Advice required please

[Michele]

Hi there everyone,
I know "long time no post" but I do visit the forum at least twice weekly and continue to gain in knowledge from the posts. I have a question firstly for you all - I am 17 weeks post op (Patella replacement) as some of you may remember I struggled at first as my quads were not engaging and I could not lift or bend my knee for a good many weeks. Gradually with hydro, physio and a great deal of determination the bend happened and the strength has continued to increase. Although there has been a great improvement I am still only at an avaerage of 75 degrees (cold) and 80 degrees ( after a somewhat torturous physio session!) I am due to see the consultant on Tuesday and I have promised my husband that I will "open my mouth" and ask questions and tell him that I am unhappy, frustrated and concerned re my progress instead of the usual sit there happily smiling as he implies that it is my fault I have had a slow recovery. I have read on the forum and the physio mentioned manipulation, please would anyone out there that has had this let me know how it went / did things improve / does it take you right back to square one regarding recovery???

Josephine: As a medical expert, what does it actually entail and if it is an option should I grab the chance or hold on for a little longer in that hope that the slow progress will continue? The consultant has never mentioned it, post op visit 1 (3 weeks), I was told to continue trying to do the excercises ( I can assure you I was) Post op visit 2 (9 weeks)with the actual surgeon it was implied that I was not trying hard enough and that I was scared to push myself. Post op visit 3 (15 weeks) improvement made, although the consultant has never measured it the physio does weekly and I was up to 45 degrees. Post op visit 4 ( 18 weeks) ??????????

Generally, pain wise there is an improvement from pre op, although there are times when pain is severe but mobility wise things were bad before and they most certainly are worse now. I was looking forward to running again (not at speed) as this was something I could not do before but now I cannot even walk properly.

I am trying to stay positive but am concerned as I was hoping that being a slightly younger patient (46) I may even have recovered slightly quicker.

Please advise, many thanks
Michele

 

[Texas]

Re: Advise required please

Hi Michelle I do remember you, glad you posted again. I think you should ask for a manipulation. When I had mine I was bending 68. After I was a lil sore but the improvement was so worth it. Lil swelling but I was still able to bend more and as the swelling went down much more. I really saw a change fast. Yes you will have to work to keep that bend, but not like before. Only it was easier I didnt have that BLOCK stopping me. I know that feeling you are just stuck and its was explained to me by Jo and Jamie. Its not your fault scar tissue just happens. I really hope they will do that for you , you have been stuck there for a while now. Its not that bad to have it done like I said I was sore for a few days and then I was amazed at the change. Good luck to you please keep us posted I would love to know the outcome. Sorry I know you had questions for Jo...She can better explain but dont worry you will be fine and I think relieved your not having to kill yourself. I made sure I kept that bend. I did and I went form 68 to 90 mmedialtly to now 129 so it can be done I was in that boat with you...Keep your head up it will work out tell him thats what your asking him to do...Please let us know...Your in my prayers Michelle.

 

[Josephine]

Re: Advise required please

I would say you are well overdue for an MUA, Michele. If you're stuck at this stage, it obviously needs a little freeing up. Don't let that man intimidate you. Speak your mind and make sure he listens. You don't have to be impolite (I know you wouldn't be!) but you do have to be assertive and just keep saying it until he takes you seriously.

 

[JudyS]

Re: Advise required please

Michele
Sorry you are having such a tough time. Jo gave you good advice. I have done that with a spine surgeon, basically told him what i want done. He has agreed to eveything. I have even handed it to him on paper. I type out my feelings about things (my back) what I think will help and he reads it and agrees.
It is your knee and you are not happy with the way things are and you are trying hard to improve.
Good Luck and please let us know how it all goes
judy

 

[Jamie]

Re: Advise required please

I agree, too.....make an appointment with the surgeon (if possible) and have that chat.

 

[Judles]

Re: Advise required please

And be on your continued path to recovery!!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Re: Advise required please

Michelle,
I think you do need to speak up and tell your Doctor how you are feeling
You are doing all you can to make the knee bend and heal and now it is
for him to give you a helping hand. Jo Jo even told you be assertive.
Good luck!!!
I will be waiting to hear how it goes.

 

[loribee59]

Re: Advise required please

I should have done the MUA, but I waited too long to get it done right.

don't wait for PT to fix it when you've done all you can. Sewell44 is right, if you're not good at verbalizing your feelings, put it on paper. you are your own advocate. don't wait too long to get a MUA!

 

[Michele]

Hi again everyone
I saw the surgeon and he is fairly happy with the progress. I had an X-Ray taken and he says everything looks fine. I did say I was concerned about my progress and he laughed and asked me if I wanted it taken out? He said I just need to keep up the PT and see him again in October. the good news is that after the 'torture' and I do mean torture of the PT it is now being forced to 83 degrees. It was suggested by the PT that I start hydro again in addition to the PT. I went today and I must say the feeling was great, I really pushed it, it was so much easier in the water. From next week I start a hydro session directly followed by PT in the hope that they can then stretch and force it a little more each time.
I have promise my husband that if by October there are still problems he can come with meto see the surgeon to me 'my voice'. I am staying positive and very determined but although the bend is slowly improving I am finding it quite difficult to walk without a significant limp. Will this come in time???? Is it beacause I have walked with a limp for over two years now and is has become 'the norm' for me? I am consciously trying to force myself to walk properly but the pain and the stiffness are making it very difficult.
Best wishes to you all and Good luck to those about to have surgery.
Kind regards
Michele

 

[loggon]

Michele
So sorry you are having so much pain. I do not believe in the aggressive PT. When I left the hosp. I was only at 52 but now I am at 130 and that is with out any painful PT.

There are exercises you can do at home that may help. One of the best for increasing rom is the one where you slide your foot ( on the operated knee) back and forth under the chair. It is like a rocking motion.

Do you have a lot of scar tissue? A lot of folks here did and had to have a mua. I did not have a lot so that helped with the pain.

Good luck and lets hope the PT sessions you have less pain.
You did not say how for out you were.

Just looked back up at some of the post. My goodness you need to really speak to your OS you need some help

 

[Texas]

Hi Michelle. Well Its always up to you. Keep doing what you are doing. if you feel in a mth or so you just cant that would make an appt. But if you want to wait them yikes yes push. I know its hurts I was only 68 down to 32 then I had a manipulation. I was making no progress though I was going backwards bo matter how hard I tried...Good Luck keep us posted....

 

[Michele]

Thanks Texas
That's the thing is I am making slight progress so am hoping that it will continue. Don't get me wrong if MUA was offered I would have jumped at the chance but as with the actual operation my surgeon seems to be reluctant to operate (odd for a surgeon!!!!!) and MUA has never been mentioned which really surprises my PT as he said that usually people are threatened by the surgeon with MUA if they do not reach 90 degress within 12 weeks. Well it still feels good and quite loose after the hydro - Long may it continue !!!!!!!!!

 

[Texas]

I do agree Im surprised to because you are so determined. If you had a MAU you would have terrific ROM. If you want. give it a lil time then if it doesn't move anymore. I would bring it up. Yep have hubby go with you. Really after my MAU I was so happy I didnt have to struggle anymore it was nice...Well as nice as could be for a MAU just sore for a few days but I think I was so happy I paid no attention to the pain....I hope he helps you out soon. I know you have been pushing on and on I remember.