After treatment: Physical Therapy and our New Lives

[Mary]

Some of our visitors may wonder how long to expect to be in physical therapy after their surgery. Please vote in the poll. It might help if you tell us which surgery you had, what your therapy experience has been like, how long it's been.


For a full list of polls to vote in, click here.

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[Cari]

Surgery was January 6, 2004- so almost 2 years of PT.  I had limb salvage surgery which involves a prothetic knee and tibia.  I continue to go to PT because I like the support and the idea that I am working at making myself stronger!  I trust my PT though so I have become his guniea pig--I will try anything he has me do--I know he will be there to catch me if I fall over--hehe

[Celeste]

  I had an allograph in June 2003 went to rehab after surgery for 3 1/2 week. When I got home in house pt started right away. After I was able to get down my stairs I started pt at the local hospital. I did that for about one year. To further the strenght in my leg I joined a local gym. Joining the gym was great I could use the treadmill at my own pace,then I statred using all the leg machine and it made a huge difference.

  Celeste

  2003 chrondrosarcoma allograph no chemo
  2000 breast cancer chemo, radiation

       

[Jeanne_C]

I had a prosthetic knee and part of femur done on June 21, 2005.  Almost immediately after surgery, I was on a machine to bend the knee starting at 65%.  I was out of the hospital in 3 days and by that time was up to 80% bend.  I had 3 sessions of PT in home just to show me exercises and to measure progress.  At six weeks post surgery I had a better than 90% bend in the knee and was off crutches.  I am still gramma two stepping on stairs most of the time, but I recently did a two mile hike on a mostly level nature trail with no problems at all.  I did have one PT consult while in hospital for chemo.  They brought me a stationary bike to keep me busy but otherwise thought my progress was fantastic.

Jeanne C
Ewing's Sarcoma (02/05)

[John]

I really have found , seen, and read that PT hits people differently.  Not even depending on past lifestyle, athleticism or any of that.  ITs how the leg heals, how the prosthesis or graft feels, and its in the body!!  ITs tough if the progress is slow, but we are all with you!!  We know how hard it is!

[Elizabeth]

Even though I answered the Physical Therapy Poll as more than two years, I have to clarify this. After the first surgery there was none. But, with subsequent surgeries there were many different PT's. Now, many years later, my musculoskeletal system goes out of whack once in a while and I have to go back for more. I think even if I didn't have the original surgeries, I probably would have PT every now and then because some of my issues are arthritic in nature.

Learn as much as you can about how the body works, how your body experiences pain and movement and learn to help yourself. Don't wait until you are laid up before getting help.

Elizabeth

[Cathy]

I had my hemipelvectomy 2/2004 and immediately began PT and am still going. I graduated from a w/c to a walker to crutches and we are slowly working on a cane.  The cane feels impossible right now because of the arthritic good knee, but I'm trying to stay positive.  Just trying to navigate a curb is MAJOR for me right now and we practice and practice.  I don't know if I'll ever get off of crutches, but having a leg instead of being an amputee is worth it.  No offense to anyone who is an amputee.  I also have no idea when I'll get out of PT.  It's my comfort zone right now.  Thankfully we have excellent insurance.

Cathy
Osteo/Pelvis/Hemi
2/2004/Limb Salvage
Chemo/NED