MUA Depressed, worried, anxious

[almostready?]

Good luck! I chatted with someone yesterday at PT who had MUA. She said it was a total game changer and is really pleased she did it.

 

[Beas27]

I had my tkr on July 29th. I just read through all your posts and the responses. Has anyone tried moving your knee cap for you? This is my second tkr. On both knees, my knee cap would move side to side but was stuck and would not do up and down movement. I go to PT once a week and my therapist spends time gently releasing my knee cap. Once it's released, my flexion improves. It makes me cringe when I try to do it myself, it doesn't hurt but it's icky to me.

I think using your cane more often would ease the stress on your knee as well. I use mine all the time and am focusing on heel to toe movement on a straight line so I bend my knee when walking.
Icing and elevating is going to help reduce the inflammation and fluid as well.
Be patient with yourself and your knee, we are on a journey of healing not a marathon.

 

[Toothfairy]

Thank you everyone for all the advise and insight. Alter much mental deliberation and long conversations with my surgeons assistant and nurse, I decided to move forward with the MUA. It's scheduled for the 13th of September. (Friday the 13th in fact). I'll post back with updates. Wish me luck!

I’m pleased that you have reached a decision that you are happy with. I hope it goes really well. I will look forward to your recovery posts.

 

[Toothfairy]

Hope everything goes well with your MUA tomorrow. Let us know how it goes.

 

[dnkz]

Thank you! Will do!

 

[Layla]

Best wishes for an optimal outcome from your procedure tomorrow.
Stay in touch....we're here for support always.
@dnkz

 

[C'mon]

Good luck with the MUA we’ll be rooting for ya!!

 

[dnkz]

Wow, thanks for all the support! Honestly though.. I'm definitely pretty nervous and worried because I can't possibly fathom how this knee is going to bend beyond where it's stuck without it literally exploding! It's like a hard stop. The nurse I spoke with tried to put me at ease by explaining that it'll bend to what is only anatomically possible in the first place. I guess that sort of makes sense...

 

[InkedMarie]

I hope all went well today!

Marie

 

[dnkz]

Ok, so I don't want to jinx it but besides an unreal amount of pain (9 out of 10) upon waking up in recovery from the procedure, 6 hours later I'm resting comfortably at home with slightly over 90 degrees of motion! My surgeon also shot a steroid directly into my knee during the procedure. I'm on Hyrocodone-acetamin every 6 hours and starting on a course of prednisone over the next 2 weeks.

One more thing that I thought I'm mention was that I did one session on the RomTech device and previously I was never able to go past level 3 (out of 6 positions) with the pedal position. But now, I easily did my 12 minute session at level 6! I'm stunned...

The real test will be what happens tomorrow morning. Fingers triple crossed! I'll report back as things progress.

Here is a picture the surgeon took during the procedure:

 

[benne68]

Glad the procedure went well today, @dnkz. As you know, your bend may not be quite as good over the next few days as the swelling sets in. Be sure to spend plenty of time icing and elevating to reduce the inflammation!

Keep us posted!

 

[Layla]

Photographic evidence
I'll cross my fingers for you too. Wishing you comfort and the desired result.
Please stay in touch.
@dnkz

 

[Rockgirl4]

I'm glad you are making such progress, and I've been following your thread because I TOO am going to have the RomTech bike and am worried about it being too much, too fast post-op. I dealt with arthrofibrosis in the past from an experimental knee surgery in 2015, and I know how my knees like to "rebound swell." I wonder if they would have just given you the steroid BEFORE the MUA, if maybe you'd seen some improvement. That's the plan for my left TKR next week if I experience the same massive swelling post-op like I did after my right TKR in 2019. I hate that you had to go through this, and I really hope the worst is behind you, and each day will bring loads of improvement.

 

[sistersinhim]

@dnkz, how are you feeling today? If your bend has decreased, not fret, it's because of the swelling from the extra inflammation the MUA caused. Ice, and elevation is the treatment plan for that!

 

[dnkz]

A quick update. So far I'd say I'm more glad a had the MUA than not. I'm making slow but noticeable steady progress each day. For example, I was able to go down-stairs "normally" for the first time yesterday. One hand on the rail, the other using a cane. This was HUGE! Up-stairs getting stonger all the time and can now go up a flight of stairs only using the handrail, no cane required. Are stairs painful? Yes but it's getting better little by little. I think my flexion is at around 115 when warmed up. My new physical therapist is awsome too. He specializes in TKR and you can really tell he knows what's what.

My main goal now is to be able ride my bike. I still can't quite push through the top of the stroke (have it attached to a bike trainer). The stationary bike at my PT location is more forgiving and on that, I managed full continuos revolutions for the first time last week. Really gave me hope!

Pain and stiffness, especailly in my quad, is still there and dull deep aching at night continues to interupt sleep is intermittantly ongoing but still, it's slowly getting better...

That's about it for now.

 

[Layla]

Slow but steady progress is good. Especially when MUA sets you back. It sounds like you're doing well and found a great match in your PT. Thanks for updating us. Keep in touch so we're able to cheer you on as you continue healing.
@dnkz

 

[Rockgirl4]

I'm glad you can see the benefit of having the MUA and are making slow gains. It really is a slow process, which can drive one batty. We're rooting for you though.

 

[mendogal]

Thank you for the update!!!
You'll get there, just take it slowly and don't let anyone speed you up!

 

[sistersinhim]

I was thrilled the first time I could ride my outside bike again. I went only a mile or so, (I wanted to see my knee's reaction), but it felt great to ride again! I slowly increased the distance each time and in a month or so I was back to normal riding distance.

 

[Layla]

Two months with your new knee...Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you have a nice week!
@dnkz