Concerns over no bend 6 weeks post tkr
Posted , 9 users are following.
I have posted previously re pain after tkr, but as that was a long thread, have started this.
?After a rocky start with what seemed to me excessive pain, swelling and stiffness, a few things did improve. The extension and leg lifting are all right and sleep a little better with usually less nasty pain (there are sometimes relapses). BUT the stiffness and swelling just won't resolve, icing and elevating feel better but no reduction in symptoms and despite gentle and frequent moves as instructed, there is just no budging the knee to bend and it is stuck about 40 degrees (about 80 in hospital).
?Physio could not budge it either, so I am currently chasing up the surgeon's office as they have not called me in for a follow up.
?I am finding this difficult as I really thought thing would improve with time and following advice. Due to the terrible pain I went through post op, I am terrified ofany more surgery or interventions and the longer this goes on, the more I fear this will be the outcome as I never heard yet of anyone regaining ROM from this point without help. I don't feel I can face going through the pain and meds do not suit me or work well, the GP only wanted to take me off them, not help me manage the pain.
?I guess I must either have extreme scar tissue or something wrong with the prosthesis. I know I'm getting ahead here but I am just so worried as the first surgery has taken so much out of me and it was not long since my gallbladder surgery and before that a year of illness. I have hardly been outside or lived a normal life or been out of pain.
Has anyone ever been in this situation and what was done?
1 like, 59 replies
Libralass cynthia89958
Posted
You are very early in your recovery/rehab. I am 7 weeks post and I don't have as much bend as I would like either. But I continue with the exercises and hope for the best. What I do know is I don't have the terrible arthritic knee pain as before which deemed my knee pretty useless. For me, all and all it has still been a great trade off.
cynthia89958 Libralass
Posted
I'm so glad you are free of the arhtritis pain. (I guess you are Libra birthsign - same here!)
?I did have increasing pain before surgery, knee locking and giving way etc, but I actually found that more manageable to me than the neuropathy post op pain, which has been off the charts, at night especially and meds did nothing. Also I could drive and find comfortable ways to sit at least some of the time, but not now, never can find comfort.
I look forward to the day when I think this surgery was worthwhile though!
cynthia89958
Posted
Not what I would have wanted - I have such a fear of anaesthetics and it will be under GA. Past operations have left me with a damaged tooth from the breathing tube and a chest infection. Also scared of pain after as the post TKR pain was unbearable and the meds did not bring it under control. Everyone says it is not as bad as the op. I truly hope so! The last few years have been so challenging with one illness after the other and 2 surgeries - was just hoping to enjoy this summer.
But I will try to be positive as the world is so full of people going through worse things I know.
chris00938 cynthia89958
Posted
Ah Cynthia, I am so sorry it's come to this. But they are doing their best for you and you will get past this and recover. I'm sorry too, to hear about the damaged tooth and chest infection!!!!! You wouldn't or couldn't have this done under a spinal? Maybe the TKR pain was bad because something wasn't aligned that will be after the manipulation, so it might be different this time, and yes, I've heard it's not as bad as the TKR. Do you have a date yet? You know that you're going to have this group behind you hoping and praying for a really good result from this. Yes, I know people are going through worse things but it's what happens to YOU that affects you most - that's natural:-))) Try not to worry and get those things prepared and planned to enjoy your recovery as much as possible.
cynthia89958 chris00938
Posted
Hi Chris, thanks!
?I don't think they do a spinal for the MUA as it such a short procedure, only takes minutes I'm told, so should not need much of a knock out!
I am awaiting the letter and a date but he said will be asap before it is any worse. x
chris00938 cynthia89958
Posted
Ah right! Will they still need to use the incubation tube down your throat then?
Do let us know when you get your date. You'll be like me now - waiting for a letter with a date on it for the knee!
cynthia89958 chris00938
Posted
I think will still need intubation but it won't be for long. I keep thinking they might knock another crown out and I'd choke on it! Sounds silly but I had crowns come lose after one surgery and then just before tkr and although glued back, they make you sign a disclaimer about it!
