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The amount of bend you "should" be at

Posted , 12 users are following.

cheryl86544
cheryl86544

I had a chat with my physiotherapist last week and asked her about knee bend   (is how we tend to refer to it here in Oz).  

I asked her if we all need a bigger number and she said "no".  

She said that some people just aren't going to get bigger numbers simply because of the size of the leg.  eg - how can you make a knee go totally flat if you have big legs.

It's more about what can you do and practice things like getting out of chair with no hands, deep bends like squatting and mini squats. Balancing on one foot and rising on the ball of your foot etc.  So don't focus on the numbers just do the practise.

In a nutshell - do the work and you'll be able to do more!

2 likes, 37 replies

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  • tsw678
    tsw678 cheryl86544

    Posted

    Hey! Muscle moves like a a small band of rubber bands, has some flexibility. Tendons move like a larger band of rubber bands with some but very little movement. Ligaments are like trying to stretch 1,000 rubber bands, they have "no give at all." Scar tissue is like a band of tendons and ligaments bound together, where there should be no resistance at all.

    So if you are supposed to be able to bend it to 120 and you're only getting 80, and it feels like something is stopping it and has very little to no give at all to it, that's likely scar tissue.

    • tricia1954
      tricia1954 tsw678

      Posted

      Thanks for a great explanation. That's the first time a picture has been painted that I can truly understand the mechanics. 

      I push my knee every day as much as I can, in the hope that the rubber bands will stretch a little bit more.

      I am always worried that if I miss a day it will grow back!

      Thank you for taking the time im sure we all appreciate it.

    • tsw678
      tsw678 tricia1954

      Posted

      You are welcome Tricia. And it is like you said it is easy to move backwards even though you have gotten to a certain range and that why moving it is important.

      And, like everyone who has had success, try not to be discouraged. It takes effort. It's not easy. But the long term goal, of efficient walking, and long term pain management is paramount.

      I always tell my patients to, even when they are not with me, or are at home, put yourself thru the same exercises that I put you thru. As much as possible.

      Stay encouraged. Even 5 more degrees can make a big difference for you in the long run. wink

    • j21370
      j21370 tsw678

      Posted

      Hi tsw678- thank you for taking the time and explaning about adhesions in lamen terms. That is one of my biggest concerns since I am 9 months post TKR. I posted how I feel and how I went back to 95 after having 120. Again, thank you. J-21370
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