Hi Everyone|
First thank you for all the great information that you all share here. It has truly kept me sane these past few weeks. I am going to physio 3 times a week and it is helping. Got 116 degrees of bend on Friday and they asked me to go back on the bike after physio to see is I could go all the way backwards which I did three times. When I exercised four hours later at home tried to go backwards which I did but the pain was 100 times worse than when I was at physio and I swear something "popped". Since then I've developed a slight bruise on the left of my scar and my leg is tight and swollen. Anybody have any thoughts on what I may have done???
Hi Helen, sorry I can't help with the popping sensation, but it seems to me that you just might have overdone the excercising. My surgeon told me not to excercise at all on the days I go to physio or hydrotherapy, as these sessions are usually enough if you're working really hard at it. I don't know when your tkr was, and that would certainly have a bearing on the amount of damage you could do, but the swelling certainly sounds like the times I've done too much and suffered for it afterwards. It seems as though you might have been on a bit of a high after doing so well at physio, especially after trying something new, and just wanted to keep going. Rest and massage might be the best course of action for now, but if you're worried, then talk to your doc asap.
Best of luck,
Denise from Oz
Duh, just saw you're at the 6 week mark - I should have seen that before. Still a lot of healing going on inside. The ligament directly above your knee takes a very long time to heal, so if that's where some of the pain is, it could be worth seeing your GP or popping into ER to set your mind at rest. And remember to take it easy.
Denise from Oz
Helen you're doing brilliantly to have a bend of 116. I agree with Denise, I think it sounds like you've over done it. I've not had a popping sound but I do get clicking or cracking of the knee a lot. Mine also swells behind the knee after physio and sometimes bruises. I asked her about this and she said it was perfectly normal due to the extra work we are doing.
If the leg doesn't feel right though I would definitely go and get it checked out. My hospital has an orthopaedic nurse in the fracture clinic and they encourage any post op people to drop in if any concerns. I know not all facilities offer this but there should be someone you can see (even if you call the ward you were on to ask). Alternatively just go to your GP. I know we always feel like we shouldn't bother people but we should get anything out of the ordinary checked for peace of mind.
A pain in the backside but it's worth making sure everything is ok. In the mean time rest, ice and drink plenty of water. Also keep on top of your medication.
Let us know how you get on x
oooo Hek Helen that dont sound right, if I were you I would ring the physio and see what they say??? I wondered if you have torn one of your internal stitches to a vein maybe????? I dont have that suffering cos here in good old West Yorkshire theres no funding for physio lol
That happened to me at physio and she said it was a tendon - it took a week or so to settle, Also scar tissue popped when I did lunges. Bruising is normal even up to 10 weeks. Check with doc if concerned though. And dont overdo it - rest after physio and do it the next day.
Oh dear Helen. If you are still going to physio 3 times a week talk to them about what has happened. I had TKR 3 years ago and you certainly seem to be a lot further ahead than I was at your stage It is a slow process.
However, now it is like having my life back, no other way to describe it.
Keep up the good work, it does get better I promise.
Love Sarah xxx
That's encouraging as I am still wondering if it was worth it - even though I know in my heart it is better than it was before!
Thank you all for your advice. Going to physio this morning. Will let you know what the outcome is. Thanks again