?Hope you get your date for second op soon, at least you know what you are getting in to which must make things easier.
chris00938 cynthia89958
Posted
Ah - they did ask me if there was anything loose - so I guess that's why you had to sign the disclaimer. I hope you get through this time without any problems. It's a real pain if you get a dental thing added to it all!
Yes, checking post daily LOL! Like a kid at Christmas waiting for Father Christmas to call. It all feels a bit like that - when I went to the GP's just before Christmas I told her the best Christmas present I could get would be to go on the list for knee replacements LOL! And I'd still say that! The first one was the best gift!
Duckfan cynthia89958
Posted
Just had a phone call from the clinics nurse. She wasn't happy with my 98 Bend at 14 weeks. I see my doctor in June so will probably need a adjustment. He told me last visit not to worry if I did. No big deal he said.
cynthia89958 Duckfan
Posted
Mine said that if I had been better he would have left it to see if it resolved but as gone backwards, it was a clear indicator for the procedure.
?Yours may get further increase by your appt. I don't think mine ever would but I had hoped for a miracle!
marilyn10235 cynthia89958
Posted
Ahh at least you know to has to be done now Cynthia.
We've had posts on here about MUA & they have said it isn't so bad & really makes a lot of difference afterwards.
I have 2 crowns but at the back of my mouth upper left 6 & lower left 6. So far they have managed to leave them in place, but I always tell them where they are! I've never had to sign a disclaimer because of them!!
Chin up lass, you'll be fine! You just gotta believe!
Marilyn
XX
chris00938 marilyn10235
Posted
Yes, I've always told them about crowns and implant, before I go in, so it's written down and reminded them at the time, and not had damage, thankfully, but only had two general anaesthetics.
I'm puzzled why ROM does go backwards. I understand about scar tissue forming, but still am struggling to understand why it goes backwards when people are doing exercising on the bend. Does anyone know WHY this happens? Is it a sudden thing? Does it happen at any particular time after TKR? Is there ANY way of avoiding it? It seems as though it could happen to any of us?
cynthia89958 marilyn10235
Posted
Thanks, Marilyn. It does help everyone here being encouraging. And it is knind of a relief to know this is being done, even though scary. The unknown always is. I'm keeping positive (with the odd wobble!.) xx
cynthia89958 chris00938
Posted
He did say, sometimes the scar forming just gets ahead of the physio exercises we do. I know my knee tightens up a lot during the night as I can only lie on my back with a straight leg as yet and the extension is fine.
But I had bad OA, a Bakers cyst pre op and my lipoedema condition so these may all weigh in. I wonder if having my gallbladder out not that long before meant my body was a bit hyper on making scars as the tiny scars from that op healed up in days with no bother, which was great.
Post op was quite tough due to neuro pains that the meds did not help, I had dental infection and sinus problems, my Mum was very ill and we had to have pramedics out at night and other stressful stuff. Sounds like feeling sorry for myself and making excuses but I believe stress has a big impact. All just theory of course. My bend reduced after leaving hospital and I am convinced as well, that the lack of pain control added to it.
It is just so frustrating - I try so hard to do the bending and end up in tears as it got no further. At least husband understands - he had knee trauma in an accident and could not bend his knee for ages despite a lot of effort. It means a lot to know he gets what it is like! x
chris00938 cynthia89958
Posted
No! Cynthia! It does NOT sound as though you're feeling sorry for yourself!!!!! You're simply giving me the facts that I asked for and I'm grateful for that. It does well sound as though your immune system (not sure if I'm on the right system there!) went into overdrive and scar tissue could have well formed faster than it being broken down, and other physical aspects making a huge difference to you! As I read this and realise again what a dreadful time you've had I know I've been so lucky! And hope that EVERYTHING goes well for you now. You have seriously done your bit and it must have been so depressing struggling against what's happened! We'll be thinking of you!!!!