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Range of motion after TKR

Posted , 6 users are following.

carol02797
carol02797

I am 12 weeks post TKR. after 8 weeks of PT -my range was 110, and straight leg - at 3. I am now at 102, even with daily working out. I feel like this plateau may be permenant, and I am seriously worried. It's hard to do much w/o a good bend. Have any of you continunued to increase your bend after 3 months? Anything more specific I need to be working on? I even do water therapy and so far... not seeing an improvement. Any helpful responses will be appreciated!

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • karen14697
    karen14697 carol02797

    Posted

    I had to have manipulation (no big deal) because I got stuck at 105. Keep pushing yourself but if the scar tissue has taken hold you may be facing a manipulation as well. After manipulation, I went from 115 to 122+ In less than 2 weeks. Best of luck. Keep on keeping on.
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX carol02797

    Posted

    I tell people to expect advances, setbacks and plateaus...WHICH ARE THE WORST!!!!!  Got stuck at -4 for weeks...thought I would never break through but I did.  Started at -14 / +84 and finished PT 10 weeks later at -1 / +123.  Now at 16 months post-op, I'm 0 / +133.  Just takes time and a lot of work...especially after PT to finish the ROM and rebuild your dead quads, glutes and core to support the knee.

    • carol02797
      carol02797 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thank you everyone for your responses. I saw ortho doc yesterday and he prescribed 2 more weeks of PT, started me on medrol dose pack, and gave me Flexeril for the night spasms. If after 2 weeks I have no improvment in my bend, I will need a MUA. Not what i want, but I feel I will compromise my daily life if i dont have a better bend. This site has been helpful and encouraging and I recommned it to anyone undergoing TKR... a surgery I was totally unprepared for ! all the daily, weekly, monthly up's and down's have taken it's toll on me, and many others. It's so helpful to have a site to read that I am not alone in this journey. I will go the next 2 weeks and see what happens. Meanwhile this medrol dose pk has decreased the swelling and made me feel better... I know it may not last, but a pain free morning is a real blessing!

  • cynthia89958
    cynthia89958 carol02797

    Posted

    All I can say is I was stuck at a paltry 60 deg bend at 9 weeks due to scar tissue and swelling. At 10 weeks I had a manipulation and they got me to 95, then with intense physio I got to 110 but it is a constant battle now I'm 16 weeks and still swelling badly.

    ?I can feel the scars tightening as I sit even a short time, or after a sleep. If I stand or walk too much though the swelling is dramatic. The knee feels like made from a brick and rubber bands, not like a real knee - which I know it will never be.

    ?But everyone says this falls within normal healing although I know it has been very slow compared to many and we have to give it up to a year! I don't know but I think it sounds like your situation might fall within normal as well. If you are concerned, check in with your doc or physio to get a professional opinion, but I understand bend and flexion can improve for months after. I go to hospital physio and also a sports therapist and they are happy with progress. I am with happy with the ROM now but I know there is a long way to go still for me before I can judge that my knee has been a success.

  • cynthia89958
    cynthia89958 carol02797

    Posted

    All I can say is I was stuck at a paltry 60 deg bend at 9 weeks due to scar tissue and swelling. At 10 weeks I had a manipulation and they got me to 95, then with intense physio I got to 110 but it is a constant battle now I'm 16 weeks and still swelling badly.

    ?I can feel the scars tightening as I sit even a short time, or after a sleep. If I stand or walk too much though the swelling is dramatic. The knee feels like made from a brick and rubber bands, not like a real knee - which I know it will never be.

    ?But everyone says this falls within normal healing although I know it has been very slow compared to many and we have to give it up to a year! I don't know but I think it sounds like your situation might fall within normal as well. If you are concerned, check in with your doc or physio to get a professional opinion, but I understand bend and flexion can improve for months after. I go to hospital physio and also a sports therapist and they are happy with progress. I am with happy with the ROM now but I know there is a long way to go still for me before I can judge that my knee has been a success.

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