scar tissue and bikes

[squire]

My TKR surgery went well and I was agressive in using my stationary bike while I was in PT and after. Once I could overcome the resistance (Which I assumed was caused by scar tissue) and could cycle freely I lowered the bike's seat a notch which caused the knee to bend more. I repeated the process and made good progress. This I assumed would be an effective way of tackling the scar tissue problem. Then I went away and had no access to a bike for a week. And when I returned I found myself back at square one - the dreaded scar monster was back!

Am I deluding myself in believing using a staionary bike is effective solution to scar tissue? Should I not notch my seat?

 

[loggon]

When was your surgery for tkr?
You will find that when you don't exercise you will lose some flex,
but it will come right back when you get back to the exercise.

Get back on and ride.

Are you sure it is scar tissue? I have not been bothered that much with scar tissue this surgery, but have been from several other surgeries.

Good luck and hang in there.

 

[Texas]

Hi I am glad the surgery went well for you. Yes keep up with the bike it will come back. Just start like you did before. I know that scar tissue is something else. f you had it good a week ago, you can get it back...Good Luck to you...I use my bike all the time during the day. Just to keep it loose..

 

[Nancyo]

Hello Squire and welcome!
I don't know when your surgery was? How long has it been since your replacement? That has a lot to do with what your feeling. At this point it probably is not scar tissue that your feeling. There is a lot of swelling still going on inside and it takes time to resolve. As I say, I don't have any information about when you had your surgery so I don't know what to tell you.
The stationary bike is an excellent form of re-hab. Don't be in a hurry. It would be normal at this point for you to loose some of the degrees of flexion after a week of inactivity. You'll get it back. Just maintain your exercises and keep up with your re-hab. Use lots of ice on your surgical site after each exercise session to help reduce swelling inside and the pain factor if any.
Please post often and give us some more information. I'm so very glad that you found our forum. We love having you join us and we will be interested in your progress. Once again, welcome!
Blessings to you!
Nancyo

 

[Jamie]

Welcome to BoneSmart, Squire! We're so glad you decided to join our discussions.

I agree with Nancy and Pat that it would help to know when your surgery was done. I don't know what you were up to while you were "gone," but if it was a trip where you had some increased activity, you could have swelling - even if your knee doesn't LOOK swollen. Nancy's advice of getting right back on that bike is excellent. It is a VERY good tool to gain ROM (range of motion). Many, many people here on the forum have successfully used a stationary bike. You did it exactly right by gradually lowering the seat. Not only does the bike help you with your ROM, but it also builds the all-important quad muscle on top of your leg. Once you get back to your exercise schedule, you should see improvements again. And remember to ice and elevate after your workout.....more if you have any pain or swelling at any time.

 

[Josephine]

A lesson in semantics - more is not necessarily good! And less can be more.

IOW, a moderate amount of any exercise will be enough to get your knee going and keep it there. Too much will cause swelling which can be counter-productive. In fact, if you're too gung-ho you could actually risk causing the very thing you fear.

The short rest from it probably just caused some plain old stiffness which, as Nancy said, is not to be confused with adhesions.

 

[Jamie]

Squire, I have moved your thread to the Knee Surgery Recovery forum. Your topic concerns exercise and recovery issues and it is more at home here. Sorry....it took me a bit to notice it was in the wrong place.

I look forward to reading more of your posts and learning how you are doing!