you may think you are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but it could also be something else. That’s why you need to know the most effective ways to combat SAD and the best methods for determining the source of your feelings in the first place. Here are some wonderful tips that can help you get through your winter blues, no matter the cause. Bring Those Outdoors Workouts Home Exercise is an incredibly helpful tool for countering the symptoms of SAD. If you normally get exercise with an after-work run or a morning bike ride, shorter days can be a real downer. Having a small home gym can negate the effects that a lack of exercise has on your mental health during the darker, winter months. A Distraction Free Space A sedentary routine tends to lead to more feelings of depression and anxiety. So, if you have an extra room, some space in your garage, or an unused basement area, consider creating your own workout area at home to maintain your regular fitness routine. These distraction-free spaces can be more effective than keeping equipment in your living room or bedroom. Consequently you only need a few tools to get a really great workout. To keep yourself from getting bored, you could use YouTube workout tutorials to mix up your workout. There are workout videos online for every kind of exercise, from kettlebell strength training to calorie-burning Pilates. You’ll always have a new way to burn those calories and keep your symptoms in check. Place Some Extra Emphasis on Mental Health The effects of SAD can be physical and mental, with your energy levels dipping and feelings of depression taking over. The source of these symptoms, however, usually has something to do with the state of your mind and mental health. Researchers have found a link between inflammation in the brain and an increased risk of mental health issues, including the anxiety and depression that often accompany SAD. Consider CBD One natural way you can manage your mental health is to add CBD to your health regimen. CBD has been proven to relieve inflammation and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. The side effects are typically minimal, but you should definitely do your homework before you start using this potentially helpful supplement. It’s also a good idea to consult your healthcare provider to address any mental health concerns. Sometimes, it can be difficult to distinguish between SAD and a deeper rooted mental health problem. So do not attempt any self-therapy until you have officially been diagnosed with SAD. If you are diagnosed with SAD, you may need to look into these kinds of treatments, including supplements and light therapy. Focus on Improving Other Lifestyle Habits Taking better care of yourself is the key to combating the effects of seasonal affective disorder. However, that entails so much more than exercise and mental health management. SAD can impact all aspects of your physical and mental health. So your efforts to contain it should be just as comprehensive. Start by cleaning up your diet, which is a vital source for energy and overall health. When those winter doldrums creep in, it can be all too tempting to reach for those comforting, carb-loaded foods. The refined carbohydrates found in your favorite winter and holiday foods, such as cookies and rich desserts, can actually cause more intense feelings of depression. It’s just one of the connections between your diet and your health. So try to limit these sugary, high-calorie foods, even around the holidays. Sleep is another crucial tool for fending off SAD, so start taking steps now to improve your bedtime habits. Your Sleep Environment To learn a lot more about sleep click here: Upgrade Your Bedroom, Improve Your Sleep. Or just click on the picture. You will be hard-pressed to find a more complete look at sleep, the importance of your sleep environment and ways to adjust your own space to get better sleep. And learn a new concept called ‘Sleep Hygiene’ along the way. Here is another article that you may find useful: Recognizing Depression. Take Care of Yourself Whether your feelings are a result of Seasonal Affective Disorder or some other issue, taking better care of yourself should always be your first step to pick yourself up. Either way, be sure to consult a healthcare professional and take the measures you need to improve your mental health. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery and recovery and such subjects as “SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).” Voted Top 10 Knee Blog of 2018. In this one-of-a-kind blog, we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success, and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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138
Air Force Active Duty | Solving Ligament Tears
Air Force Active Duty | Solving Ligament Tears Elizabeth solved the problem only after finding X10 to recover from her MUA. Ligament Tears were just a part of the damage done to her knee years ago. It is exactly what we were able to do for Elizabeth that gets our whole company up in the morning. Listen and read below. A Ton of Knee Damage In this episode, we delve into the recovery journey of Elizabeth, an active-duty Air Force member who has bravely navigated the challenges of knee injuries and multiple surgeries. Elizabeth shares the significant impact her injuries had on both her physical health and her emotional well-being over the past two years. Her story begins with a devastating knee injury sustained during deployment, leading to the unfortunate “unhappy triad” of torn ligaments, which ultimately resulted in her first surgery. Solving Ligament Tears. Hi, this is Mary Elliott. I interviewed Elizabeth Amos for the Bee’s Knees Podcast in the autumn of 2024. Elizabeth Amos Elizabeth details the frustrations of rehabilitation following her ACL repair, particularly the stability issues that persisted, compelling her to pursue a second surgery. The second surgery, which involved a more complex reconstruction and rerouting of her IT band, was significant. Elizabeth describes her dedicated commitment to physical therapy, attending two to three sessions a week while facing ongoing challenges with knee flexion and stability. Despite her efforts, improvement was slow, leading her to consider further interventions, including manipulation under anesthesia. Setbacks, Difficulties, A Real Struggle Throughout our conversation, Elizabeth candidly discusses the emotional toll that her recovery journey has taken on her. Amid the setbacks and difficulties, her determination to regain her pre-injury lifestyle shines through. She expresses how important it is for her to return to running and her daily activities, highlighting the internal struggle of maintaining motivation while dealing with physical pain. Elizabeth’s resilience is remarkable, providing listeners with insight into her mental strength during this challenging time. Following her manipulation procedure, Elizabeth faced further frustration with her progress, which led her to seek out alternative options for recovery. It was during this search that she discovered the X10 rehabilitation system. Skeptical but hopeful, she decided to give it a try, curious about how it could facilitate recovery without intensive pain — a stark contrast to her previous experiences in physical therapy. Elizabeth shares her initial expectations around using the X10 and the resulting positive outcomes. In just a couple of weeks, she reported a tremendous increase in her knee flexion from 95 to an impressive 126 degrees. She discusses how the pain-free nature of the therapy was a game changer, allowing her to incorporate it seamlessly into her daily routine while continuing to engage in life and work without feeling constrained by her past injuries. Our conversation culminates in Elizabeth imparting valuable wisdom to others facing similar challenges. She emphasizes the importance of exploring all options for recovery, urging those who may be hesitant to invest in their health to consider the significant benefits that come with regaining mobility and functionality. Through her inspiring journey, Elizabeth highlights not only the physical aspects of recovery but also the profound realization that one’s quality of life can vastly improve with the right support and interventions. Elizabeth’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, illustrating the dedication required to reclaim one’s life after injury. Her journey underscores the message that recovery is often not a straight path, but with persistence, innovation, and the right mindset, a brighter future is within reach. Join us for this inspiring episode that emphasizes resilience, the power of modern rehabilitation, and the endless adventures life has to offer even after major surgical interventions. Elizabeth’s journey is proof that with determination, the right tools, and a supportive community, one can indeed reclaim an active and fulfilling life post-surgery. Air Force Active Duty | Solving Ligament Tears
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Mindy Avoids Manipulation Under Anesthesia
Mindy Avoids Manipulation Under Anesthesia by Mary Elliott (The Bee’s Knees Podcast) In this episode of the Bee’s Knees podcast, Mindy shares her experience with knee replacement surgery and discusses the challenges and benefits of using the X10 machine for physical therapy. We explore the importance of emotional well-being during recovery and highlight the convenience and precision of the X10 machine. Mindy’s story emphasizes the need for individualized solutions and proactive muscle strengthening. Don’t forget to subscribe and review our podcast to help others find us. Mary Elliott Feel free to jump ahead to the part you want to hear… 0:01:38 The reason behind Mindy’s knee replacement and her concerns 0:02:50 Mindy’s expectations for a successful recovery 0:03:40 Mindy’s desire to avoid an MUA and find an alternative solution 0:04:05 Physical Therapy vs. X10: Availability and Frequency 0:07:05 The Benefits of X10: Convenience, Precision, and Control 0:07:44 Emotional Shift: Relief and Improvement with X10 0:09:13 Progress and Support from Coach and Physician 0:09:56 Functional Recovery and Maintenance 0:11:02 Importance of Research and Prehabilitation for Future Surgeries In this episode of the Bee’s Knees podcast, we have a special guest, Mindy, who recently underwent knee replacement surgery. She shares her experience of living with knee pain for several years and trying various treatments before deciding on surgery. Despite her apprehension about her age, Mindy chose knee replacement and discusses the challenges she faced during her recovery, including swelling and difficulty achieving flexion. Mindy also discovered the X10 machine, an alternative to manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) that provided a more gentle and accessible form of physical therapy. Mindy emphasizes the importance of finding a solution that works for each individual’s unique circumstances and highlights the convenience and precision of the X10 machine. We discuss the importance of emotional well-being during recovery and how the X10 machine helped Mindy find a sense of relief and improvement within days. The ability to track progress and have support from both the X10 coach and her physician was greatly appreciated. Mindy continues to manage swelling through elevation and icing. As a nurse, she found the X10 to be a valuable tool and would consider doing physical therapy beforehand to strengthen her muscles in the future. Mindy Avoids Manipulation Under Anesthesia We express gratitude to Mindy for sharing her journey with us and assure her that we are honored to be a part of it. We encourage listeners to call 1-855-910-5633 to learn more about the X10 machine. 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} .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-34d798c8f6c6a08c2f40addad31efc0d.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-34d798c8f6c6a08c2f40addad31efc0d.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-34d798c8f6c6a08c2f40addad31efc0d.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-34d798c8f6c6a08c2f40addad31efc0d.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-34d798c8f6c6a08c2f40addad31efc0d.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-34d798c8f6c6a08c2f40addad31efc0d.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-34d798c8f6c6a08c2f40addad31efc0d.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” In these articles we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health. We explore surgery and recovery and such subjects as this on one ‘Mindy Avoids Manipulation Under Anesthesia.’ READ OUR BLOG. This is a one-of-a-kind blog. We gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. And it is all related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, and patients. And as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. You may have a surgery upcoming. Or in the rear-view mirror. Maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. In all cases you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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Dancing Two Months After Knee Replacement? (Maria’s Story)
Dancing Two Months After Knee Replacement? An Interview with Maria Sidlosca A story full of heart, dedication and making the most out of a tough recovery. Maria explains in her knee replacement recovery journey. I was born in Cuba, and moved to Miami at the age of five, where I grew up. I have lived here all my life. I studied psychology and political science in college and became a paralegal. I was always active and athletic as a kid. Although it wasn’t my major, I was on the modern dance team in college. Because I live near the water, I have always enjoyed all forms of water activities such as swimming, boating, snorkeling, and kayaking. During my marriage, my ex and I also used to go skiing quite frequently. In addition, I enjoy running, dancing, biking, crossfit and boot camp. A Meniscus Tear About 15 years ago I tore the meniscus in my right knee and had arthroscopic knee surgery to clean it out. No one ever explained to me that this surgery would ultimately have repercussions as I got older and continued an active life style. After my pregnancy I gained a significant amount of weight, and then lost it. I started running 5k’s during and after my weight loss, and continued dancing which was always my passion. The first few years my knee was fine, but after a while it started swelling up and started causing me tremendous trouble. I seemed to always be in pain. I became a regular at the orthopedic doctor’s office. I did endless therapies, took cortisone shots every 6 months, iced the knee, stretched it, did yoga, you name it. But the knee kept getting worse and worse, and the cortisone shots were no longer helping. About three years ago I practically blew out my knee during a 5K run. I had several medical opinions telling me that I would ultimately need TKR surgery, but for the time being it was just “elective” surgery. I finally met my surgeon, Dr. Carlos Alvarado, who gave me a third and final opinion. He ordered an MRI, and when he read the results, he was shocked to see that not only was I bone on bone, but I had also torn my ACL and MCL. He advised that surgery was no longer an option or elective for me; it was mandatory. Dr. Carlos Alvarado is my guardian angel. I found him through a mutual doctor friend who advised me to see him. It was the best medical advice I ever received. Dr. Alvarado is young, extremely knowledgeable, and well-schooled in the latest technology. He has great bedside manner, and in my opinion, is a brilliant surgeon. My surgery was state of the art and used a new technique. It went very well, and in fact, Dr. Alvarado kidded with me the next morning about how I broke the blade of his saw during the surgery. I was up and walking around just hours after my surgery. https://vimeo.com/125753363 What??