6 wks post TKR

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Im just over 6 wks post tkr and can bend 110% and walk without a stick for quite a distance. Saw Physio today and she said I need to concentate on straightening leg more tho Im at 0%. She recommended laying face down on the bed with legs dangling for 15 mins at a time but I can only do it for less than a minute as its too painfull. she also said my calf muscle is really tight and showed me more excercises for that. I cant stand for more than ten mins so I suppose this is why. Does anyone else find the straightening exercises the most painful?

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7 Replies

  • Posted

    Well I'm at six weeks and have 90 deg bend and not quite straight. Both exercises to rectify hurt a fair bit. But then i had a bent leg for probably 20 years before so it is to be expected I guess. I would say just do what you can and hopefully the time will increase before the pain becomes unbearable. My first straight leg lifts felt like I was ripping the muscle off my knee but three weeks later it was a doddle.

  • Posted

    Yes!!!! I'm only 3 weeks today post TKR and I'm bending at 102 degrees but my extension is only at a 4. I had no idea how hard the straightening of the leg was going to be!! I feel you! I'm constantly working on straightening my leg and it's so hard!! Hang in there ... You got this!!

  • Posted

    Extension was slower for me too. ROM was 70 degrees within 5 days and rapidly increased. Standing straight (extension) however was not nearly as good. Unless the pain feels like the muscle is tearing, just grin and bear it. It will get better. My Dr's instructions were for me to do whatever I could tolerate. He didn't limit me activities, nor did he push them. The PT pushed me more-there were times that I left there and felt like someone beat me up! I'm glad she did and I'm glad she pushes me. From what I was told, extension is very important for correct recovery and normal function. I'm about 8 weeks post-op and my ROM and extension are both good. I have other issues but those two factors are not an issue. 

    Just keep pushing yourself!

  • Posted

    Rose, This was one of the exercises I did for my physical therapy for extension:

    Sitting in a chair, take a cloth bag with 3+ cans of veggies inside and slip handle on to your leg.  Rest leg on something like a coffee table and let the weight of cans pull your leg straight.  It's hard, really hard.  Hold for as long as you can - 1-3 minutes.  Then relax and repeat a few times and do this along with other exercises 3 X a day.  I also did the exercise you mention on the bed, hanging leg over edge - I wrapped a 2 lb weight onto ankle.  That was hard too.

    Good luck and keep with it.

    Mary Ann

  • Posted

    Hi Rose .. wow you're doing awesome I was on crutches for 3mths (but had to admit had a fall at 8 days post op & tore all inside & external sutures from knee down so I was limited to no exercises except straightening).  I found the one on the sheet the hopsital gave me worked wonders which was just lying down in bed and pushing my knee as hard as I could to the mattress then raising it straight.  And also holding on to the bench and repeating standing on toes with straight legs... but we all progress at our own speed and I don't think any of us really realised what a journey this could be .. my surgeon said 12-18mths for full recovery to know exactly how your knee will feel and be.

    Take care smile

  • Posted

    Hi Rose - I'm also 6 weeks po and my doc told me to do the same exercise. At first I could only do it for a few minutes - but now I can lay there for 10 min. I just lay on my bed and watch tv and turn the stop watch on my phone on until I can't stand it ! If you are at 0% tho why do you need to do that?? Maybe just stretching?

  • Posted

    Rose, I'm an American and had my bilateral TKRs in India. I didn't even know until reading on this forum (some 3 months post op) that straightening could be a problem. I usually sat on my bed and had my legs out flat in front of me. I do remember the hospital telling me I couldn't sleep with a pillow under my knees, but didn't realize why - it's the things they don't tell you that are more infuriating. I also had exercises I did with my PT that had me staightening them. Because everything was so tight behind my knees, I felt a great relief from the stretches. So I guess I didn't find them more painful. I hope it gets to where it's not painful for you either. Now at 22 months post op, all is relatively good.

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