Stuck at 72 and Getting Worried

[AlaskanTKR]

Ok - I hemmed and hawed b4 writing this. I truly feel like I am doing really well after my tkr. I have been up and down the stairs daily, got over to where I work 2 times - today for 1/2 to at least hang out with my friends who were all working registration, and out to dinner a few times. Been religous about PT, ice, now solid elevation and the cpm machine and I are connected when I am not doing any of the other things listed. My problem is that I left the hospital at 60 degrees flexion on the cpm, 65 at 1 and 1/2 weeks, 70 for last week - no change all week and then Monday I was 72 with tears just about rolling down my face. I can get the CPM up to 80 but then it feels like my knee cap is going to pop through the skin on my knee. Almost feels like there is a strap pulling against my entire knee.
OS was happy with the knee last week -and told me we are aiming for 110 at 8/29. Talked to pt - the office is great and really work the knee - really positive - says we will work it and we will get there. Today I have a gravelly sound coming from my knee when doing the exercises - sounded like gravel rubbing between your hands. Since you have all been here and have challenged the ROM - any suggestions, comments, advice??? I have read the threads about MUA and am wondering if I am heading down this road.? All else is great - Extension is 0 and I can weight bear pretty good.
Help! The swelling is much better than it was prior to staple removal. Heading back to work 8/12 instead of 8/13 (additional contract day for SPecial Ed teachers in our district). I have got to get this ROM moving!
Marianne
(Thanks for the input - I was 3 weeks yesterday and I have read back and most people are 90 when they leave the hospital) UGHHHHH

 

[Josephine]

Don't fret yet, Marianne. You are still SO early days. Just bear with your pt and it will come. If I remember, you had a LOT of swelling issues immediately after your op so that will have set you back. You're a long way off thinking about an MUA just yet.

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Josephine-
Thank you. I guess that was what has been bothering me. I am so excited to get back to work with my kids that the thought of having to deal with time off was scaring the beegeebers out of me. I feel like I should be so much further. I did have trouble with swelling and still do - especially after any extensive bending. I just want to keep bending. I feel like I have so much further to go before its where it should be. UGHHH - I think it is the teacher in me - tell me what to do and I do it to the best of my ability. I had pt this am and with a tremensous amount of stretching we did get to 75-then 77 with lots of bad words coming out my mouth (although they were rvery quietly said). I though having a baby was tough - I hate to say it - this is actually tougher. They did some taping after the stretching and then they work my butt off for the next hour. Now I am cpming at 80 with a lot of teeth grinding. Thanks so much for your reassurance - I feel much better - I don't know how we would manage without you and this wonderful forum!
Marianne

 

[carolinagirl]

Alright Marianne!
You are moving right along. It does take time, and like Jo said your swelling has probably hindered you some. It will come. Keep up the good work.
I also say plenty "under my breath" when the therapist bends my knee and also when he places a block under my knee and pushes down on my knee for extension. OUCH.
Take care.

 

[exjock]

I was at therapy today and was feeling bad about my 85 deg. until a woman who was six weeks out and already had an MUA and was still screaming for mercy trying to get to 90 deg. THis just proves that everyone is different. As long as we keep plugging along it will come.

 

[hess]

Marianne,
3 weeks is SO early. Don't worry, when the swelling is under control, you'll come around! Keep working at it!!!
Hess

 

[Rowdy66]

Three weeks is sooo early at 12 weeks I can hardly remember being there. I know one thing, I had swelling, pain and my ROM was no where it is now. I know how you feel, I think, I know I wanted to be 100% fast and at some point I had to realize that it is what it is, all you can do is your best. What is amazing to me is the way you younger guys get right back on the work horse and ride it. You are all to be commended for being such good employees, especially the teachers. Not having ever wanted to teach I am always amazed at the way most teachers view their classes and students with such integrity. Like I said, you all are amazing. Rowdy

 

[AnetMarise]

Hi Marianne:

I am at 6 weeks and the last three have seen the most improvment for me - so 90 is just around the corner!

I did try acupuncture and I really thought it helped with the swelling which in turn usually helps with the bending.

Swelling was an issue prior to surgery and is still an issue. The PT people are using E-Stim (low frequency) at the end of my sessions along with ice for 20 mins. They tell me that treatment is for swelling.

Those are just some of my experiences - hope you find something of value here.

Annette

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Thanks for all the support - after reading your positive thoughts I am feeling a bit better = but then of course I don't have pt today and am doing all the exercises and cpm anyway. The pt did some taping yesterday which has seemed to help a bit. I can definitely get a bit more bend independently. But its like we start from scratch each morning. The swelling has been and continues to be a bit of a problem wich I sometimes forget impacts the rom - thanks for the reminders. I keep trying to figure out what more I can do - but the pt said I am doing all I can. Heading back Tuesday scares me a bit because of the lack of time for the home pt and cpm. I have lunch and will use that time but as we really get going... UGHHH - But I really need to be there - the beginning is such a tough time for the kids to go without me. They are a fantastic crew - I have had them for 3 years now and have watched them totally blossom - this is my last year with the crowd and I really want to make it a great one for them. I have watched them progress from almost nonreaders as 3rd graders to j=kiddos who are confident and score within the average band for readers on standardized tests. They have worked really hard!

So.... I think the pts use e stim in their office at a certain point but I am not sure. They do a lot of deep tissue massage - almost every time I am there - and boy that can really do a number on you. Hopefully tomorrow I will hit 80 without bad words flying out my mouth! Positive thinking for the rest of the day!!! Ans lots of bending of the knee!

Thanks again -
Marianne

 

[schoust]

Hi Marianne! No worries Honestly even if you did not regain all of your ROM you would still be able to funcion just fine. Ask me how I know........ Hoping that this changes though..

Ralph