… Manipulation Under Anesthesia?!! While I was physically in need of the surgery, I was not mentally prepared for what I was about to endure. I really don’t know how anyone can be prepared for this life changing event if they’ve never personally experienced total knee replacement surgery. That said, everyone and every BODY heals and recovers differently. I went to 90º flexion painfully, and sweated every minute of every therapy session. My extension wasn’t much better, as I was between -11º to -8º. I was going to therapy 3x’s a week, every week for an hour. I took five weeks off from work, so I had to take advantage of the time off to recover as quickly as possible. I made it to the 90º mark between the second and third week, and then progressed to about 113º, where I seemed to linger longer than the therapist wanted. The protocol is for a patient to reach 120º flexion and 0º extension by the 6-8 week mark, or an MUA (Manipulation Under Anesthesia) would be the next recommended step. I didn’t know what an MUA was, let alone what it entailed, but the mere mention of the word sent me in a panic. And my therapist wanted to make sure that I knew what it was. So I got home, depressed, hopeless and frustrated, and got online to do some research. It’s what I do. In an MUA they put you under anesthesia and manipulate (aka “crack”) your knee to 120º. The goal of the MUA is to break up the scar tissue to allow the joint to move freely. With the exception of having a new surgical scar, you are basically starting at almost ground zero all over again, and with new pain and swelling. I saw my surgeon at my four week follow up and he told me he expected me to be Gumby, to which I replied I’m neither green nor made of clay. He said I was one of the youngest patients he had, and because I was in such good physical shape, he had very high expectations of me. I knew what that meant, and I saw where I was headed if I didn’t take immediate action. Online Research and The X10™ During my research on MUA’s I saw the X10 machine kept popping up and without hesitation, I booked a phone conference with PJ Ewing, the developer’s son. I was in a bad head space and was very depressed. I had so many questions and concerns. But after talking to him for over an hour, he put me at ease and I felt like this machine was sent from heaven and would be able to get me to my end range quickly and with relatively little pain and discomfort. I really needed to get to my end range by my next post op appointment. I was terrified of getting an MUA, and to make matters worse, I had heard of two cases (friends of friends) who had to have it done. I spoke with my surgeon about the X10 and although he had not heard about it, he read the literature I brought him and he signed off on the medical consent, giving me his blessing. The only caveat is that he required me to do BOTH traditional therapy along with the X10 machine. At this point I was very far from dancing two months after knee replacement as he had promised. I received the machine a couple of days after I sent in the paperwork. I continued doing therapy, but also started working with the X10 machine. I worked with the machine diligently 3x’s a day, seven days a week. On the days I had therapy, I would do the machine only once or twice, depending on how I felt. Every time I left therapy I was sore and my joint was super tight and I needed to ice my knee. I even used the X10 on those therapy days although I was sore, I would simply adjust it accordingly. I will elaborate below. The X10 Protocol I starting using the machine at intervals of anywhere from 30-45 minutes. I pushed myself both up (extension) and down (flexion) with each session. While it was not as painful as therapy, it was uncomfortable because I pushed myself sometimes 5º, 10º or more per session. But it was definitely less painful than therapy. I only told my therapist about the X10 a couple of days after I started using it, because I wasn’t sure how she would react to it. When I mentioned it, she said that Passive Action Machines had been around for decades, but none seemed to be very effective. I told her all about this machine, with its advance technology, and its many added features to strengthen the muscles and break up the scar tissue, and because of all the research I had done, I knew the difference between the x10 and its predecessors, so I could make a valid argument in its favor. This machine is state of the art and has a lot of built in added features that speed up the recovery process. It Fit My House The machine itself is comfortable and very user friendly, and it doesn’t take up a lot of room. I only had to relocate an IKEA size arm chair temporarily to fit the machine in my small two bedroom apartment. Once the set-up was complete, in the comfort of my home, I was given detailed instructions from Dave on how to use it. Then I simply sat on the chair, and pressed the ON button to get started. I had mine placed in my living room in front of my television, so that I could watch TV, read, work on the computer, answer emails, visit with friends and family, or even have a cup of coffee while the machine was doing its job. While it has many amazing features, one of my favorite features is that as the machine is going up and down in its range of motion, it slows down when you are at 10 degrees from your pre-set end range in either direction so that you can brace yourself for the final push. (It really is a mental thing). <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-0" data-type="text" data-color="#001b51" data-xy="x:29px;y:9px;" data-text="w:nowrap;s:30;l:40;a:center;" data-dim="w:240;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:8700;" style="z-index:8;font-family:'Roboto';" >AVAILABILITY <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-1" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:19px;y:184px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:42;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-sba="so:50ms" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="st:1750;sp:1200;sR:1750;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:5050;" style="z-index:13;font-family:'Roboto';" >Los Angeles <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-2" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:18px;y:142px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:42;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="st:1150;sp:1200;sR:1150;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:6050;" style="z-index:12;font-family:'Roboto';" >NY NJ CT <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-3" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:17px;y:54px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:40;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="sp:1200;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:7000;" style="z-index:10;font-family:'Roboto';" >Michigan <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-4" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:17px;y:98px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:40;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="st:580;sp:1200;sR:580;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:6520;" style="z-index:11;font-family:'Roboto';" >Florida <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-5" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:19px;y:233px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:40;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-sba="so:50ms" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="y:-4px;st:2350;sp:1200;sR:2350;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:4950;" style="z-index:14;font-family:'Roboto';" >Texas <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-7" data-type="image" data-xy="x:7px;y:9px;" data-text="w:normal;" data-dim="w:41px;h:41px;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_1="e:power4.inOut;sp:1500;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:7220;" style="z-index:15;" > <!-- --><a id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-8" class="rs-layer rev-btn" href="https://x10therapy.com/availability/" target="_self" rel="nofollow" data-type="button" data-color="#ffffff" data-xy="x:9px;y:275px;" data-text="w:nowrap;s:24;l:26;ls:0px;a:center;" data-dim="w:231;minh:0;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-sba="t:true;e:true;" data-margin="t:2;b:2;" data-padding="t:2;r:28;b:2;l:28;" data-border="bor:25px,25px,25px,25px;" data-frame_1="e:power4.inOut;sp:2010;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:6990;" data-frame_hover="c:#fff;bgc:#007aff;bor:25px,25px,25px,25px;bri:120%;" style="z-index:9;background-color:#0080aa;font-family:'Roboto';" >Click Here for the Full List <!-- --> setREVStartSize({c: 'rev_slider_11_1',rl:[1240,1024,778,480],el:[340],gw:[250],gh:[340],type:'hero',justify:'',layout:'fullwidth',mh:"0"});if (window.RS_MODULES!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules["revslider111"]!==undefined) {window.RS_MODULES.modules["revslider111"].once = false;window.revapi11 = undefined;if (window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal!==undefined) window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal()} How it Works It adapts and adjusts to your body accordingly. If the machine feels too much pressure is being exerted to get you to the next degree, it automatically stops at the furthest degree it could comfortably get you to, and continues the up and down movement while slowly pushing you further along. As you move the joint, it will naturally loosen up and you get a better bend. This is very different from having a therapist bend your knee while you’re in therapy and “tapping out” to no avail. And you can also manually adjust your end range in either direction while you’re in the middle of a session so that you can push yourself comfortably to the next level, or pull back if you feel any discomfort. You are given an instruction manual on how to use the X10, it has all the pertinent numbers to call, and a grid where you keep track of your own progress. Since you are always in control, it is in your best interest to push yourself forward as frequently as you can even if you feel some discomfort. Kind of like the old gym adage: “no pain, no gain.” Six Weeks After Surgery I began using the X10 machine at about week six. After a few sessions on the machine, my therapy sessions started getting easier and far less painful. Prior to the X10, whenever my therapist would bend my knee while I was on my stomach, I would brace for the pain, and tap out while tears streamed down my face. Within a few sessions on the X10, the therapist’s manipulation got easier and easier to bear. Even my therapist noticed that my knee was bending more easily. She saw the swelling and inflammation starting to go down, and felt the muscles waking up, while the scar tissue started to break down. My therapist mentioned how she could totally feel a huge difference in the anatomy of my knee joint and the surrounding tissues, and how impressed she was with my improvement. By the eighth week (two weeks after starting the X10) I saw and felt a remarkable improvement overall in my mobility, strength, and flexibility. I only had the machine for 2 weeks, but I achieved my end ranges, and went from a starting point of 5º extension/90º flexion to 0º extension/130º flexion within that small time frame. I never felt more than a discomfort during the entire process. Tricia Lahmann, My Recovery Coach With the X10 you are assigned Tricia, your X10 coach. She is your coach, virtual therapist and a Zumba instructor all in one. She is amazing and has a great personality. We had our first virtual phone therapy a few days after I started using the machine. And from that point on we would text each other almost on a daily basis. She was a burst of energy and super inspirational. This was especially helpful on those days when I needed the “quit feeling sorry for yourself” speech. Since the machine has readings that are recorded and automatically sent to her for monitoring, I would frequently get texts messages from her, out of the blue, cheering me on. I even got emojis, which totally made my day!!! Thanks Tricia! She was my biggest cheerleader and motivator. She kept me grounded and hopeful. And she always brought a huge smile to my face. Actually, the whole team is amazing. It’s Three Months Post Surgery My surgery was on April 3, so I am now just over 12 weeks post-surgery. I am beyond thrilled that I was discharged from therapy almost 2 weeks ago, at almost 11 weeks. My therapist said that I was off the charts and had exceeded all my milestones. I did a total of 26 therapy sessions at just under 11 weeks. I’m walking without a limp, and I’m dancing again. I take public transportation to get to and from work, so I walk over 3-4 miles a day just commuting. I have to go up and down escalators, and many times the escalators are broken, so I end up having to walk up and down the stairs. I’m slow and careful, but I can do it. The therapist started transitioning me to regular gym equipment at eight weeks post op, and by the time she discharged me, I was doing leg presses/extensions of over 60 lbs with my surgical leg, leg curls at 45 lbs, I am also doing 20 minutes on the stationery bicycle at a low seat level, with high resistance. I’m using the elliptical machine and I’m doing wall squats with a medicine ball on my heels and on the balls of my feet. I’ve also been cleared to do aquatic exercises. Dancing Two Months After Knee Replacement? Three Months? You Can Do It! Knee replacement surgery is a long journey no matter what your age or physical ability is prior to the surgery. It is as much mental, as it is physical. You have to mentally prepare yourself for this temporary setback. You will have a new metal joint in place of where you had your knee joint, and your muscles are cut during surgery. You will have little to no strength where you once had some or alot. You have to re-learn how to walk and “wake up” the quads, glutes and hamstring muscles. You had the surgery in the hopes of a normal life going forward with your new knee joint. My advice is as follows: LISTEN to your surgeon and to your therapist(s), and follow their advice to the letter. DO THE WORK do all your therapies no matter how painful they are. Do NOT lie in bed all day (unless you are advised to do so), or sit all day on the sofa or an easy chair with your leg propped up. Get up and get walking. If you don’t move your muscles will atrophy, you can get blood clots, or infections, or other complications. You must stay active in order to get your mobility back, and hopefully better than before your surgery. TAKE your pain meds as prescribed, especially before physical therapy and/or the X10. If you can, get the X10 machine. For me it was a great supplement to my therapy, and it helped transition me to the next level in a short period of time and with little discomfort. I don’t think I would have gotten so far so fast without it. Don’t give up mentally or physically. It is not an overnight process. It will take time and you have to have patience and faith in yourself and your team. Keep working at it and you will get to your happy ending. I’m not completely there yet, but with continued hard work I know I will get there. I have already overcome 100% of my worst post-surgery days. For now, I’m thrilled to be walking, dancing, swimming, biking, and gymming. And I look forward to many more milestones. Thank you X10 and Team!!! Every day will present you with a new challenge, especially at the beginning. You will wake up with pains and stiffness, and you’ll curse the day you had the surgery. It is up to you to rise up to the challenge. At first it will be painful, it will be difficult, but with hard work and a positive attitude, you will get through it. Just when you think you can’t go any further, you keep pushing forward and within a few days (maybe even a week), you will see your hard work pay off. Get out of your head and stop telling yourself you can’t do it. Even baby steps are steps in the right direction. The difficult and painful moments are only temporary. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” In these articles we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health. We explore surgery and recovery and such subjects as ‘Dancing Two Months After Knee Replacement?’. This is a one-of-a-kind blog. We gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. And it is all related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, and patients. And as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. You may have a surgery upcoming. Or in the rear-view mirror. Maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. In all cases you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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Deciding on Bilateral Knee Replacement (Donna’s Story)
