Physical therapist is concerned about scar tissue

Hi - there is so much healing still to be done at 4 weeks. Just keep going slowly as your body allows and you will improve. At 5 weeks i am 15 of straightening but PT says that can still improve over the next few months if I perservere.

Take care it is a slow game we are playing

I am right there with you. 8 weeks post-op and have never broken a 100 degree flexion, and it's agony to try to do so. When I see the physical therapist tomorrow, I'm going to ask about a manipulation. I met a guy in the waiting room at PT last week that had one, and he is SO happy he did it! No pain, and you have to do some pretty rigorous PT for the next 3-5 days but sounds worth it to me. I have major swelling which I think blocks my progress with the bending. Still waiting to hear from my surgeon on what to do about it, can't seem to get it under control.

Sorry to hear that, but I think you're doing all the right things and your body is healing at its own pace.  Screw the surgeon.  I think they all do that.  If he complains, tell him you're doing all the exercises and going to a PT.  What more does he suggest?  Honestly, unless you have an exception, they just want you to get better so 1) they don't have to see you any more (They're really only intersted in the surgery itself, not the patient care), 2) you won't blame them for difficulties if recovery takes longer than epxected, and 3) they'll get your referrals when you'll make them look good when your friends say how well you look after surgery.  If the makes you feel bad about your not reaching 90, throw it back at him and say, "I'm doing what I'm supposed to do.  What can you do to help me other than criticize me?"  These comments come from my own and others' experiences, BTW.

My rant aside, lighten up on yourself and lower your expectations a bit.  I've discovered that I lose a day and a half of exercises when I go to the PT because it's such an intense workout that I'm too exhausted and sore to do anyting the rest of the day, and the next day I'm too sore.

How are you sleeping?  Are you walking well, without a cane?  How are your stairs.  You might have some small victories in there that will keep you going and not feel so concerned.  I think 4 weeks is entirely too early to start beating yourelf up.  The fact that you're hanging with it and doing the things you need to do is tremendous.  Good for you!

Angel

Can u get into a pool. Doing my exercises in the pool helped me get my rom (130) quickly - it really works! Best wishes. Barb

You're in control of your rehab. Don't let that therapist ever put you in that much pain! I'm 8wks post op and I just got 85 degrees range of motion today. I have been dealing with stiffness too. Your progress will come in time. I Have done everything asked of me and it didn't work. I got my cpm machine and it helps better than going to therapy but I still go. Ask for a cpm at home and use it at night. You will see the results in time. Keep your head up.

Hi angel

i went to physio today and told him exactly the same thing i have more bend than you and i can straighten my leg im at 5 weeks post op but i still get very stiff when exersising or walking he told me at my stage this is perfectly normal dont over do the exercises it doesnt help try small amounts a couple of times a day it will get better good luck.

Everybody heals from this surgery different from what I have experienced. Yes, 4 weeks is way too early to really judge your progress. Unfortunately some people have more scar tissue than others and I myself had that problem. I just could not get my bend past 90 degrees so I had a manipulation. I believe my doctor waited too long so if you think you need a manipulation I would not go more than about 8 weeks. I went 3 months and it helped but I still have to exercise every day. I can walk fine but not for long periods of time. Its been a year and 3 months since my surgery and I still have pain. I hope you have a better outcome than I did.

Four weeks???  And you're doing that well???  Be prepared for the road ahead...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499

I started PT in the 3-4 week range at -14 / +84.  Took NINE weeks of PT 2x/wk to get to -1 / +128.  In that time, there were advances, setbacks and plateaus...all totally normal.  I got stuck at -4 for two weeks before breaking through that particular knot of scar tissue.

Listen to all the veterans here...this is not fast, this is not easy.  It takes work, determination and patience.  Love the pool idea (worked great rehabbing my hip replacement in 2009) but my doc said no water immersion for two months.  Bummer.  Maybe you'll have more luck.

I'm almost 7 months p/o now.  No pain, no meds, no walking aids, sleeping great and 0 / +131 ROM.  Yeah, I'm still a bit wobbly standing up after I sit for a while plus there's still some stiffness and clicking.  Those last two can take 12-18 months to go away...or maybe never go away at all.  Who knows...

Deep breath...stay strong...this is gonna take a while...

I understand how you feel. I too posted on here feeling like my progress was slow (even though my physiotherapist said I was doing excellent) I felt like I should have been further along than I was. Thanks to lots on encouragement from people on this site I started to feel better. You are only 4 weeks post-op so give yourself time. You cannot rush things even though I know we want to be able to. I am almost 6 weeks now and still plugging along - there are good days and bad days but I do finally feel like things are moving in the right direction. Hang in there.

Please don't beat yourself up! You're still healing. And don't let the PT ever make you cry again! Just say NO. Don't let them hurt you anymore. It only makes things worse cause then you can't walk and are in excruciating pain. Ice ice ice! And elevate. Rest and it will come. Listen to your body and go slow. It's going to take time. Prayers and hugs.