3 Months and ROM Questions

[moe]

I distinctly remember my OS saying after hitting the 3 month mark I would notice a big improvement and I did with pain and swelling. I am still bummed with my rom which I talked about in an earlier post (size of new knee) and I notice that many people seem to have had MUA with improvement. Once I get much beyond 90 degrees it is still very painful stretching :shk:and I am almost six months out. Has anyone had an MUA after six months with success? It took me so long to get an appt. with my surgeon (3 mos.) and the first available surgery was 7 months after that, I have a feeling I would not be seen quickly since all in all I am doing well. I am just hoping I don't regret :sct: not trying to have it done and living 90-100 degrees rom. Thanks for listening to me vent. MOE RTKR 1/27/09

 

[Jamie]

Re: twice blessed

Moe, does your therapist think you can gain any additional ROM?

I think you need to make an appointment and at least discuss the possibility of an MUA with your surgeon. When you talk to their office, state your problem and insist they give you an appointment in a reasonable amount of time. Most surgeons want to see you around the 6-month mark anyway....just to talk about how things are going.

 

[Motherofmany]

Re: twice blessed

:agree: Good advice Jamie. Just what I would advise also. Hope you are able to gain more. Some have continued to gain Rom up to 1 year out.

I had to have a MUA 2 weeks ago. Swelling is starting to go down so I am feeling a little more mobile, however still in the 80s, so not very good yet. Still feels better than the knee being locked and not being able to get past 78 or so with much pain.

Aquatic therapy and aerobics in the pool are helping me the most. Just started back to pt Wed and will go again tomorrow.

Talk to your OS as soon as possible. Because you are already a patient, you should get in sooner if you let them know you are having problems. Keep us posted. Will be praying for you.

Blessings,

 

[Jamie]

Moe, I moved your post to its own thread. This way it will get more attention and responses to you won't derail the other thread.

 

[Motherofmany]

Thanks Jamie,

Thought I was loosing it for a moment...dejavue. :sct::sct:

Moe this will help you get more input from other bonesmarties.

 

[Texas]

Hi Moe if your not happy with your ROM talk with your OS. I had a MAU and it helped me alot. But yes was only mth out. I sure hope you can get in to see him. Get things straightened out. Good Luck to you. You didnt come this far to settle if your not happy. ...Please let us know wheat he says..

 

[calling_all_angels]

Moe
I had a MUA on both knee's the 17th of June which would be 5 months on right knee and 3 months on the Left. Yes they can do a MUA at six months. Didn't you OS ask what your Rom was when you had your check up????? He can also scope it.

 

[Josephine]

Well, he could, but I wouldn't want anyone sticking scopes in my knee, not no how! It's very risky (infection) plus probably wouldn't achieve much. An MUA is much more effective and, truth to tell, can be done pretty much any time. It all depends upon the circumstances.

 

[moe]

Thanks everyone for their advice and Jamie for moving it to its own thread. I am still learning the ins and out of this site!:D

I finished 4 months of PT near the end of June ending with a rom of 105 when pushed by PT. I am not scheduled to see OS until May 2010, 1 year from 3 month visit. I have been using my stationary bike, stretching as much as I can, walking and trying to get to the gym for strength training as much as I can, which probably should be more!

I would have been eligible for a MUA in May had my rom been 95 which I feel is about all I get on my own. Nobody can bend it like your PT can. So I guess my next step is to call OS and tell them I feel like rom is not improving and I feel like I have lost a little.

I will keep you posted. I wish everybody well in their recovery. Thanks again.

MOE
RTKR 1/27/09

 

[moe]

Calling all angels,

What was your rom before and after MUA?

 

[thebeast]

Hi everyone...It is thebeast. Haven' posted in a while. I have been in PT 3xwkly for the past 6weeks. My ROM seems to have stalled. I push and push but, it feels like it can't go any further.I wanted to post to this thread because I am in the same boat. I am a dummy...what is a MUA? Could I benifit from that? Tuesday coming will be 11 wks post op.

 

[Motherofmany]

Hi everyone...It is thebeast. Haven' posted in a while. I have been in PT 3xwkly for the past 6weeks. My ROM seems to have stalled. I push and push but, it feels like it can't go any further.I wanted to post to this thread because I am in the same boat. I am a dummy...what is a MUA? Could I benifit from that? Tuesday coming will be 11 wks post op.

Hi beast,

Like you I was stuck, no matter how hard my PT or I tried it wasn't moving. I had a MUA (manipulation under anesthesia) 2 1/2 weeks ago and I am finally seeing some improvement. Was stuck at 78 or so for a long time. Now I'm up to around 90 with improvements almost daily.

To answer your question, the MUA is done as outpatient. The surgeon works your leg until it is free to bend the maximum you can while you are out. They do a general anesthesia and give you a muscle relaxant that temporary paralizes you. (I did have a reaction to this and had rigours. Where my muscles spasmed and had difficulty for 3 days afterwards especially with my upper body. This wasn't anything new, since I have had difficulty with many medicines, so not necessarily something you would deal with.) My OS was able to get 110 during the MUA, about the best I can expect, but others have greater success than that. Many factors involved here, so there is a variance in ROM that can be gained.

The MUA itself wasn't anything to fear. Without the complications, I would have been fine. I would definitely recommend a MUA, but ultimately it's up to your surgeon.

My swelling is finally starting to subside and I am gaining ROM daily by working out in the pool. Have you tried aquatic therapy? Working wonders for me.

Hope this helps some and you are able to gain ROM and get back to enjoying life!

Blesssings,

 

[thebeast]

Thank you, Rose! I have to see the OS again in 3 weeks. I will definitely discuss this option with him.

 

[Motherofmany]

Might want to call him Monday and just let him know or have you PT talk to him. I waited thinking mine would improve, but it didn't and was so frustrating. I was also waiting for my appointment. The PT thought he might could work it loose, but it was just excruiting and frustrating. Hated crying when PT gave me the numbers, they were so depressing and not going anywhere.

If I had to do it again, I would have done it much sooner. Just my thoughts on this matter. Talk with your PT and OS and see what they say.

Hope for the best!

 

[Texas]

I had a manipulation. it worked great. I was only bending at 68. After the MAU right after it was 97. Its so terrible when you cant bend. Have you talked to your Dr about this . Dr will put you under anesthesia and bends if as far as he can to break up scar tissue.I wasn't awake, now its sore for a few days but nothing like the TKR....Hang in there it can all be fixed. keep us posted...In the search box up above just key in manipulation. You seem to be doing well so can it up...