Quick Summary Donna reached out to X10 in the spring to talk about using the program for a single total knee replacement planned for later in the summer. She did some exploration on doing both knees at once and ultimately went in that direction. Donna discusses deciding on bilateral knee replacement and her recovery here. One Highlight This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made ever. If I had known then everything that I was going to have to go through, everything that my family was going to have to go through, I would have thought harder about doing two knees at once from the beginning. Favorite Quote “When I go to physical therapy now the therapist is like, “Oh my goodness, you are our star patient,” because my flexion is at 120º and my extension is at 0º. I’m walking with a cane now instead of a walker. And they’re like, “We wish everybody could be like you.” So I feel successful. Is this for you? Listen to the podcast or read the text below if you are considering knee replacement and want to make sure you know about the latest recovery technology. The audio interview provides a very detailed explanation, from a patient’s perspective, about how the X10 can make quick work of a bilateral knee replacement recovery. Deciding on Bilateral Knee Replacement An interview with Donna Groce by PJ Ewing Donna had bilateral total knee replacement surgery. What follows is an interview with Donna conducted by PJ Ewing from X10 Therapy. My name is Donna. I live in Winston Salem, North Carolina. I am 65 years old. I have a son and a daughter and am a grandmother of four. I have three granddaughters and one grandson ranging from ages nine down to three. They are the joys of my life. I am a born-again Christian. Praise the Lord for watching over me, taking care of me during this process. He’s been so good to me. That’s probably my number one praise, and I think that’s why I’ve been able to do as well as I have. I’m exactly four weeks out from bilateral surgery, four weeks ago today. I was in the hospital for four days and came straight home. I am doing wonderfully, wonderfully well. I have been able to rest and relax, do some things that I’ve been wanting to do. I’ve done a lot of reading in the last four weeks, a lot of studying and things like that I don’t usually have time for. This has kind of slowed me down somewhat and giving me a little bit of personal time to do some things that I wanted to do. I am very thankful for that. So even though it has been quite a journey so far, not being completely pain-free, but it’s not been an unhappy or bad journey, that’s for sure. And I’m super-glad that I’m four weeks on this side of the journey instead of four weeks on the other side. Four weeks before surgery, how would you describe yourself? Life was very painful. I had two really bad knees, bone-on-bone, both of them. One was a little worse than the other. I had meniscus tears in both knees, arthritis in both knees. Every step I took was a jolt of pain. I endured it for probably two years. It gradually got worse and worse. I have done everything possible that I could have done leading up to the surgery. I’ve had physical therapy. I did cortisone shots, two different sessions of the gel injections, everything that I could to prevent having surgery. Finally, it just got so bad the doctor said, ‘you just have no other choice. You’re going to have to live with this pain, or you’re going to have to have it replaced.’ At the time I was only going to do my left knee, which was a little bit worse. I went into all the preparations. At the very last minute, I decided to do both at the same time and get it over with. Tell us more about that. How did you make that decision to go for two at once? I had done a lot of research. I’ve done a lot of reading about the surgery, about what was going to happen, about the recovery, and about the physical therapy. I am not the type of person that likes to go into something without my eyes being wide open. So, I knew that there were things that I needed to plan for. There were things that I needed to do ahead of time. Actually, this is kind of funny. You, PJ, were the first one that mentioned to me that maybe I should look at bilateral surgery instead of just doing one. It was in a conversation that you and I were having one time. You said, ‘well, have you ever thought about doing both knees at once?’ It kind of opened my eyes a little bit because I never had even thought about it. And, I said, no, not really. But after we hung up I talked to my husband about it and I thought, ‘Man, what do you think about this?’ I realized that it would make a difference. I would need more help, I wouldn’t have a good leg to stand on, so to speak. I did a little bit more research on the bilateral process. Fortunately, I had the perfect situation as far as coming home after the hospital. My mom lived with us for 10 years before she passed away earlier this year. My husband made her an apartment downstairs on the ground level of our home. So everything was already set up. We have a handicapped bathroom and a bedroom and a little kitchen all on the ground floor. Then I went to the doctor for my pre-op visit. I told the PA that I was speaking with that I want to do both legs. And he quite frankly said, ‘No, we won’t do that.’ And I said, ‘well, I want to do both legs. I want to get it over with.’ And he said, ‘well, your surgeon will not do that. He doesn’t do both legs at the same time.’ And so I just said, ‘well, if I have to change surgeons, if I have to change practices, I want to do both legs at one time. I want to get it over with and do what I need to do and be well and not have to repeat the process in six months or a year.’ Deciding on Bilateral Knee Replacement So at the very last minute, the week before my surgery was scheduled, I switched surgeons. People told me I was crazy, but it’s what I wanted to do. I had prayed about it and I had peace about it and I’m looking back now, would not change it for anything. I know it was the right decision. When the PA told me at my pre-op visit that my original surgeon would not do two knees, he said, ‘let me speak to one of the other doctors here in the practice. We really normally don’t do two knees at one time, but let me speak with him.’ So he went and spoke with Dr. Calvin Maxwell McCabe. Dr. McCabe looked at my history. Fortunately, praise the Lord I am, other than arthritic knees, very healthy. I am not diabetic. I don’t have problems with my blood pressure, my sugar. I don’t have anything else wrong with me other than my knees. So Dr. McCabe took a look at everything and said, ‘yes, I’ll do both knees for her.’ I actually only met him the Friday before. He did my surgery on Monday. The Right Choice? He was wonderfully patient. He explained why he chose to do both knees when it’s something that they normally don’t do within their practice. He said, ‘the only reason that I’m going to do your surgery is that you are as healthy as you are’. I felt quite confident with him. One of the maybe more humorous things is that my sister-in-law actually works for that practice. She was on vacation and I called her and said, ‘are you sitting down?’ And she said, ‘Oh my goodness, yes.’ And I said, ‘I just talked to Dr. McCabe and we’re going to do both of my knees Monday morning.’ And she’s like, ‘have you lost your mind?’ I left the office that day. after speaking with a PA but before talking to Dr. McCabe. By the time I got home, which was a 20-minute drive, they had already switched my surgery date to two weeks later so they could be on Dr. McCabe’s schedule. All my physical therapy already switched all of my other appointments. They took care of everything for me before I could even get home. <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-0" data-type="text" data-color="#001b51" data-xy="x:29px;y:9px;" data-text="w:nowrap;s:30;l:40;a:center;" data-dim="w:240;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:8700;" style="z-index:8;font-family:'Roboto';" >AVAILABILITY <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-1" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:19px;y:184px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:42;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-sba="so:50ms" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="st:1750;sp:1200;sR:1750;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:5050;" style="z-index:13;font-family:'Roboto';" >Los Angeles <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-2" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:18px;y:142px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:42;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="st:1150;sp:1200;sR:1150;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:6050;" style="z-index:12;font-family:'Roboto';" >NY NJ CT <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-3" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:17px;y:54px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:40;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="sp:1200;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:7000;" style="z-index:10;font-family:'Roboto';" >Michigan <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-4" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:17px;y:98px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:40;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="st:580;sp:1200;sR:580;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:6520;" style="z-index:11;font-family:'Roboto';" >Florida <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-5" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:19px;y:233px;" data-text="w:normal;s:35;l:40;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-sba="so:50ms" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="y:-4px;st:2350;sp:1200;sR:2350;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:4950;" style="z-index:14;font-family:'Roboto';" >Texas <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-7" data-type="image" data-xy="x:7px;y:9px;" data-text="w:normal;" data-dim="w:41px;h:41px;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_1="e:power4.inOut;sp:1500;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:7220;" style="z-index:15;" > <!-- --><a id="slider-11-slide-11-layer-8" class="rs-layer rev-btn" href="https://x10therapy.com/availability/" target="_self" rel="nofollow" data-type="button" data-color="#ffffff" data-xy="x:9px;y:275px;" data-text="w:nowrap;s:24;l:26;ls:0px;a:center;" data-dim="w:231;minh:0;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-sba="t:true;e:true;" data-margin="t:2;b:2;" data-padding="t:2;r:28;b:2;l:28;" data-border="bor:25px,25px,25px,25px;" data-frame_1="e:power4.inOut;sp:2010;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:6990;" data-frame_hover="c:#fff;bgc:#007aff;bor:25px,25px,25px,25px;bri:120%;" style="z-index:9;background-color:#0080aa;font-family:'Roboto';" >Click Here for the Full List <!-- --> setREVStartSize({c: 'rev_slider_11_2',rl:[1240,1024,778,480],el:[340],gw:[250],gh:[340],type:'hero',justify:'',layout:'fullwidth',mh:"0"});if (window.RS_MODULES!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules["revslider112"]!==undefined) {window.RS_MODULES.modules["revslider112"].once = false;window.revapi11_2 = undefined;if (window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal!==undefined) window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal()} I’m telling you they were phenomenal and have been ever since. I can’t say enough about the care I’ve gotten from them. His physician’s assistant, oh my goodness, phenomenal. Her name is Laura. She came to the hospital several times. I have absolutely no complaints, none whatsoever. I couldn’t have asked for anything any better. It was supposed to be just one knee originally. What did they find in the other knee? What was the consensus after the fact? He did my left knee first, which was supposedly my bad knee. He told my husband after the surgery was over, ‘I am so glad she decided to do this because her right knee was just as bad as her left, if not worse.’ He said, had I not done both knees I would have had more problems with the other knee, possibly affecting my hip and my ankle. It could have done a lot of damage. And then we’re talking about other surgeries down the road. In the x-rays, my right knee did not look as bad as my left knee did. He said so. But when he got into the knee, it was as bad if not worse than the other. Well, praise the Lord. I made the right decision. I do recall the conversation we had way back. Did you end up poking around that bilateral group on Facebook? Was that of any value in deciding on bilateral knee replacement? Yes, definitely. When we spoke that day, you said to me, now, don’t take my word for it. Let me get you hooked up with this bilateral knee group, and you did that same day. And, oh my goodness, I’ve read everything there since then. It’s been so very helpful. And I hope that the comments that I’ve made there make sense about my surgery, I hope that I’ve been able to help somebody else. When people go on there, pre-surgery, they’re nervous and they’re afraid and don’t know what to expect. And it just so very helpful to have somebody say, okay, I’m a week out or two weeks out or six months out or whatever… and this has been my journey. It’s just been so very helpful to have had somebody literally walk in my shoes. The people there have gone through what you’re getting ready to go through. I think this gives you the peace and calmness that you need knowing that they’ve gone through this. They’re doing well. They got past this. This thing helped them. This other thing didn’t help them. Maybe I should do that. It was just so very helpful, and it still is helpful. I check it four or five times a day. Tell us about post-surgery the first two, three, four weeks since the surgery. My recovery has been really good. I’ll just start that way. Of course, not pain-free, but pain-manageable. I was in the hospital for four days; a wonderful hospital, by the way, Clemmons Hospital here in Winston Salem, North Carolina. And I felt like I was in a four-star hotel. They took such great care of me. They kept my pain under control, kept me comfortable. Of course, I had two Iceman machines constantly going. The nurses and the doctors there were phenomenal. I felt like the queen of England or something. So, I was really pleased with everything. I had one extra day in the hospital. My iron level dropped probably due to blood loss during the surgery, so they decided to keep me an extra day and give me, some iron through my IVs. Okay. So you get home. What happens next? I came home to the perfect setting, on a Thursday with all kinds of medicine. I had pain medicine, an iron supplement, nerve medicine, so my surgeon kept me quite comfortable. I wasn’t pain-free. I don’t want to give anybody false hope that you can do something like this and not have any pain. But it was quite manageable. On Friday morning, David delivered my wonderful X10 machine and set it up for me, educated my husband and me on how to use it and what to do. I got on the machine immediately that day and started using it. I used it two to three times a day. It really helped with my flexion and extension, and it was completely pain-free. It felt really good to be able to move my legs like that. I had a friend that stayed with me, to give my husband, some relief from the 24/7 care that I needed. She stayed the first couple of nights here with us. And, my wonderful church family has been delivering meals to us every other day since I’ve been home. So that’s another blessing. Dr. McCabe had physical therapy come here to me for the first two weeks and then I started going outside for physical therapy. So I’ve done my X10 machine, my physical therapy, and the exercises that they have given me. X10 sent me a lot of information about exercises to do. I’ve tried to keep up with doing all that. I think that’s one of the reasons why I’ve done so well. Movement is so very important. After you get home, you have a tendency to want to sit or stay in bed, but you’ve got to get up and move your legs. And I have done that. So when I go to physical therapy now the therapist is like, “Oh my goodness, you are our star patient,” because my flexion is at 120º and my extension is at 0º. I’m walking with a cane now instead of a walker. And they’re like, “We wish everybody could be like you.” So I feel successful, yeah. I give the praise to the Lord, that’s for sure. You worked with your X10 Coach, Tricia, somewhat frequently didn’t you? Yes, I did. She is such a joy. Oh my goodness. We had the best conversations. She would call to check on me and find out how I was doing. She would look at my results on the machine and things like that. And then we would end up staying on the phone for an hour just talking to each other. Yeah, I feel like I’ve got new friends. She and David are jewels. So I’m very, very involved in my church, doing different activities, I work with our children at church. I work in a hospice ministry where we deliver food to hospice. My husband used to say to me, ‘Donna, you are going to have to slow down.’ But I have slowed down. These four weeks have been slow. So like I say, I’ve been able to do a lot of reading. I’ve been able to get into my Bible and do some Bible studies that I was really interested in that I hadn’t had time to do before. I’m not doing steps yet. I haven’t gone upstairs yet. They’re not allowing me to do steps. I do walk without my cane, as long as I have something to hold onto or as long as I’m close to something. I’m being very careful. The last thing I want to do is following through with any damage, but I am practicing walking on my own. So, I do have a ways to go. When I go to physical therapy now, we’re working on my walking and my gait. I do strengthening work at physical therapy and at home. I have a band now and several exercises that I do. Before I get up I do exercises in the bed, and once I get up and I do exercises in the chair. And then I’ll walk. It keeps me busy. Christmas is my goal. I realized it is a slow process. I do kind of push myself sometimes and I have over-done it and have paid for it a couple of times. I just had to back off for a day or two. The reality is that this is not a quick process. It is going to take time This time next year when I look back and I’m completely recovered and completely myself again, I’m going to look back on it as a year-long experience. In the bilateral group on Facebook, 100% of them say they would do two again. I think that you’d be on that list. This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made ever. As much as I say I researched it and had decided to do one knee, I think going back and doing the other knee would have been difficult. If I had known then everything that I was going to have to go through, everything that my family was going to have to go through I would have thought harder about doing two knees at once from the beginning. This has not been just Donna’s journey, this has been my family’s journey. It’s taken time and effort on their part, and willingness to come and help me. So, I’m glad that I don’t have to put them through that again. We’re past that. The Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” We step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health as with this article on ‘Deciding on Bilateral Knee Replacement.’ In this one-of-a-kind blog, we gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. All our work is related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success, and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. This is for you if you have a surgery upcoming, or in the rear-view mirror. Or maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing To subscribe to the blog click here. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name The link to the research study as presented in the blog episode is here: Conversion to TKA from UKA Risk Factors. Two resources for you below. Both are email series that we created to help those who need some additional thinking for pre-surgery and post-surgery.
