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Total knee replacement now hard to straighten

Posted , 10 users are following.

jenkie
jenkie

8 weeks after TKR

I'm doing so much better now.  I'm up to 124 degrees bending.  now I have to focus on straightening my knee more.  When i do exercises to straighten my knee, I I feel my bend is being compromised.

I was told to sit in chair, and stretch leg out so heel is on another chair.  Then put a weight on my knee.  this hurts.  But all these exercises hurt.  

Just so you know.  at 6 weeks I was only at 105 and was considering manipulation under anesthesia.  So glad I didn't do that.  Just keep working on it!!!

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • debs23
    debs23 jenkie

    Posted

    Hi. I'm 10 weeks post PKR. Bend is 115 but straighting is -10. Find it really painful to straighten. Do you know if they consider MUA for straighting or is it just for the bend. I've been stuck at -10 for over 6 weeks now!!

    • peter77427
      peter77427 debs23

      Posted

      hi debs, try putting your leg on a chair whist sitting on another chair with an ice pack on your knee for 3 to 5 minutes, another is to sit on a chair with your leg outstreched  you heel on the floor. take care
  • peter77427
    peter77427 jenkie

    Posted

    hi jenkie, i am 3 months in from my op, i can bend my knee no problem, but knee feels like a lump of concrete, very heavy and sore, is yours the same.  peter
    • jenkie
      jenkie peter77427

      Posted

      Hi Peter

      Thankfully i dont have those symptoms

      Leg lifts really help   I do feel like i have an ace bandage around me knee

      Tightness and stiff

      Keep it moving

      Then ice!!

    • mick141959
      mick141959 jenkie

      Posted

      As you stiffness of the knee 6 weeks on and a bit of swelling still..
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX jenkie

    Posted

    Want it straight?  Do #3...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053

    Gravity is a law and the law must be obeyed!!!  So simple, so effective, so brutal!!!  Make sure you have a pillow you can scream into...

    • jenkie
      jenkie CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Dear Chico Marx,  aka, wealth of information

      thanks for all your advice.  It's so appreciated.  Going to try the face down , knees off the  bed thing today!!!

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX jenkie

      Posted

      Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!  Knees ON the bed...just the calf and foot hang off!!!!!!!

  • nwf477
    nwf477 jenkie

    Posted

    You are not alone I can bend my knee close to 130 and this is after %TKR on the same knee but after the 3rd replacement for the life of me I cannot straighten it out. I have been told by therapist with exercise it will come back well mine has gotten a tad better but I am probably at 105approx.my last TKR was 2 years ago. The Dr.'s seem to think its not that big of a deal to them bending is more important. Yes the exercise you described hurts and it hurts alot I understand why it has to be done but it still hurts.Another that is very similar when your watching TV stretched out is put a cushion or a pillow under your ankle while keeping your leg straight.Same principle just a different way. I am sure you love doing leg raises some are easier then others. Another one that I have problems with is sitting down and standing up without using your arms for support. I am lucky I only have a few steps where I live, they have become the biggest pain. I feel like I am in my 80's going up steps its just one step at a time and I have to careful. Lots of fun isn't it? 

  • linda84382
    linda84382 jenkie

    Posted

    I am 4 weeks from tkr. I too am trying to straighten my leg. It's important when you suspend leg to put weight ABOVE your knee, not on it. I do this at PT with rolled towel under heel and lying flat. At home sofa is firm enough to do this. I can stand it for 5 minutes but it hurts.

    Another hindrance is shortened muscles from inactivity before surgery. I use heat ing pad on the side of my thigh and massage muscle. There are links and it's painful. Do hamstring stretches as well. Your bend is great! I pray extension will come for both of us.😆

    • jenkie
      jenkie linda84382

      Posted

      thanks.  I always forget about my heating pad!!!
  • mick141959
    mick141959 jenkie

    Posted

    I’m 6 weeks in And stiffness in the knee is my main issue although it is hot that is not a problem. Up and down stairs I am cautious and occasionally have a crutch handy . I have been told it may be about 12 weeks before I think/return to work but it takes as long as it takes I guess..
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