Can anyone tell me how I can measure myself, the bend in my knee?
You need a goniometer . . you can get this easily from Amazon. I would pick a fairly large one. It sounds rather scientific, but it is just two pieces of plastic, with a circle in the miuddle with the 360 degrees . . you bend the leg, then place the goniometer on the bend. . obviously, the way you place it will make the reading different, so it is not absolutely correct. . . You should place the top part directly towards your hip bone. . .
If you have an iPhone, there is an app called
"Goniometer"
The only thing I know for sure is that if you can sit back and your heel touches your butt...that's 161 degrees!!!
Last time i did that Chico i must of been about 10 years old lol.
Don't think anyone is likely to be doing that after a TKR!!!
I have 145 degrees on my TKR knee.
Not likely after a TKR but sitting back like that and getting as close as you can is another way to increase your ROM...big stretch. Normal people do it in yoga class all the time. I played goal in hockey for decades; sitting back like that and doing splits were no problem...even ijn my 50s. Now at almost 69 with a new hip and knee plus L3 through S1 fused in my back, those hockey days are only a distant memory. If I ever tried something like that, I'd be frozen in that position and require a custom-made coffin...
Hey I need some information I'm 4 months since I had my tkr I've been having some issues so my PT therapist thought it would be a good idea to go see my dr. So today I went to see him he look at me said I see nothing wrong with x-rays shows nothing and you can go back to work with no restrictions. I looked at him and said really I'm still using a cane. WTF. THERE is no way I can go back and do my job. I'm going for a second opinion my husband is so mad. It's not like I'm lying. What should I do.
Thanks Chris have done that
Lol, years ago maybe!
I really would get a second opinion, some Doctors dont really understand what we are going through pain wise. Can you see the Specialist who did your Op?
That's were I went today.
Do you have to have a certificate for more time off work? Why are you still using a cane? what did the Doc think about that? I'm so lucky, my husband and I have our own business, my specialist said 3 months off work I'm now at 3 1/2 months and I still dont feel like going back yet, I had both knees done at once. Maybe you should see another GP
Somewhere in the 3-4 month range, the doc does an "alignment" x-ray. On the picture, they draw a straight line from hip through knee to ankle. If everything lines up, you're good to go. This doesn't mean that you're done with PT, ROM, quad rebuild, strength, etc. and ready to withstand the rigors of a work day. All it means is that, from an ortho perspective, the operation was a success. The x-ray confirms that everything is in its place and has stayed there.
So...can you REALLY go back to work? Depending on your job, probably not at 4 months. Desk work...maybe; nurse running halls for patients, not a chance...so construction work and being an astronaut are probably out too. If you read a lot of forum posts, the average time for a person to return to work is about 6 months...some more, some less. To do that, you need:
- Successful alignment x-ray. That's done; check it off.
- Off all opioid pain killers; probably still on OTC pain meds. If you're still on opioids (usually done within 3 months), you can't be driving and probably can't do your job anyway.
- ROM of 0 / +120 attained. This should be done by now although some people need more PT time to get there.
- Leg strength (quads, glutes and core) have been rebuilt...gym work. If this is why you still use a cane, then get to the gym to regain your strength. Most people are off all walking aids in 4-6 months so you're on schedule. If leg weakness is your major problem, you have to do the work to get it back. There's no other way. Start pushing yourself to get stronger.
Before I started a new regular job on December 1st (IT Architect for AT&T)...less than 9 months post op...I started working the sales floor in computers at Best Buy in October. Thought I could handle it...but it was a real struggle. Regular 10,000+ steps a day, 4 days a week on my FitBit. Should have done more gym work before trying it but I pushed through.
Getting back into the workplace is not easy. Depends on the job. But you have to push yourself to get stronger; it doesn't happen all by itself. Your quads have atrophied and have to be rebuilt. There's no getting around it...you have to do the strength work. Have fun...
Hi
The straightening of the leg you can check in the bath, by using your hand under your knee or how much water is over your knee compared to the other one.
The bend can be checked by sliding your foot towards your bum and compare how far you can slide it back. Compared to the working knee. You need around 115 degrees of bend to walk down stairs correctly.
Good healing
My Ortho never did an alignment xray and I am a little over 6 months out. I sure wish he would've just for my own peace of mind. I don't see him again until February
Back to my job on the 19th. With my job and my fitbit, I am at a little over 23,000 steps a day. THIS should be interesting!!
IHave got my leg nice and straight im still struggling with the bend when im sat on a chair i can just about get my foot slightly under the chair im 3 months post op im going to see the surgeon who did my tkr on the 17th of December hes a bit of a stickler about the bend of the knee.
Sit further forward on the chair. This allows you to bend your knee more. Hold the bend for as long as you can. Then rest. Do it 5 or 6 times. This will really help
I know what you mean. I was doing around that before my tkr and now im under 3200.