7 week Check up with surgeon

I had the same issue last year when I had my first one done ( have now had 2nd and not had some problems this time) 

i opted for the manipulation - it's quick - your are not conscious and it's much better I'd say go for it

Liz

With patience you will achieve +90 using the pedals. Once yiuhave broken through this magic number the world is your oyster. It may seem a bit painful at first but pedal forward up to the tight bit and then reverse keep doing this forward and back and suddenly you will complete the complete cycle. I reckon you'll achieve your target in a few days. I did it on an exercise bike in the first couple of weeks. I am now three months post TKR and feeling great. Once you can do a full 90 attend to the 0 (totally flat) by forcing your heel further out than your toes. Good luck.

Oh liz, how sorry I am for this happening to you. This happened to me after my first TKR in 2012 and I went through six agonizing weeks of aggressive physical therapy with adhesions (scar tissue) that prevented my knee from flexing beyond 80 degrees. Then my post op appointment with the surgeon and I was immediately put in the hospital to have those adhesions broken under anesthesia. I was back at therapy that same day with a 90 degree flex! It made a world of difference and much less pain. I could actually do the bike for the first time. Do not delay another day, get it done!! I guarantee you that it will only take a couple of hours out of your day but you will walk out of the hospital feeling ready to really take on vigorous physical therapy and show marked improvement instantly.

You poor thing. I would advise against manipulation because: when you have your knee replaced, the surgical team will have pulled and pushed your knee every which way, including bending to the fullest. That could be why your specialist is not showing too much enthusiasm regarding your rehabilitation. Have you tried hydrotherapy.  By having elective manipulation, your muscles, tendons and ligament will become aggravated again.  Be patient, people recover differently, some fast, some slow, find a gym with a sympathetic trainer.  A lot of people say ice, for me, personally, I use a heated wheetie, I find I get more movement after heat.  Do not give up hope, do not get down as everything then appears so much harder. Your coping mechanism goes into hibernation.   Are you working your quads, I know it is the opposite direction,but by strengthening them, may help your bend.  If you like music, play it loud, sing at the top of your voice.  Crazy, I know, but it works (your brain is so busy listening, it forgets to turn up the pain neurons)

I used a system called FastTrack -- simple, measured ROM work.  Post op to 12 days after and 125 degree ROM  -- on day 16  130+  and 0.  I liked that it was designed to gain incrementally (@3 degrees per day) and never pushed to the Breakthrough pain level.

I know exactly how you feel..I'm right at 6 weeks and my bend was 86 on Tuesday and a 93 today. I had a blood clot right after surgery and a couple staples came our so I didn't even get to start therapy until I was at 2 weeks. I'm having alot of pain issues but trying to work thru it. The only thing that seems to help me is to walk. I see the surgeon again on the 31st so am praying for the best. Will also be praying everything gets better for you.

Hi Liz

I had an MUA on both of my knees, but not until 5 to 6 months after the Ops, which I felt was much to late (in hindsight).  My problem with both knees was straightening, after returning to work after 6 weeks and sitting down all day, and the second MUA did not solve it, and I had to go back into hospital after a year to have excess scar tissue removed.  I've only just returned to work today (after another 12 weeks off).  It may be worth asking him to leave it another month, though, to see if you can get an improvement yourself.

Patsy

I never slept a wink last night and after a lot of soul searching decided to give it a go.  I am booked in for this afternoon for manipulation.  I decided on this for a number of reasons.  I got a fair amount of positive feedback on going for it earlier, I live in Cyprus, my op is in the UK, therefore I would have to come back in a few weeks to go through it all ágain and mainly the thought of putting up with the pain and lack of mobility was the final decider.

i have to be at the hospital at 2.30, I have booked into the hotel next door for an overnight as I don't need to stay overnight in hospital.  

I am am actually just as scared about this as I was for the TKR and at the back of my mind still wonder if I am doing the right thing.

will let you all know how it goes.

Liz

My surgeon said I was on the way to a manipulation when I was 13 days post TKR, and could hardly move. . .by the six weeks, it was around 85, and he was perfectly pleased with that. . .and signed me off.  I kept on with the exercises (no physiotherapy) and ended up with about 125 which is fine for me, and dead straight.  Maybe I could have achieved more with manipulation, but I am quite happy with what I;ve got.  Sseven weeks is still early and if you keep going with the exercises and try to push a little bit more each day without reaching the screaming stage, and you should get there without the need for manipulation . . unless, of course, there is a reason for it. . like excess scar tissue . . .