Knee stiffness

I am so sorry for those who are having problems. My op was 01/10/14 and some days I go without painkillers all day only taking them at night because of spasms. My walking gait is nearly back to normal and I dont use any walking aids. 

Perhaps its the surgeon using different methods. Mine only operates on knees and the staff congratulated me on getting on his list. He actually does the op in 40 minutes, takes minimal bone and uses presision replacement prosthesis. 

Last time I went to physio my kneebend was 115 and my last visit to her is on Friday.

This should be for research why some sail through and its fantastic and others are unable to walk unaidedand are in pain after 12 weeks

Sorry but Ive got my RGN hat on I retired in August when my knee did collapse at work so am still thinking nursing side.

It will get better in time

​X to all

 

Ive just read on one reply that someone mentioned the quads not being strong. That could be the answer, I was going to the gym 3/4 times a week prior to surgery and am back at the twice a week now but only for 15 mins on static cycle Strengthen the quads by exercising all the time even when sitting. Tighten and relaxing the thigh muscles, 'pulling' the knee up. I have a laptop on my knees at the moment and can lift it up by using the muscles. These are the muscles to strengthen

That is the key..... I wish I had known to try and strengthen my muscles BEFORE surgery  as they were already weak.. .   

Hi there! Very interested in your post. Where are you located? And following on from your other post can you tell me what exercises you were doing prior to your surgery. I need to have both knees replaced but on my consultant's advice have deferred this for now. I too go to the gym and know I need to build up the muscles so it would help to do the right ones! 

Your recovery is most encouraging but I know every knee's different but it is nice to hear your experiences. 

Thank you! 

Kind regards,

Gill 

My normal gym work was 20 mins cycling 10 mins ski machine 

upper body weights but for legs the machines were for closed exercise lifting the weights (only 1 weight on) The ankles under the bar and bring it up to straight, bent knee to straight, 20 times or what you can do. Closed exercise, legs straight out onto bar and push the bar down to a knee bending position 20 times. This is easier. This was included in the circuit I did

I go to the gym and use the cycle for 15 minutes. I have just managed to get the pedel to go right round, some pain but getting easier

In in Newcastle area My surgeon Proff Deeham

Thanks for replying. I'll try those. My main problem at the moment is my knee caps are just bone on bone but I am ok walking on the flat so I use the treadmill (after walking to the gym - (about 15 minutes). I am off to Florida for 8 weeks on Tuesday so plenty of walking there but when I get back and go to the gym I'll do what you have done. My consultant says exercise is good! I'm in Lancashire.

Thanks for the info.

If you can manage the cycle its better exercise for the quads Walking is very gentle but the cycle pulling the knee up & straightening exercises the quads.

Just sitting with a tray (laptop) on your knee and lifting it using your thigh muscles, tightening and relaxing is good exercise. 

If you can walk 15 mins you should be able to manage the weight exercise

I'm interested in your comment about why some knees recover better than others. I had both done, one 9(3) weeks ago and the other 5(3) weeks ago. Knee no. One was a walk in the park. Pain manageable, 110 deg bend in hospital, doing straight leg raises on day 1 walking to toilet on day 1 etc. Knee no. 2 was excruciatingly painful, taking huge doses painkillers etc. Left hospital with90 dev bend took 3 weeks to get bend past 90 and 2 weeks to do straight leg raise. Walked to toilet evening of day 2 etc. Now however, knee two is doing better than knee 1. Knee 2 has 120 bend, pain manageable etc. Knee 1 has 110 dev bend and I keep getting hamstring ans now calf cramps. Walking is good, walk 3 km. Prior to surgery I could only walk 50 m if I was lucky, had to give up work etc etc. I didn't go to gym, but did do quad exercises as you describe sitting in my chair, but still had significant wastage. That is all improving now. So I am not sure why some knees recover better than others!. I know I am doing well, all things considered and feel very fortunate.

Hi Sandra, seems like you're doing well all things considered. I admire you having two done! I'm interested to read of your hamstring and calf pain. I've been harping on about this for weeks and not many other people seem to suffer from it. My physio dept have been very good at trying to help with it. I've been given specific hamstring strengthening exercises and last time I was assessed by a more senior physio who thinks I might have a problem with a small muscle in the buttock pressing on the sciatic nerve. This can cause pain anywhere down the back/side of leg and even the foot apparently. She did some massage of the muscle and  Showed me a stretch to do to help. I think it is improving slowly. Just thought I'd mention it to you in case you continue to get problems with hamstrings and calf. I found it painful when walking but it is getting better now. Jen 

I think exercise and gym work pre op is the answer. The physio has discharged my today. Im  8 wekks + 2 days and have full movement. I see the surgeon in February.

Im continuing with the gym work to maintain full movement

I agree with that. I was discharged from physio at 4 weeks so decided to do it all myself. I swim nearly every day, have gone back to pilates and my complex is opening a gym in the next few weeks so will be using that. I did everything I could before surgery. At 9 weeks I've been discharged by my surgeon for 12 months and he said he was very pleased with me and wished everyone would work as hard.  However,I am only 67 and am well aware that if I were in my 70's this could be a very different story. Also I don't have to hold down a full time job or care for a family of small children  so have all the time in the world just for me. I am very lucky and realise this.

 

Can you describe the hamstring strengthening exercises? It us really annoying me, and is now effecting the bend(which is still good) doesnt effect walking. my physio says it will go away as I get stronger, and to do passive bends to maintain the bend. He is not worried because I hdvd a 110 etc bend in that leg. But the other leg has a better bend and I am worried this one will go backwards. 

The main one is the "bridge". Lie on floor, knees bent, clench buttocks then raise your bum up off the floor till there's a straight line between pelvis and knees. Hold for 5 seconds keeping buttocks clenched. Repeat 10 times. I also do one using one  leg at a time which is harder. If you google hamstring bridge you should find it. I also do bends lying on my tummy and using a ball between ankles and also one with leg hanging over end of bed from knee with weights on ankle and bending leg back. She's also given me a stretch to do for this sciatic nerve problem which is a bit difficult to describe . If you search "piriformis muscle" it leads you to exercises . My consultant wasn't concerned about the pain either and said it would probably go in time. I shouldn't think you'll go backwards if you keep up your bend exercises. Everything takes so long before there's sign of improvement I've found and still I find I'm better one day then go backwards the next! So frustrating !