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Painful Flexinator

Posted , 5 users are following.

philguud
philguud

I went to the doctor on this past Thursday, and they told me that there was nothing else they could do for the chronic stiffness in my knee. I had TKR July 12, 2016, a MUA one month later, and a revision January 30.2017. I had two operations before TKR, and I'm prone to generating scar tissue at a rapid pace. I was issued a machine called a flexinator and I put my leg into it and it bends the leg at the knee. You pump it until you get a really good stretch and you're supposed to hold it in this position for ten minutes. It's very painful because it keeps your knee in a uncomfortable position and when I release the pressure, I can barely walk on my leg. I have to walk it out. The therapist told me that I have to get use to it, but my knee turns red and swells. Has anyone used this machine and what advice can you give me? I have trouble keeping the range of motion gained during my exercises.

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • pyesangel
    pyesangel philguud

    Posted

    I used this machine and loved it. It was so helpful in getting my knee to bend, that when I went to PT I was already at 100 bend. The machine I had could also bend and straighten the knee, so my knee was moving while the leg was in it.  Has anyone mentioned massaging your knee and knee cap?? Scar tissue will build up there and cause many problems. My PT showed me how to move my knee cap up, down, and side to side. It was uncomfortable at first, but broke up the scar tissue and I was able to reach 130 bend. I had my TKR 2 1/2 years ago and have had no problems. I would say to get some Bio oil, or Palmers and start massaging the area of the knee and scar and move the knee cap and see if that doesn't help. Sorry you're having such trouble.

    • philguud
      philguud pyesangel

      Posted

      I’m talking about the flex machine that is manual. You have to sit in a chair and crank your leg. I found out that I have better results  just riding my exercise bike. Thanks for your reply 
  • Wicca1971
    Wicca1971 philguud

    Posted

    I am so sorry you have gone through so much pain. I wish I could give you some advice but I've just gone through TKR 10 weeks ago and already had a MUA a week ago. Having a lot of pain behind the knee and still a lot of stiffness. I've had multiple procedures on the knee prior to TKR and am afraid I may be in the same boat as you. I'm only 46, way too young to be going through all of this pain. I just want to be able to keep up with my 13 year old son. Not too much to ask, right?

    I'm hoping you get the answers you need and the pain relief you so much deserve.

    • philguud
      philguud Wicca1971

      Posted

      Wicca, I really appreciate your reply. It’s the stiffness that’s giving me the trouble. I only experience pain when I use the machine. My doctor told me that it works and my therapist used it for his stiffness four years post op and he say it helps. I’m going to keep trying it but if I swell up like I did yesterday I’m sending it back. 
    • Wicca1971
      Wicca1971 philguud

      Posted

      I've never heard of that machine, it sounds painful. Can you get a CPM machine instead? I'm going to try to get a script for one because it's helped me in the past. Gave me a good stretch without the pain.

    • Wicca1971
      Wicca1971 philguud

      Posted

      Do you have a CPM machine and the manual machine that you described earlier or are they the same thing. The CPM machine bends your knee back and forth very slowly.
  • j68551
    j68551 philguud

    Posted

    Pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced flexibility when bending and stretching. Since the operation in 2017 I am still struggling, limping and hopping down stairs. Upstairs no problem.  But my driving has improved due to a recent cataract operation 

    ( new intraocular lenses). I recommend driving. Manual or automatic.  For the pain take Tramadol 25 mg 

    (Half a capsule ) mix it with strong coffe No Sugar! Final advice:  control your weight. TKR and OBESITY.   “Prognosis pessima” as one bone doctor said long time ago. 

    • philguud
      philguud j68551

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. Tramadol doesn’t work for me. I was using melixicam for pain and swelling and it helps. I also use voltren gel on my knee. I ride my exercise bike for about five to ten minutes and it makes my knee feel much better.  I have a belly bulge but I’m not tremendously overweight. 
  • judy17487
    judy17487 philguud

    Posted

    Tkr 9/28/16

     7  months of PT for straightening the leg Wasnt doing it.  So I quit.

    The next week I took a spill and landed on both knees on hardwood floor causing My TKR knee to regress.  However, I am able to straighten it.  I guess I had manipulation without anesthesia.It would not bend past 45degrees.  Went to surgeon next day, and he DISCHARGED me.  So for the next 5 months or so I just lived with it.

    then my good knee started hurting.  Went t9 different doc.  He wouldn’t touch TKR knee, but determined that I had torn meniscus and bakers cyst.  I opted not to have surgery at that time.

    went back in 6 weeks almost in tears.  I saw Physicians Asst.  He took pity on me and X-rayed TKR knee and gave injection in other knee.  I also went back to PT for TKR knee.  N

    so now, over a year, my mobility has worseNed.  My joints around TKR knee ache, and my good knee feels like a toothache.  My legs feel weak, and they get stiff a lot.

    i guess I just want to say that I will never be the same, and I can only hope that I don’t need a TKR on the other knee.   Drive a stick shift, but I only drive 30 miles in any direction.  I’m 72 years old, and I’m too tired to fight any more.

    Thanks for listening 

     

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