TKR Careful! There Be Dragons Here! <
- Thread starter Nvstig8tr
- Start date
mamazipp
graduate
Oh, my, Bill. The fact that you cam walk one mile at your early stage is fantastic. I'm not anywhere near that at 4 1/2 months. You're on the right track.
OP
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Nvstig8tr
junior member
@uva55 - Hi Clara! Thanks for asking about the nerve damage. It's slowly improving, so I'm thankful; however, it may take several more months (who knows?) before it returns to normal. I hope it does because about 40% of my job involves typing. Right now, I can feel my pinky and ring fingers on the keyboard, but it's still pretty tingly and annoying.
I've been away from BoneSmart during the Republican National Convention, since I've been glued to CNN and other networks reporting on the three-ring circus in Cleveland; and I expect I'll do the same next week during the Democratic Convention. Sad to say, I've ignored the presidential campaigns up until now, so it's been interesting to get caught up.
Still walking a mile every day and going to the new PT twice weekly, but I'm not seeing any improvement in ROM. Sad to say, I'm seriously considering the MUA, because I'm supposed to be back to work on August 1st.
I've been away from BoneSmart during the Republican National Convention, since I've been glued to CNN and other networks reporting on the three-ring circus in Cleveland; and I expect I'll do the same next week during the Democratic Convention. Sad to say, I've ignored the presidential campaigns up until now, so it's been interesting to get caught up.
Still walking a mile every day and going to the new PT twice weekly, but I'm not seeing any improvement in ROM. Sad to say, I'm seriously considering the MUA, because I'm supposed to be back to work on August 1st.
uva55
post-grad
I'm glad to hear about the improvement on your hand, that's great news.
I'm also going back to work on August 1st, it may take some physical force after being off all this time.
I hope you don't need an MUA, it hasn't been that long...do you still have swelling? I do, not like it was but still some, my ROM was at 101 last week, I still ice and elevate often, I think I could bend much more if I could get rid of the swelling, I don't have much pain anymore just annoying discomfort.
I have to start walking more but it's too hot during the day and it storms every night.
By the way, you haven't been missing much of the presidential campaign, I rather watch paint dry!!! Lol
I'm also going back to work on August 1st, it may take some physical force after being off all this time.
I hope you don't need an MUA, it hasn't been that long...do you still have swelling? I do, not like it was but still some, my ROM was at 101 last week, I still ice and elevate often, I think I could bend much more if I could get rid of the swelling, I don't have much pain anymore just annoying discomfort.
I have to start walking more but it's too hot during the day and it storms every night.
By the way, you haven't been missing much of the presidential campaign, I rather watch paint dry!!! Lol
OP
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Nvstig8tr
junior member
MUA Here I Come!
Just completed my eight-week post-op with no significant increase in ROM over the past six weeks…sigh!…so I've agreed to the MUA (Manipulation Under Anesthesia) for next week, Thursday, August 11th. I just started back to work this week and I've had a little swelling due to the increased amount of walking and getting in/out of my truck a dozen times or more each day. No significant pain. Wearing my TED hose on the operated leg has helped a LOT. I'm scared to death of the MUA because of the possibility of increased swelling/pain that may make it difficult to do my job. I used ALL my sick leave and personal leave to have the surgery, then eight weeks of short-term disability (thankful for that), but I have no leave in the bank right now.
Please send all prayers and/or happy thoughts my way next Thursday! Thanks for all your support over the past two months!!
Just completed my eight-week post-op with no significant increase in ROM over the past six weeks…sigh!…so I've agreed to the MUA (Manipulation Under Anesthesia) for next week, Thursday, August 11th. I just started back to work this week and I've had a little swelling due to the increased amount of walking and getting in/out of my truck a dozen times or more each day. No significant pain. Wearing my TED hose on the operated leg has helped a LOT. I'm scared to death of the MUA because of the possibility of increased swelling/pain that may make it difficult to do my job. I used ALL my sick leave and personal leave to have the surgery, then eight weeks of short-term disability (thankful for that), but I have no leave in the bank right now.
Please send all prayers and/or happy thoughts my way next Thursday! Thanks for all your support over the past two months!!
uva55
post-grad
Wow Bill, I'm sorry about the MUA St only 8 weeks... I hope all goes well for you!
I know what you mean about not having time saved up, I had to go back to work after 7 weeks, I had 5 weeks saved up and two weeks without pay, we don't have short term disability :(
I know what you mean about not having time saved up, I had to go back to work after 7 weeks, I had 5 weeks saved up and two weeks without pay, we don't have short term disability :(
Suz
graduate
Hi Bill- nice to hear from you again. I'm sorry to hear you're scheduled for an MUA. But I've read from others here that they can be good in some instances. I do agree with Paula above it seems so early in your recovery. My flexion jumped up 40*s within two weeks and continues to improve. My surgeon wanted me to have an MUA at 8wks but I asked for a little more time and glad I did. He dismissed the idea later and I've been soaring along in my recovery since. I respect your choice of course and we'll be right here to support you in prayer and best wishes. May I ask.. have you been doing allot of PT this past 8wks?
Nammy925
junior member
Nammy925
junior member
Ha!!
Sleep deprivation and pain meds are to blame for my weird post quoting someone else's post.
So sorry!!!
