Wow! Am I ever so stiff around the knee today just took some ibuprofen along with reclining ice time! Maybe I did too much yesterday, went to my in laws house for fathers day then scooted around the grocery store in the scooter thing. Slept great just stiffing up, PT is on his way with promises to loosen up the muscles! How long doesn't take for muscles to loosen up? ??? Anyway doing great otherwise used the regular bathroom seat no problem in fact I didn't even realize I stood up without using walker or rail. Wow!
Stiffness is common. I was really stiff at 6 weeks post op after sitting for awhile. Would really hurt for the first few steps, then loosen up. I did a few weeks of water walking and exercises in the pool. Many people do that. Once the muscles get back to normal, then you don't have that problem. Here is a page with the exercises I did http://www.surfacehippy.info/poolexercises.php (http://www.surfacehippy.info/poolexercises.php) Other exercises and stretches are on this page http://www.surfacehippy.info/ptarticles.php (http://www.surfacehippy.info/ptarticles.php)
It is always best to ask your surgeon what he/she suggests when you are having problems.
Good Luck.
Pat
Thanks pat! Cannot wait to do the water walking! :o
That "startup stiffness" is a real bugger, I was told sometimes it can last up to a year, mine took about that long, just the first few steps. The good times are ahead of you.
Chuck
We call it hydrotherapy in the UK, but I like water walking :)
I found and no doubt will find again after revision, its fantastic... made a huge difference, but just make sure to take pain relief before you get in the water as its easy to think its so great but when you get out, it hits you if you're not careful !
Good luck xx