I’ve read lots of information here from people with tkr experience, but I haven’t seen any information from the medical profession that supports their advice. There doesn’t seem to be a balance of information. How are you supposed to decide what to do?
How about you read what my surgeon advises?
My surgeon doesn't allow any PT at all for the first month after a knee replacement. He says your knee needs that time, to start on its journey of healing. For that month, we rest, ice and elevate our leg, and walk around the house.
After that month, we just go to PT once every 2 weeks, where we are shown a few new exercises to do at home.
His patients all do well and achieve good ROM, as I did, and he hasn't had to do a manipulation to help with ROM for the past 4 years. I think that speaks for itself.
I’ve been to see the surgeon, however and he said I’ll need another appointment and maybe an MUA in six weeks if I’m still below 90 degrees, and he says (and my partner insists) i have to do the exercise whether it’s painful or not.
If your partner isn't an orthopaedic surgeon, and hasn't had a knee replacement himself, tell him (politely is preferable) to butt out and stop telling you what you have to do. He's not qualified to give that advice.
You are the only person who has the right to say what happens to your knee. It is your job (and yours alone) to decide for yourself how much, or how little, exercising you will do. You decide that by listening to the messages your knee gives you. The most important is this: "If it hurts, don't do it."
It's never a good idea to push through the pain. Doing that causes more harm than good.
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
As for having an MUA, you have the right to choose that, too. Your surgeon may advise, but you have the right to say that you'd like a little more time. He can't force you to have the procedure.
Saying no to therapy - am I allowed to?
CONSENT: what it means and how it can be used
At this early stage in recovery swelling is still the most likely reason why your knee isn't bending much yet. So concentrate on trying to reduce the swelling, with lots of rest, ice and elevation, and just a little gentle exercise (like walking around the house) to keep your knee moving gently.
There's no need to rush to get ROM (Range of Motion) because it can continue to improve for a year, or even much longer, after a knee replacement. There isn't any deadline you have to meet:
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR