Almost 5 months post TKR and I still can't straighten my leg
Posted , 6 users are following.
HI
29 years ago i had a knee reconstruction ... bone on bone . i managed to continue my career as a fitness instructor teaching up to 27 classes per week . This year at the age of 57 i was teaching 17 zumba classes per week with no knee pain ... just an atrophied quad and continual swelling that did not impair me.
In February this year i fell and broke my patella ... which led me to have TkR in June ... right from day 1 . i was allergic to all pain and post op meds.. physio out the question as i couldnt stop vomitting ... i lost 7 kgs in just over a week ... my leg was stuck at -20 plus degrees.. despite excruciating pain .. we tried everything to straighten.. finally a MUA in July .. i was put in a brace to keep it straight for 3 days post surgery .. as soon as i attempted to take the brace off.. back up at times to -20 again ... i know maintain around -10 ... and under manipulation my my physio . i can get as low as -5 ... my flexion is about 110 ... my physio has tried everything ... she says i have alot of fluid around my patella and tne knee itself doesnt look normal .. i couldnt walk far without getting sciatica ... was only sleeping an hour at a time with cramps and spasms keeping me awake all night ..
Has anybody got any advice for me? .. just reading your posts helps as i feel so hard on myself .. i thought id do this easy .. my weight has gone up and I havent been able to work since FEBUARY ... plus so far its cost about 23 k over our health insurance .
0 likes, 2 replies
climber glenys65708
Posted
glenys65708, Assuming that you have no financial constraints i Suggest you seek a further visit (as soon as possible) to a knee specialist (Surgeon) for a full up to date assessment of your knee. It appears also from your post that the PT from your Physiotherapist that you are carrying out (with good intentions) is having a Negative effect on your knee (fluid in knee etc), i Suggest that you cut back a little on the PT ("Less is sometimes best" to allow your knee time to settle) until you see a surgeon.
Paddycakes glenys65708
Posted
I am 6 months post op from ltkr. I have issues with bend 95 and straightening at about -5. I had also experienced sciatica 3 weeks into rehab and had to refrain from some exercises, terrible nerve pain at night, lower back and walking. I went on lyrica and still on these meds which help. exercising and physio is a slow progress. My o/s saw me last week. pleased with bend and straightening on table, but when he saw me walk, has recommended a Jas knee brace. just started using it. it is a slow progress also. I was not getting a great sleep either, 2 hours at best, always turning side to side. Now it is better and knee is feeling better also. I would see your surgeon or family physician, keep icing the knee, and take it easy on the exercising. also get you sciatica under control, my pt is still treating my knee and back. Hope everything turns out for you.