TKR L TKR on 11/15/24 recovery

[westiemom]

@AtinaCecile

I was just wondering how you are doing today? You had your surgery 3 days after mine so figure we are probably close in recovery. I have regressed in my Flexion (same -3 for extension) and everyone is sounding alarms about my regression. Suggesting "just have to suffer the pain to get more flexion" to CPM to MUA to being a cripple forever. My flexion at best was 84 when the PT hurt me and I was swollen like a beachball. A week and half later and I'm at 78. The PT appointment I had in between those two didn't measure so I don't know what that one was. Would you mind telling me your numbers? Your PT sound like mine - ROM is the end all and be all and no matter what, I WILL get there no matter what it takes!

Merry Christmas and hope 2025 brings you full range of motion!!

 

[Jockette]

Would you mind telling me your numbers?

@AtinaCecile can tell you her numbers but you cannot compare your recovery to anyone else. Our bodies are different, our rehab can be different, which affects how we recover.

You are getting inappropriate PT, especially for only a month into recovery.

same -3 for extension)

This is actually a very good number for extension, at one month!

 

[mendogal]

@westiemom

My flexion at best was 84 when the PT hurt me and I was swollen like a beachball. A week and half later and I'm at 78

That's because you were literally forced into 84 degrees at a time your body wasn't ready to achieve it on its own. Those forced numbers never last more than a few hours because of the swelling they cause.

 

[westiemom]

Would you mind telling me your numbers?

@AtinaCecile can tell you her numbers but you cannot compare your recovery to anyone else. Our bodies are different, our rehab can be different, which affects how we recover.

You are getting inappropriate PT, especially for only a month into recovery.

same -3 for extension)

This is actually a very good number for extension, at one month!

I do realize everyone's recovery is very very different. I was just so disappointed at my number on ROM. I'm sorry.

 

[AtinaCecile]

I just now made it to 80°. I am 6 weeks in 2 days. I had to stand my ground tell the therapist it was just too painful. I'm trying to focus on resting, elevation, icing and the stretching they recommend. However, my pt wants me to exercise 10 times per day. That just isn't happening. The exercises only take 7 minutes but to me 10 times is too much. On a good day I'll do them 6 times, most days I do them 3 times. I also changed up my icing and it has been helpful. I use my Breg machine through the night. Throughout the day I use ColPack icepack. I find the grab and go and much colder packs help me with frequent but short icing during the day. The Breg helps me with continual chilling and nice healing compression. I'm also using the Lounge Dr for elevation. I hope this helps you. I was sick with worry for days about my flexion. I had to let that go and care for my body the best way I knew I could.

 

[Layla]

Sounds like you have it figured out, AtinaCecile. Way to go!
Glad you're using common sense and taking cues from your body. Thanks for the update.
Best Wishes as you continue the journey!
@AtinaCecile

 

[benne68]

had to let that go and care for my body the best way I knew I could.

You know your body better than anyone else. Good for you for listening to it!

 

[mendogal]

Wait... PT wants you doing seven minutes of exercise 10x times a day????!!!!!

I am one who did some formal exercises and was eager to be ready to get back to the gym, but I took it very slowly....

I think your 3 times daily is FINE, and any more than that risks a bit of low grade OverDoing It.

 

[Jockette]

I just now made it to 80°. I am 6 weeks in 2 days. I had to stand my ground tell the therapist it was just too painful.

Painful PT only re-injures the knee that is trying so hard to heal.

However, my pt wants me to exercise 10 times per day.

I can’t imagine why your PT thinks this will be helpful. You are not training for an athletic event, you are healing from a major surgery, only 6 weeks ago. You are not yet healed enough for this many exercises.

The exercises only take 7 minutes but to me 10 times is too much. On a good day I'll do them 6 times, most days I do them 3 times.

6 times a day is too much, and depending on how you feel afterward, 3 times could be too much. Our retired nurse director, Josephine, often said once a day is fine, and take the weekends off.

I was sick with worry for days about my flexion. I had to let that go and care for my body the best way I knew I could.

I’m sorry your medical team has made this so stressful for you. You’re right, you need to take care of your body the best way you see fit.

 

[AtinaCecile]

Thanks everyone for the support!

 

[AtinaCecile]

I'm officially at 8.5 weeks in my recovery. My surgeon ordered a IFC/TENS/NMES unit to aid in my recovery. Curious if anyone else has experience with the Interferential Current (IFC) or the Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). My ROM is still disappointing as it is so painful to bend. Yesterday PT got me to 92° / 4°.
The great news is I am walking for health, albeit slowly, 20 minutes per day. I also began walking my 70 lb dog again. My steps have returned to 7500 per day intermittently, but not on PT day. Hope this info can help others.

