CPM machine?

I saw this mentioned over on the Prayer Forum in connection with a knee replacement. I didn't want to intrude, so I thought I would make my inquiry here. Looking down the road I may have to think about this so I'm trying to gather info to help in decision making.
Pati

I'm not sure, but after my mom had knee replacement surgery, they had her leg on a machine that continuously moved the knee joint while she was laying in bed. It would just bend and straighten that leg. Hope this helps, or if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will be along to correct me.
Deb

The CPM is the machine that does a passive exercise to the knee. After my double knee replacement I went to my room in intensive care with that thing on one knee for an hour and on the other for another hour then I would get a one hour break and it would start back up on the first knee again. It can be very painful if pain meds aren't taken so they hit you when the CPM gets going. Seems that passive exercise is still hard on your pain centers after a knee surgery. They use it to maintain mobility and it really does also keep down the swelling too. After I figured out that I didn't have to work my knee that the machine would do it for me with a slow up and down movement it wasn't as bad as when I thought I had to work too. They pad you with fake fleece and strap you in so you are helpless and can't escape till a nurse comes back in to take it off for you. Great little torture invention!!!!!!!

I hope this helps you. If you have further questions just ask.

Lani

Thanks so much Deb and Lani. As I said, I'm looking down the road to the time when I will need the replacements. I'm kinda' trying to prepare, so in anticipation I'm trying to take as much weight off as possible. Each pound I lose makes getting around a little easier, so maybe I can put it off a little longer. Between the diet before, and the machine after, it gives new meaning to "No pain, no gain"! *smile*

Lani, I truly hope your operation was a great success!
Pati

I had both knees done at the same time and I can say it was a huge success! I was in less pain by about the third day than I was before the surgery which was totally unexpected by me with both knees gone at the same time.

My regular doctor warned me that with the knee going bad there can also come tendons and ligaments being compromised due to shortening of them because of the loss of bone and cartilage. He said if I wasn't careful that I might get drop foot or a few other side effects so I thought about it for a while (not long) and decided to get it done before I had any of those side effects that didn't sound like fun. I love my God given by medical science parts and will soon have a new hip to go along with the knees. I might be able to lose weight then since I hopefully will be able to do a ton of walking again.

Lani

Pati, My DH had it done over 2 years ago and never even thinks about it anymore. He swears the best thing he did was preparing physically for it, so I think your plan will only be beneficial. If you can, even doing some exercises ahead of time that will help to build up the muscles around your knee(s?) would help. The CPM wasn't painful for him since he was on so much morphine at that point he really didn't know the difference.

Thanks everybody for the great success stories! I am anxiously waiting for weather warm enough to use my son's unheated pool again. (Maybe late April). The doctors all say that's the way to exercise for me, and they are so right! I really miss the freedom of exercising my legs and hips without the weight.
Pati

Pati, don't forget to exercise your upper body too since that is what will be helping you with the walker or crutches and scooting in the bed as well as helping you to get up and down after the surgery.

Lani, thank goodness I have good upper body strength. My hands are a problem at times, just have to be sure I get a good grip on things before I pick them up...and they are really ugly! *grin*

I use one crutch instead of a cane. It doesn't come all the way up under my arm and I put my weight on the hand grip just like a cane. It gives me a more secure feeling when walking and I can hang things like my purse and jacket on it when sitting. LOL I can also use it to pull things down off tall shelves.
Pati

PS I also do a lot of scooting in bed trying to let TomKitty pick his place! LOL

The continuing joys of being owned by cats! Ya gotta love 'em. My DH doesn't understand why I'm so accomodating to their getting comfy on my lap or in the bed.

Crutches can get handy if ya need an extra length to your arms. I sometimes wished that they would put a grabber on the bottom of them so I could grasp things with them. LOL

Yeah I hear ya about the cats. We used to sleep like that ourselves till I got the allergies to the cats. Now we have a three pound poodle and I would squish her if I rolled over on her so she sleeps in her crate but she is so spoiled anyway because it has a heater and she has a sleeping bag that I made for her in there too. She is oh sooo cozy.

OK on the knees just don't wait so long that you compromise your tendons and ligaments. I would hate for anyone to have to get drop foot because they avoided surgery just a little longer.