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Manipulation Under Anesthesia Pain Concern

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brose361
brose361

JUST GETTING USED TO THIS FORUM AND HAVE READ ABOUT LOT OF PEOPLE DOING MUA WITH MINIMAL PAIN. I READ THAT IT CAN CAUSE EXCRUCIATING PAIN POST AND SOME DOCTORS RECOMMEND AN OVERNIGHT STAY FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT. I ALSO HAVE FIBROMYALGIA. ANY FEEDBACK?

Hello:

So thankful I finally found this site as I have been struggling with the recovery process and people understanding. I have experienced being told many times from a knee replacement patient "when I was at 3 mos this is what I could do". I simply inform them they were bent the day after surgery. I was only bent 20 mins 2x's per day for 8 weeks. Plus I have fibromyalgia. Anyway . . .

I had a displaced patellar fracture from a bad fall on 1/29 basically splitting my knee cap in half in to 2 pieces. It was closed. I had the ORIF surgery on 2/4 and have 2 screws and the wires - no plate. My pain was not controlled prior to surgery and while I was to be a 23 hour stay after surgery I ended up being in the hospital for 3 days because they couldn't get my pain under control. Following the hospital I went to inpatient rehab for 1 week where I learned how to walk better (used the walker and crutches), how to dress myself, and how to use the leg lifter as I couldn't lift my leg on my own. Upon going home I had in-home PT 3x's per week and I then transferred over to outpatient rehab 3x's per week since the middle of March where I have remained having PT 3x's per week.

I was in a full leg brace with hinges for 8 weeks. I was kept at 0 extension when walking and was permitted to unlock the brace to 30 - 60- or 90 (dr. unlocked further each time I saw him) flexion when I wasn't standing or walking. Due to the 0 extension for so long it led to much difficulty with getting good flexion. As soon as the brace came off I no longer used crutches or the walker.

So that's my basic story. Fast forward to now. My doctor is thrilled with the healing and says I don't need any more x-rays. No arthritis. I am continuing to use a cane only outside of the house. Stairs going up are tiring and at times painful. Stairs going down are tough and I hear clicking or crackling. Pretty consistent pain on the lower portion of my knee especially when standing. The stiffness causes the pain. My PT thinks this is patellar tendon based although there was no damage to any ligaments or tendons. Some of this results in compensation which causes other problems. At times I'm still having pain when walking and rainy days are really difficult pain wise. Despite the months of PT I am still only in the 90's flexion wise.

In addition the head of the screw is protruding so you can actually see what looks like a little outward button on the side of my knee. It hasn't come through the skin thankfully.

So the doctor has agreed and believes that a MUA is a good idea at this point and he will do something about the screw as well/at the same time as the MUA. I am nervous and wondering if I'm making the right decision to proceed. I have heard it is very painful and sets a person back. He told me I'll need the crutches again after the procedure. I have read that some doctors keep a patient overnight for control of pain but my doctor doesn't think that is needed and I'm concerned about that too. I don't know if the intent is to remove the hardware completely or what the story is with that. So I have been writing back and forth to the doctor thru a portal they have to find out more. In addition thoughts on use of the CPM after the procedure? Doctor claims no need.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advanced for someone who understands and wants to be understood to.

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • debbie40320
    debbie40320 brose361

    Posted

    I had both knees replaced 6 weeks apart..2018 right leg is pretty good.. been over a year now.. the left knee didn't turn out so well. after 3 months I had a MUA done.. i had no pain after words, no problem walking... when i went to therapy that was hard, when they would bend it back it would hurt like hell.. well i can tell you it did nothing my leg is at a 100 flex.. still stiff in the front.. the doctor had it bent all the way back in pictures.. my advice take the pain.. , maybe if I would of screamed more it would bend alot more.. learning to live with it.. but i can say no pain which is a relief .. best of luck to you and your recovery!!

  • kathy63770
    kathy63770 brose361

    Posted

    so sorry to hear of your problems.

    I had a MUA about six weeks after my TKR because my surgeon didn't feel I was recovering as quickly as he would have liked.

    what I can tell you from my experience is that it didn't work. it definitely set me back about a week to ten days, but I did get more prescription pain meds from the surgeon for pain.

    mine was not an overnight stay. the procedure was less than 20 minutes so I was put under for a short time. I went to physical therapy that afternoon...as directed by my surgeon...and then 3 more times that week...for a total of 4 times.

    for me.....it was not successful procedure. I recuperated in my own time with the help of a great physical therapist. 7 months later now and life is pretty much back to normal and has been since around month 3. its not a perfect knee...but its better than it was.

    I live in the US and would say this surgery was successful....but much more difficult than expected.

    best of luck to you.

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