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I am so depressed. I went to the doctor to get staples out today (two weeks two days post op.) and doctor not happy with bending of knee. It is at 66% and when I left hospital it was at 50%. My home health therapist was happy but the doctor said if things don't improve in six weeks of out patient therapy he would have to put me back under and manually manipulate it then go through intense therapy. Should I be able to bend it that much more at this point. There is still extreme pain, stiffness and swelling. I have gone from a walker to a cane but walk real slow. I need encouragement. I am a 53 year old male.
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jean95756 Mark144830
Posted
i had my op just over 2weeks ago
I went to physio and only had 60 degree bend by the time she'd done some manipulation it had reached 70
she was quite satisfied at that. But I guess your physio expects more
just give it time and do the exercises...it will come eventually
keep smiling or ( grimacing) with the pain like I try to do.
take care
Jean
deb88473 Mark144830
Posted
Try not to get too downhearted, I am now 13 weeks Post Op and have probably got about 100 - 110 degrees. At 2 weeks I had little more than you, when there's lots of swelling flexion is really difficult and initially my Physio made me concentrate on getting the leg straight which results in a more stable leg. As the swelling subsides the bend will come but it can be a long slow process, hang on in there, take your pain meds regularly, exercise regularly and things will get easier , , , , honest. This op is so traumatic, emotionally and physically and it sounds like you're doing well if you're already on a stick, at 2 weeks I was still on 2 crutches so well done. I am a youngster like you and I think the tendency is for us to set our expectations a little higher because we have age on our side. I think patience and acceptance are the key, one day at a time whether it's good or bad and soon it will be weeks and you'll be getting there. All the very best
Debx
pam39536 Mark144830
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ChinUP13 Mark144830
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I had both knees done at the same time. I am in Perth Western Australia, and because I'm a big girl with Atrial Fibrillation, Hypertension, Blood Clotting problems, and hadn't a decent leg to stand on, the surgeon opted for both knees to be totally replaced at the same time. It's not done often, but he felt I would cope well as I have a very high pain threshold, and he was correct. I run a business, am 65 now (63 at the time of the op) and he spent an hour explaining what would happen, what was expected of me, and what results I would get at what time post-op. The op was done, i was in hospital just 5 days. Physio was started the day after the op with me standing and using an elbow style walking frame so I could get myself to and from the bathroom etc. I was also expected to practice bending the knees as far as I could at least 10 times per session, 5 sessions over the course of a day, with supervision by the in hospital Physio for one of those sessions. This was all done whilst I still had drains and drips in place. My surgeon doesn't use staples. He uses soluble stitching which is done below the skin, and the knees are dressed with a non allergy dressing first, then cotton wool padding then crepe bandaging all to stop any injury occuring by knocking into something etc. The dressing and bandages stay on unchanged for 10 days unless there's leakage or the bandages get wet when showering. We have plastic pull on leg covers for showering which seal at the thigh so no water can get in....
By the third day, I was off the elbow walker, and was on the Zimmer walker for half a day only, because my physio was so pleased with my progress, she said onto the elbow crutches. Once on those I was encouraged to do at least three sessions of walking up and down the hospital corridors, and, when the physio was with me, the length walked was increased and I had to practice going up and down a flight of five stairs! I hated that bit, as I felt uncertain, but I knew that unless I could show I could do it without her assistance, I would not be allowed home, even though we dont have steps or stairs at home, those were the rules! I also was expected to have 90 deg bend in both knees, and the legs should be able to be fully straight too, before leaving hospital. And that was indeed what happened. I was sent home on the 5th day, having shown I could do all that. I was expected to continue doing the physio myself at home for the next 5 days until getting the wound redressed and checked as an outpatient at the Surgeon's Rooms. At that point I was then told to make a weekly appointment with the physio and work on myself at home to increase the bend and strengthen everything.
So, you can see why I'm intrigued that you only had a 50 deg bend when you left hospital and now have it at 66 Deg. Because I have such a high pain threshold I can't really comment on your pain, but my Surgeon strongly advocates getting the pain under constant control so that the patient WILL do the exercises needed to get the best result from the surgery. Even though I do have such a good pain threshold I was on OxyNorm and Tramadol pain meds when I came home, and after finishing the OxyNorm I remained on the Tramadol three times per day for around three months and then just twice per day after that.
It's important to do the exercises set for you at least three times but preferably 5 times per day. Get the leg up high afterwards, and ice it for 15mins per hour to get the swelling down. My first session was always before taking any meds, and as soon as I woke each morning when my legs were at their slimmest, having been rised high each night. I always got the best bends of the day first thing .
Don't get depressed Mark, get moving instead and track your own results. Measure your swelling each day with a dressmakers tape and note it. Do it first thing, midday and evening and see how it varies. Try to get the leg up as often as possible, and make the getting up and down from chairs/toilet etc as easy as you can for yourself as possible, as doing squats puts enormous pressure on the knee joint, and my physio tells me to tell anyone to B Off if they want me to do deep squats! If you've read any of my other posts, you will see the op was not all plain sailing for my right knee, but it certainly was for my left knee which really is as good as new ! Good luck Mark, don't get depressed, we all repair at different rates, and attitude is a huge factor. It's not a quick fix op. it takes up to twelve months to be 'normal' and that's if there's no major problems, but believe me, if you do the work, it is really good to walk without pain (which is true for my left, and will eventually be true for my right knee too). Go for it mate, (Aussie speak and let us know how you go. It's good to read other's journeys too, but don't get bogged down by it.... Cheers,
Oldfatguy1 Mark144830
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ruby95450 Mark144830
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