Disappointing MUA result
Posted , 4 users are following.
I had TKR on my left knee march 5th this year and the knee seized at 50 ROM 5 weeks post op. Consultant diagnosed Arthrofibrosis and recommended an MUA . This was done this monday 17th December after a 7 month wait ( normal waiting time for NHS procedure in my area. He managed to get it to 90 ROM in theatre and i was admitted as an inpatient for 48 hours on a CPM once on the machine i could only manage a ROM of 55 at first but slowly got it back to 90. i was discharged home on wednesday afternoon and told that i would receive community physio at home for the next 10 days excluding xmas day and boxing day. Thursday morning I woke up and my knee was so swollen it measured 22 inches. It was also extremely painful. I found that it had seized up again. I waited for physiotherapist to arrive, but despite leaving three messages they did not contact me or turn up. Again today I waited and still no physiotherapy. I cannot get my knee to move at all. it is now 23 inches swollen and really painful. I rang my GP who told me to call physio, but no answer, so i rang my consultants secretary but the office is closed until December 27th I Rang the hospital ward who just told me to ring physio, so ive just been going in circles. it feels like my knee joint is not responding. i can only move it about an inch if i physycally hook my right foot over my left ankle and pull it in and its agony to do that, even with the strong painkillers i have been prescribed. i tried to order a CPM to rent but there are non available until the new year. its like the whole thing has been a complete waste of time and i feel so deflated. Has anyone experienced anything similar? or have any advice or information they can pass I would be extremely grateful.
kindest regards Kerrie
0 likes, 10 replies
cynthia89958 kerrie_30523
Posted
That sounds terrible Kerrie, I'm so sorry. In my case, I had a knee bend stuck at 65 deg at 9 weeks and got the MUA at 10 weeks, which was a success in getting the knee flexion back, although it has been a very mixed recovery - will be 2 years in March 19. I still get some swelling and have at the moment but nothing like you describe.
I would have said call your surgeon's office as they should know that you have a complication, but as it is going to be a holiday weekend, they may not be available, but perhaps ring the ward you had the procedures for advice? Other than that , due to how much swelling and immobility you have, I can only suggest you could contact NHS 111 helpline for advice as they may be able to find you someone to see you sooner. It seems unfair that you have been passed from GP to physio without getting anywhere as something is clearly not right.
Good luck, do post back how you get on, hope things will improve for you.
kerrie_30523 cynthia89958
Posted
HI cynthia
thank you for responding, Im glad your doing well. I rang the ward who just told me to ring physio, but as i said earlier ive had no response, my consultant is now on leave until the new year. I have just rang NHS 111 as you suggested and they told me to ring my GP or physio. so its never ending circles and so frustrating.
thank you for your support. I hope you have a good christmas.
kindest regards
KERRIE
cynthia89958 kerrie_30523
Posted
Oh dear, it was worth a try but sorry you did not get any farther forward. Talk about being passed from pillar to post. TKR operations cost such a lot of time and money, yet sometimes it seems the aftercare is somewhat falling short in some cases.
Do you have any out of hours or walk in clinic near you? I guess you would have thought of that already. Some on another forum have even gone to A & E if they have suspected their replaced knee could be in trouble. I'm guessing you are following the RICE principles for recovery and you mention taking the prescribed pain meds. Just remember to watch out for any redness, increased pain or heat in the knee or if you get a fever as these would be red flags for urgent care.
If you are not happy with the level of care, you could contact the PALS office at the hospital. x
celticchick cynthia89958
Posted
I'd not bother with 111 personally in this situation
celticchick cynthia89958
Posted
PALS would not be able to respond quickly enough ( I work in this area) and this needs clinical assessment.
cynthia89958 celticchick
Posted
Fair enough, I did not mean to suggest Kerrie should go to PALS about the current knee problem, which does need assessment, I was referring to reporting the overall poor experience with the physio letting her down more than once and no-one replying, everyone passing her back and forth, without being resolved, as she is likely to be needing continuing treatment.
I'm also a carer now and have called NHS 111 a number of times and found them helpful in most cases - they have booked us in to be seen urgently at an out of hours for example. I realise not every experience will be positive. I've also worked for the NHS .
celticchick kerrie_30523
Posted
what a terrible situation. I'd go to a&e at the hospital where you had the surgery - go tomorrow and insist they call the on call ortho surgeon.
kerrie_30523 celticchick
Posted
thank you everyone for your suggestions. i will try urgent care on monday. Everyone is so helpful and supportive on this forum . wishing you all a merry christmas.
k xxx
cynthia89958 kerrie_30523
Posted
Same to you and good luck Monday x
celticchick kerrie_30523
Posted
honestly Kerrie they wont have a specialist to properly assess situation. If you can get hold of your surgeons secretary or another ortho team link please go to ward or A&E where you were treated!