MUA Susie2023's TKR Recovery

[Susie2023]

I feel like Eyore today. Discouraging morning at PT. She got me on the stationary bike, wanted me to do a full rotation, which I still cannot do. I did all the exercises, pushed myself. She did some tissue work. On the stair lunge, I thought I was doing good, at least 90+ on flexion. She measured 80!

Today was my last pt day. I was able to get a sooner appointment with my OS on Wednesday this week. The pt wrote in the visit summary that I did not tolerate pt very well and was tense. I know I shouldn't care what was written because I know I've done everything asked of me, even when it was uncomfortable. But I just can't handle the extreme pain when they want to crunch my leg to get a 120. I would love to have better ROM and spend my time doing something else. So when I see my doctor he may also say push harder, nothing else can be done. Not only has this been so difficult physically, but mentally and emotionally I feel deflated and defeated. I can't even sit on the floor. The pt thinks my knee is stiff due to my fear of the pain. But it's stuck!!!

I just don't know anymore. Keeping the faith and hope is getting harder. Where is my miracle?

How do I change my title since I'm more than 8 weeks now?

Thank you everyone! Just my pity party.

 

[sistersinhim]

How about changing your title to 'Susie2023's TKR Recovery'?

Don't let anyone put you into that cookie-cutter group. You are an individual and so is your knee. No one can force it to heal any faster than it is going to heal. But, it can be slowed down by forcing it to do things it isn't ready to do.

I did not tolerate pt very well and was tense.

Who wouldn't be tense if they are anticipating pain? I know I do! That is another reason to do the exercises at home where you are in total control. You won't be tensing up and will go only to discomfort which is much better for your healing knee anyway!

 

[Flashlight]

I bet when she said 80 your knee was already swollen and stiff. No way was that an accurate reading. On the stair lunge I couldn't get passed the first step onto the 2nd step until 4-months. You are around 10 weeks and I think you are doing great!

 

[Jockette]

Not only has this been so difficult physically, but mentally and emotionally I feel deflated and defeated.

I’m so sorry you feel this way, I did, too. Our medical teams, and yes even friends and relatives have no idea what their comments do to us. The miracle we need is for the comfort, understanding and encouragement from the people around us.

Today was my last pt day.

Congratulations! You’ll do just fine continuing to recover on your own. We’re here for you!

 

[benne68]

I'm glad you are done with PT, @Susie2023. I suspect your ROM is being blocked by swelling and inflammation and now that you won't be pushed, you can let your knee recover.

Please don't worry about regaining ROM, it will come with time. There are lots of us who were slow to bend in the first few months, but who gradually regained ROM well into the second year of recovery. Here is a progress chart made by member whose ROM returned slowly but surely.

Bertschb’s ROM history
1 month - 60 degrees
2 months - 80 degrees
3 months - 85 degrees
4 months - 90 degrees
5 months - 90 degrees
6 months - 110 degrees
7 months - 120 degrees
8 months - 125 degrees
9 months - 130 degrees
10 months - 135 degrees
11 months - 140 degrees
12 months - 140 degrees

Also, keep in mind that the numbers are arbitrary and that what counts is your function. If you can bend your knee enough to do step ups, you are doing just fine.

You will get there with time.

 

[Susie2023]

How about changing your title to 'Susie2023's TKR Recovery'?

I like this! Would you direct me where to go to change it? Thank you!

 

[Susie2023]

I'm glad you are done with PT, @Susie2023. I suspect your ROM is being blocked by swelling and inflammation and now that you won't be pushed, you can let your knee recover.

Please don't worry about regaining ROM, it will come with time. There are lots of us who were slow to bend in the first few months, but who gradually regained ROM well into the second year of recovery. Here is a progress chart made by member whose ROM returned slowly but surely.

Bertschb’s ROM history
1 month - 60 degrees
2 months - 80 degrees
3 months - 85 degrees
4 months - 90 degrees
5 months - 90 degrees
6 months - 110 degrees
7 months - 120 degrees
8 months - 125 degrees
9 months - 130 degrees
10 months - 135 degrees
11 months - 140 degrees
12 months - 140 degrees

Also, keep in mind that the numbers are arbitrary and that what counts is your function. If you can bend your knee enough to do step ups, you are doing just fine.

You will get there with time.

