I'm a bit concerned and have been "yelled" at by PT. I am at a tough 86 degrees flexion with 15 degrees short on straightening. PT wants to talk to doc about MUA. I said I would not agree and PT went south after that.
For a bit of history, I was in a car accident 40 years ago and my patella was broken in three places and had to be wired together. Three months in full leg cast and then PT. When they couldn't get the bend, they did a MUA. I finally left the hospital at 90 degrees six months later. I had other broken bones and injuries and that's why the long hospital stay. I believe I may have gotten to 115 or 120 degrees over time with normal activity. My knee has always been painful. Over the last year, my ROM worsened in both directions and 10/4 I went into surgery.
The nerve block didn't work and the pain medication wasn't strong enough for a week afterwards so I lost PT time there. I am scared. PT has pushed and pulled on my knee. They've forced me to sit in a chair with my foot on a riser and push myself forcefully forward to try to bend the knee. It's extremely painful. They said my muscles are guarding and if I don't get them to stop doing that, I won't gain anything back. Working at home, I push to the point of being uncomfortable but I simply can't push myself to pain and I back off. I'm told that is wrong. My mantra should be "It hurts but it won't hurt me".
Am I the only one who has gotten stuck with such limited bend this far in? I'm afraid of another MUA. It didn't work the first time, what's to say it would this time either and I do not want to go back to square one. Swelling is okay, stiffness is awful the day after PT but loosens up the day after that and then I can work out at home again. I'm still using a cane but can walk for short periods without it.
For a bit of history, I was in a car accident 40 years ago and my patella was broken in three places and had to be wired together. Three months in full leg cast and then PT. When they couldn't get the bend, they did a MUA. I finally left the hospital at 90 degrees six months later. I had other broken bones and injuries and that's why the long hospital stay. I believe I may have gotten to 115 or 120 degrees over time with normal activity. My knee has always been painful. Over the last year, my ROM worsened in both directions and 10/4 I went into surgery.
The nerve block didn't work and the pain medication wasn't strong enough for a week afterwards so I lost PT time there. I am scared. PT has pushed and pulled on my knee. They've forced me to sit in a chair with my foot on a riser and push myself forcefully forward to try to bend the knee. It's extremely painful. They said my muscles are guarding and if I don't get them to stop doing that, I won't gain anything back. Working at home, I push to the point of being uncomfortable but I simply can't push myself to pain and I back off. I'm told that is wrong. My mantra should be "It hurts but it won't hurt me".
Am I the only one who has gotten stuck with such limited bend this far in? I'm afraid of another MUA. It didn't work the first time, what's to say it would this time either and I do not want to go back to square one. Swelling is okay, stiffness is awful the day after PT but loosens up the day after that and then I can work out at home again. I'm still using a cane but can walk for short periods without it.
Last edited: