TKR Flexion Range extremely low

[robynhood]

Was your operation the same as a TKR. I cant see why they told you the recovery was only 6 weeks. Im sure no one would tell you that if it was a TKR. I am so sorry you are feeling so low. It happens to us all and when it did for me the forum was the place I found the best support. Hang on in there. Theres not a lot you can say to make you feel better when you feel like you are. Im so sorry

 

[Josephine]

Really put an effort into PT today and worked damned hard! She had me on the Cross Trainer, stepper, bike, wobbly board and steps. Thought I did great and the knee felt looser. WRONG: it's totally blown up tonight am iced elevated and up to full meds (which I haven't been for a couple of weeks). It's 9 weeks tomorrow PostOp WHEN will I start seeing some improvement.

It probably did feel looser immediately after but you learned the bitter lesson that there is always a pay-off when you do too much. And that was FAR too much! At this rate you are taking one step forward and two back. Be sensible, apply the BoneSmart mantra and let that knee settle down before you do anything like that again.

I really wish at this stage I'd never had it done. The pain was bad pre-op but I still had a life!! I can't do this anymore. I've had an MUA and still the bend won't come!!! I cant do this anymore!!!

The bend will never come while it's swollen. Honestly, lass, how many times do I have to say it? Read this again and commit it to memory Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it? And remember this too: YOUR KNEE DOES HAVE BEND. It has all the bend you could want but it's never going to be revealed until you get that swelling and pain under control.

I'm going to ask you these again:
1. what are your pain levels right now? (remember the 1-10 scale: 1 = no pain and 10 = the worst you can imagine)
2. what pain medications have you been prescribed, how much are you taking (in mg please) and how often?
3. how often are you icing your knee and for how long?
4. how high are you elevating your leg, how often and for how long?
5. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc., and
6. what kind of PT are you doing? How much and how often?

 

[maryo52]

You are really doing your best to move forward. So sorry things are not progressing as you had hoped. The Bonesmart approach does not work if the knee indeed has internal adhesions. Not sure you have given the Bonesmart approach a real go (which of course is your right). It has worked for so many. My heart aches for you!

 

[Diesellily]

I'm having a couple of days kneecation to gather my thoughts and get back on track. Will read posts soon. xxx

 

[HorseyLady]

Sending you lots of hugs (((()))). I am in a similar position to you (6 weeks out LTKR and can't even get to 60) and also pretty upset. i know how you feel

 

[maryo52]

I see you're at two months. I think adhesions/MUAs cause us to have our worst period later than the average TKRer. My 2-3 month post-TKR time was so difficult it became the Hardest Thing I Ever Did, downgrading my first son's difficult birth to the Second Hardest Thing I Ever Did. Glad you're taking time off for R&R. Don't drown your sorrows in root beer floats like I did and gain 15#!!

 

[Diesellily]

Thank you guys for all your wonderful comments. This forum is full of some truly wonderful caring people!

I feel much more calm again after taking a few days away from anything knee related. I've rested, elevated, iced and took my meds when necessary.

1. what are your pain levels right now?

Pain levels are minimal the majority of the time so on an average day I would say 1-2. I find it aches after physio and rate it at a 4-5.

2. what pain medications have you been prescribed, how much are you taking (in mg please) and how often?

Following the MUA I was prescribed paracetamol and Ibuprofen but as they upset my stomach I reverted to co-codamol (Paracetamol 500mg /Codeine 30mg)

3. how often are you icing your knee and for how long?

Anything up to 8 hours a day and as soon as the ice needs replacing

4. how high are you elevating your leg, how often and for how long?

Toes aren't quite above my nose but very near to.

5. what is your activity level? What do you do in the way of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc.,

Activity level is very minimal. I'm living off microwave dinners (my OH works nights and has to leave by 3pm everyday). I manage to do a bit of dusting and can hoover but would be lying if I said it's a thorough job. I can do the washing ok if someone carries the basket to/fro the garden. I'm ok walking on even surfaces but take my cruches out as I live on a hill and the knee feels like it's going to give. No shopping, OH does it all bless him.