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Insurance Company Cancelled Knee Rehab Due to Poor Results
Insurance Company Cancelled Knee Rehab Due to Poor Results X10 to the Rescue We share below excerpts from an interview with Kathie Delgado about her knee replacement and eventual recovery. It was when Kathie’s insurance company cancelled knee rehab due to poor results that she knew she had to take matters into her own hands. My Knee Recovery Stalled After four and a half months of physical therapy, nine days on the X10 and I got to 130 degrees. My name is Kathy. I’m 64 years old and I had a total knee replacement. Right now I am about five months out from my surgery. I expected to be the wonder woman of recovery and unfortunately that turned out not to be the case. In spite of my best efforts I actually endured 38 outpatient physical therapy sessions. Not for a lack of hard work I would work as hard as I could and endure the pain to the point where I would literally cry. It sounds gross, but sometimes I literally actually vomited just from the pain of pulling on my leg. I gave it the best effort possible, but after a while it became really plain to me that what we were doing was not working and in fact, my insurance company agreed and decided that it was not efficacious to continue outpatient physical therapy. An Emotional Breakdown? I also knew that I was just literally going to have an emotional breakdown if I had to continue doing what I was doing. I said to myself, I sure hope my left leg holds out because I am never going to do this again because it was honestly the most awful experience of my life. And not because of the pain, cause you expect the pain, but because of the debilitation, the loss of independence. And then in my case when I got stuck, the lack of hope and the frustration. Finding X10 Therapy It’s at that point that I decided I needed to look for something different. I came across a testimonial. Someone had done this thing called the X10 and then once I had that word, the X10, X10 Therapy, then a whole world came tumbling open to me. And I realized it was a real thing. And I realized that it was helping people. It ignited something in me which had been lacking for a long time, which was hope that there was something that could help me. Insurance Company Cancelled Knee Rehab (Video) THE KNEE LIBRARY Get your questions answered now. We have assembled a full library of resources for you. It’s free and recently updated. And we have carefully curated the content to make sure that the information is updated and of the highest provenance. Links, surgeon reports, patients accounts, research studies. We have the best thinking in knee surgery and recovery for you to read. Click here or on the picture to visit the Knee Library. On the X10 Knee Machine I was very comfortable. I actually felt like crying as I was sitting there on the machine because I knew that the hope I felt when I first discovered the X10 website wasn’t false hope. One of the most important things is that the X10 comes with a whole team of professionals who are very much like family to you. And they watch over your progress because the technology of this machine is so amazing that it sends your progress directly to them. It’s hard to believe if you haven’t experienced it, that there could be such a difference in such a short time. Four and a half months of pain and suffering, and in nine days I feel like myself again. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” We step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health as with this article on how Katie’s Insurance Company Cancelled Knee Rehab. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. All our work is related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. This is for you if you have a surgery upcoming, or in the rear-view mirror. Or maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing To subscribe to the blog click here. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name Two resources for you below. Both are email series that we created to help those who need some additional thinking for pre-surgery and post-surgery.
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No Rehab Pain More Gain in Knee Rehab?
Podcast – The Bee’s Knees Stories of knee surgery, recovery, therapy and life after surgery. Must We Be in Pain in Knee Physical Therapy? Or… Is it actually no rehab pain, more gain? by Debra Barker, PTA (read by Carl Minah) PODCAST TIME CODE 0:01:20 The Inflammation Response 0:02:26 Muscle Guarding in Therapy 0:03:43 Luis’s Recovery Journey 0:05:07 Progress with X10 Machine 0:06:02 Striking a Balance in Therapy 0:06:18 Redefining Physical Therapy In this episode, we discuss knee surgery recovery and the role of physical therapy in optimizing outcomes. We challenge the “no pain, no gain” notion, emphasizing the importance of understanding the body’s responses to injury. Through real-life experiences like Luis’s journey with innovative technology, we highlight the benefits of personalized rehabilitation methods focusing on comfort and gradual progress. By advocating for a balanced and individualized approach to knee surgery recovery, we aim to promote sustainable healing and improved outcomes for patients undergoing physical therapy. I have been in physical therapy all my life, and I have treated a lot of knee patients particularly over the last few years. In the physical therapy world it is not uncommon for the P.T. abbreviation, which is supposed to stand for Physical Therapy, to also be referred to as Pain and Torture. Unfortunately this is a very common reference for those who have gone through a total knee replacement. But is the “no pain no gain” approach really the best? I explore the possibility of no rehab pain more gain in this article. No Rehab Pain, More Gain? There are a couple very important things to consider during this difficult recovery. While range of motion is the immediate focus, there are some barriers to achieving this goal. There are several reasons that range of motion can be limited. In this podcast I discuss the variables that can be directly affected by your therapy sessions. Click the Play Button above to listen to the full article. Reflecting on the benefits of a “no rehab pain, more gain” approach, I advocate for a personalized and communicative relationship between patients and therapists to tailor rehabilitation strategies to individual needs. Emphasizing the importance of balancing persistence with tolerance in physical therapy, I encourage listeners to consider a holistic approach to knee surgery recovery that prioritizes comfort, steady progress, and open dialogue with healthcare providers. To subscribe to The Bee’s Knees Podcast click here: The Bee’s Knees CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR KNEE RECOVERY BASICS #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; max-width: 600px;} /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to Knee Recovery Basics * indicates required Email Address *First Name Last Name State (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);
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Knee Replacement Performance Six Years Later
Knee Replacement Performance Six Years Later We all want to (wink wink) BE LIKE MIKE. An interview with Mike Kranis six years after knee replacement surgery. Be Like Mike Kranis We share today a chat with Mike Kranis about his inspiring journey from knee replacement surgery to becoming an avid hiker. Mike shares his experiences with knee troubles from basketball, the challenges of recovery, and how the X10 Knee Recovery System™ helped him achieve a remarkable 130-degree knee flexion. His story emphasizes that knee replacement can open new avenues for an active lifestyle. We discuss the importance of resilience, effective rehabilitation, and the adventures that await post-surgery. Mike Kranis Hi, this is PJ Ewing. I interviewed Mike Kranis for the Bee’s Knees Podcast in the summer of 2024. Mike had a total knee replacement in 2018, and lives an incredibly active life today. Mike Kranis is a remarkable individual whose journey from knee replacement surgery to peak physical performance exemplifies the potential for recovery after such a transformative procedure. I aim to shed light on real-life experiences that inspire listeners who may be facing similar challenges. This episode strays from the ordinary discussions of knee surgery, focusing instead on remarkable success stories that defy expectations and redefine recovery. Mike, a retired postal worker turned avid hiker, shares his compelling narrative that began decades ago with a series of knee troubles resulting from a love of basketball. Despite undergoing multiple knee surgeries throughout his life, including a crucial knee replacement in January 2018, Mike’s journey took a pivotal turn when he decided to embrace hiking fully. 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} .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-affdf9e9e6dda33c5713652772c2cdb0.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-affdf9e9e6dda33c5713652772c2cdb0.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } Throughout our conversation, Mike recounts various challenges faced during his recovery process. He candidly describes the initial struggle of limited mobility and the emotional toll it took on him, particularly when he was unable to achieve proper flexion in his knee. After undergoing a manipulation under anesthesia, he came across the X10 Knee Recovery System™. This innovative tool played an instrumental role in his recovery, allowing him to regain strength and mobility that many after knee replacement surgery find elusive. Thanks to this adaptation as well as his relentless spirit, Mike has achieved a flexion of 130 degrees, an impressive milestone that showcases the effectiveness of focused rehabilitation. We delve deep into Mike’s ongoing adventures since his surgery, which are nothing short of extraordinary. He recounts tales of breathtaking hikes in the Catskills, ascending towering mountains like Hunter, and even traversing 27 miles during the Great Saunter in New York City. His Instagram-worthy adventures don’t stop there—he shares experiences from international hikes, including climbing the Duomo in Florence, traversing the Galapagos, and his upcoming fourth trip to Iceland. His story illustrates not only the physical achievements he has made but also the emotional highs that come from immersing oneself in nature and exploring new landscapes. Moreover, we address the broader implications of his story. Mike’s journey is a testament to the belief that knee replacement does not mark the end of an active life but rather opens the door to new possibilities. His determination to remain active, combined with the support of effective rehabilitation technologies and a dedicated exercise regimen, positions him as a beacon of hope for others navigating their recovery. The very act of hiking has become Mike’s way of life, emphasizing the importance of strength maintenance as one ages—a critical component in ensuring lifelong health. .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.owl-carousel .owl-nav div { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 5px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); 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} .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-ba824502678064bb54f86b7c63a5ba9c.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } Join us for this inspiring episode that emphasizes resilience, the power of modern rehabilitation, and the endless adventures life has to offer even after major surgical interventions. Mike Kranis’s journey is proof that with determination, the right tools, and a supportive community, one can indeed reclaim an active and fulfilling life post-surgery. Knee Replacement Performance Six Years Later
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Guarding Stops Knee Recovery for Knee Replacement Patients (Protective Muscle Spasm)
Protective Muscle Spasm Stops Knee Recovery for Knee Replacement Patients When the physical therapist pushes your knee one way and your brain triggers your body to push back… you are experiencing a Protective Muscle Spasm It is possibly the biggest obstacle to regaining your range of motion And it’s a devil to treat Click Here to Download the Guarding eBook (free)Click Here to Solve This Problem with X10 After a total knee replacement, your body will go through several different stages of healing. One of those stages is the inflammatory response, the first step of tissue repair in which your body sends extra cells to help repair and protect the area. As you continue to heal, you will go through the proliferation phase (the rebuilding phase) and then the maturation phase (the final stage of remodeling). Unfortunately, this process doesn’t always go to plan. You may experience an increase in inflammation, and/or a hematoma (a collection of blood under your skin), both of which can restrict motion and hinder the repair process of your body and cause an increase in pain, spasms and atrophy. Your body will try to limit how much pain you experience, which results in protective muscle spasms, or muscle guarding.” .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.owl-carousel .owl-nav div { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 0px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); 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} } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 10px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 10px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e figure, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e .rollover, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e img, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e .gallery-rollover { border-radius: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-f8045e5041039a029ed41b43c8edd60e.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } Muscle Spasms (Protective Muscle Spasm) A protective muscle spasm happens when trauma is induced in the muscle. It is an involuntary contraction of the muscle fibers intended to protect and splint the area of trauma. The body is locking down the area to lessen the chance of re-injury. For example, if you burn your hand your body will involuntarily contract your bicep to take your hand away from the fire or thing that elicited trauma. If you’ve had trauma to part of your quad muscle of your thigh following surgery, you may have muscle guarding in other parts of your quad (remember the quad is a group of 4 muscles), or your body may even contract other muscles in the area including your hip flexors or hamstring. In theory, protective muscle spasms are a good thing. Your body is trying to protect the injury so that you do not injure yourself further. However, after a total knee replacement, protective muscle spasms often cause pain, which can impede necessary gains of range of motion, cause loss of function, and muscle atrophy. The protective muscle spasms cause more pain, which then produces more spasms, which in fact will cause more pain – and we have a vicious cycle. Getting rid of muscle spasms as soon as possible will help prevent further these negative consequences (decreased ROM, loss of function, muscle atrophy). It’s About Protection The muscle spasm is caused by direct trauma (over pushing the knee into pain), decreasing oxygen available to the muscle. This initiates secondary cell death, as well as neurological dysfunction. As muscle tissue is disrupted, your nerve fibers get disrupted. And that means they are not firing the way they should. They no longer sense the environment the way they should when not injured. So the body goes on lockdown through the use of the muscle spasm. While helpful in protecting the muscle, this process causes new issues. Spasms stimulate mechanical and chemical pain receptors and stimulate pain. The more pain we have, the more we’re going to spasm. The more spasm we have, the more pain we’re going to have. And we get stuck. The Trouble with Spasms Eventually we must start moving this body part to get to normal function. Moving the is also crucial to achieve normal lymphatic drainage… that’s why PT’s like you to do ankle pumping and passive motion. If we experience excessive muscle spasming, that drainage is just not going to happen. We cannot allow muscle spasm to hinder this essential process. We need to get rid of that spasm as soon as possible. What do the PT’s do? If you have a spasm challenge, your PT team might put you in an ankle brace, a cast, or on crutches. Of course this gets in the way of a good recovery. Any knee recovery program is supposed to advance you from passive to active motion, and then to strengthening. If you cannot get to these recovery stages soon enough, if the spasms continues too long and you cannot push your muscles into proper