Day 5 | or Fifth Day After Surgery

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I went to get my assessment with the physical therapist this morning and will begin my actual therapy which includes exercises this coming Monday. During the assessment I discovered that I'm doing better than I thought. Even though I begin each day with tight muscles I must be getting them stretched more than I think. She had me lay down on a table to check the extension of the surgical leg. The first day of therapy while still in the hospital it started at 9 degrees with the goal being zero. I've not had full extension in that leg for about twenty or so years. By the time I left the hospital, at the last PT class it got down to 5. Today it was down to four. The other measurement we're keeping track of is the angle of my leg while sitting. The current goal, after surgery, is 90 degrees. The first day it was at 70 at the beginning of class. By the end of class it was 73, and by Wednesday prior to my discharge it got up to 80 or maybe 85. Today, at least it was still at 85. Their goal, like I said is for us to get up to ninety. My goal is higher to make it easier to get in and out of cars and to use the restrooms when the toilet is too close to a wall, tub, or something else. I found out the ultimate goal (for life) is 120 degrees and my non-surgical leg is above that number. I have much more to share about today but will do so in another discussion. For those of you still needing knee replacements do you know where you are on the degree scale? And, I guess the question would work for those never needing knee replacement surgery. ~~~~~ Image is mine taken Oct 16. The cactus has nothing to do with this post, but this cactus is blooming again right now, and I wanted to show it off.