TKR Feeling my new knee<

[Tina48]

Tuesday, I said that would post a photo of my knee with all the bumps and the swollen part a long the tibia. So there it is. I hope that some people could give there opinion on those bumps. when I walk I feel like everything is kind of moving and naturally it does hurt, but not to the point of medicating
My Os said he can't do anything.

Thank you for your much needed help
Tina

 

[Josephine]

Do you mean this lumpiness?

It looks to me like normal swelling that's in an odd place.Have you tried wearing some compression stockings? (and I don't mean TEDS!) Get some ordinary flight knee highs. See if that helps at all.

 

[Tina48]

@Josephine yes, exactly. I have tried it, it's been more than two weeks and no change

 

[Josephine]

Oh, two long weeks, eh? I think two months at least might be more to the point. But don't worry about it. I don't think it's anything significant or concerning.

 

[greatlakes]

Tina, so sorry you still are dealing with pain and swelling. I have no advice, just sympathy and to know we are all in your corner hoping things work out for you. I truly feel for your frustration.

 

[Tina48]

@Josephine thank you, so I will be more patient, and that's not of best qualities!!!!
@greatlakes thank you for you for being there!!!
I

 

[Tina48]

@Josephine
I would very much appreciate if you could read my post of last Tuesday and maybe give me your opinion.
Thank you so much.

 

[jmdearras]

My knee is still very swollen and my extension is still the same -5

Do you mean 5 degrees beyond straight (that's what the "-" usually means) or 5 degrees short of straight.

 

[Tina48]

I mean 5 degrees short of straight, and right now my knee is hurting to a point that
I have ice before dinner and will do it again.

 

[jmdearras]

Sorry to hear that! you should indicate your lack of extension in positive degrees from 0. I thought it was odd you had really good extension and only moderate flexion. Most people with normal knees have a small amount of negative, i.e. beyond straight, extension. -3 to -6 or so. 0 is really the most you need

 

[Tina48]

Ok. But how do I get ther? Or is it too late?

 

[jmdearras]

took me 9 months to reach zero on my first. 6 weeks into my second and I'm still over 6 degrees. I do not believe it's ever too late, that is a myth. progress sometimes slows, but never stops!

 

[jmdearras]

I should add that once I reached 3 degrees short of straight, my knee was fully functional. Up to that, for me, my knee would not "lock" and took muscle effort to stand still. after 3, I could stand without tiring the leg. 5 degrees should be fine for walking, and if your stride is correct, you will gradually force the knee to 0.

 

[Tina48]

Did you do special exercise for the first knee? I will read your thread and in the meantime I hope that you are doing good on your second knee. I find that you are very courageous for going for your other knee. Me, I think i would run the other way .....if I could.

 

[Tina48]

Thank you for the encouragment.

 

[jmdearras]

I tired PT for two weeks hated it. I just did some of the extension exercises on this site infrequently, and mostly just used it. The second knee I am doing no formal exercises, and it is ahead of the first knee at the current 6 week point. If I see a PT person, I WOULD run the other way. I'm totally convinced PT slowed my recovery. if you read my threads be aware that for some reason I am blessed with rapid, mostly scar-less, healing.

 

[newlybionic]

Here are some simple exercises you can try for extension.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/extension-how-to-estimate-it-and-ways-to-improve-it.9529/

I still do not have full extension of my knee that I have found that I am continuing to make improvements. Since your MUA was just a short time ago your soft tissue were once again manipulated and you may need to continue Icing for while longer. I find for myself that at the end of the day that I need to ice. Ice is a natural pain killer and also helps with swelling for your knee can get better ROM.

 

[Tina48]

@newlybionic the thing is my mua was done in august 2015. that is why I'm getting so anxious.

 

[newlybionic]

I'm sorry I misread the date. In my case I haven't been able to extend my knee to 0 for many years before my original TKR in July 2015. My leg was not straight before hand either so with the surgery all the muscles, tendons and ligaments were all be stressed and moved in ways they were unable accustomed to. Since in my case I started behind others I figured it will take me longer to get to 0. Where you at 0 prior to surgery? If not you too might take longer. Are you able to do most of the actives that you need to do?

 

[Tina48]

I was not at 0 but the difference between the two knees was not that much I didn't even see it until the OS told me and even after that I could't see it. But now, I can even see it when I wear pants. Every morning before I get up I lie on my back and stretch my leg for about 5 min before I get up. It seems to help for a short time.