MUA UPDATE - MUA determined today...ugh!
- Thread starter RadioGal
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RadioGal
junior member
skippyhak
member
Try and get 2 opinions from Dr.s that do complex knee surgeries and revisions. Devastating. Stay the course.
Pheebs52
big-cheese
OP
OP
RadioGal
junior member
@Pheebs52 My doc has not said anything about it being misaligned, in fact he says all is well! I think what you may be referring to is the valgus, but even that does not seem to phase him. I'm walking that fine line between wondering if he's just not copping to anything that may have gone askew to wondering if I should just trust what he is telling me.
I'm not usually the kind who just takes someone's word for it, but this doc came highly recommended by other surgeons and it takes months to get in to see him. He's supposed to be "the guy." I know I sound terribly naive, but the MUA is just sounding more and more like a solution I need. I sincerely have been trying to see about getting a second opinion but running into issues that are giving me pause, like they are part of the same group of surgeons as my current OS, the wait time to get in, or them requesting I summon my own records for their review.
I feel as if I'm in a bit of a quandary, but to be perfectly honest the MUA only sounds like it could help at this point. Good to know a second opinion can still be sought anytime, and I may use that option if the MUA is unsuccessful. As of now, I believe I'm full steam ahead on it. I'm a bit distraught over this all, but I've got to do something to get this knee moving. If not extension, @ least I can get some flexion going.
Please, for those who rely on prayer, I'd appreciate yours. Thank you.
I'm not usually the kind who just takes someone's word for it, but this doc came highly recommended by other surgeons and it takes months to get in to see him. He's supposed to be "the guy." I know I sound terribly naive, but the MUA is just sounding more and more like a solution I need. I sincerely have been trying to see about getting a second opinion but running into issues that are giving me pause, like they are part of the same group of surgeons as my current OS, the wait time to get in, or them requesting I summon my own records for their review.
I feel as if I'm in a bit of a quandary, but to be perfectly honest the MUA only sounds like it could help at this point. Good to know a second opinion can still be sought anytime, and I may use that option if the MUA is unsuccessful. As of now, I believe I'm full steam ahead on it. I'm a bit distraught over this all, but I've got to do something to get this knee moving. If not extension, @ least I can get some flexion going.
Please, for those who rely on prayer, I'd appreciate yours. Thank you.
Pheebs52
big-cheese
I see. Was your knee valgus prior to the tkr?
Walking that *fine trust line* is no fun and I'd imagine very stressful. If it were me, and my knee was not valgus before tkr, than I think I'd wait to see a different surgeon. If it was valgus prior, I think I'd feel more confidence in the OS.
I think my only other hesitation would revolve around the fact that you are only about 9 weeks post-op. A lot can change over the next month or so, and even more over the long haul. However, if you're in pain and unable to perform some basic activities, you would certainly have a different perspective.
As you have probably seen, many here have had successful MUA's, but typically for flexion problems. Are you experiencing flexion problems as well? I didn't even know until recently that extension problems can be addressed with MUA, but apparently they sometimes can. I think the success rate for either problem is variable, but I do think it's worth a try with numbers like yours. According to my PT, many people have several MUA's if the first doesn't succeed; who knew? I'm just guessing, but perhaps those who try multiple times really didn't have adhesions in the first place.
In the end, we all do what we feel is best for our unique circumstances and no one here is going to rake you over the coals. Many here understand exactly how you feel and have nothing but empathy. I just hope this is the right path for you and it resolves your problem.
Walking that *fine trust line* is no fun and I'd imagine very stressful. If it were me, and my knee was not valgus before tkr, than I think I'd wait to see a different surgeon. If it was valgus prior, I think I'd feel more confidence in the OS.
I think my only other hesitation would revolve around the fact that you are only about 9 weeks post-op. A lot can change over the next month or so, and even more over the long haul. However, if you're in pain and unable to perform some basic activities, you would certainly have a different perspective.
As you have probably seen, many here have had successful MUA's, but typically for flexion problems. Are you experiencing flexion problems as well? I didn't even know until recently that extension problems can be addressed with MUA, but apparently they sometimes can. I think the success rate for either problem is variable, but I do think it's worth a try with numbers like yours. According to my PT, many people have several MUA's if the first doesn't succeed; who knew? I'm just guessing, but perhaps those who try multiple times really didn't have adhesions in the first place.
In the end, we all do what we feel is best for our unique circumstances and no one here is going to rake you over the coals. Many here understand exactly how you feel and have nothing but empathy. I just hope this is the right path for you and it resolves your problem.
skippyhak
member
Good luck on what ever you decide!
