How it all started for me.

First climbing stairs, and then going back down, became more and more of a challenge. Stairs become something for me to avoid. One step at a time both up and down. Embarrassing to say the least.

Secondly sitting too long also became more and more of a problem. Not justt the sitting, but getting back up again. Soon going out to eat or going to unfamiliar surroundings with unknown sitting arrangements caused undo concern.

Third, just going to the store became more and more of a challenge because of the constant knee pain. It all became an unwelcome game of where to find next place to sit down. I worried constantly if any seating would even be available if needed.

Finally standing for short periods without something to lean on became a challenge. Even short walks to and from the car were worrisome and overly concerning for me.

TIME for ACTION before quality of life declines any further.

I had experienced this knee pain for some time, perhaps five (5) years or more, but it was becoming worse and worse. I did have one hip replaced several years earlier, and with input from my Brother-In-Law who is an orthopedic surgeon, discovered that anterior surgery method. This method was what he had used for years which then lead me to Dr. Michael Lamson who did the anterior method at Sauk Prairie Hospital in Sauk Prairie, WI. The results were outstanding and I was back to my old self in a couple of weeks.

Because of the outstanding results of the hip surgery why not go in the same direction with the knees? I made an appointment with Dr. Lamson to verify what we already knew… both knees were worn out and needed to be replaced. Then again back to my trusted orthopedic Brother-In-Law. As we talked he said if he were having both knees replaced he’d do them both at the same time or bilateral replacement. I had done some research on this prior to our talk so was at least familiar with the procedure. I then had another appointment with my doctor, and he agreed that bilateral replacement would be a good option for me and agreed to do so. He told me to think about it and let him know if I would go with one or two knees.

Discovery Time.

So now more research and hand wringing. What to do, what to do.  During this research on bi-lateral vs single replacement I also came across the X10 Knee Recovery System™.  Read up on it and became very excited.  At that time X10 was not yet covering Wisconsin, but I’ll contact them anyway.  Mary Elliott from X10 called me back and we started taking about my situation, and the bilateral replacement which my doctor agreed to do. Additional information and discussions followed. I also supplied the info about the X10 to my doctor.  He and the physical therapists looked over the info and said that the X10 would be fine for me to use for rehab!

Decision Time.

Mary agreed that they could help so the decision was now up to me. After a couple of days, I called Mary and said let’s do it and schedule delivery as soon as possible after my bilateral surgery on May 31, 2018. The unit was delivered by Marty from X10 on Jun 3^rd, 2018. Marty Davis did a great job setting the X10 up and guiding me through the entire routine to use the X10 for my bilateral total knee replacement rehab. Great…so let the healing begin! Three time per day for 35 minutes on each knee plus 20 minutes of icing and elevating of knees above the height of the heart after EACH session to make sure fluids would properly drain. Swelling was going down quickly as was the pain…GREAT!

The X10 was the RIGHT decision FOR SURE!

I kept up the 3x’s per day schedule for three weeks with the help of my X10 Recovery Coach (PTA Erin), and input from Mary. I soon regained my range of motion of 0º to 127º during that time. The results are also available to your X10 Coach wirelessly. They can easily be shared with your doctor if needed. I did see an out-patient physical therapist three (3) times during my use of the X10.

I took X10 info and my X10 daily charting along so he could compare his measurement to the X10. He agreed that using the X10 ONLY was fine. The results I was getting using only the X10 were great. There was no need to do too much and end up with diminishing results. Strengthening and other exercises that don’t cause pain or swelling are fine. The X10 accounts for the tolerance of the individual. You always have input from your X10 Coach. I’d say slow and steady are the best using the X10 as the main rehab method.

RESULTS FOUR MONTHS LATER

Smiles and happiness! The X10 was definitely the right decision as was my Orthopedic Surgeon and his agreeing to do the bi-lateral TKR. You never know until it’s done but this was the best decision regarding knee surgery ever and especially using the X10. I feel better every day and can do just about everything I did before my knees failed me.  Recently I’ve even put on knee pads to do some work that required me to be on my knees!  Since I am on Medicare I had to pay for the delivery to Wisconsin. This included setup, instructions and rental of the X10. All together this was about the cost of one tooth implant, but more than worth it.

My suggestion is NOT to wait but get your knee or knees done asap so that you can get back to enjoying life once again!  Waiting to me is not even an option as the knees will NOT get better on their own and injections are not the solution.  So again…Let the healing begin the X10 way!