MUA TKR on 1/25/23; facing MUA

[Cinders2023]

Please keep posting your progress and experience with your MUA. Every experience could be helpful for others going through similar situations. I believe people on here are sincere in warning others of things that could slow their recovery, but will also tell you EVERY person heals in their own way. Although adhesions are rare, they DO happen, and people who undergo MUA and share their experience will be helping others who are facing the same choice. I wish you well and look forward to hearing about the next step in your journey.

 

[Layla]

I don't know if there is excess dumping on the MUA procedure here on the forum. It may be that you're picking up on the negativity because you're laser focused on this procedure as a solution to your stagnant recovery, as you put it. This is normal as we research the pros and cons of anything we are about to undergo physically. The negative does seem to stand out and cause us to pause and examine our decision. MUA is your choice and hopefully you have an excellent result and share your progress here for those researching the procedure at a later date. I feel as staff, through reading posts day in and day out, for years, we easily fall into becoming "the voice of the people" that is why we often encourage members to use the SEARCH or supply them with other members threads to read. Hopefully you are taking advantage of this and ultimately find it helpful in cementing your decision.
Again, Best Wishes Only!

 

[beachy]

Hi, I just read your entire thread. You've made the decision to have MUA . I would like to share my first tkr story...not to sway your decision.

At 9 weeks post ok my husband also became ill and I became his caretaker. My knee wasn't ready for that yet, but I had to do it. At 9 weeks I was walking the dog (short distances)about 5x day, getting groceries, preparing meals, etc. All the things my knee wasn't ready for. In addition to helping him.
My knee swelled. Once the swelling went down so did ROM.
Your situation is probably different. But, I did get ROM back gradually. And it became a perfectly wonder tkr.
I wish you well with your MUA.

 

[DEL2023Apr35]

I do believe that the MUA is the best path forward for me at this time, based on my condition, and based on my absolute rock star of a OS's opinion. And frankly, his is the only MEDICAL OPINION that I'm interested in.

@beachy Sounds weird, but I wish that I had swelling going on that I could blame for my lack of ROM. My knee looks basically normal, but for the scar running down it. If that was the case, that I had a big cantaloupe on my knee, I wouldn't even be thinking of having an MUA. But unfortunately for me, busting through the garbage in there is the only logical path forward for me, and my OS agrees. Glad to hear you were able to slow down your way out of this! Oh if only I were that lucky! I do hope you're continuing to do well in your recovery.

 

[beachy]

After my swelling left the building so did my ROM. I was stressed, as you are. Point is, it (ROM) steadily came back. Took 4-5 months for flex to be flat. Flat flex. Say that 10x real fast.
Anyway, good luck with the procedure, managing your farm and hope your hubs is ok.

This really is a supportive forum so please report back after your MUA.

 

[CricketHip]

@Gunvy0407 Oh gosh, I am sorry to hear about your recovery after your TKR. What rotten timing. Then on top of that, it's now lambing season. It's understandable that you are feeling intense pressure.
Do you have any family or possibly someone you can hire to help out for this season? I'm guessing your husband is still limited also.
I've "only" had both of my hips replaced but I well remember the worry about not being able to work (I was self employed at the time) and my work can be physical at times.
I was raised on a farm, then spent 25 years on my own farm so I can appreciate and understand the pressure you are feeling.
Hips and knees need time. The prosthetics are stable soon after the surgery but the tendons, ligaments and a whole lot of other soft tissues are inflamed and angry. They were pushed around, cut, cauterized while bones were sawed and hammered.
I hope your MUA is successful. Just know you will still need time. That's all. The more you force it, the more the inflammation will hang around. So maybe consider hiring help or extending the time that your current farm hand is needed.
Oh and we have something else in common, I live in PA. too. Closer to Philly.

I'm rooting for you, plus looking forward to hearing your updates. Does your surgeon plan to keep you in the hospital overnight?

 

[DEL2023Apr35]

@CricketHip - Good morning, thank you for your note. I've had a farm sitter since January who's been doing the stuff that could really hurt me, and that's been a huge help, but she's recently been injured herself and her last day with us is 4/9. Luckily my husband is doing fantastic, healing up really well, so he's been able to do a lot of the leg work in the house (putting dishes away, etc) but still can't lift more than 10 lbs, which is just about everything.

Farm life is something else, isn't it? Trying to recover when you've got dozens of mouths to feed! Luckily, the grass will be up here in a matter of days, so that will lighten our load exponentially.

It's crazy how these hip/knee surgeries are so incredibly violent - I do wonder how long it took from someone getting the idea to replace an entire major joint, to actually getting in the OR to do it. Sounds like something a lunatic would dream up!

I won't be staying overnight, going straight from the OR to PT. He's giving me a nerve block while I'm under, so I'll have about 24 hours of no pain, which will give me a nice jump start. I will be having PT every day, gentle ROM stuff, every day for two weeks. My OS is incredibly talented, I trust him completely, and I have every confidence that if a good outcome can possibly be had in my situation, I'll have it. And now that hubby is here and able to help bring me ice, snacks, and deal with more around the house, I will be less inclined to do anything to mess it all up.

 

[DEL2023Apr35]

@CricketHip - Also: since you're near Philadelphia, you're probably familiar with the University of Pennsylvania medical system. One of the best in the country! I'm so lucky to be getting my care there. Between the doctors and all the ancillary staff and lots of locations, it was one of the reasons we relocated to this area (were previously up near Boston).

 

[CricketHip]

Now you have me curious, who is your OS? I opted for Rothman for my hips and felt so fortunate to live in an area where I had multiple options to get the best care. Penn is awesome, for sure, that is good to hear!

Farm life is something else, isn't it? Trying to recover when you've got dozens of mouths to feed! Luckily, the grass will be up here in a matter of days, so that will lighten our load exponentially.

Yes, indeed! But there's really nothing else like it. I loved raising my sons on a farm. Plus I loved growing up on a farm, a horse farm no less. There's nothing better for a little girl than growing up with her horses.

It's crazy how these hip/knee surgeries are so incredibly violent - I do wonder how long it took from someone getting the idea to replace an entire major joint, to actually getting in the OR to do it. Sounds like something a lunatic would dream up!

True, but can't think of another way to "disengage the joint" to add in a new one. Boy, yes, I can just imagine that first conversation about a joint replacement. Probably performed on cadavers for the most part, initially.

So, here's the thing. Nobody here is against a MUA, they can work wonders. It's been observed over the years that maybe sometimes they are done too soon. Soft tissues can take forever to heal. You sound like someone who doesn't have edema but the tissues could be "weepy" and inflamed, regardless.

You have your rock star surgeon and have made your decision so we offer you nothing but good wishes, plus will be rooting for you all of the way.
Just know that you will still have those very same weepy and inflamed tissues that will need to recover. They will recover, especially if you don't try to rush it. If achieving some better ROM helps you to get around then it will be worth it for you. Like the light at the end of the tunnel.

What rotten luck that your farm hand is injured and soon to be on the recovery list, too. Rats!
So, is there anyone else to pitch in? It's rather early into the season, in terms of crops, etc. maybe there's another farm neighbor to help? Or even a high school student? I would love to see you feel as little pressure as possible in the weeks following your procedure. You husband too, for that matter.