movement, the result is muscle atrophy and weakness. Muscle Atrophy. If you muscles becomes atrophied and weak, your PT really can’t start rehab. You have to go back and re-strengthen that muscle first. Inflammation. Edema and inflammation end up stimulating the golgi tendon organs (GTO)*. so they feel the inflammation (it feels pressure from the edema) and that tells the body to try to relax and that this tissue shouldn’t move. *The Golgi tendon organ (GTO) is a sensory receptor that's located at the junction of a muscle and its tendon. It's responsible for sensing muscle tension and is an important part of the body's reflex regulation of motor unit activity Muscle Atrophy as a Condition We get this increased rate of atrophy when we’re not using a muscle. When we don’t use a muscle, it can lead to reflex inhibition which means that it can actually shut down our reflex function. Additionally there is a condition we call Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition (AMI) which is a presynaptic reflex inhibition. This too gets in the way of proper muscle response. Joint Effusion As swelling sits in the joint, it interferes with how the motor neurons of these muscles (that cross the joint) are recruited, which also leads to atrophy. Swelling hinders the rehabilitation process by delaying strength gains. It interrupts joint proprioception. That’s why we do all these balance activities after a lower extremity injury. We want the tissue to know where it is in space so that it doesn’t injure itself anymore. But if there’s a lot of swelling in there, it puts artificial pressure on those receptors and it can’t sense position anymore and they become disused. And then we’re at a bigger risk of injury because now we’re more likely to put ourselves in positions where we can be injured again. How to Avoid Protective Muscle Spasm? So how do we get rid of the protective muscle spasms, or muscle guarding? Mobilize your knee just short of pain Work to the edge of discomfort, but don’t cross the line into pain The lack of pain means you don’t trigger the spasm And don’t cause edema to enter the area With gentle and frequent mobilization of the knee you give yourself the opportunity to make steady gains in your ability to flex and extend your knee And most importantly you are preventing your body from entering this vicious cycle or spasms and pain. And – if you read between the lines – this is the opposite of “no pain no gain.” You do not need to go into pain to make yours a highly successful recovery from knee surgery. We hope this article helps you understand this condition a lot better. The X10 Knee Recovery System™ completely negates a protective muscle spasm. 100%. Patients relax immediately and their muscles ease up and they make progress daily. We have solved this condition. If you are experiencing guarding… reach out to one of our specialists. X10 Therapy breaks the PT/Pain/Swelling Cycle so you can regain range of motion (extension and flexion) and strength. If you have had an MUA or are considering Manipulation Under Anesthesia in the near future, The X10 is most likely your answer. We avoid painful physical therapy and get results within a few weeks. WHAT IS X10 THERAPY? X10 Therapy is knee recovery in your home under the remote supervision of a Physical Therapist. The knee rehabilitation we provide centers on the X10 Knee Machine that we deliver to your home. It typically takes 2-3 weeks to fix a “sticky” stiff knee and get you back to your life. HOW DOES IT WORK? The X10 adjusts to your body. It feels your knee tension/tightness and helps you find the edge of discomfort but never cross the line into pain. By working the edge of your comfortable range of motion, relentlessly, you gain incremental degrees of bending and straightening each day. And you avoid setbacks as you never again allow your physical therapy to be too aggressive. CAN X10 FIX YOUR RECOVERY? Call Mary Elliott to find out. At any given moment there are many people on the X10 who are avoiding Manipulation Under Anesthesia or recovering quickly after MUA. 248-770-2121 WHAT DOES IT COST? The X10 is available in Michigan and in a number of other states as a rental. To get a quote click below. GET A QUOTE Learn from People Who Avoided Manipulation Under Anesthesia with X10 Therapy Bruce (Avoid MUA) – In the end Bruce blew away his goals… getting to 126º range of motion. He was able to avoid a third MUA… and then some. In his own words you can see Bruce approached this knee bending problem like he approaches life… with perseverance and hard work… the result being success! Watch our brief interview to learn more about Bruce’s journey. – Read More Kathy (Avoid MUA) – I decided I needed to look for something different. I came across a testimonial. Someone had done this thing called the X10. It avoids painful physical therapy. Then a whole world came tumbling open to me. And I realized it was a real thing. And I realized that it was helping people. It ignited something in me which had been lacking for a long time, which was hope that there was something that could help me.- Read More Jeanie (Avoid MUA) – Just two more weeks. That is all she asked for. Before agreeing to go ahead with a return trip to the hospital, more anesthesia, swelling, pain and a new round of rehab Jeanie wanted to solve this problem on her own. In the end she found the X10 which came with a great remote coach and, finally, hope. In two weeks… no MUA… click the picture to watch Jeanie’s story. – Read More Christine (Avoid MUA) – At six weeks post surgery Dr. Scott and Christine’s favorite physical therapist were talking about a Manipulation Under Anesthesia. The CPM had failed in helping with range of motion. P.T. was getting nowhere. The clock was ticking. Learn how Christine avoided an MUA in just a few weeks by clicking on the picture here. – Read More Learn from People Who Recovered After Manipulation Under Anesthesia (and skipped painful physical therapy) with X10 Therapy Nancy (After MUA) – Depression. Frustration. Tears. The CPM machine had failed to help. The Biodex machine caused excruciating pain. The physical therapist (who was doing his best to be caring) pushed Nancy so hard, she had to “vocalize” her discomfort to the alarm of everyone in the facility. She promised herself that after the Manipulation Under Anesthesia things would be different. – Read More Carol (After MUA) – Both of my knees were injured on 9/11. I was crushed in Tower Two when it collapsed. I had immediate surgeries, right after 9/11. And then with all the other surgeries and injuries, I was in a process of recovery for a very long time. In fact, I’m still in the process of physical recovery from 9/11. I have neck injuries, back injuries, knees, shoulder, and foot. This knee is a 9/11 injury that I’ve just been dealing with over the years. – Read More Allen (After MUA) – Allen avoided painful physical therapy. Allen’s surgery by Dr. McLawhorn at HSS was spot on. No problem there. It was just the nature of his physiology that derailed his recovery after total knee surgery. But even after the MUA Allen was still stuck in the 70’s… at least in terms of his range of motion. He needed some help to make this knee surgery a success. – Read More Robert (After MUA) – Unlucky. A dirty needle on a routine Cortisone shot. And then a three hour surgery to remove infection, a difficult rehab that ended up failing, and then a Knee Manipulation Under Anesthesia. Yet, you just get the feeling that Bob smiled his way through all of this… at least you will once you watch this interview. You will cheer for Bob like we did… and we were the ones who worked with him after that MUA to get him well and back to the sports he loves. – Read More Published Research About X10 and the Manipulation Under Anesthesia
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Nancy’s Recovery After Knee Manipulation Under Anesthesia
Podcast – The Bee’s Knees Stories of knee recovery, therapy and life after surgery. Nancy’s Recovery After Knee Manipulation Under Anesthesia One of the great recovery stories in our 12 year history at X10. Nancy’s sister, Stacey, spent 12 hours online searching for a solution to Nancy’s sticky knee. Why, you may ask. Why not trust traditional PT? Why not leave this to the professionals? The answer is poignantly described in the video here. A sister in trouble… and a sister to the rescue; her recovery after knee manipulation. It Took Only 13 Days It took Nancy 13 days to get well. Without the Biodex machine at the clinic. Without a physical therapist. Nancy followed our program, worked daily with her X10 Patient Recovery Coach, dedicated herself to her recovery. We received a call one year after this inspiring recovery from Nancy. All of 45 seconds on a voice mail. “Hi PJ, I am doing great. In September I bought a Fitbit to track my steps. I can report to you that in the past 6 months I have walked 120 miles with my puppy dog. I am all good… thanks to you and the X10.” Nancy is like so many X10 patients: a person in need who is just not getting there with P.T. Stacey and Nancy’s story may be inspiring to you… but we can report that she inspires our whole organization each and every day. We are on a mission to help all the “Nancy’s” out there with our X10 program.
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Double TKA | Knee Recovery Done Right
Double TKA | Knee Recovery Done Right An interview with Ron about knee surgery recovery using the X10. As published on The Bee’s Knees Podcast with Mary Elliott. Ron was able to have both knee replacement surgeries done within three months of one another. He felt so confident and happy about the results and his experience with his first knee that he was enthusiastic to have his second knee replacement done. His results were fantastic! Ron was able to achieve a range of motion of 0/128 degrees within three and a half weeks post-surgery. With his second knee, he achieved a range of motion of 1/124 within 20 days!! Needless to say, he is very happy and shares with us what worked so well for him in the podcast we recorded together. Listen to Ron Ron explains in this 28-minute podcast episode what the challenges were and how the X10 solved the problems. A great listen for anyone facing a difficult knee surgery recovery. Now in its fourth year, you can listen to the Bee’s Knees Podcast on any and all podcast platforms. .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.owl-carousel .owl-nav div { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: -43px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.owl-carousel .owl-nav div.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); 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background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.owl-carousel .owl-nav div:hover i:before { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad .owl-dots { top: calc(100% + 20px); left: 50%; transform: translateX(calc(-50% + 0px)); } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad .owl-dots { transform: translateX(-50%); margin-left: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad .owl-dot { width: 10px; height: 10px; margin: 0 8px; } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.hide-arrows .owl-nav a { display: none; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 10px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 10px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad figure, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad .rollover, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad img, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad .gallery-rollover { border-radius: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-136041a8c12dddef32f2471cc61e25ad.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } Our big thanks to Ron for granting us an interview. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” In these articles, we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health. We explore surgery and recovery and such subjects as ‘Double TKA | Knee Recovery Done Right’. This is a one-of-a-kind blog. We gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. And it is all related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, and patients. And as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. You may have a surgery upcoming. Or in the rear-view mirror. Maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. In all cases you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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A Stiff Knee in Houston Texas
A Stiff Knee in Houston, Texas The unexpectedly difficult knee recovery of W.L. Bane. When all else failed, the X10 solved the problem In his 73th year W.L. Bane finally had his right knee replaced. He might have done it a few years prior, but put it off until he felt it was the right time. His right knee and hip had been through a lot over the years including a broken femur and two meniscus surgeries. He eventually had to stop running. In 2012 he had to stop taking long walks. So on November 26 he had a right total knee replacement. On December 31 he had to undergo a followup Arthroscopy/Manipulation Under Anesthesia. On January 31 he went through another Manipulation Under Anesthesia. At that point his surgeon said that was it – no more MUA’s or other procedures. His only answer was going to have to be physical therapy. Declining Knee Performance With each procedure WL’s knee seemed to be worse off. His range of motion declined and the pain and stiffness persisted each time he went back to the hospital for more procedures. Having a stiff knee in Houston was not what W.L. had expected. He began to scour the internet for a better rehab answer. That is when he found X10. An Interview with W.L. Bane Click the Play button above to listen to our interview with W.L. Bane. There is nothing like hearing about how to recover after a Manipulation Under Anesthesia. After an Arthroscopy. And after a second Manipulation Under Anesthesia. W.L. has a lot to say about the value of a proper recovery and what it means to him going forward. After all he did not spend all this time and energy on a knee replacement surgery just to limp around. A stiff knee in Houston, TX did not get the best of this remarkable man. Thank you W.L. for your faith in our team and the X10 Knee Machine! And thank you for the interview. Your story will help many others find relief from their surgeries. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” In these articles we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health. We explore surgery and recovery and such subjects as ‘a stiff knee in Houston, Texas’. This is a one-of-a-kind blog. We gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. And it is all related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, and patients. And as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. You may have a surgery upcoming. Or in the rear-view mirror. Maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. In all cases you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name Two resources for you below. Both are email series that we created to help those who need some additional thinking for pre-surgery and post-surgery.
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Harlon Barnett (Performance After Knee Replacement)
Harlon Barnett (Football Coach) Harlon, a former football coach at Michigan State University, and Florida State University, and now Northwestern… and a former football player, shares his experience with knee replacement surgery from 2015 in this article. Coach Barnett underwent the surgery with Dr. Jason Cochran, whom he praises for his honesty, genuine concern, and knowledge. Harlon endorses Dr. Cochran even more now as he feels great post-surgery. Initially, after coming home from the surgery, he struggled with bending his knee, but through the use of the X10 machine, he made significant progress. Two weeks post-surgery, Harlan was walking without any assistance and credits the X10 machine for helping him with his range of motion. He mentions that the machine helped him push beyond his limits and accelerate his healing process as he is motivated to get back to his regular activities. Coach Barnett expresses his preference for being proactive in his recovery and avoiding prolonged rest. He highlights that the machine has been instrumental in his recovery, allowing him to achieve results that he couldn’t on his own. Football Coach Barnett emphasizes that he saw tangible progress in his recovery and felt great without experiencing significant pain. He appreciated the effectiveness of the X10 machine in aiding his recovery process and achieving his rehabilitation goals. Harlon’s positive experience and noticeable improvement serve as a testament to the efficacy of the X10 machine in facilitating post-surgery rehabilitation and enhancing the recovery journey for individuals like himself.
