Update on my TKR after seeing surgeon
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi Everyone --
?Yesterday, July 31, I had my 9-month check up with my orthopedic surgeon. I've been having problems with the bending, which most of you know and have answered my posts. When I saw the surgeon in January 2017, he broached the idea of a manipulation or another 30 days of physical therapy. I chose the physical therapy because it was less invasive. Now, this is what the surgeon told me yesterday: " I should have had the manipulation because my bend is only 105." Can't have it done now because I have developed adhesions/scar tissue and it is not advisabe to have one done at this late. He said that he cannot scope it because the adhesions/scar tissue will grow back within a few days. So bottom line -- there is not much that he can do and the pain might eventually go away. He told me to continue my exercise at home and the gym, especially on the bicycle. I have pain everyday in the back and outer side of the right knee. I still ice and rub my knee every night. I know that many people have told me that the bend and pain will take up to 18 months. I can deal with not being able to bend it to 120, but the pain is a different story.
?Anyone have any suggestions other than what I have mentioned. At the present time I am very depressed. Thank you. J-21370
2 likes, 26 replies
CHICO_MARX j21370
Posted
Get a second opinion. If this guy wasn't one, see a sports orthopedic surgeon...one that works with your local pro and college teams. You need another set of eyes on this...
j21370 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Chico - I sent you a reply yesterday, but don't know where it went. This past May, I went to see a trauma orthopedic surgeon in NY. He also asked me to see his collegue for a third opinion. They both agreed not to do anything to my knee other than for me to continue the exercise at the gym and use a DynaSplint brace, which I did. But it did not help me. When I used the brace I got more pain. My surgeon (Mayo Clinic) told me not to use it anymore. I returned it yesterday. Thanks for your advice.
laurel65763 j21370
Posted
Is this similar to the brace you tried!
j21370 laurel65763
Posted
Hi Laurel - I am interested in this jas brace because my surgeon told me that it works better than the DynaSplint brace. When you use the brace for the bending does your leg hurts at night when you are trying to sleep? I don't know where you live, but in The US sometimes Medicare doesn't want to pay for it. I just turned 65 last Friday so now my primary insurance is Medicare. I still have Blue/Cross Blue/Shield but they go with the Medicare guidelines. The surgeon told me that they are going to try to order one for me. Thanks for the info.
laurel65763 j21370
Posted
I live in the mountains of Virginia. The physical therapist submitted the doctor's order for the JAS brace to get Medicare approval. They didn't approve it when I originally submitted the prescription directly to the JAS representative. I started wearing it in the neutral position so it's less stressful. It ratchets/extends or flexes in very small increments. I am supposed to keep the brace adjusted so pain level is 2-3, then as the muscles stretch, I increase the extension (my problem) until pain is a 2-3. Sessions are no more than 30 minutes with a maximum of 3 sessions daily. Studies have shown that is the most effective. This process takes 3-9 months to achieve results for most people. I ice afterwards, then take an Epsom salt soaking bath in the evening. I take a magnesium supplement to help relax the muscles. Compared to the original post surgical pain, it is tolerable and if needed I take two Tylenol. You do not wear it at night. I have been doing this for two and a half weeks and see improvement in my extension. It is rented for up to 13 months then if still needed, it becomes yours. I will be 67 in October and have supplemental D and F coverage which covers deductibles for this equipment.
j21370 laurel65763
Posted
debjo52 j21370
Posted
I know how you feel! It's very frustrating and depressing when you are doing all you can, and have been told it's going to be like this for 18 months~~maybe! I've been told 6 mo, 12 mo, now 18 mo. Everyone heals at a different rate depending on how you were physically before surgery and age, of course. Just keep pushing through it, take some anti-inflammatories if you can, and continue doing what you are doing. I'm doing all I can too, but some days are good and some bad. It's all part of the process. Hope you get better soon! This forum has been great, that you are not alone. I would like to get rid of the pain too. Mine is in the thigh muscle area more than anything. I do pool therapy, as that really helps. I take a break in between, so go every other day.
cheryl86544 j21370
Posted
I'm sorry to hear your sadness j21370. Here (in the land of Oz) people are not given the opportunity of an MUA as it's believed that it's not worth doing such an invasive procedure and the end doesn't justify the means. So please don't think that you need it and don't be sad about that. I hear what you're saying though. If it would mean a lot to you by having it done, then get a second opinion. My first TKR (18 months ago) gave me huge problems and lots and lots of pain. When I had my other TKR (about 3 months ago) I made the decision to just push both knees (within reason). My first TKRd knee is now coming good. Work the knee to the put that you're pushing it a bit but just extend by small increments, not to the point you're crying or unable to walk the next day. You'll find a happy medium.
jenny80029 cheryl86544
Posted
j21370 cheryl86544
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Hi Cheryl-- thanks for your advice and the positive thoughts. I already have been to another surgeon in the Spring. I was in NY visiting my mother that was very sick and I went to see my Mom's surgeon. He took x-rays and said to leave the knee alone. Just to exercise it because it takes up to 1-year to heal. However, he did prescribed the DynaSlpint brace. I wore it and the pain became unbearable. I did used it for 2 months. My surgeon told me that the brace will not help me . I will keep everyone posted. Again, thanks
cheryl86544 j21370
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jana66072 j21370
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Hi!
I have to agree with Chico and get a second opinion, pretty quickly too.
I apologize if I step on anyone's toes, but I don't feel he was helpful, maybe lacked a tad of compassion. Yes, definitely get a second or even 3rd opinion.
I'm not much help with any other problem. I'm only 6 weeks out myself and learning.
Best of luck!
jenny80029 j21370
Posted
From reading around people do have long term improvements so it seems like the surgeon was over negative to me. Maybe they did not like the fact you chose different course of actions?
Sauna is great for exercising in...
Stretching also
You may need to discard the negative words and choose to believe otherwise.
As Chico suggests, get another opinion. Physios also can do great things with soft tissues!
j21370 jenny80029
Posted
cynthia89958 j21370
Posted
Hi, I'm in England and I had an MUA at 10 weeks due to lack of bend in op knee. It helped a lot with flexion in my case. I don't know if it caused more scar tissue, the bend remained better, but I still have some pain (manageable) and swelling at 19 weeks post op. Still seeing sports therapist, though had a setabck due to another illness.
?I don't know why there is a fear of MUA, I was informed it is just an extension to what they physio does to push your bend, but you are asleep so they can apply more force without resistance - which sounds horrible - you need the skill of the OS so as not to damage the leg though. I know some think it does not help, but it did help me.
?That does not help you though, I understand, but if you have over 100 deg bend my OS thought that sort of figure could still improve up to 18 months. I agree you should look at another opinion, especially with the pain situation continuing. It seems that amazing though the technology is with TKR, if it leaves any issues, we are sometimes just told to live with them, I have read several posts who had this said. I hope you will find the answers and continue to improve.
j21370 cynthia89958
Posted
Hi Cynthia - can't have the MUA done know because Tomorrow I'll be 10 months post TKR. In the Spring I went to NY to visit my Mom that has been very ill and I went to see her orthopedic surgeon. He told me to leave the knee alone and that it takes a year to heal. My leg is straight, but the bending is 105. What bothers me is the pain. Can't take anti- inflammatories. Thank you for responding.