ROM at three weeks - getting worried
Posted , 6 users are following.
So some background is that for the past few years before my TKR I haven’t bern able to bend my knee past 90 degrees. Injuries, scar tissue, meniscus torn and taken out. Etc. Before surgery specialist told me because of that I might not get full range of motion back - maybe another 10 or 20 degrees. And also - being that I’m only 47 they warned me that my recovery might be more difficult as they see that often with younger patients for some reason.
Fast forward to now - three weeks after TKR.....surgeon comes from out of town and leaves so don’t have him following up with me until 6 weeks or more after surgery. So haven’t any idea how surgery went or what kind of bend he was able to get while I was under. But right now my bend is only 70 degrees. I try so hard! I do my exercises three times a day, go to physio twice a week, try to walk without aids when in the house, doing stairs, etc. Raise it and ice it and a lot of swelling is gone except directly on knee.
Today I was so disappointed in just 2 degree change from last week that I started crying right in physio. She passed me some Kleenex and told me this happens with younger patients....and for the next two days they are going to put me on the passive continuous motion machine....to see if that loosens things up. I’m so scared that I’m going to have to have manipulation later....and I feel like nobody believes me that I’m working really hard at this!
Anybody out there experience anything similar? Words of encouragement? I just feel like a failure! I’m with 80- something’s in physio who have bends of 110 degrees already....😕
Thanks,
Amy
0 likes, 21 replies
james63643 amy1447
Posted
Hi Amy
I'm 4 weeks post of full TKR. ( age 37) I have rented a continuous motion machine as I was worried I was behind. My NHS physio says I'm behind but I'm not worried .... yet . It's still early days . I was like 70 degrees before op and only 90 now . Slowly but surely. My physio has suggested 2 appointments a week and start to really push it 😫. I'm going to go along with it but not convinced , my knee is so stiff. On the CPM i get to 110 quite comfortably so I thinks it's my muscles holding me back not my knee knee. Get in the CPM and hopefully over an hour of gradual increaments you will get good range and confidence returns. The leg muscles are still in trauma and so tense . My surgeon ( a man of few words) said to me post op ' you will hate me for 3 months ' . That confirms to me just how long it can take to see the benefit .
amy1447 james63643
Posted
Thanks James! Helps to know I’m not alone in this.....it’s frustrating when just as I’m getting pain under control and moving around better and feel like I’m making progress - I’m not as far as ROM is concerned. But going to try to stop worrying and just do the work and hope for the best. Really hoping the CPM makes a difference....my PT does believe that I can’t relax my muscles enough to get the movement I need.....so hopefully this will help.
Will keep you guys posted. Good luck with your knee as well - really pushing it isn’t going to be fun but I bet results will be worth it! 😬
jenny80029 amy1447
Posted
You are not a failure.
Sounds like things bad pre op.
Your muscles are still weakened and limb traumatized.
Are you in UK?
Be careful not to overdo things...
No need to rush to walking without aids.
If someone had broken their leg they wouldn't be thinking they didn't need support. Try and bear that in mind.
Support is much needed, and you will be standing a fair bit just doing what you absolutely have to.
Everyone is very different and you need to be very kind to yourself.
I walked for ten minutes around the block with two crutches at 3 weeks, but was exhausted afterwards and had to lie down for an hour! My operated leg tended to give way a lot and i wanted to keep pain and swelling down.
Stick to using support for as long as you need, your knee will thank you for it.
I am now 8 months post op. 52 years young.
It is really worth it, but hard in the first few months.
I hope you feel better soon!
You may like to go to my profile by clicking on the image next to my name. I kept a journal of my own knee replacement journey, and I have been told by several people they found it helpful to read, or skim through. It was written to convey the need for patience, something our culture in the western world is not really geared up to! It has a lot of useful suggestions and information.
It is quite long...writing it kept me sane in the first few weeks and months post op!
amy1447 jenny80029
Posted
Thanks so much! I don’t go far without support - but glad to read your advice because it does feel weak and even with support it sometimes gives out (straightens out on its own - at least straightening not as much of an issue! 😜
Again, I see others at physio walking without crutches or a cane and influences me to feel like I should be doing the same. But I’m not ready.......
I find that I have to rest my leg quite often during the day.....I’m up for half hour making supper or doing laundry, then down for half hour with leg up....as pain starts and it swells a bit. In this way I’ve kept swelling to a minimum.....
I’m going to check out your journal - thanks for your advice! Appreciate the support 😊
Snoozy69 amy1447
Posted
I've used the health club today and the Jacuzzi was amazing. It was lovely and warm and I think all the bubbles relax all your muscles. My range of movement was definitely better in there so all I need to do is live in a jacuzzi 😂 Now I'm back home im all stiff again and in pain so I'm hoping that it's tight muscles that's preventing my flexion not a build up of scar tissue. I've order a massage roller stick to see if that will loosen my muscles to improve ROM. I'm quite excited about it all 😜
amy1447 Snoozy69
Posted
Good morning (in Canada anyway)! I wonder if using a heating pad before exercises would help....rather than doing them cold...? In the same way that the jacuzzi relaxed your muscles.....?
I did end up getting a CPM machine - yay! At physio I made it to 90 degrees on the machine (had only measured 70 degrees two days before) so I’m really hoping this helps me with continuous use........I realize I won’t measure as well without the machine but....at least it’s stretching those muscles and maybe breaking up some scar tissue...?
Let me know how the roller works....I have one I’ve been using on my calf muscles that I will try on thigh and around knee too once it’s less sensitive.
Keep on keeping on! Fun times! 😜