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Does range of movement improve after 6 weeks?

Posted , 10 users are following.

Snoozy69
Snoozy69

i am 6 weeks post Total knee replacement this Thursday. The physio I have seen has told me that the range of motion you have at 6 weeks is more or less what you are left with. At the moment I'm at 90 degrees but my target is 120. I need this in order for me to ride my motorcycle so hearing that I might not be able to ride it again is quite depressing. I still get nerve pain either side of my joint at night, it swells during the day, and it is very stiff first thing in the morning. Any advice would be really appreciated. 

Sue x 

0 likes, 23 replies

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  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 Snoozy69

    Posted

    Your therapist is either lazy or a fear mongerer. In five rehab I never achied max at 6 weeks and as much as 6 months I was gaining as long as I was continuing to work at it steadily. He needs more schooling or counseling. Just be steady and slow and you see another 1 or 2 degrees. Just make sure you are working to get to 0 on extension as that's what will keep you from having a lifetime limp and possible hip issues.

    As bar as biking, many of us have had to give up something. For me it was good because of the number of surgeries and the root cause of my problem, a rare tumor. I couldn't get past the pain of turning on the ball and still trying to hit it like I was 25 again. You'll figure all that out as you go.

    • Snoozy69
      Snoozy69 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Well he is a she I have to agree I was quite shocked when she said 6 weeks is D Day. I'm not giving up cycling I've already given up a lot of things in my life I'm do determined to get enough ROM to enjoy what I did previous to the operation X 

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 Snoozy69

      Posted

      Keep on keepin' on. Nothing but a grave can stop you from doing what you want. I have a friend thats 150lbs overweight that went through tkr even though his Dr was reluctant but the pain was so bad he had no options. He was back on his Harley in less than 6 months. He knows if he lays it down wrong he's in deep doo doo but it worth the risk to him. Like he told me, if something happens I have no one but myself to blame.

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX Snoozy69

    Posted

    I started PT 3 weeks post op at -14 / +84.  Did 10 weeks of PT @ 2x/week and ended up at -1 / +123.  Did all the home heel slides and squats too.  I'm 19 months post-op and am at 0 / +133 with exercise and activity.  Everyone is different.  Get rid of expectations and timetables.  Your knee will be better when it's better.  Time, work, patience.  

  • ellen57898
    ellen57898 Snoozy69

    Posted

    My PT would not release me until I was at least 120/0 .  I did Home exercises and went to PT 3x week for 6 weeks and then 2X week for 6 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks I had great ROM.  Do not accept that this is as good as it gets.  Your ROM will determine your future activities. I am at 11 month’s post op.  I walk  and exercise easily.  I don’t run too well but that will happen eventually.  Keep exercising!
  • robin15577
    robin15577 Snoozy69

    Posted

    I have a hard time believing this since I have gained in ROM since 6 week mark. Keep atnit and everyone here has said we heal differently and it gets better over time. But we have to keep at it. Maybe try a new physio
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