Polkadot
graduate
My MUA was not a miracle; I continue to be in the Slow Benders Club. However, it did give me at least 20 degrees more ROM, and the joint felt less constricted, after the swelling went back down. I too decided to follow my doctor's recommendations because he came highly awarded and respected. (I didn't find this site until after it was done, though.)
jboles
graduate
If it was me, I think my only concern would be that if it wasn't vaglus before tkr then is there a possibility the joint isn't in correctly and could that be the reason for the extension problem? But it isn't me, so the decision is yours. Whatever decision you make, I hope it's successful.
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
I need a photo that includes the hip and the ankle in order to measure anything. Like this
Hmm, I bet it is confusing. There are no absolutes here - just opinions. After all, none of us has actually seen your leg let alone put hands on it. But I do observe that your leg is swollen and this could certainly be your problem. Most often it is in my experience.
I never got around to quizzing you about how much exercising and PT you were doing but I expect it was a lot! That's also the usual cause.
And to answer your question, I've helped with many, many MUAs on my career and during discussions the surgeons had with their juniors, the general consensus was that an MUA was very rarely effective for extension issues, only for flexion. You have to bend a knee a good way to get adhesions to give way, which just wouldn't be possible in extension.
I think you should seek a second opinion with your misalignment. An MUA might not help at all if it's an installation problem. Most doctors won't admit to making a mistake, that's why we urge people to go to one out of the original OS's group. I pray your decision will be the correct one.
becticu
graduate
Oh @RadioGal, I can imagine how upsetting all this is. I was so totally torn up about mine and I didn't have some of the other issues you have. I don't have enough wisdom about all these things to offer advice. I would agree if your leg wasn't vaglus before your TKR I would be asking why. However this is your decision and we will support you in your decision and be with you through it all. I will be praying for wisdom. 
OP
OP
RadioGal
junior member
Well, I had my MUA this morning and I can tell you, even through my drug-induced haze, it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Honestly, the worst part of this day has been the anxiety and stress leading into it. I need not have worried so much. Yes, my knee is in more pain today than yesterday, but barely! My ROM, it's like a miracle. I am already bending my knee without that stop sign, best described here by someone as almost having a steel vice around your knee, and in this way the pain has lessened. I am amazed!
I'll know more about the whole flexion/extension ranges tomorrow when I hit the ground running at PT, but I can see (and feel) a vast improvement in both. I realize I'm still a bit groggy and maybe I won't be as "cheery" in the subsequent days, but just being able to bend my knee more is proof enough I made a great decision. Just the sight of my doc post TKR was enough to make me so angry I wanted to haul off and take a swing at him (I wouldn't have, but it has occurred to me
) but today he looked like the guy who just made my life a whole lot better. Yes, as the happy juice is likely still coursing through my veins, I know tomorrow I may feel different, but I'm determined no amount of pain is going to set me back again from where I am right now. And that's happy!
I'll know more about the whole flexion/extension ranges tomorrow when I hit the ground running at PT, but I can see (and feel) a vast improvement in both. I realize I'm still a bit groggy and maybe I won't be as "cheery" in the subsequent days, but just being able to bend my knee more is proof enough I made a great decision. Just the sight of my doc post TKR was enough to make me so angry I wanted to haul off and take a swing at him (I wouldn't have, but it has occurred to me
) but today he looked like the guy who just made my life a whole lot better. Yes, as the happy juice is likely still coursing through my veins, I know tomorrow I may feel different, but I'm determined no amount of pain is going to set me back again from where I am right now. And that's happy!
KarriB
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Did your Dr say what ROM he got your knee to during the MUA?
OP
OP
RadioGal
junior member
Oh gosh, no...I should've asked, but he did show me a picture on his phone of my knee pretty much perpendicular, if that makes sense. I think that'd be 90 degrees, but I could be wrong. Tomorrow I'll ask physio to provide the new #'s. I'm sure there will be some. It's later in the day from what I wrote earlier and I'm still getting very good ROM and very little pain.
KarriB
Former BoneSmart staff member
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You can post the photo and Josephine may be able to tell what the flexion is. You just want to be sure your modesty is in tact.
Be careful not to over do with activity or exercise after an MUA, that's usually what causes adhesions and you don't want that again.
Be careful not to over do with activity or exercise after an MUA, that's usually what causes adhesions and you don't want that again.
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
Kudos on a successful MUA. You sound so happy, and it must be thrilling to be able to bend your knee now. As others are also saying, continue to be gentle and not overdo it. Recovering from an MUA will be like recovering from a TKR, so you're back in familiar territory.
OJ2
senior
Hope everything continues to do well.
