Mom's knee trouble

[triskit]

I've been doing WW for about a week and a half now, everything is still creaking and popping but I can feel things loosening up. I've suggested that my mom start doing it to help with her migranes and for her back and knees. She's had two opperations on her left knee and one on her right. Her left knee is basically bone on bone now so my question is how much will WW help her at this point. Is it even something she should start doing now? Thanks in advance.

[rbibbs]

Howdy Ian. Just between us now... this isn't a 'medical' opinion or treatment program for a specific person or condition. It also isn't an RMAXi opinion. Disclaimer, disclaimer, there aren't enough disclaimers to make exploring post-surgical recovery-by-internet "that good" of an idea. But...

If Mom has medical clearance for light exercise she can explore WW. Stick precisely to the full word and intent of the instructions, particularly the parts about posture and the parts about relaxing into the motions, never forcing them, and doing what is comfortable to do. Watch the whole video together...with the sound turned UP...before she tries to perform the exercises.

Then watch one exercise, turn the TV off, and gently try the motion you've just seen. That reminds you (both) to try it the way you think it works, without trying to duplicate the range and pace you see Coach Sonnon doing (not the first time, anyway). VERY slowly and gently, so that if something's not working right you discover it before feeling pain exceeding 5 on a scale of 10. Restorative exercise should not hurt. Once she gets the hang of it, the 'discomfort level' shouldn't exceed 3. This isn't "pain-for-gain" exercise. It's "getting comfortable with progressively greater ranges of motion" exercise. Emphasis on comfortable.

Throw in a good dose of common sense. Example, lean on a sturdy piece of furniture or two when trying the one-leg exercises.

Ian, to do this "right", there are more details than can be covered in text, and there's evaluating her specific condition which can't be done on the web. Ideally, get a licensed physical/rehab/occupational therapist to supervise her the first couple times, or a CST Coach/Instructor.