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MUA at the 12 week mark because of ROM stuck at -5/100

Posted , 8 users are following.

MAT2018
MAT2018

I have been at -5/100 ROM since the 2nd week of my TKR surgery and the numbers didn't move even with me working on the ROM exercises everyday with and without my PT folks.    

So at my 12 week post op meeting with the surgeon he said he wanted to do a MUA.    After the MUA,  Dr. Burton said I had a lot of scar tissue.  He said there was a lot of popping come from the knee as he moved it around. In the end he said he got the knee to go to 0/125. He was happy with but I am not...my other knee is 0/135 which is basically a normal knee so I am hoping with time I can get to at least 0/130. He told me in no uncertain terms, this next two weeks (I see him again on the 3rd of May) my job is do the ROM exercises every hour possible and other than that stay off my legs as much as possible to help get the swelling down. He said that swelling is the enemy to ROM recovery. 

Several hours after the MUA I met with his PT folks.  When they measured my ROM it was 0/120...so I already lost 5 degrees of bend.  Again, I was not happy but they said that is normal that you don't get the bend that the surgeon will get.  They also stressed that I need to do the ROM exercises as often during the day as I can...they said at least every hour.  

I am back home and the drugs that he injected in my knee during the MUA are wearing off so I am in PAIN.   The pain for me is much more than what I experienced after the TKR.  Which is very surprising to me.  I am also experiencing pain from my foot to my hip.  The surgeon said that is because of how he had to move my body to get the knee to move.  I do have black and blue marks coming up.  

But I am doing the ROM exercises as much as I can.  

For all of those are facing a possible MUA I will  keep you posting  on this site what is happening to me.  As we all know everyone has there own recovery schedule but I hope I might be able to give folks some insight into at least one MUA after a TKR.  

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • linda54905
    linda54905 MAT2018

    Posted

    thank you Matt  ... I will  be interested to read  your further posts   ..L
  • Snoozy69
    Snoozy69 MAT2018

    Posted

    I would be happy with 120. I'm now coming up to 7 months and I still see improvements in my knee and that's without an MUA. The last time I saw my surgeon in January it was hardly 90 degrees I'm getting it to 110 now but I think it's tight muscles that are preventing my flexion not scar tissue. I don't understand why people put themselves through an MUA to get a flexion of 130 why do you need to bend your knee that far? Just curious 😃

    • MAT2018
      MAT2018 Snoozy69

      Posted

      Snoozy, not sure I "need" to get to 130 but I have just set it as a goal to work for over the rest of year...since everyone says the healing process can last for up to 2 years.  Today is just the second day after the MUA but I am very glad I did it.  I am walking better already!

      I was stuck at -5/100 for 11 weeks and it was because of the scar tissue not tight muscles (in fact I am very flexible).  I was warned before the replacement that scar tissue might be a problem for me because over last 30 years my right knee has been opened up 3 different time (ACL, torn meniscus 2x) so for the TKR they cut into the same incision.    

      I didn't go into the MUA thinking of any numbers. My surgeon told me as far as he was concerned you can do everything you need to with 0/120 (going up and down stairs...walking without a limp and so on).  

      So that is my story!!  😀

       

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 MAT2018

    Posted

    Thank you..that is a very informative post...I do Hope you feel better as soon as possible...It must be hard.

    Sending good wishes your way.

    Have you plenty of pain relief medication? If not sufficient, get it sorted as there is no point suffering more than necessary.

  • linda25303
    linda25303 MAT2018

    Posted

    After 2 years of my Knee replacement the pain is getting worse and its like making a clunking sound , got app on Tues 26th April and having about 10 or so specialists to come up with a solution what is causing the pain. I hope that they come up with something as this pain is stressing me out bad. My other knee is going out in sympathy also , they will not touch that one until this one is sorted out frown

     

  • linda54905
    linda54905 MAT2018

    Posted

    Not familar with what MUA means mat.could you please advise. Linda
    • MAT2018
      MAT2018 linda54905

      Posted

      MUA is manipulation (of knee) under anesthesia.  Where you are admitted into a hospital and put you under anesthesia so they can bend your knee and straighten it out.  At 12 weeks they don't normally scope you but if it is later than 12 weeks they might also scope you so they make sure they get all the scar tissue.  

  • linda68082
    linda68082 MAT2018

    Posted

    Hi Matt

    I had a left TKR last November 2017.  Upto six weeks post op I was doing pretty good, I had the usual pain, etc., but I had started using my bike, ( on a turbo), and thought all was well.

    Unfortunately, after six weeks I developed excruciating pain below my knee, like a knife being dug in. . It was suggested perhaps I was doing too much, so I slowed down but still continued with exercise and icing. Now I am unable to rotate my leg on the bike, . I’m walking with a limp and dragging my left hip....I had a THR three years ago! 

    I’m now attending private Physiotherapy but don’t seem to be progressing well at all. Last week my physio actually pressed down on my thigh to gently straighten my leg, ( I say gently, for, it was awful),  as it’s been permanently bent since my hip replacement . The pain was excruciating. 

    I’m seeing my consultant on 24 April. He may suggest MUA. Well I’m half hoping he will suggest MUA but to be absolutely truthful, I’m scared it will be so debilitating and painful I won’t get better.

     I’m off to Bulgaria in May and thought I would be tickety boo by now. I'm back to using two crutches to help me walk better. It’s so disheartening. 

    Please can you reassure me?

    Linda 

  • MiXCSkier
    MiXCSkier MAT2018

    Posted

    Thanks I"ll keep an eye on your progress as my knee is in an immobilizer for 6 weeks at 4 weeks post op after TKR because I broke my knee cap (long story).  So all my hard won ROM (0/110 maybe 120) will be lost, probably (unknown, not alot of "Broken Knee Cap after TKR" forums out there to follow)

  • MAT2018
    MAT2018

    Posted

    Day 3 post MUA

    I was at PT today and my knee ROM is already decreased to 0/110.   Which they said is normal but VERY FRUSTRATING.  The good thing is that my knee is now at 0 and I can tell the difference in walking...much easier.  Also it is easier when I go to stand up from sitting.    But I am having much different pain from the knee/leg.  I am assuming that the pain is from the procedure where he had to move the leg and break up the scar tissue.  

     

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