So why all the panic if you don't reach 90 degree ROM and right away talks of MUA?
My surgeon expected me to be at 90 degrees at the 6-week check up because he felt that there was a small window of opportunity to do an MUA which, according to him had to be done around the 12 week post op date.
For a few reasons I didn't want one and told him I would keep working with my physio (which i started at the 6-week post op date). He said that my bend would be "stuck" and that I could not bend it enough, nor could my physiotherapist bend it enough, to progress on my own due to the pain and an MUA was his recommendation.
He finally backed off but wanted me to come in once a week until I got to 100 degrees and eventually he told me he had reached out to his colleagues at a major hospital he had trained at and they told him that I could still gain ROM.
Yes, it took me longer than most but I am continuing to gain ROM at over 7 months post op. Having said that, some people do need or want the help of an MUA for various reasons, one being adhesions.
As it says in the articles posted here on BoneSmart, there is NO window of opportunity if you do need an MUA. It can be done long outside the 12 week post op date that many surgeons state.
What do you use to elevate your leg? I have found the "lounge doctor" very helpful, although not everyone likes it. I still use it at night for sleeping.
United States
