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TKR New Left Knee . . . Check!!

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Well, PT went well this morning. He measured me first thing and without much effort at all I measured 120! I asked him with the doc getting it to 140 during the MUA and now measuring at 120 what he thought I might realistically get to. He wouldn't speculate. He said I would not be at 140 (which I knew) and he also said that I shouldn't slip back under 120 either--and that it is likely I will gain more. He said it would all depend on how hard I'm willling to push it. I told him right then that my philosophy about PT has not changed, and I am still not going to let him hurt me. I think he understands that by now. :snork:

I really feel like I will be able to gain more because the feeling when stretching it now is completely different. It actually "gives" some, if you know what I mean. Before I would hit a brick wall and there was no pushing past it. But now even when I get to what feels like the limit, it still feels pliable. It feels like stretching will actually be able to do something now. I am so pleased with the results already even only 24 hours out from the MUA. (So happy I didn't go the Dynasplint route!)

My PT switched things up today and I did no strength exercises at all. It was all ROM stretching. I was definitely pretty sore when done, so I came home, took two hydrocodone, and then took a 2-hour nap. I think the effects of the anesthesia haven't completely worn off yet. I'm still pretty wiped out.

I wonder how long the effects of the steroid injection will last cause I think that is what is making my knee feel so darn good. Would be nice if it just wiped out all of that tightness and inflammation permanently! But so far, so good! :thumb:
Niki
 
Hi Niki, I have not been able to be here much lately but just checked in on you and found how well you have done. I am very happy for you! ((hugs))
 
Great to read such a positive report, editor. I'm so pleased for you.
And I think your account will help others too.
 
Feeling a little more stiffness today, so I guess that magical steroid injection is not going to last forever. My OS called this morning to see how I was doing, and I told him that I am finally feeling optimistic about my knee! I know it's still a looonnnnng tunnel, but I can at least picture the light at the end of it now!

Two days later I am still feeling like the MUA was a huge turning point and still feeling good about the decision to go ahead and do it. :yay: Once again, Josephine was exactly right. An MUA is not a failure, or a negative, or a setback. It is a positive thing that I'm thinking has really helped me turn a corner! Niki
 
I'm so glad you can see the bright future side about your knee! and your life! you have really had a go of it.
and I'm SO glad that the MUA also became a great tool and an asset to your recovery! so VERY happy for you!
 
Hi Niki, you may see some additional stiffness showing up over the next couple of days. Just stick with your ice and elevate and you will be fine. I'm so glad this has been a positive for you! Keep us posted!

Dawn
 
Dawn, You do know what you're talking about! I am definitely feeling more stiffness the further out I get from the MUA. I'm also having some muscle soreness, which I'm assuming is from being stretched during the process. My calf muscle and my hamstring are pretty sore for some reason.

You know, the tightness and stiffness were completely gone for about the first 36 hours after the MUA and steroid injection. It felt so good; it was unbelievable. It makes me wonder if all of this stiffness and tightness comes from inflammation, because doesn't the steroid injection work on the inflammation?? Soon after the injection all tightness/stiffness was gone for a while, so does that mean that once this inflammation heals itself I will feel that good again? And if that's the case, how long does this inflammation last? My knee is still very warm to the touch compared to the other one (although the color of my knee and leg is just about back to the same as the other one).

My OS switched me from 15 mg of Mobic to 200 mg of Celebrex because the Mobic was starting to bother my stomach. Been on the Celebrex for a little over a week I think. I think it is definitely easier on my stomach; not really sure how it is affecting my knee yet.

Anyway, I was just wondering about the steroid injection and the inflammation and the stiffness/tightness relationship. Wish I could get a steroid injection about every other day!

Oh almost forgot! With a little help from the PT this morning, my flexion reached 130!! (Can't do that by myself yet though. :biggrin:)
Niki
 
Great report Niki! You have progressed miles this week. You have left much behind you now. All good things. :thumb:

I have been on celebrex for years and always was told to take either Nexium, Previcid, or Prilosec with it because it does a job on your stomach. I got ulcers twice while on Celebrex and the stomach meds. :cry: Ask the Dr. if you need to protect your stomach. Right now I am not taking celebrex or the stomach meds cause my inflamation is down. For me, the inflamation , swelling, and heat in my knee, all left together and never returned. :yahoo: You will be there soon, just don't rush it! :friends:
 
Hi Niki, you should lose that tight/stiff feeling as the inflammation goes down. I was taking Celebrex after my MUA and it helped a lot. I did have a few bruises show up on my calf after the MUA also, just the pressure points where my leg was held. Don't be surprised if they show up.


I think you are right about the steroid injection working to fight the inflammation. I think once that goes down, you will get that freer feeling. Keep the faith, it's early days. Just keep moving and take time to rest after your exercise. You have started to get a glimpse of the better days ahead, so make sure you are patient, of course easier said than done!

It just tickles me that you have had this outcome and I know it will keep getting better!

Well done, well done!

Dawn
 
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