Range of Motion

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

I have a question for you medical folks. I tore my left knee quadracep tendons in September and since then they have been reattached. I have gone thru the no movement, no weight bearing, no bending regimen since then and have, since about 5 weeks ago been allowed to start to bend the knee and as of two days ago have been allowed to put full weight on it. No walking yet and when I move around I have to wear a brace that is set for 90 degree flex and must be using the walker, crutches or wheel chair. I can now flex this thing about 82 degrees and the goal between now and 12 Jan 05 is to get to 90 degrees and or beyond. To stretch the tendons and flex the knee I usually sit on the edge of the hospital bed or in a chair and let the knee hang and place my better leg over the foot of the cut on leg and gently apply pressure. Now I know I have to do that gradually but my question is how often during the day should I be doing this and for how long for each session? In addition, I am not sure how far I should try and push the flex point beyond where the knee just sort of wants to stop. The other aspect, is having to sit up in the bed and pushing down on the leg to try and straighten it out so it goes flat against the mattress at full extention. Same question as to repetitions, duration and frequency throughout the day. I am a little tentative about getting too aggressive as the prognoisis for being able to repair this thing if I screw it up again is not good. On the other hand I do not want to be too damn tentative. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Jack Moroney