Can't bend my knee or lift it after arthroscopic surgery

Hi jasmine

From what i have read the recovery time is about 4 to 6 weeks but as most people in this forum have had TKR or PKR and the recovery times varies so much for each individual try not to stress yourself and give it time to heal keep us informed and good luck

johnny.

Hi Jasmine!

Don't worry!  Everybody heals at their own pace!  I was lucky at 2 weeks I was able to walk unassisted at 3 weeks I was driving with no pain whatsoever.  But now at 8 weeks I have swelling, knee pain, horrible lower back pain and I wonder if having the surgery was the right decision!  My home therapist that I had at 2 weeks was the one who really helped me but the outpatient therapist is another story.  And for the pain my surgeon said to take  Motrin.  So, don't compare yourself to others because things are not what they always seem and have patience because believe me, you will get there! Take your time, rest, elevate your leg, ice it or in my case, heat works wonders.  Best of luck and if what they say is true, we'll both be dancing at 12 weeks! 🙂

Hi. I m sorry you suffer so much. How is your swelling? Do you elevate and ice? I am recovering after arthroscopic scar tissue removal. 3 weeks now. This time i can do a lot more and i go to therapy 5 times a week as i am paranoid i will have too much scaring again. My previous surgery was 9 month ago, tore MCL, Vmo and PFL. And recovery was living hell. Pain 9/10, very stiff knee but could pass 90 degrees. That time after surgery I did not ice or elevate leg. Could not lift it for a long time. And could not bend. And i did not do my homework often enough. So i have learned that sitting and waiting sometimes can cause more problems. 2 weeks is early but you can try some exersises. Static quad contracts, patella mobilization (oh it is so helpful in this recovery). Have you tried wall slides? Kick your legs on the wall and slide down bending the knee. How about siting on a chair and letting gravity to pull it down. In my first recovery when i could not lift leg at all, my therapist told me to use a towel or resistance band to assist lifting the leg. They also placed once a pad above patella that sting me with electricity. It helped to figure out what muscles to contract. I was able to lift leg after 3 days of doing this exersice 3 times a day. I also learned that working with pt is important in first weeks. Hope it will get better soon for you.

Hi Jasmine - need to be a little patience with the recovery after arthroscopy. Doctors tell you 2 weeks but some people take longer. I had arthroscopic surgery in both knees before my RTKR.  It took me about 3 months both times for my knee to feel to the point that I could walk without pain. My left knee became very swollen and it was very painful but as time went on my knee started to feel better. Can't say the say about my right knee. Go to PT and do your exercises at home. It just takes time. Good luck - J 21370. 

I failed to mention that I was able to flex my knee st 125 degrees yesterday that's why I 'm done with pt.  Was also able to walk without any pain as well.  At 2 weeks I was able to walk unassisted as well.  I am not concerned about the swelling because I know I am still healing,  my only concern is that within the last 24 hours something happened keeping me from lifting my leg.  And you know that's bad when you can't lift your leg high enough to get out of a VW beetle-can't get much closer to the ground than that!  Took the last Norco that I saved from hospital stay so maybe that will help,  800 milligrams of Motrin did not relieve pain.  Like I say, was very happy with surgery results now this.  I do not remember twisting my leg or anything so this comes as a disappointment at this point after doing so well.

Hi there,

I had my knee cartilage repair done 4 weeks back and still cannot bend my knee to 90 degree. What the PT says is I should be bending my knee to 90 degree by week-6, else they will have to use force and that is lot of pain. I do not prefer this way. Mine is not a meniscus or any knee surgery, seem its a delicate one and involves cadaver being filled. When I do stretches, it hurts a lot, I literally cry and scream (yes am a chicken). I am also worried that what if I cannot bend my knee. One of the fellow patient mentioned that if I cannot bend my know worst case could be another follow up surgery after MRI, and am scared of both. Just praying and doing my stretches. Hang-in there, you should find some way. 

Hi myself Sasank. I had ACL surgery on 23rd April. My thigh muscles are very weak now and I can bend my knee upto 60 degree. Can walking increase my thigh muscles?

I had a meniscus repair four weeks ago. Also three large pieces of cartilage removed which were embedded in the knee.  I’m frustrated as I have little movement in my knee.  It constantly locks and I can only stand from sitting with a straight leg. I’m also swinging my leg to walk which is putting strain on my hip. pT says patella is positioned to far to the right and not centralised. Preventing me from bending it. I’m slow walking which requires a lot of effort. Dissapointed with the outcome so far. 

I have femoral nerve damage from a knee scope I had in May 2018. I am unable to lift my leg as well. Jasmine has your condition gotten better? I feel your pain.