Manipulation Under Anaesthetic

I think there are a few threads on here where folk discuss MUA. I haven't had it. What degree is your bend at? I ask because I am post op 18weeks and my bend is 95 and everyone says I am doing fine and to keep doing the exercises and it will come. I am sure it will go well.

Hi Dode

I had an MUA on both of my knees, as they had both stiffened up, and I couldn't then straighten my legs.  For my first knee, it was 5 months after TKR and was successful.  I woke up from general anaesthetic after only about 30 mins in theatre and was already on the CPM machine.  There was a little bit of pain, but I don't remember anything too bad.

I had my second TKR (this time a bespoke knee) last Sept and had an MUA in March.  This time, it did not straighten the leg...and I face further surgery to re-open the knee next month, as my surgeon believes I have excess scar tissue.

I would certainly give MUA a go...although I'm surprised that you have a problem if you are walking so well.

Patsy

It sounds like you're doing brilliantly. What is your bend up too?

I went for an MUA but it couldn't be done as my ligaments are the issue and my leg was likely to break apparently. I would have it done in a heartbeat if it would work for me but my bend doesn't reach 90 and my extension is -30 on a good day.

I think 12 weeks is still really early for it though. Let us know what you decide x

Well I had my first knee Tkr in 2011 and now my second knee on 5 May.  I had my first knee manipulated twice and I know I will do the same with second knee,  it was absolutely fine I didn't need my sticks after and the first knee is great,  so I'm not concerned at all,  I wasn't on a machine over night and was out of hospital within two hours .  I hope this info helps,  

to be honest dode im wondering about your bend as you say you are driving and can walk for an hour and you have no pain it sounds to me like you have a very susessfull knee  your bend cant be very bad as your driving without problem iwish my bi lateral went as good i would be slow to go for MUA  when you are doing so well

Some surgeons seem to expect alot more bend than others!  I saw mine this week (for something else, not the knee) and he askedme how it was . . so I said  about 120, and he said ohe, good, anything over 90 is a bonus, but 90 will do . . . .I'm quite happy with 120 . . i know a lot of people get more, but I don't seem to need any more than that to do everything I used to do!

HI Dode, I too am up for an MUA. I saw my surgeon this past tuesday and he is having one scheduled in the next week or so. I am 9 weeks post op and have a 90 degree bend (and -30 straighening). I have written about this before on this forum, but my physio was rather adamant that this needed to happen as he said that there was nothing more he could do to get additional bend. I also have strength issues in the quadricep muscle so am still using my cane as well as a brace for stairs when I am tired or after exercising. My fear is that this will damage, slow down or reverse the slow process I have made with the muscles. The surgeon was pretty positive and while he can't guarantee anything (and they would never do it if they could) he told me that the positive results would far aout weight the risks. I am driving my car (an automatic) right now....and LOVING IT after 2 months with no driving. I am hoping that the increased bend after the MUA will allow me to exercise the leg more (Ican't go right around on the pedals of the stationary bike) and will result in further strengthening of the quad; It feels a bit like the chicken and the egg right now to be honest. let us know what you decide and the outcome if you do decide to do it. Best wishes Donna

I had my knee replacement done in 2002 and had to have 2 manipulations on it over a few months and I was told while under anaesthetic it bent really well but when they woke me I couldn't  bend it any further so for me it didn't work, but I also wasn't taking strong pain killers at the time so I think I stopped my leg from achieving a good bend.

good luck with what you decide 

I hope I haven't come across very negative but I think it's good to have opinions from both sides good and bad.

Hi. Further to my post a few days ago about going for a MUA, I bit the bullet and this happened yesterday. I had a spinal anaesthetic so was awake to witness the deed! The leg was absolutely dead and numb and it was so bizarre to see the surgeon turning and bending the knee. He apparently achieved 100% bend in the theatre (I was as low as 65% before).  The procedure only took 15 minutes and I was then immediately put on a machine which bent my knee for me. I was in hospital overnight and on this machine for 21 hours! The pain was OK though the last 2 or 3 hours were a bit more difficult. I was 95% to 100% upon leaving hospital this morning. However, my pain is now worse, presumably the aftermath of the procedure, and I reckon I'm around 80% at the moment. I've to go for intensive physiotherapy on an ongoing basis and am told I must do the exercises and keep bending to avoid stiffening again. The pain is bad right now but i'm hopeful that I can cope with the right medication to make it manageable. I wondered if any fellow sufferers out there have tried the MUA and what the results were farther down the line? I just want to be able to go up and down stairs normally and without difficulty, ride and exercise bike (but no imperative) and lift my leg up high enough in the shower to wash my left foot! Thanks!