Hi there and welcome to Bonesmart. My apologies for not responding sooner when skigirl tagged me.
Your experience sounds very similar to mine. I had LTKR and from the beginning had a long slow recovery. My pt was aggressive and many times I had tears running from the pain of the pt pressing down on the knee. I knew from prior experience that flexion would come, but worried about extension. I got stuck at 12-15 degrees and sort of stayed there for a year. I tried everything, had the MUA at 3 months, therapeutic massage, etc. it just wouldn't budge.
Finally a year almost to the day my OS did a quasi revision. He opened up the TKR incision, pulled the spacer and cleaned out the adhesions. He also did a capsular release and a lot of work behind the knee. None of the other hardware was replaced. The first 3 days were awful, but then as the pain subsided, the walking got much better. It was very clear that this was what I needed.
This time around I took the less is more approach. I only did gentle stretching, focused on controlling swelling, then gradually added the bike and leg presses. My pt did lymphatic massage to help move the swelling out of the leg and to drain out of the body naturally. As I got better, I started doing warm water therapy and within a few months, I was at zero. It was miracle. I followed the advice of the people who have posted on your string and they stuck with me. It was frustrating and took way too long but in the end was worth it. I am at zero and 125.
My advice at this point is to back off the heavy exertion. Even though you may not see swelling, the joint is so compact even the slightest fluid build up will prevent motion. Don't worry about flexion, that will come with time. Focus on gentle stretching, do the extension exercises that have been posted for you, ice all the way around the joint and elevate, toes above nose. Slow way down. Remember that you are recovering from a major surgery and not training for anything. I know it's frustrating but you have to give it time. You are still in the early days yet. If after you have given this many more weeks, then it may be time to consider something like I had done. My OS said that there was no way I could have broken through the adhesions with pt and exercise. And try not to compare your experience with one knee versus the other. They are unique and will dictate the course you need to take.
Please keep posting and we will help support and guide you. This is by far the most caring and kind group of people I have ever encountered, not to mention the first person experience.
All the best to you,
Dawn
United States
