Been told I need MUA......
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi everyone,
Well I'm 8 weeks post op rtkr and although I've done my exercises, had 4 sessions of hydrotherapy (which I found very beneficial) my bend is not improving.
Saw my consultant (I'm in UK) and he wants to do the manipulation 😦
He says if I can get it to bend before op day he won't do it, but I'm not sure what else I can do, I'm keeping up the exercises, I see physio tomorrow so thought I'd ask for more hydro.
I'm hampered by a sharp pain in what feels like the top of fibula bone where it meets the tibia, (which they can't explain) and also a hard swelling top right if my knee which feels solid and won't budge.
Anyone had MUA I don't know what to expect afterwards in terms of pain and movement and whether you can still exercise right away?? Bit concerned ☹
0 likes, 6 replies
alison64762 carole17315
Edited
Hi, I had an mua after my tkr 4 years ago. I was dreading it. And I'm not going to say it was fine as I wish someone had warned me just how painful it would be. It was however, only the initial recovery that was painful, the next day I could manage it with pain killers. Immediately after the manipulation I used a cpm (continuous passive motion) machine, and that's the best thing I could have done. Helped with my range of movement no end.
Good luck with your mua, yes, it's painful, but definitely worth it to get a better range of movement.
mechele37095 carole17315
Edited
Hi Carole, I dont know anyone personally who's had it done- was wondering what range of bend you actually have to warrant this - I'm 5 months post TKR and by bend isn't that brilliant - ? will i need one
carole17315 mechele37095
Posted
Hi Mechele,
I have about 75 when doing the heel slide on a bed exercise, I have more when I do sitting heel slides, not quite but nearly 90; I find the heel slide on a bed very difficult, always have. My knee is stiff and it's hampering my walking without a stick too.
My consultant says he doesn't like to wait too long to do the procedure because it can be harder, which I get because I guess there's more scar tissue. He also says he wants me to be able to get on with my life and have the best possible result.
I would think from reading peoples experiences on this forum that we are driven by our consultants and physios, so it may not be suggested to you? There are posts on here from people who had poor bend but they feel that when the swelling subsided they turned a corner and things worked out? So it's all up in the air really 😃
Kbeale carole17315
Posted
i was at 90 degrees and stuck till month 4. I had a trip to Costa Rica planed including a horse back ride up a mountain. My PTs said to go and also do the ride. Getting on wasnt pretty but by the time I was dont the knee bent and i walked 2 miles in a rain forest!
martha08360 carole17315
Edited
Hello from the States,
I had a MUA seven months after my TKR. by a different surgeon. The MUA itself is not painful, as you are asleep, under anesthesia..... the pain afterward was no worse than the pain from the TKR. I also used a CPM machine, but its pricey here in states, as insurance doesn't cover it. The surgeon did not JUST do a MUA, he did a arthoscopic surgery to clean out the scar tissue, otherwise, the MUA is useless, That's what he said anyway. He showed me pictures of my scar tissue. it is unbelievable to look at. Looks like cotton candy, but it's hard as a brick !! I had it bad. I too, went faithfully to my physical therapists, and did pool exercises, with 4 different PT;s.After the scar tissue gets to a certain point , your therapy is MOOT. Unfortunately, my scar tissue is back, as well as other complications so in April, 27 months after my initial TKR, Im having a revision... ugh....... dread it but also am looking forward to it. Good luck
jill91228 carole17315
Posted
I had 3 manipulations because of my bending and scar tissue. What happens you will go to sleep and wake up and you will be able to bend but you have to keep bending so it doesnt get stiff. It will be painful because they literally bend it back real hard so you will have a bruise on your whole hip. I had it three times. Good luck.