Manipulation scheduled. I'm apprehensive.
Posted , 36 users are following.
I saw my surgeon yesterday and he took one look at my bend and said he would manipulate it, but not until I was at 12 weeks so that is in another 3 weeks from now. In the meantime I've stopped physical therapy so that I will still have some left for after the manipulation. I had got to 105 under force, but I think that under my own steam I'm only making about 90. My apprehension comes from the fact that his nurse told me they do it under a general rather than an epidural - because it's such a 'rough' procedure. My heart doesn't do well under general anesthesia.
I'm so tired of all the ups and downs - a big up because I made 105 and then a big down because I couldn't keep it. Feeling up because the medication is working one day and then down because the pain is back the next. And now I don't know whether I should be up or down - up perhaps because it might finally get bent and down because of the anesthesia worry.
I don't really have a question. I just know that you are the only people I can talk to who understand.
5 likes, 140 replies
Chiefan58 joansgarden
Posted
A Google search led me to this site. Just thought I'd see how many have had multiple manipulations? I had my tkr in July of 2016. I had previously had four other surgeries including 2 scopes and 2 fully opened operations. (Bi-compartmental replacement and an ACI procedure) I knew something wasn't right within a day or two after the tkr as I couldn't straighten my leg. Doctor said it was typical and with therapy it would improve. It didn't. I had an inpatient mua in October and I felt better for a day or two. That was about it. Within two weeks at the end of pt stretching, the straightest the therapist could get me with a lot of force was 17 degrees. I had a scope in January where the doctor said he removed a lot of scar tissue. Again, I only had improvement for a short time. At this point, my leg feels like it's fairly straight, or I've gotten use to it. I can only bend it to about 85-90 degrees though. He's going to try another manipulation next week to see if it provides any relief. He's also sending me to a dermatologist to see if I may have a metal allergy. If that's the case he said that he'll need to remove my current hardware and replace it with a different type of material. At this point I'm actually hoping that I'm allergic. I'm only 43, and I used to be very active. I didn't injure it either. It was just arthritic. I'm in almost constant pain and actually ok more pain medication now than I was when they sent them me home post op. I'm actually looking forward to my second manipulation. Sorry to hijack this post, just thought I'd see if anyone has had any similar experience.
karen14697 Chiefan58
Posted
Chiefan58 karen14697
Posted
I just saw your reply. I didn't get any notification about it.
I had my second manipulation on Thursday. I felt pretty good that day and optimistic in the afternoon at therapy. I was already significantly less flexible at therapy on Friday. I've been trying to keep my polar ice machine on as much as possible to curb the swelling. I'm pretty sure that it's not going to improve much at this point, but my therapist said that she thought it was better today than it was Friday. Guess all I can do is wait and see.
Chiefan58
Posted
Darn phone. Congratulations on getting to 105 in therapy. As long as you're making some progress, I'm sure you'll be able to get to 120. I'm at about 85, and would be happy just to be able to hit 100 at this point.
karen14697 Chiefan58
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Yay. I got to 120 yesterday on my own. Finally a breakthrough. Heading to ATL and the surgeon for what I hope to be my last visit. Still don't understand why I should still be in pain after almost 12 weeks!!! Good luck!! Karen
Chiefan58 karen14697
Posted
Best of luck. It's been my experience and from what I've learned that it's not uncommon to still have pain at 12 weeks. Not to mention the popular saying, everyone is different.
Chiefan58 karen14697
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Oops, I'm still figuring out this site. 120 is awesome! Best of luck at the doctor.
Oldfatguy1 karen14697
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Give it a year. Dr's don't tell you that this isn't a 3 month deal. Some even tell you that you will be ready for Olympic tryouts in 13 weeks...it ain't necessarily so as the old song goes. Keep working and don't dispare, its gradual, not like falling off a cliff. Honest Dr's will tell you its a year before you own the knee and it doesn't own you. Been through 5 complete rehabs plus 11 surgeries and they are all different. Fret not...fear not and let Chico Marx guide you through the deep dark forest of surgery rehab.
Oldfatguy1 Chiefan58
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Chiefs fan58. Gotta be a Dereck Thomas guy. I'm all in the KC area and use KUMed as my chop and whittle spot.
Chiefan58 Oldfatguy1
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Oldfatguy1 Chiefan58
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Must have been in the Baxter Springs/Riverton area. I grew up (debatable if I grew up or just got older) in Parsons and have lived in Olathe for over 55 years. I have used the KU MED CENTER for my surgeries for the past 15 years or so. Dint get down that way much a y more. My wife doesn't travel a y More due to advanced Parkinson's disease and I can't leave her alone. I'm trying to talk her into staying in a respite facility for a couple days so I can take in Katy Days over memorial day weekend. I have a couple of friends that probably won't be around for the next one (may not make it till the 4th of July).
Hope you are getting along with your surgery recovery. I've had 11 and 5 complete rehabs on my left knee/leg. Its not any easy game to play.
Chiefan58 Oldfatguy1
Posted
Thanks the reply. Wow, I haven't heard those towns in probably 20 years. Those towns were in my athletic conference, but I actually grew up in Arma. Just a speck of a down about 6 miles south of Pittsburg.
Good luck to you and your wife. It certainly isn't great being in rough shape, but at least we're still kickin' 11 on the same knee? You got me. I'm catching up though. Seven with 3 full rehabs and a couple of manipulations just for fun.
Oldfatguy1 Chiefan58
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Old friend by the name of Sandritter from Arms. Spent a lot of Saturday nights at the dance halls there and Frontenac. Great times in the "50's
christophe09400 Chiefan58
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Hi a Google search also lead me to this site. I'm also 43 and I've just been discharged from hospital after having septic arthritis. My knee is locked and in agony if I try to move it. I have pt everyday but they have told me that I need a knew knee. I can't bend it or extend it. I'm really scared about what will happen. The doctor said that i should try everything before going for a knew knee so I think he's going to put a camera in and have a look and then possibly try and straighten it under sedation. They never drained the fluid from my knee and i was only on i.v antibiotics for 3days when everything I've read says it's essential to aspirate the knee and be on antibiotics for at least 3 weeks. The pt says my knee is now bone on bone. Has anyone else had an experience like this, thank you.
BendDiBend christophe09400
Posted
Try ice packs and warm packs. And gentle massage
My question is what does the X-ray or MRI look like
putting the camera in is a great option they might be able to do a tidy up in there to help you and us there still fluid ? Look at the manipulation as a big gym session that you can sleep though .
And if you need s new knee. Yeap it’s hell but go get that new knee. I have two new knees st 52 they are ok. Not the model I ordered but it’s better than what I had