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2nd Physio and back 10 steps

Posted , 16 users are following.

susiemah
susiemah

After fantastic support on here and my most positive morning so far, I attended my second physio appointment. I have been doing my physio religiously but have not felt much improvement (3 weeks today since op), I have been elevating and using ice cuff, I have been taking my medication despite some nausea and I felt so positive today. 

My knee bend bend has gone from 80(Hospital) to 60 last week to 50 this week. My physio is only one year into her career and called for a second opinion who said I was not presenting like someone three weeks. She said I should see my consultant asap and may need a manipulation. I was overcome with anxiety. The first physio said to give it another week before I ring consultant and massage knee as very swollen. Due to the knee length stocking all my fluid starts at my knee. In my area apparently you cannot get thigh length stockings. 

I am shattered and she also suggested physio every two hours. What do I do? I thought it was early days but they felt I should be doing so much better. I am also still not lifting my leg which I am really worrried about. I feel back to square one again. Should I ring consultant or give it another week? 

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  • Duckfan
    Duckfan susiemah

    Posted

    I had 115 in hospital and it was at 85 when I started pt. Is seems like 3 weeks out you're really still swollen. I wouldn't worry yet but maybe someone else on here has a different opinion. Take care.

    • susiemah
      susiemah Duckfan

      Posted

      Thank you and working hard to reduce swelling. 
  • johnny17592
    johnny17592 susiemah

    Posted

    Hi Susie

    Three weeks in and your stressing dont forget this is a long process take a step back and don't overdo things a little bit of exercise more often works well than a lot rest your leg as often as you can as for lifting it don't be afraid to give it a little help i found my dressing gown belt helped put the middle of it under your foot and gently lift

    good luck.

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX susiemah

    Posted

    "I should be doing so much better..."...we have to get that phrase banned from the English language!!!

    You are only three weeks!!!  I didn't start PT until 3-4 weeks.  It took 10 weeks more to go from -14 / +84 to -1 / +123.  There are advances, setbacks and plateaus.  Please be prepared for ALL of them.  I got stuck at -4 for weeks...sometimes very frustrating.  You have to do the home exercises...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-heel-slide-exercises-526213

    This takes MONTHS to overcome.  A good checkpoint is six weeks when you see your ortho for your alignment x-ray (they draw a straight line from hip through knee to ankle...everything is OK if they all line up).  He will tell you if something is amiss.  Meanwhile, find an EXPERIENCED PT!!!  Yours may be a difficult case requiring a more seasoned professional.  Then again, you may find yourself progressing the way we all have...slowly.  Very few people need an MUA.  Lots of ice and elevation to keep the swelling down...that may be interfering with your ROM.  Very good to start PT at 3 weeks to break down the scar tissue.

    Stay strong!!!

  • serena44792
    serena44792 susiemah

    Posted

    Rediculously! It's such early days to expect so much. I'm 13 weeks post. Finally bend at 110. Specialist/surgeon happy. Saw physio for first time yesterday (live too remotely) and she's happy. I'm progressing slowly. Have never been subjected to pressure to mend really fast. I listen to my body. If I overdo it I pay the price. Surgeon said to expect swelling for up to a year at times cos knee has been massacred! Have patience and listen to everyones different experiences on here. Good luck!

    • susiemah
      susiemah serena44792

      Posted

      Thanks Serena I feel that I am doing well but PT disagree. I am using massage today around my calf (as advanced by PT) to try to loosen calf and swelling. Just off to second set of physio and only 10.30 am. 
    • marilyn10235
      marilyn10235 susiemah

      Posted

      Susie you also need to massage the knee joint itself. That's where the scar tissue will be. Be careful of incision scar whilst the clips are still in but you can still massage the side & back of knee. Once the clips are out & the scar has scanned over you can them massage the knee itself & the incision! Once you can do that give it all a really good massage. Not just a quick rub over, if you do this before you exercise it should be a little easier. It's baby steps now & that's how you should approach your rehab at this time. Once you are stronger & your joint is moving better then go for it, not yet though!

      The calf & quads need gentle stretching, havw a look online for stretches. YouTube is pretty good for exercises, there are some really good one for after TKR. In fact stretching is good all round at 3 weeks! Release some of that pent up tension.

      Marilyn

      XX

      Ps/ get your physios to check the fitting of your compression socks. They're meant to stop DVTs not strangle your calf, no wonder it's tight!! X

    • susiemah
      susiemah marilyn10235

      Posted

      Thanks Marilyn I started the massage today and it feels strange but has made it feel better already. Thanks for your help x 

       

    • faybubbles
      faybubbles susiemah

      Posted

      The massage feels so good. I use bio oil on mine, it kinda heats up and feels so good. I swear its helping.
  • cc91807
    cc91807 susiemah

    Posted

    3 weeks I was barely human. Only doing stretches etcthey told me that was normal, second tkr first the same way. Hang a in there, ice alot, you will progress i could not lift my leg this time until 5 weeks. Thinking of you and wishing you the best.
    • susiemah
      susiemah cc91807

      Posted

      Thanks and how did you get it to lift? It is like it is impossible. I think we should be given sessions before the operation to suggest how we can prepare e.g. Build quads. I blanked the whole thing out of my mind as so anxious but now regret not doing some research. 
    • chris00938
      chris00938 susiemah

      Posted

      My hospital gave me exercises to do before and after the op.  One of these were the straight leg raises (from the bed).  I must admit I didn't do them religiously though BUT I did do the recumbent bike, which builds quads, as much as I could with two bad knees, so I guess I achieved what I needed to.

    • cc91807
      cc91807 susiemah

      Posted

      I also learned that if I sat on the edge of the bed crossed my ankles with bad knee leg on top, I could then use my food leg to swing them both up into bed. It beat using the strapp the first three weeks. Eventually you will be able to lift on your own.
    • chris00938
      chris00938 cc91807

      Posted

      Has any physio said what causes people to be unable to lift their leg after the op?
    • susiemah
      susiemah chris00938

      Posted

      They do not know, even my consultant said they do not know. 
    • chris00938
      chris00938 susiemah

      Posted

      It must be very frustrating when something happens like this and no-one knows why.  There must BE a cause why people get this problem.  I wish I knew!
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