Late Range of Motion Improvement?
Posted , 10 users are following.
I'm about 95 degree bend at 15 weeks. Straight is at 0. The going's been tough so far. My question is; realistically what kind of improvement (in your opinion) in ROM can I expect after 4 months? I've been working diligently daily but my knee is stubborn. Anyone have success with late success? At this stage I'd just be happy to be able to ride my bike and perhaps walk down the stairs.
0 likes, 37 replies
chris00938 Ozziegee
Posted
I can only tell you what my surgeon told me - that bend increases over the two years post op. But I don't know how much. Sorry you're having difficulty - some really do, don't they! Good luck!
jenny80029 chris00938
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That's interesting, because it is a long time...no need to panic...
Ozziegee jenny80029
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Thanks Jenny. I disagree, I think it's time to panic.
chris00938 jenny80029
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The thing is, I don't know how much it increases over the two years - it may only be a degree or so. He didn't specify that. I'd imagine it's something to do with swelling too.
jenny80029 Ozziegee
Posted
cynthia89958 Ozziegee
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I think we need a support group for people who have stuggles with flexion and ROM as it seems a select number do but why? The "experts" tell us it is because we did not do enough exercise in the early recovery but I think that is to make it look like our fault not theirs. I have seen others who barely break a sweat with their exercise but so great - they say it hurts a lot but it was not the pain that stopped my knee bending - it was just that it would not move any further. I'm no quitter and I'm still hearing that it was my fault after an MUA to break the scar tissue.
?I always put 100 per cent into everything and no way would I shirk and end up with a stiff knee that restricts my independence this way. I'm only able to get 95 degrees even after manipulation but I had an OK bend pre op, just a permanently bent knee then, could not straighten. Now the other way around. I am at 10 weeks post op and have found recovery challenging with pain that would not get controlled and bad reactions to meds. I have several other health issues that have not helped.
?I am a former researcher and have read everything out there about knees and scar tissue. Some of seem to be more prone to make more scarring and adhesions than others, but how to avoid it - if you overwork the knee you get more swelling and stiffness, but if you underwork it, the scarring takes hold. I have read of people making improvements for months and even up to or beyond a year, but my surgeon said you need to over 90 degrees to have any hope of futher improvement. Now the work is harder than ever to maintain it. So frustrating to kep working without a positive result. But has to be done somehow.
karen14697 cynthia89958
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My doc does hundreds of these a year. Said some people just make scar tissue easily - like some people make ear wax easily. Never blamed me because he knew I was doing PT with gusto. He did say, because of making scar tissue, it may save my life someday, if I get involved in a bad accident. My body takes over. Being released from PT at 122 after 15 weeks po today, is a blessing. Don't know if I will ever be "my old self" but plan on golfing, etc in the next month or two. Good luck all.
cynthia89958 karen14697
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I just get impatient that anyone thinks I am not trying.
Hope you get to enjoy your golf.
chris00938 cynthia89958
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I'd be frustrated too!!!! I think when physios tell people they aren't doing enough, when they are clearly doing all they can, it's got to be the worst! I've always said encouragement works best!
karen14697 cynthia89958
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Probably won't be playing for another month or so but it's my goal. Just be so happy to be released tomorrow. You'll get there!! I'll need my left knee done but not taking that on until sometime next year. Cortisone and Symvic injections should hold me until then. Hate to think I'll have to block out 4-6 months again but PT says it may not heal the same. Maybe I'll get lucky!! Lol
sharon77057 Ozziegee
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Both my OS and PT told me it was not my fault. They knew that I had given PT all I had and worked hard there and at home on my exercises. They both said that some people just make more scar tissue than others and it's not anything I did or didn't do that caused this.
I was at 78 ROM up until I did my MUA at 12 wks. Now I am at 105, not the best but PT says I will be able to do most things in daily living. My straightening is at 6, but OS says that it should get better with time.
I'm having 2nd knee done 6/21 and am scared that it will happen again. It set back my recovery because of the manipulation. But crossing my fingers and trying to stay positive. I really do not want to do another TKR, but I also want to be pain free and get on with my life. Good luck with your recovery and if you decide to do the manipulation, it's not the end of the world, at least you would have more ROM.
lesley67451 sharon77057
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On reading about your knee I can't believe your the same as me I had a MUA and I'm at 6 straighting ,are you like me and limp and need a crutch to walk .i can't go back to work it's been 16 long weeks .im so down .
wendy24221 Ozziegee
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Do not be disheartened after only four months. I think I must have had the slowest recovery ever and at one point became very depressed at failing to meet other people's expectations. However, after a year I decided to accept it how it was and get on with life as I was fed up with life revolving around my knee. I am now nearly 2 years post op and my bend and strength continue to improve. My surgeon stressed that the replacement would never feel like my own knee and it doesn't, but it does feel strong and stable. I recently visited an ancient castle in Scotland and walked up and down five flights of a stone spriral staircase, which would have been unthinkable a year ago. Tkr is not a quick fix, just keep plodding on and eventually you will get there.
Ozziegee wendy24221
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cynthia89958 wendy24221
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I will have to adopt your thinking at some point I think. Well done on the spiral stair case - that must feel good!
wendy24221 cynthia89958
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You are still very early in your recovery, but have faith there is life after TKR and there is no going back - only forward. Before my op, I feared losing my mobility and not being able to do what I wanted and go where I wanted and although it has been hard, I feel it has been worth it.
karen14697 wendy24221
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Holding ROM at 122 so I got released from PT after 11 weeks! All I got was a new T-shirt. Ha! My knee is swollen from today's exercises there and I'm still dealing with pain. I ordered some lotion from out-of-state (ahem) and hear it works wonders on pain. I don't mind icing as it helps with pain. Onward! But don't know if I'll ever be anything like I was -active for my age (67). When the pain and swelling stop, I'll truly rejoice.
chris00938 karen14697
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If your arthritis was anything like mine, you'll be a lot more active when you're over this op! I was limited to VERY short walks, VERY slowly, because every step hurt and felt unstable, and now with just one knee done (three months post op yesterday) the difference is phemomenal! Walking with one strong knee is so much easier than walking with no strong knees! You'll find it's wonderful once you're back on your feet properly:-))))
jenny80029 chris00938
Posted