PER 2 weeks out with lack of ROM, help?

Posted , 6 users are following.

I've had my patella replaced almost 2 weeks ago and I'm having major issues with lifting my knee up in a sitting position and laying flat trying to lift my whole leg. These are all things I should be doing by now to some extent, I can't at all. I can't even drive yet in which I saw my NP today and she was surprised given my age-41, and my pre-op abilities. She thinks it maybe that I pushed it too far and have torn my quad tendon or muscle and/or patella tendon. If not, she is dumb founded.

I see my Dr in a couple of days which is 6 weeks earlier than my normal pre-op appt with him. Has anyone had the same issues? I'm nervous I'm going under the knife again@

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Yes this seems normal! 10 months ago I broke my left patella and they repaired it using the usual figure 8 wire. 3 months after this I had a MUA to try and get a bit more bend in my knee.I had the wires removed 3 weeks ago which has helped a bit with the constant pain and swelling. I found it difficult to lift my leg 8 weeks later and I still can't drive a manual as my left leg doesn't have the strength to push down the clutch (and I am worried about causing a car accident). My suggestion is to keep on icing and resting your knee (and taking pain meds) - 2 weeks is still very, very early in your recovery. From talking with other people who have gone through this it seems that recovery is slow. Good luck smile
  • Posted

    Give it time, by removing your patella your tendons have had be realigned. You are not going to be able to lift your leg until you have strengthened your quads. You may have had strong muscles pre-op, but they have been traumatised, they are shoved not moved gently.  They do worked as your knee would have been manipulated whilst you were under the anaesthetic.  Another reason why you are in agony. Do your exercises gently but often.  Your patella tendon now has to get used to not having a patella to control.  You will get there, the only thing you will have a little trouble with in the future is kneeling, but even that is possible just a little uncomfortable.  I had mine removed many moons ago, my quad muscles are still not 100% but I have full strength in my leg. You will be able to do all the sports/activities that you did before your accident/removal.  Good luck, have patience, do not over-do your exercises, but do not neglect them. If it's any consolation,  if you had torn your already bruised, strained, rearranged muscles, you would be in absolute agony. 
  • Posted

    After my TKR Ihad problems lifting my lower leg - it just wouldn't respond. Had to use a leg lifter to get it up on a stool and my other leg to get into bed. I would try, strain and get frustrated as it just wouldn't move. My physio said that I was using the wrong muscles and was lifting from the hip. He made me feel how I used my other leg and repeat that movement on the operated leg and slowly it worked. Just a 1/2cm at first, barely off the bed.  But once I knew how that felt it became easier.

    I am not sure if that is the same for a partial replacement, but 2 weeks is very early.  Here in the UK with a TKR you are recommended not to drive for 4, preferrably 6 weeks.  You are supposed to notify your insurance company if earlier, I was told.

     

  • Posted

    I had TKR surgery in June then October with knee#2. With my first knee I was unable to move my leg without help and needed a strap to help get it off the bed. I was unable to lift it even a tiny bit after surgery and was weeks before I could lift it to "march" while seated. It was as though the muscles and my brain were disconnected! After a few sessions of outpatient physical therapy I began to feel my muscles and could begin to move it.

    I had NONE of this difficulty with knee #2.

    Each leg/ surgery/recovery seems to be unique. Physical therapy helped me to practice the right things at the right times. Between my two knees I was in Physical Therapy for about 6 months.

    Please go have things checked out to find if you DID tear something. Pain is not a good thing if it comes from an injury. Some pain is normal in the healing process, of course, but it is always good to go with your gut and see if things need attention.

    Wishing you answers and hoping for healing and good recovery.

  • Posted

    Not sure why you had yur patella replaced. I had problems with my knees 40 years or so ago. Had one of my patellas removed. It is fine. Live without it!

    Sarah

  • Posted

    Thank you for everyone's replies. My Dr called me last night and he wants to see me 1st thing this morning. I'm still nervous about what he'll say but at least I don't have to wait another day!