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Knee Replacement 20 Days Later (Sandy’s Story)
Knee Replacement, 20 Days Later Listen to our interview with Sandy Leman about her knee replacement and recovery by clicking on the PLAY button above. I grew up in south Louisiana. I danced a lot growing up because people in Louisiana dance a lot. And I was really into it. I also loved competitive sports. I moved to Texas and had several children, but I stayed active. Playing tennis and racquetball morphed into pickleball in recent years. I’m 69 years old. Being physically active was really important to me and as long as I could do that, I was happy. But towards the end, prior to my surgery, I’d gotten to the point where I had to do something or I was going to lose the ability to be as active as I like to be. My Love of Pickleball The court is smaller than a tennis court. It’s pretty efficient. It’s very social. A lot of ex athletes play pickleball. And a lot of people who really aren’t athletes at all play pickleball, but those are two different levels. I was playing sort of in between, but I played a more aggressive pickleball, at a higher level. When I played I used a lot of energy and it was really good for me. Stretches for Pickleball and Tennis For those who are pickleball players we have a educational article and video about how to get ready for your game. Experts in their field of physical therapy, learn how to make sure you do not cause injury with your love of this growing sport. Click on the picture to learn more. Athletics and My Knee History My knees were a little bit bowed. That’s a genetic imperfection that might have contributed to the problem, but nonetheless, they certainly didn’t slow me down. I was very fast runner, very competitive athlete. I didn’t have any problems most of my life. Having children might have taken its toll on me. But I always stayed active play in between having babies.   Torn Meniscus Then I tore cartilage in my knees and had both of them operated on. I did that by lifting something very heavy and pulling it on a wagon. I shouldn’t have done it. But right after that I had to have a meniscus repair. I had the other one fixed after a snow skiing accident. Knee Performance Decline From what I understand, when you lose meniscus cartilage it makes you more susceptible to complications. I have no arthritis anywhere else in my body. No aches and pains anywhere. Hips, hands, shoulders, everything is great. But my knees started to sort of break down because I played tennis three or four times a week. I played racquetball three or four times a week and I was playing pickleball at least two or three times a week. Just generally speaking, after the surgery, especially on my right knee, I never fully recovered from that the way I would have liked. I had to compensate for a lack of strength and range of motion. 15 Good Years I went on like that for probably 15 years. Although I was very active eventually it just played itself out and I had to get the surgery. I found myself not wanting to go places where I’d have to walk far. I was not in constant pain and I slept well. But it was enough that the pain from overexertion got to where it was causing me not to want to do things that I would normally do. And then in the very end, I think I must have torn a little Cartledge playing pickleball or something. I couldn’t put weight on it and torque, so therefore I couldn’t play anymore, at least the way I wanted to play. My Knees Caught Up to Me I knew it was time. But prior to that I tried stretching exercises, which really, really did help my range of motion and allowed me to go on for a bit longer. A Recommendation for Surgery The doctor recommended surgery about four years ago. However with the stretching exercises, and then also knee injections (synthetic lubricant for a year) I was able to go four years before I finally reached a point where I had to have surgery. My daughter is a licensed physical therapist in Houston. She does home therapy. She has a family of her own. But I asked her to find someone for me because I was considering this. So she would listen to her patients. And she determined that Dr. Kreuzer just had excellent results and that his patients seem to recover quicker with fewer complications. That was enough for me. Adding in X10 to the Mix I was looking on the Internet a lot, looking at knee surgery. Somehow the X10 came up. Right away I knew that was something that I’d like to use. The benefit to me was that the machine was going to be there in the house. I didn’t have to get in my car, ask someone to drive me somewhere, you know, go through a big hassle. It was right there going to be right there, sitting available anytime I wanted to use it. And that was a real plus for me. And the Results My Knee Replacement 20 Days Later: It worked out well. You can stop the machine anytime. The machine is syncing your response to the pressure. It will reduce the angle. It’ll adjust itself based on what’s happening to your knee all by itself. You don’t have to do that. It does it for you. It’s got a big red button. You can push. If you get in a panic; it’s got a couple of red buttons you can push. But I never used them. I’ve never had to use them because it was very user-friendly. I put it in the bedroom and it fit perfectly into a little corner with a TV in front of it. I would get myself set up with my remote and my glass of water and I was ready to go. You just sit on it and press the button and you’re doing it. You can reduce your angle if you kind of feel a little stiff that day: you can start off a little slower. It was great. It had everything with it. The chair that I sat in and the little stool to get in it, everything came and it was very well explained to me. Everything was great. In Addition to X10 After I used the machine I would walk. I have a little track like in my house where I’ll walk around the dining room table and through the living and down the hall. I would do that. Also, I would also walk before I used the machine to kind of warm up my muscles. My Knee Replacement 20 Days Later I have really good feelings about the X10. I would recommend it to anyone and I’m happy to share that with you because you all made it possible. You know, it’s a real benefit. CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR KNEE RECOVERY BASICS #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; max-width: 600px;} /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. 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Recover After Manipulation Under Anesthesia with PTA Candice Cawood
Recover After Manipulation Under Anesthesia with PTA Candice Cawood by PJ Ewing (The Bee’s Knees Podcast) On the Bees Knees Podcast, I discuss how to recover after the knee MUA with Candice Cawood, a seasoned Physical Therapist Assistant. We cover traditional PT in a clinic, and the alternative (oftentimes the better answer). We discuss pain management and mobility post-procedure. The Key Principles Understand the surgeon’s expectations Clear the decks – this is your job for 2-3 weeks Evaluate your performance in PT after one week Adjust the course if you are not meeting expectations Change from “no pain no gain” to “frequency not force” by 14 days post-surgery if needed .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-nav a { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-nav a:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-nav a:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-nav a.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: -5px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-nav a.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); 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background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-nav a:hover i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-nav a:hover i:before { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-dots { top: calc(100% + 20px); left: 50%; transform: translateX(calc(-50% + 0px)); } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-dots { transform: translateX(-50%); margin-left: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9 .owl-dot { width: 10px; height: 10px; margin: 0 8px; } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9.hide-arrows .owl-nav a { display: none; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-9730e888665d99e663c1134a09e106f9.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { top: 50%; 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margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-nav a.owl-prev i { padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-nav a.owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: -43px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-nav a.owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-nav a.owl-next i { padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-nav i { font-size: 18px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-nav a:not(:hover) i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-nav a:not(:hover) i:before { color: #ffffff; background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-nav a:hover i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-nav a:hover i:before { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-dots { top: calc(100% + 20px); left: 50%; transform: translateX(calc(-50% + 0px)); } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-dots { transform: translateX(-50%); margin-left: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .owl-dot { width: 10px; height: 10px; margin: 0 8px; } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.hide-arrows .owl-nav a { display: none; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 10px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 10px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 figure, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .rollover, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 img, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3 .gallery-rollover { border-radius: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-84fb8908f6e24082b679b7a223d880c3.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } RECOVER AFTER MANIPULATION UNDER ANESTHESIA (KNEE MUA) PJ Ewing here… from the Bees Knees Podcast, discussing all things related to avoiding manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) with Candice Cawood, a Physical Therapist Assistant with extensive experience in knee replacements. Candice shares her years of wisdom working in orthopedics and emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s own history and factors that could predict a need for MUA. We delve into the critical aspects of post-MUA expectations, pain tolerance, flexibility assessment, and the significance of early progress post-MUA to prevent complications. We explore strategies to improve range of motion, such as frequent stretching, pain management, and alternative therapies like saying no to pain and embracing “frequency.” Candice stresses the need to manage your own recovery and healthcare providers. You need to take the reigns on an MUA recovery – this is your second chance to get it right. We are so lucky to have Candice as our guest. This is truly a must-listen podcast if you are facing an MUA. CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR KNEE RECOVERY BASICS #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; max-width: 600px;} /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to Knee Recovery Basics * indicates required Email Address *First Name Last Name State (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);
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Bob’s Knee Recovery | Two Knees with X10 Therapy
Bob’s Knee Recovery | Two Knees with X10 Therapy Bob did not need to go to outpatient physical therapy after using the X10 for his knee replacement recovery. Must Have X10 for Recovery Hi, this is Mary Elliott. I interviewed Michigander, Bob Brand, for the Bee’s Knees Podcast. Bob shares his remarkable journey with the X10 Knee Machine, detailing how it aided his post-surgery recovery for both knees. After experiencing incredible progress and gaining full range of motion within weeks of using the machine following his first knee replacement, Bob insisted on utilizing it again for his second knee replacement surgery. With the support of X10 remote physical therapists, he emphasizes how the machine’s unique approach to stretching discomfort pushed him to surpass traditional physical therapy outcomes, enabling a faster and more successful recovery process. I enjoyed our conversation and the videos and pictures Bob shared with us. As with so many other patient, Bob’s support of our mission for ‘great recoveries’ is heartening. Listen to the Podcast Above In our conversation Bob shares his transformative experience with the X10 machine, detailing his knee surgeries over 40 years, with one knee being reconstructed multiple times. After having his right knee replaced and being prescribed the X10 machine, Bob achieved remarkable results within three weeks, gaining full range of motion and returning to work much sooner than expected. When faced with getting his left knee replaced, Bob insisted on using the X10 machine again due to his previous success. Following the surgery, he started using the machine immediately and made incredible progress, reaching maximum range of motion in just 20 days. Bob emphasizes the unique benefits of the X10 machine in pushing individuals beyond their comfort zones, enabling them to surpass what traditional physical therapy alone could achieve. He highlights the importance of the machine’s ability to provide a stretching discomfort rather than pain, encouraging users to push themselves for faster recovery. Bob commends the X10 coaches and physical therapists who visited his home, praising their support, encouragement, and professionalism throughout his recovery process. .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-nav a { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-nav a:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-nav a:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-nav a.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 5px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-nav a.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); 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background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-nav a:hover i, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-nav a:hover i:before { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75); background: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-dots { top: calc(100% + 20px); left: 50%; transform: translateX(calc(-50% + 0px)); } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-dots { transform: translateX(-50%); margin-left: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .owl-dot { width: 10px; height: 10px; margin: 0 8px; } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.hide-arrows .owl-nav a { display: none; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 10px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); right: 10px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } @media screen and (max-width: 778px) and all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.reposition-arrows .owl-nav .owl-next { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 figure, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .rollover, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 img, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0 .gallery-rollover { border-radius: 25px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-c439e98a227cde0c811c0058c3294ff0.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } Having bypassed external physical therapy post-X10 machine use, Bob underscores the machine’s efficacy in facilitating a speedy and successful recovery. Despite owning a business and needing to return to work promptly, he notes walking normally within weeks of surgery, attributing his rapid progress to the X10 machine. Bob urges others undergoing similar procedures to advocate for the X10 machine, follow its recommended usage guidelines diligently, and fully commit to pushing themselves towards maximum recovery. Bob’s Knee Recovery | Two Knees with X10 Therapy
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Five Months After Knee Replacement (Nan’s Recovery)
Five Months After Knee Replacement Nan’s “Never Say Die” Knee Recovery Everyone else thought Nan’s recovery was done. Her bend was “good enough”, her pain was gone, she should “be happy” with the mobility with which she was left. Nan did not agree. Nan’s knee extension (straightening) was good at 0º which means her leg was perfectly straight. It was the 107º flexion that troubled her. For a life-long athlete this was far from what she expected. And then fate stepped in. It was as if the world simply conspired to help Nan when it was most needed. Fortuitously her friend, Alison, was just finished with the X10 in her home. She had done so well and was ready to let the machine move on to help the next person. They discussed it and Nan decided to take the X10 immediately and see what she could do. The conventional wisdom, and most clinical literature, agree that at five months after knee replacement it is unlikely to see much gain in flexion (bending the knee back). It is understood that knee replacement patients have until three months to improve their flexion, and six months to finish off their knee extension. Scar tissue, swelling, quad tightness and other factors can inhibit or simply stop the opportunity for range of motion gains. Many Athletic Pursuits Nan has been an athlete all her life. Gymnastics (University of Washington, four years), rugby (Boston Women’s Rugby Team), running, hiking, skiing, Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do. At age 62 she was not about to let a knee surgery get in the way of her highly active lifestyle. She had arthroscopic knee surgery way back in college in 1978. At the time this was a really big deal. Over the past year it became really apparent that a knee replacement was needed. When she simply could not get back on her skis after falling she knew the time had come. To listen to our interview with Nan click on the play button at the top of this page. The interview is part of our series of patient interviews that we present on The Bee’s Knees Podcast (knee surgery recovery). And a special thanks to Nan for such generosity with her time in sharing her story. CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR KNEE RECOVERY BASICS #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; max-width: 600px;} /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to Knee Recovery Basics * indicates required Email Address *First Name Last Name State (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);
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122
Mari’s Knee Recovery | Solving Knee Flexion
