Possible closed manipulation

[ladyblue]

Hey guys...on my last PT visit for the week, they finally measured my ROM. Well I am -11 degrees when my leg is stretched flat ( which it still isn't) and -8 degrees (I think he said that it was 88....) Seems like I did regress backwards and not forward in my rehab) We all agreed that when I see the OS on Tuesday that I suggest a manipulation to help break up scar tissue and what ever else is the problem. Can anyone tell me what to expect?? I am a little scared! Also is anyone else still on Coumadin??? It's been 11 weeks since my surgery on Jan.2,2008.

 

[gatiger]

They dropped my Coumadin at 6 weeks, I'm glad too that stuff made me dizzy. I think Newwoman is the manipulation expert.

 

[gatiger]

LadyB, as I was posting the guy delivered a device called, you'll love this, "The Flexinator" that is designed to help with ROM. I just tried it out when he set it up for me and I think it will work. My insurance (BCBS) is paying all costs for it, the OS and the PT set it up for me. It is basically a rental situation for as long as the doc approves. This machine, according to the sales brocheure has a 90% success rate improving ROM without manipulation. In my few minutes on it today, I can guarantee it will bend the knee, it generates 500 pounds of pressure. The good thing is that you control the motion so when it starts to hurt you can stop and release it or IF you want to I guess you can pump it back til you pass out.lol. I posted a link on another thread, but you can go to www.getmotion.com if you're interested. There is no charge for this info,that is all.

 

[Skeet]

I only took warafin for 4 weeks PO. But we are all different. Don't know much about maniuplations, but NewWoman (I think) had one and said it was painful for the first 12 hours or so then well worth it and her ROM has improved a lot. She spoke to it somewhere on this forum. Good luck. Let us know what the doc says.

 

[Newwoman]

Dear Lady Blue,
Hi it's Cathy and I did have a closed manipulation. I didn't know there was anything other than a closed manipulation. All that happened to me was they put you out for about 10 to 15 minutes and while you are out the bend and straighten your knee and that breaks up any scar tissue or adhesions that have formed since your surgery.
Before the manipulation I was at 75 degrees tops in the bend and 10 degrees short of being straight. I was 7 weeks post op so I should have been further along. The idea of them doing this to me terified me but pt was so painful because the pt would bend until I hit the wall and then try to bend it further which hurt so bad I would cry.
When I woke up it hurt like heck but I just whined as usual and cried a lot and my husband drove me to therapy. So I had the manipulation at 8:30 and was in therapy by 10:30am. My therapist was very gentle but I didn't go through the manipulation for nothing so he bent it but the difference was no brick wall anymore. It still hurt from the man-handling in the procedure room but it was bending and the real pain only last about 12 hours and then you're left with a knee that bends and not a tree trunk.
Hope this helps, I am now at 9 weeks post op and am bending to 87 degrees now and am completely straight.
Ask any questions you like and I will answer if I can and if I can't then my guess is one of the other forum members will be able to help.
Cathy

 

[Josephine]

No there isn't an 'open' manipulation, not in this situation, anyway. These gals have had it done so listen to them - first hand experience is far batter than my burblings. You'll be fine, honey, Trust us - we know whereof we speak!

 

[ladyblue]

Thanks so much everyone...especially Cathy...for the info and the words of wisdom and hope! I go one more time to PT tomorrow before I go to the OS. Something has got to give...(hopefully my knee...lol)!