I need some answers on what I need to do... I had a total knee replacement in aug did PT from day one. Had pain from day one. The last two days my knee has hurt so bad and I hate to sound like a baby but I'm so over this. My knee has not felt right from day one and they all said it's just swelling scar tissue it will get better. It has not I have been out of work for almost 4 months and I was told I should be back to work in 10 weeks. I do not see me going back for awhile I'm still using a cane. Should I get a second opinio
I had mine in August as well, right around week 6, I stopped making progress. At week 12, my surgeon diagnosed me with arthrofibrosis and performed an MUA. Things got so much better for me, but the arthrofibrosis seems to be creeping back, so I'm working hard to break down that scar tissue, along with seeing a massage therapist. Has your surgeon mentioned MUA? I would get a second opinion.
What is a MUA??
Manipulation under anesthesia, where you go under and the surgeon forces your leg to bend, ripping up excess scar tissue that has built up, which can really affect your range of motion.
My PT told me Friday that I have lost all my muscles in my leg.
Hi Shari, I feel your pain. I would go back to your surgeon and then decide if you need a second opinion. If you talk with several people, you may get several answers. You may need to continue or go back to PT. What I have learned the hard way, that the tkr can be a tougher surgery for some people and even some knees. I have days that are worse than others and worry about going back to work at what will be 10 weeks. Now I'm having a lot of issues with scar tissue too and ancillary infections, although not will me knee. Good luck, let us know what happens. thanks.
Don't give up or give in. It could also be part of the healing process. I had bilateral tkr in June. It takes time to heal and everyone is different. Good luck.
Have they do follow up x rays to make sure everything is in place and tracking properly. If not that would be the starting point.
Soft tissue problems aren't as easy to discover as MRIs aren't possible with a tkr in place. Discuss the possibily of deep massage
This is, typically, your path...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
You are 3 months post-op...it will probably take another three...maybe six. PT gets you to your ROM goal; going to the gym rebuilds the muscles that have long since atrophied...quads, glutes, core. This is not easy or fun. Stay strong.
My tkr from July 12th is giving me the same problem. I have severe stiffness and it seems like the more I try the stiffer my leg gets. I had an MRI done and it revealed hip issues that didn't even hurt. If you have insurance seek a second opinion. The VA wouldn't grant me one. I hope you get better soon.
Hi Shari,
Sorry to hear you are still in pain. I had TKR in April, I was out for 12 wèeks as recommended by surgeon. I had some pain but not chronic.
I would definitely get a second opinion.
Did you have a X-ray since your operation? I think your surgeon could check by reviewing an X-Ray.
Best wishes, take care,
Alan
Hi Alan, yes I've had several x-rays, dr said I got off to a bad start. It hasn't got better. Been going to PT 3 times a week, some times I can't even walk the day after PT. I feel like I'm a rock between a hard spot.
Hi Sari,
Did you do exercises everyday after op. If yes, I would definitely get a second independent opinion.
Take care,
Alan
What does got off to a bad start mean? The start after TKR is never pretty but unless you injured something at the start I don't see what the doctor means. You should be beginning to see improvement by now / you're at about 3 months right? What are you taking for pain?
Shari I've had both knees replaced, June and September 2014. I had an easier time of it than most people here, something they don't really want to hear. But there is hope for a mostly pain free existence at the end of this journey. Three months is still relatively early in your recovery, I was in physical therapy for at least a year, until my right hip have out. Now I'm 4 months post op RTHR.
You need someone to reassure you that everything in your knee is in the right place. Maybe a second opinion if that is possible. A lot of doctors and physical therapists seem to have differing opinions on how TKR recovery should go.
My second Surgery, LTKR, resulted in a fractured patella, I woke up with a new knee and a screw through my knee cap. Still not real severe pain but couldn't do much PT for six weeks until bone healed. Now that's getting off to a bad start! It was harder to get ROM after waiting six weeks but I still got to about 115 degrees by 4 months. The point is sometimes you just have to wait for your body to heal before you can make any progress. Maybe you overdid it and you've never caught up. Maybe this is just your personal time schedule and you will get there when you get there. I wish I could be more helpful. A second opinion might help the mental challenges. Keep us informed on your progress, you will get there.
You need to talk to your physio/GP if not the surgeon.... make sure you are taking the right medication.....
the speed of recover varies - depending on age and how fit you were before surgery. Don't over exercise in an attempt to get better earlier. The body needs the rest too.
Yes if you can. A knee specialist on medical programme last week on German TV said that there are large numbers of failed ops that are due to operator error as opposed to anything else. They will never get better without revision - so ask an expert. Check for someone who does LOADS - and publishes the figures.
If you've lost all the muscs in your legs, then unless they have been irreparably cut, they can be restored by regular exercise, and possibly use of one of those stimulating things, like tens . . that obviously would depend on your physiotherapist or doctor. On my very first knee operation, I misunderstood the specialist's advice about exercise, and when I went back two weeks later, the muscles in the top of my leg were more or less non functioning. Muscle loss is extremely quick if no use is made of them . . . getting it back takes much, much longer
Do you have any scans? It would be best to get radiologists to take a second look at it.
It does take a long time you know. . . I think at your stage I was still counting the weeks, and it would have been quite a lot later that I suddenly realised that the knee was not the centre of all my complaints and attention. some people are quicker of course . . some slower. At four months I was still getting days where the pain was getting me down, the dragging aching heaviness of it . . . the leg still seemed to weigh a ton . . but certainly I was walking well, beding reasonably, still not straight though . . .Definitely it takes time, but if you are really worried about anything a second opinion is always good.
Hi Shari
A second opinion will either soothe your concern that something is wrong or it will confirm your fears.
My TKR was just 16...
Perhaps a neoprene knee compression sleeve...it is specifically made to cradle to patella, knee cap. One should be available from the pharmacy. you will need to measure the circumference of your knee in order to determine the correct size.
It is best to elevate your knee above your heart while placing a frozen gel ice pack beneath the knee as well as on top of the knee for an hour while you read, telly, chat, knit or whatever.
Then extend your leg straight up and hold it up for 30 seconds. Now slip the sleeve on. Be sure to properly allow the sleeve to cradle your patella, the knee cap. Flex your knee a couple of times to ensure that your patella is able to properly glide without impingment.
In about another hour you should have much less discomfort and pain. You may sleep in the sleeve. You may walk in the sleeve.
You will be pleasantly surprised at how much easier walking and range of motion exercises will become because the swelling will come way down.
Kind regards