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Painful quads after RTKR and MUA

Posted , 16 users are following.

hughesema
hughesema

Hi

I had a RTKR on 16th December and was really struggling with the bend due to a massive build up of scar tissue from this and previous surgeries. Therefore I had an MUA on Saturday.  Straight after the procedure the bend was fantastic and I went on the CPM and managed to get 110 degrees bend.  I was discharged the same day.

i woke up on Sunday with everything hurting and feeling very low and couldn't stop crying.  I am now struggling with getting my bend back, I seem to have gone backwards :-( My quad muscles are very tight and painful. I am persevering with my exercises every hour but I am getting very frustrated.  I have physio tonight and I am dreading it!

i asked the hospital if I could borrow a CPM machine but they don't let them out of the hospital.  I have researched if I can hire one but it's going to cost approx £250+ a week! 

Well..... That's me! Sorry it's a bit long-winded, I guess I just wanted to vent to somebody who totally understands and to possibly gain a little advice :-)

Thanks all

Em

xx

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

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  • veronica91735
    veronica91735 hughesema

    Posted

    I looked into hiring one, it was £68 + VAT per week - min 2 weeks.

    However - I persevered & at 15 weeks tomorrow, I'm now OK with my slow, but steady improvement. My physio put me off the MUA, one was my really high blood pressure, which shot up just talking about it, & also she said the internal stitches, about 5 layers of them, sometimes get torn during the proceedure. I really hope you get there - this op. is simply the worst thing ever.

    Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as it was to a site unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

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  • petemorris
    petemorris hughesema

    Posted

    I hate to say it Em,

    But I don't understand all the acronyms you've used.  Maybe I'm thick (probably) but I have no idea what MUA is, nor do I know what a CPM machine is either,

    What I do know, is if you've only had the operation on the 16th Dec, then you're probably hoping for results too quickly.  It takes time.

    • hughesema
      hughesema petemorris

      Posted

      Hi Pete

      sorry, an MUA is Manipulation Under Anaesthetic, they put you to sleep and bend your knee to break up scar tissue while your nerves are relaxed and don't react to pain. CPM is a continuous passive motion machine, my knee was strapped into this an it moves an bends your knee for you, you have a remote and you can increase the degree of bend gradually!

      I'm just feeling very discouraged at the moment, and can't stop crying :-(

    • petemorris
      petemorris hughesema

      Posted

      Ah...I see...Awwwwww...Well try not to get too upset....It's a very familliar pattern we probably all go through...One day up and the next day down, and it's a bit like a roller coaster.  But it does get bettter....Eventually....I'm pretty much about 9 months ish down the raod from my TKR and still have off days....Nobody warns about these things before the operation...or maybe they do, but we don't 'hear' it right, or maybe don't want to hear it.

      I'm not sure I'd actually 'want' the CPM machine...I'd rather go under my own steam and work through it myself, knowing I have complete control over how much I want or need to bend my knee on any given day.

      You said you were worried about the physio...that's a walk in the park really.  When I went in the early days, yes they worked me pretty hard, but I always came away with a sense of achievement, even though it bloody stung for a good while afterwards.  Keep taking the meds!...You'll be fine.

  • jayne15912
    jayne15912 hughesema

    Posted

    Hi. I also have had a lot of scar tissue due to previous operations.which I know made my tkr a bit more complicated and also a bigger wound because of this. All stared many many years ago when I had a bad motorcycle accident and over the years progessive arthritis. Some days I have wanted to scream out loud and I have had a good cry on occasions. But I'm trying to remain positive that in time I will get there. I am quilt off trying to rush it along and then I end up in worse pain because you can't rush this. It's sometimes feels like one step forward and 2 steps back! It's still quite early days for me yet. But I cling on to the hope that one day i can say it was all worth it and I really wish that for you to. This site has kept me sane over the last few weeks. Lots of support from people who know what we are going through . Take care. X
  • te8549
    te8549 hughesema

    Posted

    I had both knees done mid December and scar tissue has been a real issue for me in both knees. I was at maybe 95 degrees at 6 weeks. Last week I went into the hospital for a manipulation under anesthesia. My surgeon got over 130 degree bend while I was unconscious but I have only managed limited flexion (L =108, R=102). My physical therapist is still optimistic. I'm going 3 times per week. I have a stationary bike at home which I use multiple times per day. I was given a cpm machine, and I get to 120 on it, but I don't  get that bend any place else. I find the bike is the best, even better than the cpm machine. I'm icing multiple times in the day - after the manipulation my knees were quite swollen.  My doctor has given me a muscle relaxant too, since spasms are an issue.  