Mari’s Knee Recovery | Solving Knee Flexion The CPM machine failed. The post-MUA recovery was going nowhere. Now what? Solving Knee Flexion Professional photographer, Mari Maloney, shares her experience with knee recovery post total knee replacement surgery, detailing her initial struggles and eventual success with the X10 Therapy System™. Solving Knee Flexion. Mari stresses the importance of exploring alternative recovery options for those facing challenges in traditional knee recovery methods. Mari Maloney Hi, this is Mary Elliott. I interviewed Mari Maloney for the Bee’s Knees Podcast. We have a very short (and extremely useful) podcast episode for you today. Mari shared how she initially struggled with poor range of motion and stiffness in her knee, despite following PT guidance. After hitting a wall with traditional methods, including manipulation under anesthesia, Mari discovered the X10 Knee Recovery System. With the X10, Mari saw significant progress, improving her flexion from 85º to 123º in just three weeks. In this podcast episode, she emphasizes the importance of trying different knee recovery options, especially for those, like her, who struggle using traditional rehab tools. I enjoyed our conversation and all of the pictures Mari shared with us. In our chat, Mari expressed immense gratitude towards our X10 team for the support and the positive impact the therapy had on her recovery journey. This particular conversation highlights the importance of personalized approaches to recovery and being open to alternative methods when traditional options fall short. Mari’s success story serves as an inspiration for individuals facing similar challenges during their recovery process, encouraging them to explore various avenues and find what works best for their unique needs. This podcast interview concludes with Mari and I reflecting on the power of sharing her story to help others facing similar struggles. Mari’s openness and determination to regain mobility and quality of life serve as a beacon of hope for listeners navigating their own recovery paths. As with many of our patient interviews, my conversation with Mari underscores the significance of perseverance, adaptability, and seeking out innovative solutions to overcome obstacles in the journey toward healing. .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-2465c1f45a8b3f2890c6fc3c57cd73f1 .owl-nav a { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-2465c1f45a8b3f2890c6fc3c57cd73f1 .owl-nav a:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-2465c1f45a8b3f2890c6fc3c57cd73f1 .owl-nav a:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-2465c1f45a8b3f2890c6fc3c57cd73f1 .owl-nav a.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: 5px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-2465c1f45a8b3f2890c6fc3c57cd73f1 .owl-nav a.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); 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ACL LCL Knee Recovery with X10 Therapy
ACL LCL Knee Recovery (Don’s Story) An Interview with Don Chester Click on the play button above to listen to the interview. Dump Truck Meets Overpass – The Start of the Problem Don was in a huge accident. He rolled a dump truck and broke many parts of his body in the process. He was thrown from the cab of the vehicle. He was in a wheelchair for months. The X10 Knee Recovery System™ was able to help Don’s knee and, surprisingly, his hip as well. In addition to all of his injuries Don was facing a very challenging ACL LCL Knee Recovery. In addition to broken vertebrae and ribs, Don suffered from a number of lower extremity injuries as detailed below. Left Knee ACL Replacement ACL reconstruction surgery uses a graft to replace the ligament. The most common grafts are autografts using part of your own body, such as the tendon of the kneecap (patellar tendon) or one of the hamstring tendons. Left Knee LCL Repair The LCL is torn when the knee bends inwards excessively, and the LCL is stretched too far. LCL tears are graded similarly to other ligament tears on a scale of I to III: Grade I LCL tear: This is an incomplete tear of the LCL Leg Muscle Atrophy Muscle atrophy is when muscles waste away. It’s usually caused by a lack of physical activity. When a disease or injury makes it difficult or impossible for you to move an arm or leg, the lack of mobility can result in muscle wasting. Broken Hip & Impingement Normally, the ball glides smoothly within the socket, but a problem with the ball or socket rim can interfere with smooth motion. Trauma from repetitive hip flexion damages the cartilage of the socket, leading to hip impingement. Hip/Leg External Rotation Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint attached to the uppermost part of your leg. The hip joint allows the leg to rotate inward or outward. Hip external rotation is when the leg rotates outward, away from the rest of your body. In Don’s Own Words – Solving his Knee Flexion, Extension and Strength When David first came out and set the unit up and gave us the original tutorial, I was looking at between 71º and 76º upon initial setup. When David left, he was probably at my home somewhere around an hour and a half, I was at 80º. That was with about 10 pounds of pressure. Amazing to say my pain level was recorded as about a four when I started. And then when he left, my pain level was at zero. This is what I knew that this device was going to be so helpful for me because it basically unlocked the knee. After about an hour, I had already begun to see of my knee kind of transform and have some representation of, you know, where I was before my accident. After getting on the X10 unit every day, the flexion got better and better. On my second day, I went to 91º with a little more pressure until I got to 104º in four or five usages. It was just amazing. And my family, you know, couldn’t believe it. My wife would come over and over say, “Hey, that’s impossible. How are you able to do that?” The technology is really very unique. The process that’s used to get flexion out of your knee is such a smooth and slow process. You can actually set the dwell time on a unit and say, “Hey, look, once you get my knee, as far as I can go at this point, hold it there for a custom amount of seconds.” There are so many variables that you control. My ACL LCL Knee Recovery It just really kept me so deeply entrenched in it. Currently I’m at 118º. I’ve changed my dwell times several times. I’m now up to about 10 seconds. It’s been such a blessing for me to come across the unit. It’s done so much to change my life, not only with my knee of course. The knee is what we got it for, but it helped with so many other recovery challenges that I was facing. Left Knee ACL Replacement/LCL Repair Don moved from 71º flexion to 120º in just over four weeks. His knee stiffness was worked gently and firmly with sessions multiples times each day on the X10. The X10 avoids over stressing the ligaments yet allows the patients to use it productively 1.5 to 2 hours each day. X10 sessions are typically broken down into three sessions each day. The data is wirelessly shared with a coach. Don’s coach was Tricia Lahman from The Villages, Florida. Leg Muscle Atrophy As you will hear in the interview (click play above), Don’s son remarked on how there was definition in his quadriceps muscles after many months of inactivity. Don used concentric, eccentric, the pump test, and calf test on the X10 to rebuild his leg muscles. While he has gym equipment in his home he was not able to use it as his legs were so weak. On the X10 he was able to use small increments of weight – as little as one lb. to gradually build up his strength again. Hip Infringement Don’s hip surgeon, Dr. Lindsay Hickerson, was especially surprised to see that his hip was moving so smoothly after it had exhibited such friction and trouble moving freely. The motion on the X10 apparently had a positive effect on the recovery of his hip. This is an unexpected result and will be worthy of further exploration. Hip / Leg External Rotation An additional and unexpected benefit of Don’s consistent time on the X10 is that his legs that had been pointing outward, externally, began to line up normally again. In the interview, he speaks of the months of time in bed that caused his thigh and knee to rotate outward, away from his body. The external rotator muscles can become weak due to injury, surgery, or prolonged periods of inactivity. Weakness in these muscles increases the risk of injury. Don and his medical team were pleasantly surprised to see that this problem had significantly improved. Don Suffered Many Injuries The damage done by this violent accident was profound. Don was told to give up on his hopes to recover normal movement, to accept his extremely limited mobility. At 46 years old he was not willing to go along with these recommendations. And he was certain there was a better way to recover than bite down on a towel in PT to suppress his screams. He was prompted to find a better solution, and that solution turned out to be not the CPM, not the Flexionator. Rather it was the X10 Knee Recovery System™. To learn more about us call 1-855-910-5633 or book a call with us using the Schedule a Phone Consultation button on this page. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery, and recovery like this article: ACL LCL Knee Recovery with X10 Therapy. In this one-of-a-kind blog, we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success, and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing ([email protected]) #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
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120
The Perfect Bilateral Knee Replacement
The Perfect Bilateral Knee Replacement an interview with Larry Meservey (NH) I grew up doing high school sports, football, wrestling. I took it to the extreme and suffered a lot of injuries during that time. Nothing crippling, but I kind of overdid it. As I got into my work career, we started in the power sports industry. My father and I owned a Marina and, unfortunately, we didn’t have all the power equipment. I just used and abused my body in ways that would never be thought of today. For quite a period of time I worked with Polaris industries maintaining their demo fleet of motorcycles and their press fleet. I spent a lot of time on my knees. I think just over time I wore them out. Ten years ago, I knew I was in trouble. I just kept putting it off and things just kept getting worse. Little did I know that I was headed for the perfect bilateral knee replacement in a few years. My Knees Just Kept Getting Worse I realized one day I was bow-legged. The pain was excruciating. I got to the point I couldn’t do stairs anymore. It was crippling my life. It was holding me back from all the things that I wanted to do. I’m an avid snowmobiler. We ride ATVs and motorcycles and I’m a car nut. I like to build and crawl around my cars. I got to the point I just couldn’t do it anymore. I almost needed somebody to help me up off the ground because my knees hurt so bad. I live in Northern New Hampshire and I went to a place called The Alpine Clinic there at the base of Canon’s Ski Mountain. They do a lot of the orthopedics for the Olympic athletes. I went through the x-rays and so forth. And the doctor came in and said, “Well, I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is we can help. The bad news is both of your knees are, are bone-on-bone, you have a lot of arthritis, and you need to have both of your knees replaced.” It was my wife who suggested the bilateral. She said, “Well doctor, can you do them both at once? Cause I think I know my husband pretty good and if you do one you’ll probably never be back from the second one.” That’s what got me there. That’s what put me in the doctor’s office. And, and that’s what brought up the conversation a bilateral with Dr. Douglas McArthur. Talking Me Out of The Perfect Bilateral Knee Replacement He tried everything he could to talk me out of it. I was very insistent. I told him, “If we’re going to do this, I want to do them both.” So then he asked me a little bit about my background and my house. I’m in my mid-sixties, I take no prescription medicines and overall my health conditions are good. He really couldn’t find a reason why not to do both of them at the same time and agreed to do so. I had talked with PJ at X10 Therapy and discussed pre-hab. That’s when I said, “Well, can I get this thing in advance?” We agreed for me to get the machine more than a week before the surgery One of the goals is range-of-motion after surgery and they talk about 0º to 130º being the ultimate goal. I don’t think I was 0º to 130º before getting the X10. But when I went for my surgery, I was 0º to 130º range of motion on both knees. As I mentioned I was very bowlegged. Over time, my knees had just kind of unstructured themselves and I was concerned about that and. I put a lot of pressure on a doctor to make sure my legs were straight when we’re done. My Status Today Today I can tell you my legs are perfectly straight. They work perfectly, and my range of motion is phenomenal. Currently, at nine weeks, I’ve got — 0º to 132º in my left knee on my own. And with assistance, they can get it back to 145º on my right leg. I can do 0º to 130º and with assistance, I get about 133º, so it’s a little stiffer, a little tighter than the left one. With that great range of motion, I’m mostly working on strength. <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-10-slide-10-layer-0" data-type="text" data-color="#001b51" data-xy="x:5px;y:8px;" data-text="w:nowrap;s:35;l:40;a:center;" data-dim="w:240;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:8700;" style="z-index:8;font-family:'Roboto';" >AVAILABILITY <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-10-slide-10-layer-1" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:19px;y:178px;" data-text="w:normal;s:40;l:50;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-sba="so:50ms" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="st:1750;sp:1200;sR:1750;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:5050;" style="z-index:13;font-family:'Roboto';" >Los Angeles <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-10-slide-10-layer-2" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:18px;y:137px;" 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data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="st:580;sp:1200;sR:580;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:6520;" style="z-index:11;font-family:'Roboto';" >Florida <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-10-slide-10-layer-5" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:19px;y:227px;" data-text="w:normal;s:40;l:50;" data-rsp_o="off" data-rsp_bd="off" data-sba="so:50ms" data-frame_0="o:1;" data-frame_0_chars="d:5;x:-105%;o:0;rZ:-90deg;" data-frame_0_mask="u:t;" data-frame_1="y:-4px;st:2350;sp:1200;sR:2350;" data-frame_1_chars="e:power4.inOut;dir:backward;d:10;rZ:0deg;" data-frame_1_mask="u:t;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:4950;" style="z-index:14;font-family:'Roboto';" >Texas <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-10-slide-10-layer-6" data-type="text" data-color="#000000" data-xy="x:19px;y:269px;" data-text="w:normal;s:40;l:50;" 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Surgery and Right Afterward I was in the hospital Monday for surgery. I did rehab on Tuesday. On Wednesday afternoon I went home. So that night was kind of a rough night for me. The next morning, I had physical therapy. We got in the car, my wife drove me to physical therapy, and they checked my range of motion. I was already at a hundred and they were pretty impressed with that. On Thursday I got home from physical therapy and it was later in the evening and I got on the X10 and did both legs, strictly for range of motion. I talked to Todd, my coach, and he helped me set the machine. We didn’t do any real strenuous work. But we worked on range-of-motion. I did that every day. By the end of the second week, I had already had 120º range-of-motion in both legs. And again, the physical therapists were just pretty much blown away by it. Fast forward to now. I am no longer in physical therapy. I had my eight-week appointment with Dr. McArthur last week, and when I went in it was just absolutely flabbergasted. You could tell. He just sat on his stool and he smiled; he was so excited and so happy. I told him, “I just want to thank you for doing both of them.” He said, “Well, as rough as it was on you, one of the reasons we don’t do two is you’re a pretty big guy. And it’s as rough on me as it is on you.” Now I don’t feel like there’s a whole lot that I can’t do. I do stairs regularly. There are 24 steps to my office. And one-day last week I probably went up and down 10 times during a day. As we’re up here in snow country, I still have this fear of slipping on the ice. So I’m very careful. I do miss my X10. It was great. It was great exercise. I enjoyed it. Managing the Swelling I’m going to say I swelled like everybody else. When I’d get off the X10 the first thing I would do is I would go to my ice. I did a lot of icing. When you talk about swelling, I would swell more after activity than just laying around. As I would swell, I would put the machine on. The ice machine I liked is called Active Ice. The Cost of the X10 I paid for the X10 out of my pocket. The insurance company didn’t pick that up. If you just take from the time of my surgery to today as an example, I probably am looking at about $40 a day that I invested in where I’m at at this moment in my recovery. Not excessive for the perfect bilateral knee replacement recovery. Comparing My Progress to Others I’ve been around several people that have had single knee replacements and so many of them didn’t want to buy invest in their own recovery. They only would take whatever the insurance company would give them. I saw people that were using frozen peas and Ziploc bags with ice cubes and none of them had a good result. I think if you want a good result, you’ve got to invest a little bit in your recovery and yourself, whether it be the X10, or the “Mac-Daddy” ice machine. Once the X10 went away. I said, “Well, what am I going to do now?” So I bought a stationary bike that’s comfortable for me and by moving the seat forward I can, I can really tighten up for range-of-motion and then I can move it back for strengthening and cardiovascular. Again, I had to buy it. Did the insurance company help me out? Absolutely not. But I thought it was a good investment in my future. The Perfect Bilateral Knee Replacement I think when you have them both done, when you come out of that surgery, they’re both equally as weak. Based on the x-rays that they took my right knee was my worst knee. And yet the one that gave me the most pain was my left knee. They wanted to do the worst one first. I watched a lot of the people in physical therapy that had one done and all they did was work on that one knee. They didn’t work on both of them. And so for me, my strength is equal in both legs. My ability to walk is phenomenal. My ability to walk up and down the stairs now stairs is great! It’s still not as comfortable going downstairs as going up. Other than that, I feel like I can do just about anything I want to do at this point. Once Dr. McArthur told me that we were going to do bilateral, when we got within a few weeks of the surgery, I was so excited. I’m telling everyone that I’m having both of them done. I’m going for this! I can’t wait! And I got to the point I couldn’t wait. Then once I got the X10 at home, for my prehab, I was able to work my knees. I saw that I could get something out of even these bad worn out old knees. This is not a commercial for X10. I appreciate the fact I was able to get the X10 because I give it so much credit for the success that I had. I don’t believe that I’d be sharing my story at this level had I not had the X10 to work with. To visit the KNEE LIBRARY, filled with useful information about knee surgery and recovery and the perfect bilateral knee replacement, click here. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery and recovery such as the perfect bilateral knee replacement. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name Two resources for you below. Both are email series that we created to help those who need some additional thinking for pre-surgery and post-surgery.
