Posted , 6 users are following.
18 months after TKR and still experiencing problems such as stiffness and only getting a bend of 75 my consultant is happy to do an MUA but can't advise me only to say it could make it worse or it could improve it. Rearly don't know what to do or what to expect so worried even about the thought of it.
0 likes, 11 replies
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natalie04381 eileen88018
Posted
I had an MUA, surgeon got a bend of 135, I can only get 100_110 but best thing I did ,your only under anesthetic for about 20 minutes , everyone's different with pain but I had quiet bad pain for about a week after where they just pulled my leg about, I had pain more in my hip but controlled with pain meds x
MAT2018 eileen88018
Posted
I had a MUA in April 2018, was in at 6:00am out by lunch time. At 2:00 that afternoon I was at PT working on my new bend. My knee didn't hurt, but I did have soreness about my ankle where I guess he grabbed on to bend the knee. But that was it!!! I am very happy I had the MUA I went from a bend of 100 to 120 and currently can bend it to 125 (9 months post TKR)
I was told by my surgeon he wanted to perform the MUA at around 12 weeks because after that it gets harder to break up the scar tissue. So I had mine at 12 weeks. A friend of mine had a different surgeon, waited a year and while they called it a MUA instead of just forcing the knee to bend under anesthesia (which is what I had) they opened his knee back up to removed the scar tissue. His recover from that was longer and he didn't see as much of an improvement in his bend but he was happy with what he did get.
debbie40320 eileen88018
Posted
Right knee almost feels normal.. bend isn’t the best but it functions much better..
I just saw doctor on Friday about the strap feeling that has not gone away, she also mention about going in to remove scar tissue., but would wait to a year.. thinks it will improve.. I don’t know what to think anymore .. a MUA is truly nothing to worry about.. I never had pain, not till therapy forced it back...
rosemary63666 eileen88018
Posted
Hi Eileen, thats awful 18 months, your very strong to have coped with that for so long...i don't know anybody who has had MUA,so wouldn't be able to advise.i really understand how hard it is for you to decide what to do. X
laurel65763 eileen88018
Posted
After post op complications left my TKR bent at 45 degrees so I could not straighten my leg 7 months post op,, I wanted to avoid surgery to remove scar tissue so surgeon prescribed a JAS brace which gradually cranks the frame to stretch (either extend or bend) the leg to break up scar tissue. (Worn 3X day for 30 minutes-control of cranking was mine) it was developed by an orthopedic surgeon and works in 8-12 weeks average. I also had physical and massage therapy weekly using a Gua Sha tool and magnesium lotion to break down scar tissue in addition to stretching exercises. I was amazed that in 10 weeks my extension went from 45 to 10 (It is now zero/straight) and flexion/bend went from 100 to 125. The band feeling around the knee lasted about 11 months for me. It has been 16 months since the TKR and that knee /leg is strong so I have one good leg to stand on now! I'm delaying the other knee replacement until next year. Good Luck
rosemary63666 laurel65763
Posted
Hi laurel, good to hear your doing well now, I don't understand a lot of how you got there but sounds like it was hard work...i don't understand about scar tissue, I hear a lot about it...is scar tissue just the actual scar....or is the tissue underneath the skin?? Rose Ireland
debbie40320 laurel65763
Posted
Wondering did u do the massage yourself or went to someone?? My doctor said to massage the knee.. my left knee replacement has been a struggle.. I’m almost at 6 months. It is at a maybe 100 bend. There was a tool I was told about at 12 weeks but it was over $1,000 to rent a month.. well that did not happen..
Also the strap feeling was that in the front of your knee.. I have a very tight feeling in the front.. felt every time I try to push the knee back.. my doctor feels it will go away.. I pray it does..
laurel65763 debbie40320
Posted
Hi Debbie-heel slides will help increase your bend. You can hold the slide/bend for longer periods of time to increase your bend gradually. Read Chico Marx's recommendations for exercise. I found a Gua Sha tool similar to the one the Physical Therapist used, on amazon.com for under $30. I went to a sports massage therapist for 6 sessions to get me started and also used a tool called a "back buddy" useful for breaking up scar tissue behind the knee. The strap feeling was a band across the front of my knee. Soaking in epsom salts in a hot bath helped me to stretch and bend my knee for 20-30 minutes. The tight band goes away with time and exercise. After getting out of the wheelchair, pool walking increased my range of motion. I still go 3X week for 60-90 minutes and swim with short fins and a float board to build up the leg muscles that got weak over the months I was in a wheelchair. When I first went to the pool, I used 2 crutches and had to sit every 50 feet to rest. That was about 4 months ago. Now I use one crutch for the right knee that needs replacing, I can walk from the car to the locker to the pool and climb in and out using the ladder! (originally I limped to the pool steps and walked down sideways)
For those of us not in the 6 week recovery group, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Best wishes for your continued recovery.
laurel65763 rosemary63666
Posted
laurel65763 debbie40320
Posted
Hi Debbie-I did 6 sessions with a sports massage therapist and used a Gua Sha tool and "back buddy" to break up scar tissue myself. The strap feeling eventually goes away if you give it time while doing the exercises like heel slides, holding the bend and increasing the bend and hold time as you are able. Good Luck for continued healing.
rosemary63666 laurel65763
Posted