TKR post op 11wks and depressed

Hi Janey

I'm 12 weeks TKR and have a great bend and straight leg now.

I would guess that there is something wrong and you probably do need the MUA.

I didnt have that done but many on here did and it worked well for them.

They will reply to you.

We all get depressed from time to time as we feel we are not getting better as quick as we would like.

This is the best place to find comfort and advice.

And have  a good moan/rant

Take care

Ann

The Irish One!

Hi I am just coming up to 12 weeks post tkr surgery and although I am feeling a lot better in myself, my knee is very stiff and painful when I bend. I can straighten my leg great. I have to see surgeon on Tuesday for an x Ray and for him to check me. When I was 5 weeks my leg gave way and I had to go to A and E because I couldn't put my foot to floor. They said I had probably torn scar tissue deep down and since then my knee hasn't felt right. The physio said it may have been the spacer that has moved, as my bend was not as good as it had been. I am still on morphine patches and paracetamol . I am hoping it's not the spacer because I don't know what happens if it is. I have heard mixed results from Mua but I think if you have to have it then you have to go along with the doctors. After reading about all the problems people have it makes me realise that everyone has some problems along the way even if it all goes well, the pain and time it takes to recover is way more than any of us expects. Hope everything goes ok and just go with whatever the doctor suggests. Best of luck Jannette

Sorry I am coming up to 10 weeks not 12.

I had TKR nearly 4 years ago.

My bend was also really poor.

I only just managed to get to 90 degrees for my 6 week post op appointment with the consultant.

This exercise is the one that helped me most.

Sit on the bed with a teatray at your feet. Keep your socks on.

Gently slide the leg up the tray and mark how far you can get.

Next time try to get a bit further up the tray.

Hope this helps

TAke care and keep in touch

Sarah

 

Hi Janey

I am sorry to hear that your bend is not at the degree that it should be and would say to talk to your doctor with regards to having MUA?

There are some good medical websites that tell you why this is done and to explain the procedure. MUA is done to loosen scarring that occurs and to help the person get more flexibility in the bend.

It is so easy for other people to say don't get despondent, but try and focus on the end result, all of us on here have had some sort of issues with our new knees and we all try and be there for other people when the chips are down.

Take care of yourself Janey.

Gillian( ex pat living in Saudi Arabia both TKR done here)

 

Hi Janey

i had to have an MUA at 7.5 weeks as my bend was something similar to yours.  For me it was very successful and I have not looked back but not everyone agrees.  I only had the courage to go ahead with it because f the positive comments I got on here.  If your surgeon recommends it I would go ahead.

i am now at 17 weeks and doing well.  If I do too much though I am in pain.  Can't quite get my leg straight but it is nearly there.  My be d is very good, no idea really what it is but I can negotiate the stairs as long as there is a handrail.

went back to Aqua aerobics and first time it was great but I think I overdid it as the second time yesterday has left me in quite a bit of pain.

let us know what happens and good luck.

Liz

I really dont know why there is such pressure on getting to a certain degree of bend. Don't get me wrong, the longer it takes to get a full range of movement + some people need pushing more than others but.  Think about it.  You have jus had you leg cut off and put back together with something that was not there when you were born!  Not only does your body have to get used to this foreign body, but brain has to get used to it too!  You have the pain of the bone, the scar tissue and worst of all the nerves knitting back, and boy do they take their sweet time about it.  11 weeks is no time at all. Don't go down the MUA route until you have convinced yourself that you really really cant do anymore.  The trick is to continually work and getting your knee to work for you. Physio apart, when you are resting keep contracting your thigh muscles (quads), by making these stronger, the better the control you have. Also think of those hamstrings; tighter than a violinists bow, massage them. Exaggerate the way you walk down stairs, making your bad leg do the most work. If it hurts too much; try walking down backwards. You will experience a whole range of emotions, this is natural. Make sure you are taking strong painkillers on a regular basis (not just when it is really painful, as some people do). By keeping the pain under control will allow you to bend/straighten better. By all means try and work through the pain, but not the agony. Try keeping your leg elevated (especially at night), you can still do certain exercises when your leg is at an angle.  There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it could be a long tunnel, walk the distance, dont run, keep patience as your new best friend and keep your brain busy, music, audio, tv, whatever rocks your boat.  It will take your mind off the pain (even when exercising)