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Feel like I have had a set back... need advice please

Posted , 6 users are following.

MarieMichelle
MarieMichelle

Hi , I am 5 weeks out from TKR . Have seen results in the last 2-3 weeks but this morning around 3 am woke up with with stabbing pains all around my knee. I do PT outside the home 3 times a week. He is pushing for 100 ROM before I have my follow up with the surgeon next Wednesday’s . Was at 94 on Friday and only got 94 again on Monday but then he pushed it to 96 and it hurt like hell. I am wondering if that had something to do with the pain that started this am and is still very painful ( I had weaned myself from 5 pain pills a day to 3) and now due to pain took 5 today... could it be a coincidence ? I DO NOT want an MUA so I too want to get to 100 ROM but not with that kind of pain.... advice? Thanks 

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX MarieMichelle

    Posted

    Advances, setbacks, plateaus...and the pain...all part of a normal recovery.  At only 5 weeks and a bend of almost 100, I'd say you're doing great.  A full recovery takes a year...bet on it.  I started PT 2X/wk at 3 weeks post-op...after 10 weeks of PT, I was -1 / +123.  That's 3 months of hard work...you'll be doing the same.  Lots of people take a med an hour before a session to ease the post-PT pain.  And bedtime on a PT day requires lots of ice and elevation.

    Remember...it's all about breaking down the scar tissue forming in the joint.  Everyone generates that tissue differently but we all have to deal with it.  I had little trouble with the bend but got stuck at -4 on the straightening for weeks until I finally broke through it.  If you're almost 100 bend already and progressing on straightening, you're probably not going to need an MUA.  Here are some suggestions...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053

    Also, a TKR recovery is NOT a linear process...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038

    Time, work and patience...oh yes...this will take you to school and teach you patience...

    • bobbymac57
      bobbymac57 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Just curious. I am 3 weeks post op tkr on my right knee. I am at -18 +110. My other knee won't go more than -9 on extension. How determined do you think they will be to get my new knee to 0? I don't really believe it can ever make it there. I have been doing all the exercises that everyone has been recommending plus the one where you lay face down on the bed with shins hanging off bed (that's a tough one).

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX bobbymac57

      Posted

      Now try the "shins" one with 2-pound ankle weights!!!!  That helped me when I got stuck at -4 for weeks.  At 3 weeks post-op, I was -14 / +84...you have a lot of PT and homework ahead of you.  I got to -1 / +123 in about 3 1/2 months.  I am now 21+ months post-op and likely around 0 / +133.  My good leg is 0 / +141 when I asked the doc to measure it just for kicks.  After the PT comes the gym work to rebuild the strength in your dead quads, glutes and core...then comes mastering stairs.  You can increase both numbers the more you exercise.

      But here's the key thing to remember...don't get hung up on a stupid number!!!  My PT told me that if you got 10 PTs and docs together to measure you, you'd get 10 different sets of numbers.  It's just a guideline...like stop signs in Manhattan.  Just do the work and give it time.  Three weeks is waaaaay too early to be worrying about ROM numbers.

    • bobbymac57
      bobbymac57 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice. I'm actually not too worried about the numbers. It's just that when I went in for my 2 week post op my dr wasn't very happy with my extension. Don't won't to have a mua and afraid if my numbers don't improve in the next 3 weeks that's what I'll be looking at.

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 MarieMichelle

    Posted

    Listen to your body!

    5 weeks is so early.

    You make your agenda.

    You are doing fine!

    That is my personal opinion!

    How swollen is it?

    He is thinking about the surgeon, but you need to think about yourself!

    Forcing and pain are counterproductive, in my view!

  • barbara24048
    barbara24048 MarieMichelle

    Posted

    Hi Marie Michelle.i am almost at 7 weeks post op.i too got terrible stabbing,tingling pain in my knee.it made it so hard to exercise and sleep.everyone said it was due to the nerves waking up again.am pleased to say that has almost stopped.i massage bio oil or baby oil into my scar to stop it tightening up.i think maybe you need to increase your pain meds for a while.i was worried I might need a mua as well but my physio said I was doing great.knee bend went from 95 ten days ago to 110 yesterday.i can now walk up and down stairs normally,holding on.i walked home from town yesterday for the first time,which took me 1 hour.(stopped to get a bit of shopping half way).i felt so elated when i got home.i have cut down my meds from 12 a day to 6.my physio told me there's no rush to come off them.it only hinders your recovery.good luch

    k.hope you feel better soon x

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