@scm1011 PT= torture?

[joenali]

Ok not really super torturous, but maybe a little scary? My foot is so incredibly stiff and somewhat painful when I do my exercises. And trust me, they aren't much. I'm massaging my foot and incision 3 times a day, icing 2-3 times a day, walking with weight bearing as tolerated, but this is so hard! How was your PT? I'm also a wuss!

[joenali]

Anyone else can chime in too. Hair pats are always needed! Lol!

[hannahb]

First off, you aren't a wuss, you did a freakin ironman
Second, you can expect to be in a little more pain because you are doing more (weight bearing, just moving). Try the best you can. Your strength will eventually come back but it's imperative to get that motion back early, especially if you want to eventually run. That being said, it shouldn't be unbearable pain and if it is I would talk to your MD about it

[Nonny]

PT is hard right after surgery, because you are still recovering. It will get better once you start gaining strength and flexibility back.

Anecdote time.

I had a chondroplasty and a lateral release on my right knee many years ago, and my surgeon had me do a bunch of PT leading up to the surgery to build up strength, and for the first several weeks after surgery my PT consisted of my therapist digging his elbow into my thigh to keep scar tissue from forming and negating the effects of the surgery. It was horrifically painful. The next thing I was allowed to do was sit on the stationary bike and use my left leg on the peddle to gently rock my right leg back and forth - I wasn't even allowed to make a full revolution. I was in PT for months, and I definitely needed it. I was lucky because my insurance covered 100% PT with no limits on the number of visits, as long as it was deemed medically necessary, and the PT, the surgeon, and my sports med doc were all completely happy to sign off on it.

[sadlebred]

PT sucked for my knee surgery. There were a few times I cried the first couple of weeks. I had a GREAT PT, and I credit her with getting the mobility back in my knee quickly. It still took 12+ months to get the strength back. I would hate to see how long things took without her.