 

[benne68]

Don't worry about your ROM, @AtinaCecile. You are still very early days in this year long recovery and internal inflammation is still interfering with your bend. As that inflammation resolves, you bend will come back all on its own.

Are you still icing and elevating on a regular schedule? That's the best way to bring the inflammation down and regain more flexion.

My ROM is still disappointing as it is so painful to bend. Yesterday PT got me to 92° / 4°.

Don't let your PT forcefully bend your knee -- that will only make the inflammation worse and slow your progress. Therapy should never cause pain.

Honestly, your ROM is just fine for your stage of recovery. We have lots of members whose flexion was even less than yours at this point and who fully recovered. Here are a couple of examples that might give you some context for recovery:

Campervan’s ROM history
92 - 8 weeks post op
107 - 5 months
110 - 6 months
112 - 7 months
116 - 9 months
119 - 11 months
118 - 1 yr
120 - 1yr 2 months
125 - 1 yr 8 months

Bertschb’s ROM history
2 months - 80 degrees
4 months - 90 degrees
6 months - 110 degrees
7 months - 120 degrees
8 months - 125 degrees
9 months - 130 degrees
10 months - 135 degrees
12 months - 140 degrees

 

[westiemom]

@AtinaCecile
Congrats on doing so well! I've not heard of any of those things you mentioned so can't help you there. I'm due for my follow up tomorrow and know the doctor is not going to be happy. I've not done PT since before Christmas and then got Covid so my energy has been focused on getting better from that.

I've not had my ROM measured since before Christmas when it was 78 degrees. I'm sure it has regressed, but since feeling so awful with Covid, I just can't seem to care too much about my flexion. Pretty sure it's not going to be a fun party tomorrow at the doctor.

But nice to know how you're doing and hoping you are keeping your spirits up. That's one of the hardest things to do, I've found (at least with me).

Let us know if you get any of those devices and how they work. We'll see if the doctor will recommend one for me.

 

[Layla]

My surgeon ordered a IFC/TENS/NMES unit to aid in my recovery. Curious if anyone else has experience with the Interferential Current (IFC) or the Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). My ROM is still disappointing as it is so painful to bend.

Following you'll find the results of a SEARCH on each device mentioned if you're interested in reading threads where each was mentioned.

IFC search info -

Search results for query: IFC

bonesmart.org

NMES search info -

Search results for query: NMES

bonesmart.org

TENS search info -

Search results for query: TENS

bonesmart.org

Best Wishes, Attina! Sounds like you're doing well.

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
Enjoy the dog walks!
@AtinaCecile

 

[AtinaCecile]

Hi Bonesmarties! Tomorrow marks 3 months since my L TKR. Man, I sure thought I wouldn't be having this much pain at this point. I still struggle with bending my knee. We haven't measured in awhile but I'm think I'm at 95° by myself. I'm using the Electronic Stimulation device, not sure if it is helping that much. Gone down to 2 days a week of PT. Went back to water exercise today. Walking 7500 steps per day, sometimes getting to 10000. Anyone have advice for a good sleeping position?

 

[westiemom]

@AtinaCecile
I can only sleep on my back. I've tried on my side, but too much pain. Had to lay on my left side for hospital tests today for an hour and that hurt bad. Hurt from my thigh down to my ankle. Wish I had a better idea for you.

 

[AtinaCecile]

Thanks so much. I have been forced to sleep on my back too and it just is not restful. I tried pillows in different spots but it is still a challenge. I am still using the BREG ice and compression machine on low settings throughout the night. I tried a few nights without it and it was terrible. My knee is still very warm everyday and gets warmer as I use it. On a positive note, I have been getting the pedal to go all of the way around on a recumbent bike for about 3 weeks. Today I was able to do it fast! I could not believe it didn't hurt! So excited for progress.

 

[Layla]

My knee is still very warm everyday

This can go on for months, even up to a full year post op.
The increased blood flow to the area results in the warmth. Swelling and redness are often experienced also. As the healing process progresses, the warmth, swelling and redness dissipate.
Go easy, progress is happening, no matter how slow. Complete recovery can take a full year for most and you're only three months in.
Have a great weekend!

 

[AtinaCecile]

Thank you Layla. Your comments are so helpful. I stopped using the Lounge Dr pillow about a week or 2 ago. Sleeping a bit better . Sometimes my knee is so warm it makes it difficult to sleep. I tried no icing at night and it didn't go well.