    I'll post after appt.

    Thank you!

    • Posted

      Dr was a little shocked that I have no strength in my quad to even lift my foot of the floor. He hopes all that it is, is that I need to retrain my muscle, which is not a common problem. I now have a knee brace on in which I can't move my knee at all (completely straight) in order to try and build my quad muscle. I go back in a week and if that didn't work, MRI. His hesitation is, he thinks that it could be a tear in my quad muscle, tendon or patella tendon. We are both hoping the brace works!

      Been in pain half the day just trying to do leg lifts.

      Prayers would be good.

      Thank you.

    • Posted

      Hi B, that is sad.  With your brace on can you, when you are sitting on a chair, move your foot back and forward??  To do that you need to use your muscles.  Poiting your toes toward and away from your also uses muscles.  Try and combine the 2 and try tolift your foot.  If you cant, sit in the bath.  There is no weight involvedandyour leg is supported by the water.  Pull your foot towards you and keeping your leg straight, lift your leg (within the water).  Do a few times, not too many.  Then try the same thing out of the water  Sometimes it is a brain thing.  Try not to have the manipulation.  If you do not have elastic exercise bands, use a pair of tights; under your foot, as well as pulling try and lift your leg and hold it for a count of 10.It will happen, another idea is to bend your knee and , whilst sitting put your weight on it, as if your were about to get up (don't!).  Just keep flexing that muscle.  Eventually you will get your leg working.  Patience
    • Posted

      Thank you for all the good ideas. I can try most of those suggestions, some not due to surgery or unable to get into a tub due to surgery.

      Thank you. I will keep you updated.

    • Posted

      You are very welcome. When you first had your patella removed, the surgeon would have manipulated your leg to its full range, backwards and forwards, wiggled it sideways as well to check the stability of the joint and make sure there was nothing to stop you bending your knee post op.  Please don't take what I am about to say the wrong way (I was in the same position when had mine removed).   Picture in your head what you have had done.  Think about all those nerves ends being disrupted, think about how your knee cap was able to move without getting displaced, and now that it as gone, what has happened in its place?  What has happened to the tendon that was holding it in place? Your brain is under the impression that if you move your knee you are going to be in absolute hell! Yes you are, for a moment.  The conversation going on in your head is something along the lines of "I can't do this" not, "It's going to hurt". I am assumming you are on crutches; so stand up, get something that can roll on the floor, ie a tin of beans and with your bad leg move it forward ( as if you are kicking it, but slowly, in a controlled manner with your toe, not the side of your foot). If you can do that, sit down, put your foot on the tin and roll it back and forward.  The effort of lifting your foot up may hurt, so lift it with the other foot.  Cheat.  Roll that tin back and forward, each time extending your range.  Get someone to help you move your leg for a while, until you are comfortable enough to do it on your own. Should only take a short while.  You need their help willingly, not under protest. If they are not able to help, use your good leg.  Rest your bad leg on top of the good one and move both back and forward. There are many ways to get that knee to work. Whether you do it whilst resting but thinking about your knee or, say sitting round the dining table eating a meal (and concentrating more on the meal than your knee) and moving it (your knee) about under the table.

      The above sounds weird I know, but try it out before saying what a load of rubbish or falling around laughing. Cheat! rest your poor leg on top of your good leg and just move it every now and then, before long you will be able to get your bad knee bending and responding on its own.

      As for driving, your car insurance will not cover you whilst you are recuperating.  If you have  accident whilst driving you will not be covered.  It is (technically) not an offence, but you will get into trouble. As a passenger, sit across the back seat, slide in and out. It is too painful to sit in the front seat. Have patience, you have a long way to go, but you will get there day by day, you will see a difference...Think of it as work  in progress

    • Posted

      Praying for you

      Take care and keep in touhc

      Love Sarah xxx

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