Tightness
Posted , 6 users are following.
I had a partial knee replacement nearly 4 weeks ago having problems with my knee feeling really tight still not able to lift my leg from lying position but just about able to from a sitting position. Also having problems waking up with my knee going into spasms my knee feels like it needs to poo back into position any one else having same problems the lifting is starting to worry me as physio said my thigh muscle doesn't seem to be working
0 likes, 10 replies
CHICO_MARX denisek64
Posted
Your thigh isn't working because it's dead...atrophied...kaput...think doornail. It doesn't take much for muscles to atrophy. After you get your ROM back, it will be time to exercise quads, glutes and core to regain all your lost strength. They don't tell you this before the op and we never think to ask. Ever have an arm in a cast for 4-5 weeks and then look at your puny bicep? Same thing.
Tightness, stiffness, a constricting "band-like" feeling...all normal. Gotta do your home heel-slide exercises and PT. It will take time for this to subside. For a TKR, docs say you can still feel this occasionally for a year or more. Patience and work. Also, try some Voltaren Gel (RX in the US)...second best topical anti-inflammatory on the planet...especially at bedtime.
denisek64
Posted
CHICO_MARX denisek64
Posted
I had a TKR but from what I've read on the Forum for the past 18 months, there's not much difference in recovering from a full or a partial. Don't know if that is actually true (you'd have to ask other partial patients), but if it is, here's the exercise program to get your strength back...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527
If you don't go to a gym, at least get a good set of exercise bands that has a "door stop" so the height of the band can be adjusted. Then do all the exercises in the booklet for legs, hips, butt and core. Therapy pool is great as is swimming. You don't get there by walking and cycling alone. Gotta have some pure strength exercises for those quads.
Remember, the knee is supported by its surrounding musculature. When all of that is weak, the knee has to do all the work. Need to rebuild all that strength to take the pressure off the joint.
"Soon" is a relative term. Depends on the previous strength of your muscles, how committed you are to an exercise program, how quickly your muscles rebound (vs. others), and more. There is no timetable. You do the work and get better. A good test is climbing stairs normally (alternating legs) without holding onto anything...in other words, like you did before the op. If you can do that, then you're pretty much back to normal.
carol01845 denisek64
Posted
Hi Denise.
i have just been reading what you have put I'm 4 months po and my knee itches like mad and tightness as well I have been using Arnica gel for my bruising plus bio oil and palmers cocoa butter it's for scars as well as stretch marks I also have a big scar on my tummy I use it on that to.
i can lift my leg up I have since my op I have done the excercises I was given plus I bought a excercise peddle machine that I use when I'm sat in the chair that has helped me.
give them a try x
denisek64 carol01845
Posted
I have been using petroleum jelly on my scar and it's healing nicely will try the peddle exercise thing as sounds good thank you for your advise
jenny80029 denisek64
Posted
Don't worry about the thigh...though it does feel worrying! I managed to lift mine a bit at one month post op but it was hard to lift it even just a bit! Then after a few more weeks it gradually improved!
denisek64 jenny80029
Posted
Thank uou feel a bit at ease now but is worrying will keep up the exercises go through the pain only one good thing is I don't need my pain killers as much now so cutting down on them is a good sign
jenny80029 denisek64
Posted
Yes it is a good sign. Reducing pain by not overdoing walking and standing but taking things at the pace the knee sets is helpful to healing.
I could only walk a tiny weeny bit in the house, literally a few minutes, with no stick or crutch at 8 weeks. Mine was a TKR. I used one around the house for what seemed like ages. My physiotherapist urged me to stick with two crutches for as long as I felt I needed them, and I didn't see the point in causing myself needless pain. Her message was use them for as long as you need them.
Instead I focused on improving range of motion and decreasing swelling more than dispensing with support. Then, after starting leg strengthening exercises at around 9 weeks, ie weights on legs, very mini squats, etc. I built up more strength and increased walking duration. At 3 months things really turned a corner. But everyone is different.
I think related to the weak quads I had issues with leg giving way a lot so seemed wise not to rush off support!
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.
debbie08326 denisek64
Posted
I had a partial about year and half ago. While at 4 weeks I was back to work it was not without issues. Swelling, pain, etc. You must keep up on icings, exercises AS YOU CAN tolerate it. My doctor was very loud and clear to me that I needed to heal first before I went crazy with exercising. I did very simple stretching at first. Eventually you will see some change. Everyone seems to heal differently but there a few things we all have in common, that is the rest, ice, and elevate. Hang in there. You are getting a lot of good advice on here!
Debbie
janeyt34 denisek64
Posted
Hi Denise,
When I had my TKR my leg was heavy for 5.5 weeks, it will get back to normal eventually ! Don't worry as a lot of people experience the concrete leg thing, considering your thigh takes a lot of battering during the procedure no wonder it feels heavy!
Regards
Janey