Support, Stories & Strength for Your Journey

We've all been through the battle – the throbbing pain, the stiff joint, the struggle to get that leg up where it needs to be. But fear not, because regaining knee flexion (bend) is absolutely crucial for a smooth recovery and a return to your active life. Why Does Your Bend Matters? Think about your daily activities – walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a car. All these movements require a good range of knee flexion. Here's how good knee bend benefits you:

Pain science strikes again!First, are you post op and having pain in other places of your body (think hip and back)? How about your foot or ankle?Well, a short story ensues… about 7 weeks into

This knee (right) is rehabbing quite different than my left.It’s seeming, a beautiful adventure is in process…The way I see it, the new guy, Ti, just moved in and the neighbors (quad, glutes, IT band, calf, and foot) are none too happy.It seems, Ti, parks in the street when he’s not supposed to (acute pain) and he leaves his trash can at the street for days (pain behind the knee). Don’t even get me started on the constant dog barking (ache) in his backyard.

I just want to get back to normal!How many times have you said that since your knee replacement? I know I did. Then I had a huge perspective shift.What if my knee replacement was an actual level up? What if all this was happening so I had the chance to reinvent myself? That thought got me wondering how many other shifts I could make if I stopped trying to "get back to normal"The fact is nothing is normal post knee replacement. Not your bathroom visits, showers (or bath), or even the way you get yourself ready each day. Who knows, maybe you aren't getting yourself ready each day. God knows there were days when I didn't have PT that I didn't do much more than use the restroom and do my heel slides. 

My #1  and #2 tips are elevate and ice!! For me, self-care was elevating and icing when I wasn't up going to the bathroom or practicing walking. I mean every time I sat down there was a new ice pack waiting for me. It was my go- to because elevation feels so good on a very tired, over active 

You are so tired and your leg is throbbing and all you want to do is sleep. Hopefully, you take your pain medicine and you get in your comfy spot. Next thing you know, you wake up, angrily, 47 mins after you fall asleep.  In frustration of not being able to get comfortable, you resign yourself to being awake all night surfing the inter webs. Sound familiar?

Prepare for the Ride Home: Bring along items to make your ride home more comfortable. Consider pillows to prop up your knee, a thick book (I used my grandma’s cookbook) to rest your foot, and a small blanket if you're wearing shorts...

The following are 3 tips I found really helpful when I started working out again after being released from physical therapy post total knee replacement. I started working out on Month 7. I had returned to work by

1. Calcium: Essential for bone health, proper intake promotes bone healing and skeletal integrity.2. Magnesium: Involved in numerous enzymatic reactions, it supports energy production and muscle function, key for recovery.3. Zinc: Critical for the immun

It helps to improve circulation to the injured area and relaxes the muscles’ surrounding stiffness in the joint. It also encourages the body’s natural