6. what kind of PT are you doing? How much and how often?

Two visits to the hospital per week. One is hydro and consists of stretches only. PT has just been upped quite ferociously last Monday to cross training, cycling (rocking back & forth), stepping machine &wobbly board . At home I just do gentle stretches, go for a short walk with crutches as I live on a hill and don't feel confident in the knee as it feels its going to give. Walking round the house I don't use them at at all and lately I'm trying to go upstairs normally.

 

[kneeper]

Sounds like a good plan to keep with the crutches outside until you feel more stable.

 

[Diesellily]

My Physio wants me to return them on Monday so I'm going to leave them in the car and get my OH to walk me to the hospital doors. I'll just tell her I've forgotten them.

 

[puffin]

It sounds madness - I cannot believe that your physio is prepared to risk a fall Do not give up your crutches until you feel ready - tell her that you still feel unstable

It may be that the physio is obsessed with not getting the crutches back. I can keep my crutches for ever as the Swedish health authority now makes us pay £10 for our own as people never used to give the borrowing ones back

 

[Josephine]

PT has just been upped quite ferociously last Monday to cross training, cycling (rocking back & forth), stepping machine &wobbly board

So is your knee still swollen much? Because if it is, this isn't a good idea.One or two of those would be plenty. I suggest just the cycle and cross trainer and nix the other two.

lately I'm trying to go upstairs normally.

Well, okay but don't push it too hard! It will only make the swelling worse.

 

[Diesellily]

Yes it is swollen, but the PT attitude seems to be 'well that'll be like that for up to a year' like it doesn't matter . The BS attitude makes perfect sense, it's not rocket science (just takes a while to realise this ).

I'll insist on just doing the bike and cross trainer. I'm definitely not giving up the crutches yet!

 

[kneeper]

Yes, you'll be *recovering* for a year, but NOT having that amount of swelling unless the PT pushes you. It seems a little early for a cross trainer to me... Though that may be less intense than the stepper.

 

[Diesellily]

I think the stepper is actually faulty. You can push both peddles down at the same time. Not like any stepper I've been on before. I thought one came up if the other was applied with pressure?

 

[Diesellily]

Deep Joy! I have see my OS tomorrow at 3.10pm he isn't going to be pleased with my progress or lack of it. Why do I let him frighten me so much?

 

[Morgaine]

We let our Dr's frighten us because we think they know more than we do. However, they might have more education and training, but remember YOU know your body better than anyone else. Your OS may or may not be pleased with your progress, but you heal as you heal and his/her approval doesn't mean that you failed or didn't try.
Hang in there!
Morgaine

 

[Diesellily]

Thank you! I will take your comment to his office. Wether I can wave it at him is a different matter but I will try.

 

[My way]

Diesellily I was just reading your post on Joes thread. Have you tried to get someone to raise your sun bed? I got my husband to get some pallets from a warehouse to put under my lounger. With a BTKR those low things are a challenge. My biggest worry now is I can only tan on one side. I'll have to stand for an hour or so each day with my back to sun so it can catch up to my front.
Wanda

 

[Diesellily]

Hey robynhood, hope you're ok x

Was your operation the same as a TKR.
I had a Petellofemoral replacement. Doesn't sound so grand as a TKR but still has it's problems. I was told 4-6 weeks as the worst way round and as somebody not in the know I believed them.

I am so sorry you are feeling so low. It happens to us all and when it did for me the forum was the place I found the best support. Hang on in there. Theres not a lot you can say to make you feel better when you feel like you are. Im so sorry

I appreciate your comments & thank you it means a lot x

Mandy xx

 

[Diesellily]

Thank uou MyWay for the giggle. Much appreciated!!!!