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Revision Knee Replacement (Sarah’s 20 Year Journey Back)
Revision Knee Replacement We are so pleased to share this interview from The Bee’s Knees Podcast and KNEE RADIO 1. Podcast host Mary Elliott interviews Sarah Lisieki, an RN in Michigan, about her 20-year journey back to mobility. Sarah’s 20-Year Journey As you will hear in the interview above, Sarah’s trouble started with a running injury as she was preparing for a potential Olympic bid. A timeline for Sarah’s knee trouble and eventual revision knee replacement. Running Injury at Age 19 “Countless” Arthroscopies (10+) Total Knee Replacement 2014 Revision Knee Replacement Spring 2020 Rehab and Recovery Summer 2020 Update 2024: Sarah lives a healthy and happy life in Michigan Dr. Robert Ference Dr. Robert Ference performs approximately 1,000 minimally invasive knee replacement surgeries every year. To learn more about Dr. Robert Ference and his surgery practice in Southeast Michigan, click here: Great Orthopedic Surgeons .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839 figure, .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839 .rollover, .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839 img, .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839 .gallery-rollover { border-radius: 0px; } .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839 .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; 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padding: 5px; } .cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell.double-width { width: calc(16.666666666667%) * 2; } .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width:not(.centered-layout-list):not(.content-bg-on) .dt-css-grid { grid-row-gap: 10px - ; } @media screen and (max-width: 1199px) { .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(4,1fr); } .cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell, .no-cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell { width: 25%; } .cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell.double-width, .no-cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell.double-width { width: calc(25%)*2; } } @media screen and (max-width: 991px) { .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(3,1fr); } .cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell, .no-cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell { width: 33.333333333333%; } .cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell.double-width, .no-cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell.double-width { width: calc(33.333333333333%)*2; } } @media screen and (max-width: 767px) { .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2,1fr); } .cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell, .no-cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell { width: 50%; } .cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell.double-width, .no-cssgridlegacy.no-cssgrid .gallery-shortcode.gallery-masonry-shortcode-id-af6f98a39af490d85eba21f7e2045839.resize-by-browser-width .dt-css-grid .wf-cell.double-width { width: calc(50%)*2; } } What is a Revision TKA? Revision Knee Replacement means that part or all of your previous knee replacement needs to be revised. This operation varies from very minor adjustments to massive operations replacing significant amounts of bone. The typical knee replacement replaces the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) with plastic inserted between them and usually the patella (knee cap). Causes for a Revision Pain is the primary reason for revision. Usually the cause is clear but not always. Knees without an obvious cause for pain in general do not do as well after surgery. Plastic (polyethylene) wear – This is one of the easier revisions where only the plastic insert is changed. Instability – This means the knee is not stable and may be giving way or not feel safe when you walk. Loosening of either the femoral, tibial or patella component – This usually presents as pain but may be asymptomatic. It is for this reason why you must have your joint followed up for life as there can be changes on X-ray that indicate that the knee should be revised despite having no symptoms. Infection – usually presents as pain but may present as swelling or an acute fever. Osteolysis (bone loss). This can occur due to particles being released into the knee joint which results in bone being destroyed. Stiffness – This is difficult to improve with revision but can be improved with the frequent by not painful PT provided by the X10. KNEE RADIO 1 (powered by The Bee’s Knees Podcast) This interview is available exclusively on The Bee’s Knees Podcast and on KNEE Radio 1, a new radio station engineered to help the millions of knee surgery patients each year. You can listen to KNEE RADIO 1 right here: KNEE RADIO 1 The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog.” We step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health as with this article on ‘Revision Knee Replacement (Sarah’s 20 Year Journey Back)’. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, and writers. All our work is related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. This is for you if you have a surgery upcoming, or in the rear-view mirror. Or maybe you just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery. Executive Editor: PJ Ewing To subscribe to the blog click here. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name Two resources for you below to help with knee replacement pain management. Both are email series that we created to help those who need some additional thinking for pre-surgery and post-surgery.
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Avoid MUA Research
Avoid MUA Research Published in The Global Journal of Orthopedics Research An interview with Dr. Carl Freeman Dr. Carl Freeman is a professor at Wayne State University. He has been a part of the research teams on countless orthopedic studies working with surgeons and physical therapists on ground breaking research. In late 2019 Dr. Freeman and Dr. Robert Ference published a new avoid MUA research study that focused on the X10 Knee Machine. Click on the Play Button above to listen to our podcast interview with Dr. Freeman from The Bee’s Knees Podcast. And, here is a link to the study. Abstract Stiff knee occurs in between 2% and 23% of total knee arthroplasty patients. Resolution of a stiff knee is critical for patients’ quality of life following a TKA. Historically, treatment options include physical therapy, manipulation under anesthesia, arthroscopic lysis, and open lysis. Excluding physical therapy, the other options all require anesthesia, with procedures usually being done in a hospital or surgical center. Here, we report on a new non-surgical alternative that is done in patients’ homes and is as efficacious as a manipulation under anesthesia. <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-8-slide-8-layer-2" data-type="text" data-color="#07346b" data-rsp_ch="on" data-xy="xo:180px,148px,123px,123px;yo:21px,17px,1px,1px;" data-text="w:normal;s:101,83,56,56;l:101,83,89,89;fw:900;" data-dim="w:917px,757px,504px,504px;h:109px,90px,auto,90px;minh:0,none,none,0;" data-frame_1="e:power4.inOut;sp:5050;" data-frame_999="o:0;e:power4.inOut;st:w;sp:1000;sR:3950;" style="z-index:10;font-family:'Roboto';text-transform:uppercase;" >THE KNEE LIBRARY <!-- --><a id="slider-8-slide-8-layer-4" class="rs-layer rev-btn" href="https://x10therapy.com/educational-resources-for-knee-surgery-and-recovery/" target="_self" rel="nofollow" data-type="button" data-rsp_ch="on" data-xy="xo:892px,684px,474px,474px;yo:215px,148px,106px,106px;" data-text="w:normal;s:31,25,21,21;l:72,59,50,50;fw:500;" data-dim="minh:0,none,none,0;" data-padding="r:45,37,32,32;l:45,37,32,32;" data-border="bor:25px,25px,25px,25px;" data-frame_0="x:0,0,0px,0px;y:0,0,0px,0px;rX:-70deg;oZ:-50;" data-frame_1="x:0,0,0px,0px;y:0,0,0px,0px;oZ:-50;e:power4.inOut;st:3300;sp:1750;sR:3300;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:3950;" data-frame_hover="bgc:#007aff;bor:25px,25px,25px,25px;bri:120%;" style="z-index:11;background-color:#50c143;font-family:'Roboto';" >Click Here <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-8-slide-8-layer-11" data-type="image" data-rsp_ch="on" data-xy="xo:102px,135px,91px,91px;yo:131px,97px,72px,72px;" data-text="w:normal;s:20,16,12,12;l:0,20,15,15;" data-dim="w:297px,190px,144px,144px;h:297px,190px,144px,144px;" data-frame_0="rX:-70deg;oZ:-50;" data-frame_1="oZ:-50;e:power4.inOut;st:680;sp:4340;sR:680;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:3980;" style="z-index:8;" > <!-- --><rs-layer id="slider-8-slide-8-layer-13" data-type="image" data-rsp_ch="on" data-xy="xo:451px,386px,269px,269px;yo:127px,92px,66px,66px;" data-text="w:normal;s:20,16,12,12;l:0,20,15,15;" data-dim="w:402px,260px,197px,197px;h:282px,182px,138px,138px;" data-frame_0="rX:-70deg;oZ:-50;" data-frame_1="x:-14,-11,-8,-8;y:5,4,3,3;oZ:-50;e:power4.inOut;st:2240;sp:2780;sR:2240;" data-frame_999="o:0;st:w;sR:3980;" style="z-index:9;" > <!-- --> setREVStartSize({c: 'rev_slider_8_4',rl:[1240,1024,778,778],el:[400,280,220,220],gw:[1240,1024,778,778],gh:[400,280,220,220],type:'hero',justify:'',layout:'fullwidth',mh:"0"});if (window.RS_MODULES!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules!==undefined && window.RS_MODULES.modules["revslider84"]!==undefined) {window.RS_MODULES.modules["revslider84"].once = false;window.revapi8 = undefined;if (window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal!==undefined) window.RS_MODULES.checkMinimal()} Discussion The X10 is comparable to the outcomes of the surgical procedures for treating knee arthrofibrosis. The X10 has advantages over the surgical techniques: in that it is not painful, does not require anesthesia or additional physical therapy after its use, and is less expensive than the surgical procedures. While the surgical procedures accomplish their goal in a one-time event and hence the need for anesthesia, the X10 does require a few weeks of use, but then accomplishes the follow up physical therapy at the same time. Conclusion The new X10 patented technology provides an increase in flexion after standard physical therapy has failed. The X10 is not surgical, does not require anesthesia, is not painful, and does not require additional physical therapy upon completion. Accordingly, we recommend that the X10 be the first response to stiff knees. The X10 Meta-Blog We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery and recovery such as this article on avoid MUA research. In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here. For more on MUA click here. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the Blog Here * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name For more on your opportunity to avoid Manipulation Under Anesthesia click here. Two resources for you below. Both are email series that we created to help those who need some additional thinking for pre-surgery and post-surgery.
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WATD RADIO Interview with PJ Ewing | Managing a Difficult Knee Recovery
Managing a Difficult Knee Recovery by PJ Ewing (The Bee’s Knees Podcast) PJ Ewing discusses knee surgery and recovery, particularly total knee replacement, emphasizing self-advocacy in navigating the medical system. He explores challenges post-surgery, alternative recovery methods, and the X10 knee recovery system’s benefits. PJ highlights rehab complexities, factors impacting surgery success, misconceptions around recovery for healthier individuals, and the importance of personalized physical therapy for effective recovery strategies. He advises on steady rehabilitation, avoiding excess force, and pain. PJ addresses common post-surgery difficulties, offering practical advice and emphasizing self-advocacy for successful recovery outcomes. Don’t forget to subscribe and review our podcast to help others find us. PJ Ewing .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab .owl-nav a { width: 36px; height: 36px; border-radius: 500px; } .dt-arrow-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab .owl-nav a:not(:hover):before { border-width: 0px; } .dt-arrow-hover-border-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab .owl-nav a:hover:after { border-width: 0px; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab .owl-nav a.owl-prev { top: 50%; transform: translateY(calc(-50% + 0px)); left: -43px; } @media all and (-ms-high-contrast: none) { .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab .owl-nav a.owl-prev { transform: translateY(-50%); margin-top: 0px; } } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab .owl-nav a.owl-prev i { padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; 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} .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab.enable-bg-rollover .gallery-rollover { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab.enable-img-shadow .owl-stage-outer { padding: 14px 0; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab.enable-bg-rollover.hover-scale figure .rollover:after { background: -webkit-linear-gradient(); background: linear-gradient(); } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { width: 44px; height: 44px; line-height: 44px; border-radius: 100px; margin: -22px 0 0 -22px; border-width: 0px; } .dt-icon-bg-on.gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); box-shadow: none; } .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico:before, .gallery-carousel-shortcode.gallery-carousel-shortcode-id-72d85da3e69d9e1f965d3acab89aeeab.gallery-shortcode .gallery-zoom-ico span { font-size: 32px; line-height: 44px; color: #ffffff; background: none; } In this interview with PJ Ewing, he shares his expertise in knee surgery and recovery, focusing on total knee replacement. He emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself in the medical system, especially when dealing with challenges post-surgery. PJ discusses the common issues faced by individuals preparing for or recovering from knee replacement surgery and highlights the significance of finding alternative approaches to traditional recovery methods. Interview with PJ Ewing | Managing a Difficult Knee Recovery PJ delves into the complexities of rehab and recovery, pointing out how factors like age, gender, weight, range of motion, and scar tissue can impact the success of knee surgery. He introduces the X10 knee recovery system, a cloud-connected device designed to assist individuals in their recovery process by providing gentle yet relentless exercises to improve bending and straightening without causing pain, swelling, or scar tissue. The conversation touches on the misconceptions around recovery for healthier and younger individuals, revealing how they can face more challenges due to their body’s efficient healing responses. PJ stresses the importance of a steady and frequent approach to rehabilitation, avoiding excess force and pain in the process. He also discusses the role of physical therapy clinics, emphasizing the need for personalized and effective recovery strategies tailored to each individual’s unique needs. Shorten with AI Alternative Solutions Throughout the interview, PJ shares insights on the critical first few weeks post-surgery, the impact of different recovery methods, and the common difficulties patients face as they navigate the recovery process. He offers practical advice, alternative solutions, and highlights the importance of self-advocacy and finding the right resources to support a successful knee surgery recovery journey. The interview provides valuable information for anyone preparing for or recovering from knee replacement surgery, focusing on empowering individuals to take control of their recovery and achieve optimal outcomes. CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR KNEE RECOVERY BASICS #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; max-width: 600px;} /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to Knee Recovery Basics * indicates required Email Address *First Name Last Name State (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='MMERGE3';ftypes[3]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);
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