Went to PT today. I told the therapist about the pain in my back, as well as explaining the lump in my thigh above the replaced knee from the Copaxone injections.
DH & I also asked how much actual range of motion I am going to get, taking into consideration the spasticity from MS in my legs. She was honest about it all…said the lump prevents the fascia that covers the muscle from moving smoothly. Also said that the pains in the back were partly from compensating for the bad knees for years, but also from spasms tightening the back muscles from MS that won't seem to loosen.
She told us I'd probably not get full range of motion;that I should be prepared to be limited permanently due to the spasms that seem to be permanent, from what she feels and sees.
A bit of the air went out of the tire…I know that I have trouble…but I thought by having this surgery I would be able to be "normal". I wasn't even able to make a full rotation on a bike this summer due to the lack of range of motion in my knee.
She seemed to hint that I will be permanently limited. I told her my workout regimen before I had surgery despite the spasms and the knees…but when i told her I want to be able to ride a horse, ride a bike, hike, snorkel again, etc., she didn't tell me, "No problem…"
It was more, "you have various anatomical and neurologic problems that will inhibit certain things. I will work with you to give you maximum movement; that is our goal…to get you moving at your best."

A bit of my heart broke. She takes the MS more seriously than I do…but I still gave it my all today. I will not give up…but MS stinks!!!!!

I'm sorry Debbie! I hope that the new knee will at least give you freedom from the terrible pain.

I have not seen many people who are able to function normally after knee replacement, it is more of doing the best that they can.

My left knee hurts when I go upstairs, so I'm wondering if my joint is going. But with my leg weakness I don't know what all I would lose if I ever have to get a replacement. I am severely limited in how far I can walk now on many days. I hope I can get past this as well but I know for sure I cannot do the activities I once did either.

You will still be able to do some of those things, but probably just not gung ho as you might have before. Just don't overdo it and hurt yourself!

I get it. What I wouldn't give to ride my bike again!

But you know, over the years I've been told many things by people who supposedly know best that turned out to be wrong. If it were me, I wouldn't give up on all that just on the say so of one PT. Maybe it would be better if you could just focus on your day-to-day progress, and look back once in a while to see how far you've come. And who knows? Maybe you'll show them. I'm rooting for you.

I'm rooting for all of you..

Debbie,

The fact that you have attained 100 degrees of flexion by this stage is a very good sign. That fascia can be worked on and can be restored to some degree. Try to see if you can find a massage therapist who has special training/certification in fascial release/manipulation. It is not a comfortable thing to have done, but once done, the outcome can be quite amazing.

I have a patient that had a double knee replacement done a few years ago. He had them both done at the same time due to severe arthritis. He worked really hard in rehab and did his exercises religiously; just as you are doing. He was back on his horse within 8 months and was back to competitive roping within the year. He had his surgery when he was 70 and is now just turning 74. Still rides and competes.

Another patient who had a single complete done, did the same thing. Worked really hard at rehab and did his exercises. He only missed one down hill ski season and has been on the hill every one of the last 4 years. He also works in forestry, so spends his days walking through the bush on rough ground. He was 46 when he had his surgery and just turned 50.

You can do it...you're further along the path to recovery that you think. Neither of those two guys had the range of motion that you do so soon after the surgery.

You go girl!

With love, Erika

What Erika said!

Aw…you guys are da bomb!!

Erika, I have to be careful with any deep tissue massage due to the fibromyalgia.
Once, when we were in Hawaii a few years back, DH bought me an hour long massage on the beach. I told the massage therapist to take it easy, but was not assertive when she pummeled me, and spent 2 days in agony with fibro pain afterwards.

I had an MRI of the lump a few years ago, because my former orthopedist thought it might be a tumor. But there was no blood supply to it, and it was a calcified mass thought to have formed from repeated Copaxone injections.

I feel good in the morning, but the spasms in the hammies and calves tighten as the day goes on and have been very painful since the surgery. I am just gritting my teeth through them now, because I no longer want to rely on the pain pills prescribed. I've had pain worse than this-just had hoped MS wouldn't interfere, I guess.

You're all correct-things is what they is, I guess, and we make the best of it with prayer, hard work and rest. There are many who are so so much worse off…and they make full lives. That is my plan as well.

thanks for the cheerleading, advice and care…you don't know how much it's appreciated.

And Wiz, you are amazing. You know how much I respect you and how strong you are. But you also push yourself way beyond what any normal person would. I pray that you learn how to pace yourself a bit better…you are my dear friend who I was blessed to meet when i needed a good neuro...