11 July, 2016 LTKR
29 February, 2016 RTKR
Sleep deprivation and pain meds are to blame for my weird post quoting someone else's post.
So sorry!!!
11 July, 2016 LTKR
29 February, 2016 RTKR
Suz
graduate
No problem Nammy- 
OP
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Nvstig8tr
junior member
My ROM is about 55Ëš right now, some days less than that: just enough to walk pretty well, but with a slight stiff-legged gait. I don't feel that the OS is pressuring me, in fact, he is very low-key about doing it and assures me that it's totally up to me. He began recommending the MUA at 4 weeks, then again at 6 weeks, and I was not surprised that he mentioned it yesterday. He seems sincere in wanting the best for me and he claims that nearly all of his MUA patients feel much better and experience a significant breakthrough in ROM after the procedure. My concern is the build-up of adhesions that may be difficult to break down in the future. Perhaps I'm giving in too easily or being impatient, but it seems that everyone else is way beyond my ROM at a much earlier stage. It doesn't make sense to have 55Ëš approaching 9 weeks on Tuesday!
My knee is still hard as a rock and still a little warm to the touch. Pain levels are easily kept in line with one 50mg Tramadol and two 500mg Tylenol every six or eight hours; and I am now sleeping all night!
@Suz - I have been doing PT for the last two weeks, but with a new doctor that is very kind and gentle. During one session last week, he dismissed me after 30 minutes of therapy because he felt that I had done enough and he did not want to overdo the exercise. Prior to him, I had only gone to PT about three or four times total.
Thanks for everyone's comments! It means a lot!
My knee is still hard as a rock and still a little warm to the touch. Pain levels are easily kept in line with one 50mg Tramadol and two 500mg Tylenol every six or eight hours; and I am now sleeping all night!
@Suz - I have been doing PT for the last two weeks, but with a new doctor that is very kind and gentle. During one session last week, he dismissed me after 30 minutes of therapy because he felt that I had done enough and he did not want to overdo the exercise. Prior to him, I had only gone to PT about three or four times total.
Thanks for everyone's comments! It means a lot!
It sounds like your doctor knows best. I wish you all the luck.
Tabbycat
post-grad
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I hope all goes well whatever you decide, will be thinking of you. Be positive!
Tabby
Tabby
birdwatchr
graduate
I was thinking about you just the other day, wondering how things were going. Glad to hear you are doing ok; not so glad to hear about mua. Keep us posted how things go!
OP
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Nvstig8tr
junior member
My eight-week post-op X-ray. It's a Zimmer Biomet appliance.
![[Bonesmart.org] Careful! There Be Dragons Here! <](https://bonesmart.org/forum/attachments/imageuploadedbybonesmart-forum1470581248-811510-jpg.52761/ "[Bonesmart.org] Careful! There Be Dragons Here! <")
Left Total Knee Replacement on Tuesday, June 7th, 2016.
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
Left Total Knee Replacement on Tuesday, June 7th, 2016.
Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
newlybionic
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
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Beautiful baby pictures of your new knee!
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Nvstig8tr
junior member
Hi, everyone! Just wanted to pop in and give you an update of my situation.
I'm 6 months post-op on my left TKR and still having pain/stiffness. My range of motion is creeping up SO SLOWLY to 80 degrees! I can go up most stairs, but I cannot go down them except one step at a time. I can walk as fast as I ever could; however, I'm still having trouble getting in/out of my truck. Thankfully, my GP has extended my disabled parking permit for another 6 months, not because I want to be close to the door (although it's nice when the weather is bad) but because I have to swing my truck door ALL the way open in order to get my left leg out of the vehicle.
My orthopedic surgeon is stumped. I have suggested sending blood samples to Orthopedic Analysis in Chicago, IL, to test for metal sensitivity, but they can't seem to figure out how to get my insurance company to pay for it (nearly $600). They test your blood for the various metals in your particular make/model of implant. So we're going to try the patch test at a local allergy specialist, which doesn't analyze the blood; however, they put customized patch (with the appropriate metals) on your skin for 24 hours, then you come back twice…once after 24 hours and again in 48 hours to have the skin surface "read" by the doctor. We'll see.
Hope everyone else is doing better and healing more quickly than I.
Bill
I'm 6 months post-op on my left TKR and still having pain/stiffness. My range of motion is creeping up SO SLOWLY to 80 degrees! I can go up most stairs, but I cannot go down them except one step at a time. I can walk as fast as I ever could; however, I'm still having trouble getting in/out of my truck. Thankfully, my GP has extended my disabled parking permit for another 6 months, not because I want to be close to the door (although it's nice when the weather is bad) but because I have to swing my truck door ALL the way open in order to get my left leg out of the vehicle.
My orthopedic surgeon is stumped. I have suggested sending blood samples to Orthopedic Analysis in Chicago, IL, to test for metal sensitivity, but they can't seem to figure out how to get my insurance company to pay for it (nearly $600). They test your blood for the various metals in your particular make/model of implant. So we're going to try the patch test at a local allergy specialist, which doesn't analyze the blood; however, they put customized patch (with the appropriate metals) on your skin for 24 hours, then you come back twice…once after 24 hours and again in 48 hours to have the skin surface "read" by the doctor. We'll see.
Hope everyone else is doing better and healing more quickly than I.
Bill