    Bottom line is I've had some really rough days, progress seems to be inch by inch, instead of leaps and bounds. It can be discouraging. I use the pain medicine when needed (especially before physical therapy), ice, elevate and try again. I'm afraid that the scar tissue build up I've have will prevent me from gaining 120 degrees, at this point I'm focusing on getting to 110. I've learned from this blog that everybody heals at different rates, reading that makes me less discouraged.  Hang in there. 

  • patsyrose
    patsyrose hughesema

    Posted

    Hi Em

    I had an MUA on my previous knee and had 2 days in hospital on the CPM.  I found it such a relief after not being able to put my foot flat on the floor.  I honestly don't remember being in a lot of pain after it, but would suggest that you take regular painkillers and ice a lot.

    I had my 2nd knee done in Sept and am currently feeling that that might need an MUA too, as I'm struggling to straighten now.

    wishing you all the best.

    patsy

  • hughesema
    hughesema

    Posted

    Thank you all, I guess I just wanted to 'talk' to people who understand 1st hand what it's like. I'm having a very bad day today and can't stop crying. I've done my exercises every hour as advised to do so but it is so painful and the bend is not really improving. I'm using ice and heat.  I've got a stationary bike but I am yet to get the pedals all the way round!

    oh well ...... Tomorrow's another day :-)

    • petemorris
      petemorris hughesema

      Posted

      I don't see you have to exercise every hour...Jeees it's no wonder you're in pain....Don't try to short cut the healing process.  It's gonna take a while, and aggrevating it hourly won't do you any good at all, in my opinion...But hey...I'm no doctor....

      By the way, I've sent you a link to my blog...have a read of it

    • Tucks
      Tucks hughesema

      Posted

      I have had so many days of crying and feeling low and I still gat them. Even though my bends were really good from day one it hasn't stopped all the other things the op brings. Please don't beat yourself up with so many excersises your body needs to heal at its own pace. Your doing really well and those big bends will come eventually. I had to cope with only having paracetomal for pain relief and some days I thought I was going out of my mind. I think one of the problems is no one tells you what to expect after this op so the shock to our minds and bodies is so overwhelming. Take care.
  • te8549
    te8549 hughesema

    Posted

    The day I found this site, I was a discouraged mess. Just reading the supportive responses made my worst day a bit better.  I think I've turned a corner and then a bad day. But chances are tomorrow will be better. My therapist had me pedal backwards first. At first I couldn't get around, so he had me just do the best I could, eventually I could do a full rotation. You'll get there. I was told the first three months are rough. I'm using that as my goal. Yesterday everything hurt, knees, ankles, quads, shins and I was frustrated. Today my knees are a bit sore, but that's it so far.  You will get there.
  • anne07663
    anne07663 hughesema

    Posted

    I have to agree with petemoris, I think you are exercising way to much. Your body needs time toheal. When we are healthy and go to the gym, everyday is not recommended. Maybe just move itfrom time to time. I am a little over 9weeks post op. I can't get the bend beyond 95. I'm now accepting to just go with theflow. I'm walking fine and no pain, except a little tissue pain. I was very discouraged as well. We just need to learn to be patient. I tell myself that I'm 63 not 23 so that's the way ay it is. Take care and take rest and time.  
    • susan20089
      susan20089 anne07663

      Posted

      I totally agree with you Anne, we all heal at Different paces.
  • suzanne64053
    suzanne64053 hughesema

    Posted

    Hello, I agree with some of the other comments every hour exercising seems excessive. I was advised 3 times a day and then to only do twice a day and then advised if I had a busy day miss them out completely.  Keep up with the icing as I really think that helps. I had my op in Setember and my knee still swells after a day at work but I know from talking to others this is not unusual.   It's a big op  and our bodies all react differently. Sometimes it helps to have a good cry I know I have since September. Take care 
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