United States2nd MUA was 10/16/2020. More detail since this is an unusual event. I have not been typical TKR rehabber from the start. My knee just seemed to be an adhesion manufacturer. Gaining flexion stopped and started going backwards - that was semi-forced flexion (using my other leg to nudge it a bit, etc.). The first MUA helped considerably but afterwards, any gains I'd make in flexion would be gone 30 minutes later. Every day was starting over again. My knee kept getting tighter & tighter, lumps appearing & big increase in swelling. Above my knee felt wrapped in concrete. I could only bend roughly 86/87 degrees under my own muscle strength at 4 months. I had a CT that indicated areas indicative of 'scarring'.
The second MUA seemed to go fine, according to the surgeon, definitely adhesions were broken though none seemed unusually tough to break. But the extreme pain moving my leg began immediately upon waking up. X-Rays confirmed the break - actually two cracks rather than complete breaks, both towards the top of the tibia (under the bruise) - on each side of the knee replacement piece that went into the tibia. CT did not show any other damage. Now I am in a full, removable leg brace (but don't remove it unless showering - haven't tried that yet) ... and have to stay non-weight bearing for a minimum of 6 weeks to not worsen the breaks - could be longer since my bones are not exactly young now.
When in bed or the recliner with the leg on a good pillow, I can undo the brace straps & use ice packs on the shin or just get relief from the brace itself hitting my already painful lower leg. The surgeon says the bone should heal ok, the replacement should not be compromised - and we'll deal with the new knee stiffness when the bone healing is complete. I hope this does not happen to anyone else. Even with this happening, I still think the benefit from an MUA (when really necessary) greatly exceeds the risk. Hopping with the walker & leg braced up is exhausting but when this initial pain subsides, waiting for the healing to finish won't be nearly as bad.
The second MUA seemed to go fine, according to the surgeon, definitely adhesions were broken though none seemed unusually tough to break. But the extreme pain moving my leg began immediately upon waking up. X-Rays confirmed the break - actually two cracks rather than complete breaks, both towards the top of the tibia (under the bruise) - on each side of the knee replacement piece that went into the tibia. CT did not show any other damage. Now I am in a full, removable leg brace (but don't remove it unless showering - haven't tried that yet) ... and have to stay non-weight bearing for a minimum of 6 weeks to not worsen the breaks - could be longer since my bones are not exactly young now.
When in bed or the recliner with the leg on a good pillow, I can undo the brace straps & use ice packs on the shin or just get relief from the brace itself hitting my already painful lower leg. The surgeon says the bone should heal ok, the replacement should not be compromised - and we'll deal with the new knee stiffness when the bone healing is complete. I hope this does not happen to anyone else. Even with this happening, I still think the benefit from an MUA (when really necessary) greatly exceeds the risk. Hopping with the walker & leg braced up is exhausting but when this initial pain subsides, waiting for the healing to finish won't be nearly as bad.