This is so inspirational! Did you do exercises often working on range of motion? Were you ever concerned about having too much scar tissue or adhesions? I'm concerned if I don't have a MUA or wait too long for one, that if there are adhesions or too much scar tissue to break through on my own, that I'll have a frozen knee. It's stiff alright but more than that, feels hard and stuck .

 

[Susie2023]

The miracle we need is for the comfort, understanding and encouragement from the people around us.

So true indeed !

 

[benne68]

I'm concerned if I don't have a MUA or wait too long for one, that if there are adhesions or too much scar tissue to break through on my own, that I'll have a frozen knee

Scar tissue is a normal part of healing, and an MUA will only improve your ROM if you have a true adhesion, which is pretty rare. If there is no adhesion, it won’t make any difference in your bend, and you will go back to day one in your recovery.

You aren't even three months post-op. If it was me, I'd let my knee heal from the trauma of surgery and aggressive PT and focus on icing, elevating and ADLs (activities of daily living) for recovery.

Sometime, patience and being careful with your activities are all that is needed.

 

[beachy]

Wanna make a bet that after stopping PT your ROM will just get better and better?
I stopped and it went up 10 points.
Rest, ice, elevate. That alone will help you bend it.

 

[sistersinhim]

I got your title changed for you.

 

[Susie2023]

I got your title changed for you.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[WillB]

Susie2023…we are about the same as you know on our recovery. I find it so interesting that most all of these well meaning therapists and even OS’s really have no first hand experience as to what we are going through. The pain, the stiffness, the swelling and to some extent, the pressure to get to certain numbers by a certain time line! Phoey I say. Your knee is one of a kind and only you truly know how its doing. I’m overusing my knee but my choice and at some point I will have a perfectly good knee FOR ME at 75. I’m at 110 flex (with a little help) and at a 5 on extension, but other than some pain I’m ok. We will all get there. Some in 6 months, some at 12 months and some later than that. Stay positive and keep doing your normal activities. And remember the light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train!!!

 

[Susie2023]

I’m at 110 flex (with a little help) and at a 5 on extension, but other than some pain I’m ok.

I think mentally I'd feel better if my ROM was 100 or better. I can't help but worry I have a huge chunk of adhesion and scar tissue preventing me from bending, it's just so hard! I felt like I was making progress a couple of weeks ago, though it was still painful to bend. At pt yesterday, I had very limited visible swelling and my ROM was worse, thats when she meadured me. And it still hurt to push it. I just don't understand. I'm trying not to focus on the limited bend but very hard not to. Lol, I have dreams making full revolutions on my bike, last night I kneeled .

 

[sistersinhim]

You are still very early in this year-long recovery. Where you are today is not where you'll be next month this time. You still have swelling inside your knee. Even though you can't really see it, it's there and it's inhibiting your knee's bend. Are you icing and elevating enough? Are you trying to force your bend? If so, then your are causing yourself more harm than good. Just forget about your bend and go about your day as normally as you can and your bend will improve. Forcing it to bend or doing repetitive exercises will just keep it inflamed, limiting your bend. Bad PT is worse than no PT.

 

[Susie2023]

Well, today's the day I see my OS. After a very emotional evening and this morning, I'm still hanging on for good news.

I'm going to order one of the wedges and more ice packs. I have a goniometer now. I do ice and elevate often during the day. Sometimes I just have to stop what I'm doing to do that, it swells quickly and causes lots of pain. I had just put dinner for husband in the oven, peeled carrots, and that's all I could do. I might look for a healthy quality food delivery program.

My poor husband. He's such a positive and faithful person, and supportive. I know it was hard for him to see me sobbing last night. I want to get my positivity back. I'll post back after my appointment today. Thank you all for your encouragement ❤️ !

 

[Layla]

Best Wishes and fingers crossed you receive reassurance at your appointment today, putting a smile on your and hubs faces. You sound blessed to have him! We will look forward to hearing from you.
@Susie2023

 

[sistersinhim]

Let us know how your appointment goes.

 

[sistersinhim]

I used my local Walmart's pick-up service for my perishables and had a friend pick up them up until I could drive. Other than that, I used Nutrisystem's meals for a couple of months. Being single and alone most of the time, I was unable to fix good meals. Someone like Nutrisystem could help you out for a short while and give you good, nutritious meals.

 

[InkedMarie]

How did your appointment go?

Marie