How do you define "bending"?

[paula]

I'm 6 weeks post surgery and I've been very very careful to follow instructions. But I'm wondering today how you exactly define bending. Seems obvious I guess, but I'm wondering how far down it's safe to reach. I was just sitting on a low bed, lower than knee high and reached over to pick up a credit card I'd dropped on the floor, and realized that I had "bent" somewhat, but wasn't sure if I'd broken a rule. I was wearing my brace that I have to wear except for showering and changing clothes.

[LindaRacine]

I'm 6 weeks post surgery and I've been very very careful to follow instructions. But I'm wondering today how you exactly define bending. Seems obvious I guess, but I'm wondering how far down it's safe to reach. I was just sitting on a low bed, lower than knee high and reached over to pick up a credit card I'd dropped on the floor, and realized that I had "bent" somewhat, but wasn't sure if I'd broken a rule. I was wearing my brace that I have to wear except for showering and changing clothes.

Hi Paula...

Yes, you're not supposed to do that. We're told not to break 90 degrees, which is not bending forward at all from a sitting position. My surgeon is pretty liberal when it comes to post-op recovery stuff, and he said that bending a little bit is not going to hurt anything because the implants are so secure. So, you probably didn't do any damage, but you might want to try to be more aware of bending.

Regards,
Linda

[paula]

Thanks Linda, As you probably know, it's getting harder to remember as I get feeling better, but I'll have to work on it some more. I really don't want to mess this up.

[peachrush7]

get a grabber if you don't already have one! =) I still use mine almost everyday, (I actually have 2 now, one for upstairs and one for downstairs lol) I don't really need it any more, but it saves my knees from squatting, and my lowest discs any unnecessary bending. it's also great for doing laundry, and getting things that slide/fall under/in-between things like the couch.

you can find them at walmart and CVS.

**You know you've reached a new point in your marriage and life when your husband brings home a "surprise" grabber and it's like getting flowers =)**

Hope you're recovery goes well!

[tata]

I kept from bending at all for the first 3 months after surgery. I used my knees instead.
After that, I actually started doing some daily and progressive bending exercises, together with others, with my physiotherapist.

Thanks to that and to the rest of the work-out (mostly swimming and hill-walking) I can now bend to touch my toes (11 months after surgery). I just found out today I can do this!!!