Looking back on it, I probably should have started this blog as soon as I started physical therapy. I was scheduled for 12 sessions at 2 sessions per week and I will be attending my 12th session this Tuesday. I will probably get a few more sessions added on after that. So for those of you who are interested here is a brief recap, to the best of my memory and notes, of what I did through my first11 sessions. As the sessions progressed, more exercises were added and while exercises introduced earlier were continued. I am only mentioning the exercises added or significant changes within an exercise with each new session.
Session 1: Setting goals, measuring flexion angles, introducing flexion exercises. I was told to do the flexion exercises 3 times per day and ice for 10 minutes 3 times per day.
Session 2: Start using yellow (lightest tension) Thera-Band, marble pickup with toes exercise. Proprioception exercises with wobble board.
Session 3: Start using hip flexion/abduction/leg curl machine Pull towel on floor with 1 pound weight using toes. Cleared to do upper body/core weight lifting at home as well as leg extensions on a machine.
Session 4: Start Leg press machine.
Session 5: Partial weight bearing with shoes and 2 crutches. Start calf raises with leg press machine at minimum weight. Start using red Thera-Band.
Session 6: Partial weight bearing with shoes and 1 crutch. Increase weight on leg press/calf raises.
Session 7: Gently pulling back on foot with a towel. Balance exercises using parallel bars. Increase weight on leg press/calf raises. Start using green Thera-Band
Session 8: Start walking with 2 shoes, no crutches.
Session 9: More walking with 2 shoes, no crutches. Side stepping using parallel bars for support. Start using blue Thera-Band.
Session 10: New balance exercises added using steps and rocker board. Increases in weight for leg press/calf raises. More walking in 2 shoes. Side stepping without parallel bars. 
Session 11: Much more weight added to leg press/calf raises. Walking backwards on treadmill. Cleared to practice walking at home with 2 shoes and 1 crutch.
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May 21st, 2012 at 3:13 pm - Edit
LOVE this! Thanks for the recap so we know what to expect. I’m really babying this thing - so its good to see what others are doing to give me courage. I just don’t want a do over, if I can avoid it!
May 22nd, 2012 at 6:10 am - Edit
Hi, thanks for adding the above very interesting info. I have my first full physical therapy session this week - when did your ATR happen, and how soon was it before starting these sessions? Some hospitals seem to suggest that their physio’s will give you a set of exercises to follow, then review after a few weeks, while others sign you up for a series of sessions like yours. Looking forward to hearing from you.
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:08 pm - Edit
hillie,
My ATR happened 13 weeks ago and I started PT at week 7. Unfortunately there are no standards as far as PT goes. It varies from each location/doctor and can even vary from each individual therapist. While you can do your own PT, to me it seems way more effective, faster and safer if you have a good pro guiding you. Plus in a good facility you have access to equipment you would probably never have in your home. I’d love to have those leg press and abduction machines my place has. In addition to the PT sessions I do have a series of exercises that I practice 3 times a day which consist mainly of stretching exercises and working with the Thera-Band straps.
June 11th, 2012 at 2:44 am - Edit
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