8 weeks post TKR and range of motion is not progressing. Bend at 100, (105 if PT pushing), extension at 8, (6 if PT pushing). I am frustrated and concerned -as I do my exercises, and PT pushes till my pain limit reached. I don't want a manipulation. I have read that ROM will continue to improve over the next few months. True? My husband is making the knee extension board so I can use it at home (pain!). Can I get some experienced comments...? Will I never bend adequately again? This is the most frustrating surgical experience -and I was unprepared for rehab....Help! Hate being a wimp -but was hopeful things would improve, not stall... Thanks everyone for all the helpful info each and everyone contributes to this blog.
Still early, plenty of time..... don't panic....😊
Hi Carol
U prob sounds v similar to mine. I have 110 bend but -10 extension that has not moved from week 9 and I am now week 13.
Ike you I feel frustrated and I tried to improve but my mobility and discomfort has regressed. So mau booked for 24th. Just have to think positive. When walking no prob with knee most of my discomfort is calf, back of thigh n shin bone. So unfortunately I can't say yes go for it as I don't know what outcome for me will be but my worry was how long do u wait to see if things will improve. Good luck in your decision making.
Hi Carol -
It is early in your journey - hang in there a bit - i'm 8 mos post TKR and am still having issues (long story) with my extension. Don't fret, you'll get there - your numbers are pretty good! Hang in there!
Yeah, at 8 weeks there is time for improvement.
I have been much worse at only 60 degrees 10 weeks out an had an MUA to break up scars, still only getting 85 degrees, not the 95 they got under anaeasthetic.
For me it has been a journey of excess swelling , pain, stiffness, frustration. I am sorry I had this surgery so far but hope I will think differently one day. It was painful before but I had some control, which is now not the case.
I'm think your flexion could improve from where you are. Follow all the advice given and keep mobile, stretching is more important than too much walking at this stage. Rest, ice and elevate as they tell us. I'm just one of the minority of people who struggle with TKR, most do fine, though I doubt anyone would say it ever easy. Some do very well though by comparison. It is best not to compare with the super recoveries though. We are unique and fare differently.
Best of luck!
Love your response! Am trying hard not to panic, just feel progression is too slow.! I will persevere😅
Good luck good on your mau. I have a concern with ROM regression following mau -as I can't tolerate natcotics and have come this far on Advil only. I think my 2-6 weeks of no pain meds caused me not to push myself like I should have pushed. Reading these blogs has been encouraging- that PT pain isn't always a good thing. I hope to hear you have had a good response w mau; thanks for your response.
Thank you, I appreciate your wisdom after 8 months. I will keep plodding away. Seems like this surgery has me so focused on my inabilities... I need to keep a positive attitude and just keep moving... You hang in there too!
You are so right, certainly not an easy surgery- and everyone is different. I m sorry to hear of your difficulties. I will keep u in my prayers n remember your advice. I will keep working hard and hope to avoid mau. Hope to hear you are doing better soon.
Thank you Carol. But if you do need and MUA eventually, I meant to add that it was not all that bad - I was scared of having it done in case the level of post op pain came back, but it was not as bad as thought. I struggle with pain meds, too so that has been one of my issues, plus my GP just wanted me to manage on paracetamol and ibuprofen when I asked for something stronger to get me through physio. I dont't think they realised how hard TKR is and they must think it is like some other surgeries where you can get of the heavy meds in a short time. Take care.
MUA was easy. They knock you out for all of 10 minutes. Got me to 135. I am at 125 now but released from therapy. I'll get more as all the swelling leaves. Good luck to you. You just hang in there. Every day that goes by you are improving. I never had trouble with extension so I can't speak to that. But manipulation helps so much. Just get to therapy right away. Think positive. This won't last forever.
If you are able to get in a warm bath and gently push your bend a bit, that might be something to try. The warmth of the water can be helpful.
At 8 weeks you are still very early in the recovery process, so please don't worry. You will get there as the swelling goes down & you are able to do more.
Please don't measure yourself by anyone else, you are an individual & your recovery also is individual to you.
Don't forget to ice regularly & also take your pain meds regularly, you need to not be in pain esp when exercising. I found it best to take pain meds an hour before exercise & to warm the joint before exercise & ice after.
You aren't a wimp, you are a TKR survivor!!
Good luck with your rehab, you WILL smash it.
Marilyn
XX
Hi Carol, im only 7 weeks and have 120 bend but when i was at a 110 bend my PT said that even if i stayed at 110 that would be fine and enough, he said anything more than that was a bonus.
I hope things improve for you. Take care.
"Can I get some experienced comments...?" Sure, just send your check to "wewereallfrustratedwimps dot com". No problem...
"Will I never bend adequately again?" Absolutely yes. I started PT three weeks post-op at -14 / +82; finished 10 weeks later at -1 / +123. It just takes a lot of time and work. Painful? You betcha. I'm now at 15 months with 0 / +133.
"This is the most frustrating surgical experience..." Absolutely. Pain management, PT from the middle ages, advances, setbacks, plateaus (the worst)...all of it. Deep breath...
"... and I was unprepared for rehab..." LOL...NONE OF US WERE PREPARED!! Docs told us zero, zippo, nada, zilch. We all ran face first into the brick wall.
"Hate being a wimp -but was hopeful things would improve, not stall... " Remember plateaus? I got stuck at -4 for weeks...felt like "eating the gun". Finally broke through. We all have experienced the same. And "wimpitude" is soooo normal.
Got 18+ posts out there to help you. Click my picture and then Discussions (see all).
Thanks Mr Chico!
needed to hear your wisdom n loved your posts. I will get back to work n understand plateaus are part of the process.
my PT is now out of pocket so will need to work extra hard at home.
appreciate everyone's responses.
I don't know of any other way to break down the scar tissue other than having a therapist lean on the knee. Others have tried massage, oils, machines, etc. There's really no escaping the pain that goes with this. Yes, there are the lucky few who do this in a heartbeat...very, very few. The rest of us have to go through PT hell. It's the damn scar tissue.
Once you get your ROM back...or damn close to it...get to a gym and follow the exercise program I posted. Lots cheaper than PT sessions.
What is most important, the bending or the straightening?
since I am pretty much opposed to a manipulation I am working harder than I ever thought I could, but frustrated with this plateau. Thank you for your advice.
Carol, why the opposition to manipulation? It's nothing and you get to move ahead. I am so glad I had it done. I really did well after that. You won't be able to get there on your own. Scar tissue can be stubborn. It didn't cause me any more pain! Just do it. Don't fret about it. Many of us have had it done.
Thank you for your positive response. I have heard many horror stories regarding the pain and slower progress after manipulation -as well as those who suffered infection and broken prosthesis from incorrect manipulation. I don't tolerate pain meds so would not be able to control that pain, and also my PT insurance is done. My MD informed me I would need daily PT for 2 weeks after manipulation. Quite an expense. I know those stories are probably the exception and not the rule, but I am about at the end of myself with this TKR experience. I return to see surgeon in July when they will see where my ROM is, and determine if I need manipulation. I will certainly take your positive experience into consideration because I really don't want to be incapacitated by this surgery the rest of my life. It is good to get as much info as possible and I really appreciate hearing about your positive experience. These next few weeks will see me working hard. Thank u Karen.