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Playing with my goniometer

Posted , 9 users are following.

martinarvelo
martinarvelo

OK, I'm a bit obsessed with measuring the bend and the extenson on my operated leg, and decided to check the 'good leg'   Bend maximum 135 . . extension . . . well, that was a surprise. It's actually ten in the wrong direction . . e.g. it seems to bend backwards.  Does anyone know if that is a potential problem, or if it's fairly normal??  Now when I look at it I can see that it is strange!  Never noticed before i had the goiometer though . . 

0 likes, 25 replies

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  • petemorris
    petemorris martinarvelo

    Posted

    I think you might be a bit obsessed...oooops...did I say that out loud?...haha

    I've not had mine measured since I finished physio after 6 weeks post op...They didn't actually tell me what it was....(and by the same token, I didn't ask)....It was past 90 though...

    As for the other leg, I think that's probably normal, as I can bend mine to some degree past 'straight'....But of course the false knee (I don't think) is designed to bend to that extent.

    I'm pretty sure I can download an 'app' for my iPhone which will measure angles...I'll have to see if that works....

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 martinarvelo

    Posted

    I suppose it's hard to find anyone over 50 who's legs are still perfect in structure. Reminds me of the two old maid sisters. One was bow legged and the other knock kneed. When they stood side by side the spelled OX.
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      razz Keeping your sense of humour with all you are going through is an inspiration to all of us OFG!  
  • elizabeth46338
    elizabeth46338 martinarvelo

    Posted

    Hi

    Just so I understand. If you were to lie on your tummy and bend your knee wth your heel going towards your bum, that is the measurement?

    I have mine measured like that by the physio and I am seldom over 90o.

    Are you pointing the gonio in the right direction?  i.e. towards to hip bone and the ankle bone in the other direction, in the central position?  I go to pool physio too and when he measures me it is always 5 degrees better and I am sure there is no more flex in the joint.

    Also, deep drama, I fell over the other day and part landed on the bad knee. Went to the GP who said it felt fine but I am still worried as it is rather painful. Not hugely painful. But I thnk it self manipulated!  OMG it was sooo painful. All those adhesions dosappeared but pain has replaced them.

    I wish this wouod all go away

    A bit fed up today

    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo elizabeth46338

      Posted

      Actually, I've tried several ways of measuring, and it's always the same. . one is sitting in a chair where feet don't reach the ground, and pushing the leg back as far as i can go . . . the other is lying on my back and pulling the leg back so that the knee bends as far as I can . . both give the same measurement, about 95 with no help, about 105/110 if I physically push it with my other leg . ..  But yes, it's not easy to be sure you have it in exactly the right position , both sides lying parallel with the bone . . . and if it's just a little bit off it can make quite a few degrees difference. . .I haven't tried the lying on tummy system!  I used to use that system when I still had a physio coming, but it hurts like the devil!  Ive often wondered what would happen if you had a fall like that. . .I know someone fell down the stairs and did something,similar. . hope it has just loosened up the joint, and not done any damage. My understanding is that the joint is VERY strong, and not likely to be hurt by a fall . . unless it's a really serious one. . . 
    • elizabeth46338
      elizabeth46338 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Hi

      Thank you for your kind words re my fall. I am so worried I have done something stupid. Just when it was allgoing so well.  I am sure it is fine as my lovely pysio said that if Ihad done damage the pain wouod be intense and it wouod swell.

      I bought one of the goniometers and gave it to my physio as she as guessing what the bend was. I find it worst stting up on the couch with the knee bent. I can get aroubd 80 unaided and 90 ish with a good push.

      I am back to see the specialist on Tuesday ; it is a scheduled visit and see what he says but I fear he is going to yank me back in and do something with anesthetic , manipulation and more blinking residential physio. When will this operation ever go away!  It seems to have claimed a life of it's own and wont stop.

    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo elizabeth46338

      Posted

      Yes, I do so agree with you!  it seems to have taken over. . However much I concentrate on the bend and the exension, it doesn't really help a lot. . it's still stiff, painful especially in the morning, still difficult to go up or down stairs. . .walk over rough terrain . . Even getting up from the low sofa is still a bit of a struggle. . . I'm twelve weeks today, and really did think I would be better at this stage. . .  .rolleyes
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Just a quick repeat of my story of a fall. The day after my revision, Jan, 2013, I was up as usual protocol but the big difference I had a wire cathater in my groin to knee instead of the pain suppressing epidural I had with the original tkr. Trying to do more than I should have I fell twisting the femur into from inside the bad knee to the outside @ a 20° angle. I never felt the bone break. The following day they had to insert a steel plate from hip to knee and hold it in place w/8 screws. Meanwhile, all concern about the prosthesis were eliminated as xrays showed it was in perfect shape without any injury whatsoever.
    • tess94652
      tess94652 elizabeth46338

      Posted

      All the best for Tuesday! Hey you'll get there - try not to worry - we'll all be thinking of you!
    • joansgarden
      joansgarden elizabeth46338

      Posted

      After I had my knee manipulated and the nerve block wore off it was incredibly painful, but only for about a week. Keep it moving now so that the adhesions don't form again! I've been totally off all pain pills for a week now, though my knee still does get sore at times. I'm 20 weeks post tkr, so it has taken some time to get here.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 joansgarden

      Posted

      Good to hear....you have had a miserable time and deserve a break.
    • joansgarden
      joansgarden Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Thank you! What a long haul it has been, and not over yet, but I feel that I have had it easy compared to some on this forum. At least I have come through the pain and angst and mental trauma with a knee that will bend to 125, and straighten fully, and allow me to walk without a limp. I can tell you though that it is going to take all my courage to get the other one done, even though it's already reached the point where it is more painful than my tkr knee.
  • susan20089
    susan20089 martinarvelo

    Posted

    I think you are obsessed...lol!   Not always a good thing getting something like this.  Makes you paranoid.   
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo susan20089

      Posted

      But when one day it has actually increased by ten degrees it's very nice!!!!   
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