I am almost 8 weeks post TKR - initially i experienced severe weakness (read no movement) on my quadricep muscle on the operated leg. Now - finally I am making some progress with the strength, I have graduated back to a cane from the hated walker and am much steadier on my feet. The issue, however, continues to be the bend. I have 80 degrees and can bend it to 90 once it limbers up in the morning - but anything beyond that - with PT manipulation is very painful and just plain cement-like. I will be going to see the surgeon again on Aug 18th - about a week and a half away.... I don't hold much hope of a miracle in that time period. The PT has said that in all liklihood the Dr. (whom he knows well) will want to do the manipulation. Part of me says ... hey, if it gets the knee moving and brings me one step closer to getting back to normal ... isn't that a good thing??? the other side of me says .... it took 5+ weeks to get some strength back in the quad ... will this ..or could this - potentially - do more damage??? I don't know what to think ... looking for some advice from those of you who may have already had an MUA .... lastly, the PT said - basically if you opt out ...and we can't get the leg past 90 ...then he can't really recommend continuing with physio on the Government's dime. private PT (on top of the massage therapy that I am already paying for) will get expensive very quickly. My insurance at work does not cover it.
Help!
thanks,,
Donna
well thats typical just because your knee is not getting to THEIR recomended bend they want to cut you off physio crazy !!!! look i think you are doing fine i dont see what the hurry for MUA there is no gaurantee that MUA will work i had one before and had to have it done keyhole because it wouldnt budge and it didnt maintain the bend. i really think its early days with you no reason that it wont bend more over the next few weeks/months i would not hurry if i were you 90 is ok for 8 wks do the excersise that somebody here recomended here i am 12mths post op and find this is great and its still moving to more bend its the tea tray on the floor ,sit on the bed and put your foot on the tray pull backkand forward on the tray when you pull it back hold and pull it a fraction more then keep doing it and every time try to give it a bit more each time i think its the best little trick ever
thanks Linda i am trying that exercise as you've recommended. the pt sort of spoke of the mua as an 'or else' scenario ...you better get the bend we're expecting... or else it is MUA for you!!
Irish linda's advice is good advice. I can't believe they have done this. The exercise is a good one. If you haven't a tray, put a large plastic bag on the floor (I used the one my toilet seat raiser came in LOL!) and use that to move your leg back and forth.
I am 15 weeks and my bend is only 95.
Thanks Elaine ...at a minimum I am going to have a good chat with the surgeon next week. 
I have had pretty good luck with a couple of things. 1st hydrate good starting several hours before excercising then take a pain pill an hour before....lay on you back in bed place a long towel or belt under your arch and gently and slowly pill back on the towel as far as you can......hold to count of ten repeat 15 times. Generally you will feel the leg slowly bending. As you progress, increase the count up to 20. If you have a table or stool high enough to have your leg off the floor, hook the bad leg using the back of the good leg across the ankle of the bad leg. Gently pull back with the good leg hold to count of 5 and repeat 5times10 times. Gradually increasing both pressure and hold count will streatch the soft tissue. Be sure and ice immediately. When walking, slow down the process, make sure you are going at a pace you would be passed by a herniated turtle. Step ou with the bad leg landing on the heel, then the toe and then bend the leg to a maximum. This will feel a little clumsy at 1st so you are better off using a cane for stability. Just walk this way every time you are out. You will feel the entire leg loosening as you go and it will streatch as well help remove any limp you might still have. Again, I can't over emphasize hydration. You have to have water in the system for a loose, flexible soft tissue movement otherwise it's like trying to steer a car that has no lubrication in the front end assembly.
Nice and slow and steady always ending with ice and elevation plus a little nap.
Donna I was in the exactly the same boat my PT said I was going to have to have a MUA. That scared the heck out of me. So when I had my Dr appointment he said I'm doing fine and im just healing slower because of all the damage in my knee it just going to take me longer. The PT is not your Dr
Thanks O Wise one ..... I will try exercising on the bed with the belt or other on the instep ... I am hydrating but will consume even more. I am concious of the heel toes bend thing ..as you say feels a bit dumb but does help with the limp ...don't worry everyone passes me and I regularly get 'lapped' even in the kitchen!
Exactly .... I am scared stiff that this manipulation could put me further behind in terms of recovery ... my mantra is don't mess with the quad it's only just started working! and you're right - he isn't a Dr...so I will definately wait to talk to mine.
thanks to everyone .....
I can't believe they are talking of MUA at 8 weeks post. Mine was certainly not a standard TKR but I still had bruising coming through from the surgery at 8 weeks. If you can get to 90 then I don't see what the rush is. I went in for an MUA and Adesiolysis at 23 weeks as I have a bend of 85 and extension of -30. Turns out my ligaments are screwed so all the manipulating in the world wasn't going to help....I need them all stripping out and my TKR replacing with some complicated thing. In my case I was doing NHS physio until just after 12 weeks until it was deemed that they were wasting their time as I needed further surgery. Without all my issues, I think it's disgusting they are talking of an MUA so early on. Don't panic until speaking to your surgeon, I found mine has completely different views to the physio. The surgeons view is the only one to listen too x
This is a tricky one - I think it's too soon. However six months on I am beginning to wonder if I should have had a manipulation. Although totally functional and almost pain free unless overdo it I still have restricted bend. I have noticed a great improvement since quads are getting stronger . I had a manipulation on my shoulder and the results were amazing and assume for most it's same for knee. But another operation and recovery period your choice see what doc says
thanks Kathryn, I think you're right. I know you have had a heck of a time with your poor knee. I think, sometimes, it has to do with stats ... whatever someone is getting scored on is usually what they are most concerned with .....
I agree with what you're saying Caroline. I am also getting better on my feet now that the quad is getting stronger ... I don't want to risk having a set back there ....
Good luck Donna hard work will pay off. Just keep at it. Not gonna lie to you it is very painful but u can do it 😊
Hi Donna
i had a FKR 13/07/13 you have to get on bike with raised seat ..stand on stair with good leg lifted hold for 10 seconds then build up to 50 .then one step up then down build up to 40 .both legs .sit on chair push knee replacement leg under chair then hold when you can't push any more use other foot to push it further and hold for 10 seconds longer when you can ..the trick is to keep exercising or it will get more painful it will be three month before you start to feel better in a small way ...a year you will see a big difference ..major op it takes time don't rush it bike best exercise
good luck donna early days you will feel better soon Pauli
Thanks Kristene..much harder than I ever thought
Thanks Pauli .... I can't do the bicycle as yet but I will try the step exercises.
even a lid of a biscuit tin or a piece of cardboard anything that would slide on the floor with ease
Hi Donna
I had MUA on both knees, followed by CPM machine. Definitely worth a try. My first knee was great afterwards. My 2nd one still didn't straighten, so facing further invasive surgery to cut excessive scar tissue.
patsy
thanks Patsy ...can you comment on the recovery time that you had with the MUA? any side effects on the one that worked well for you? appreciate your input. Donna