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Is it ever too late to get more Mobility

Posted , 13 users are following.

donna14826
donna14826

I had my total knee replacement about 4 months ago. I am still only at about 93 degrees Bend and 2 degrees straight. Is it too late to get these better? My doctor didn't seem too concerned that my 3 Month check-up, on the other hand he didn't seem to be really listening to me too much. But that's a whole different discussion LOL

0 likes, 30 replies

30 Replies

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  • jenkie
    jenkie donna14826

    Posted

    Hi Donna

    I am almost 7 weeks out from TKR.  I saw my doctor at 6 weeks and I was at 105 degrees and seemed very stuck..  He told me about the option of manipulation under anesthesia.  .  That scared me.  My physical therapist is really pushing me, and hurting me, but...we are really making progress.  I reached 122 today!!.  From what I've heard and read, as your swelling goes down, your knee will bend more easily.   I feel your pain with these doctors not listening. Once their job is done.  they are done!!!  Are you in the US?  I had 1 visit with doctor since my surgery, and he didn't even tell me to come back, unless I wanted the manipulation ....  He didn't ask me if I'm back to driving or work.  couldn't care less.

    I also find bending my knee in warm water in the bath helps with easing into the bend,

    I would talk to a physical therapist.  they are the experienced ones with range of motion.

    good luck!

  • Snoozy69
    Snoozy69 donna14826

    Posted

    Hi Donna, I'm 6 months post op now, I do not know what my flexion is nowadays I don't really care to be honest. I know it's not as good as my good knee but what I am finding is that I can do things more easily now than I could at 4 months. I can walk up and down stairs like a normal person with no pain or holding on to a rail. I can pedal my bike outside, ok it's not miles but I'm doing 4 miles and it still doesn't feel like a natural movement but it's better than it was at 4 months. I can climb over styles more easily than I could at 4 months and I walk better with big strides now. So my point is yes movement still improves after 4 months but don't get focused on numbers but your ability to carry out tasks that you want to do. As long as I can do things that I could do before the op does it really matter if you don't have a flexion of 130 degrees. I don't thing so x

  • max07424
    max07424 donna14826

    Posted

    Hi I had total knee replacement some 3 weeks ago and i am in considerable pain i have tried different pain killers but nothing seems to work, i am doing my exercises as i was shown, i have not had any physio, i am wondering if it would be ok to use my circulation booster? i dont sleep very well because of the pain, max
  • sherrie44527
    sherrie44527 donna14826

    Posted

    I no that some dont wanna hear it. Exercise. This is my 3rd total knee replacement. Way different than others. If possible do under wster exercises. I am now 2 1/2 months out, and able to walk uphill on my street. Now thats a treak 
  • marilyn10235
    marilyn10235 donna14826

    Posted

    Hi Donna, yes as long as you keep up the exercises & ice etc at home the movement will improve.

    A little tip though, when you massage your incision scar take a few moments to massage around the knee joint, back as well as front. Use your fingertips & press into the flesh, you may find near to surface scar tissue. You can't miss it as it feels lumpy under your fingertips, it may also hurt a little. If you feel it give a good d massage. Get in there with your thumbs . You will feel it disappear,  hopefully. Keep at it for a few days it should go altogether. I am still finding small pockets of scar tissue from my TKR of nearly 18 months ago.  It does help, as the scar tissue keeps everything tight in there!

    If that doesn't help try seeing a sports injury masseur/masseuse as the scarring may be deeper.

    Don't give up.

    Marilyn 

    XX

    • carol8104
      carol8104 marilyn10235

      Posted

      I did an hour of tai chi, 2 sets of 50 push-ups, 2 sets of 50 sit-ups, side lays, 30 minute bike and an hour of weights.  I do this or more 4-5x per week.  My knee almost reached all the way to back of leg when stretching.  It still is infected and hurts.  I need a revision surgery to clean out the infection in the knee after 6 weeks of antibiotics.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 carol8104

      Posted

      I was told to stop everything when the knee became infected. All the excrrcisevis spreading the infection. I went through 2 major surgery and a total of 3 different prosthesis.
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