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When to use heat during tkr rehab?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Ozziegee
Ozziegee

I went 13 weeks after my knee replacement surgery without using any heat on my knee. I was icing like crazy but never heat. Whenever I had asked my PT I was pretty much given the same answer, "use ice, not heat". My thoughts are that initially ice treatment is a no brainer but after awhile surely heat helps healing? I decided to experiment for a week. I only used ice after my stretches and once a day when I alternated ice and heat. I do 15 mins ice, then 15 mins heat, followed by 10 and 5 min intervals. In the evening mainly while watching tv I used heat. It's now a week later and I have to say my experiment was a success, I'm much improved, my ROM increased 10% and I just "feel" better, I'm now able to do more stretching and strength exercises without swelling. Initially when I cut back on the ice my swelling increased but after three days the opposite happened. Anyone else have experience using heat? If so, how often do you use it, etc. 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • chris00938
    chris00938 Ozziegee

    Posted

    Interesting!!!!  I only used heat for a day or so but immediately noticed the bend was relaxed after the heat - it suddenly felt as though the knee was 'oiled'.  I didn't need it again after that.  I used flannels rinsed in hot water then kept them warm with a big towel round them.  To me it does make sense not to ice just before you're doing stretching, yet none of our physio's at the hospital mentioned heat.

  • j21370
    j21370 Ozziegee

    Posted

    I was told not to use heat in the first 3 months. And If I had to just to use the heat in the back of the knee. I was told because of the metal in the prostectic. However, every PT and doctor are different. J-21370
    • j21370
      j21370

      Posted

      Yes, my physical therapist told me that. However, after the third months they started applying heat for 15 minutes while they crunch me in a machine. As you know, every patient, surgeon and PT are all different with different PT techniques. My first PT person told me to she y5 days after my surgery that if I did not start moving faster and doing more excercise that I will have to have a manipulation. At 5 days I could

      not lift my leg and I did not know why. The PT kept pushing and insisting to raise my leg - I just couldn't. I asked her to call my doctor and find out why. She did the reason was that they have

      numb my knee and leg and since I have Fibromyalgia it took longer to wake up. J-21370

    • Ozziegee
      Ozziegee j21370

      Posted

      "While they crunch you in a machine"?? Sounds like the pits!

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 j21370

      Posted

      Did they crunch you or was that an auto spell error!😀😂😃

    • Ozziegee
      Ozziegee j21370

      Posted

      I think your Psycho Therapists might be related to mine.
  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 Ozziegee

    Posted

    At eleven weeks I find ice best for the front of the knee and warmth best for the back!
    • Ozziegee
      Ozziegee jenny80029

      Posted

      Great suggestion Jenny. I think I'll give that a try. I have a heat pad that I usually wrap around the entire knee. 

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