MUA UPDATE - MUA determined today...ugh!
- Thread starter RadioGal
- Start date
What good news with your bend! Be sure and not let PT undo your success with aggressive exercises. Right now, all your knee needs is rest, ice and elevation! PT can come when the swelling goes down.
Polkadot
graduate
I so identify with this. I was a basket case before the MUA. Involuntary tears, the whole bit. I'm so glad that your experience was positive! I remember being so relieved when it was over and a bit sheepish at how much of a state I had worked myself into!
Your doctor prescribed pain meds, right? From my experience, I suggest you keep them up, and you won't be likely to have any more discomfort than before the MUA--maybe some short-term additional soreness and swelling, which you already know how to handle. Just be prepared, when you come down from the "happy state:" Your "bend" might not be much better than before the MUA to start, because of the swelling. If your knee reacts to the MUA like mine did, however, you WILL see improvement as the swelling goes down. I say this because my doctor had me go to PT the same day as the MUA, and by the time I got through the 1.5-hour drive home, had lunch, and got to the PT session, my ROM was not much different from what it had been beforehand. I was really worried that I had somehow "messed up" by not doing heel slides in the car or something! So if this happens to you at first (and maybe it won't--I seem to be a champion swell-er), kick that worry to the curb. The swelling set me back a bit at first, but I did have a positive result. From reading about others' experiences, I think this is a common thing.
Such a relief for you to have all those worrisome thoughts and stress behind you! Although the MUA won't likely send you all the way back to square 1, you will likely have some regression. Don't worry unduly! Get the swelling down and your ROM will come back! Keep us posted especially after the happy juice wears off. We will be here for you!
OP
OP
RadioGal
junior member
My flexion today was 100, but I could've easily done a tad more. Extension is a funny thing, my doc says he's not worried about it, but it's obviously still lacking (didn't get the #'s on that one.) And my PT is concerned about it too, but time will tell I suppose as we get this thing moving over next few weeks. Still very happy with results, but quad muscle is killing me. I guess that's to be expected since it hasn't really moved in that way until y'day.
And @KarriB I do not have that photo that the doc took y'day, but I'll see if I can locate it through my records online.
And @KarriB I do not have that photo that the doc took y'day, but I'll see if I can locate it through my records online.
SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
My OS was not concerned with extension so much, yet it was the one thing my PT guy harped on because Lefty was lagging in that department. Righty was 0, and Lefty was 2 (or 1, depending on what day). My OS just said, when he released me from PT, "That often comes last. If you just walk a little every day, it [extension] will get there." And it did.
I think surgeons see so many patients, with so many different ROMs, and how it all evens out in a year or so, that they're (generally) more laid back about minor ROM deficits than PTs, who are expected to show quick results.
I think surgeons see so many patients, with so many different ROMs, and how it all evens out in a year or so, that they're (generally) more laid back about minor ROM deficits than PTs, who are expected to show quick results.
OP
OP
RadioGal
junior member
@SusieShoes Good to hear that walking will/does help with extension. I hadn't heard that before. I've been urged to walk more "natural" but though I'm heel to toe, I do tend to limp a bit on the left side. Okay, likely more than a "bit."
I think I've read this here before from someone, that the new knee feels unnatural and found it hard to walk as they did before TKR. I'm finding that as well, almost like I don't trust the new parts to do what they're supposed to do. Maybe in time that'll come, I sure hope so because I could've sworn a couple of times I felt like I was going to fall.
If anyone cares to answer, for some of you who have had this long before me, @ what point does your gait feel natural again? And have you had any trust issues with the new joint? Thank you.
BTW, besides the quad muscle burning away (it's starting to calm down now some) my extension is still great and I have less knee pain than before the MUA. I've read here on BS where more swelling may be on its way, but honestly, I'm having very little pain in my knee right now. Hope it stays that way!
I think I've read this here before from someone, that the new knee feels unnatural and found it hard to walk as they did before TKR. I'm finding that as well, almost like I don't trust the new parts to do what they're supposed to do. Maybe in time that'll come, I sure hope so because I could've sworn a couple of times I felt like I was going to fall.
If anyone cares to answer, for some of you who have had this long before me, @ what point does your gait feel natural again? And have you had any trust issues with the new joint? Thank you.
BTW, besides the quad muscle burning away (it's starting to calm down now some) my extension is still great and I have less knee pain than before the MUA. I've read here on BS where more swelling may be on its way, but honestly, I'm having very little pain in my knee right now. Hope it stays that way!
Spex10
post-grad
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2016
- Messages
- 1,819
- Gender
- Female
- Country
United Kingdom
So glad to hear this. Sounds like my own experience. The fear and anxiety prior to the MUA was by far the worst bit. My post MUA physio focused on practical stuff like my gait which had clearly been affected by months of relative inactivity then compensating for not bending much post TKR. Gradually things do improve. Try not to measure too much. Live life. Suddenly you'll look down and think 'gosh is that my operated knee? ' Really that will happen!
OJ2
senior
Glad things are going well for you.
Bikesouth
senior
@RadioGal My surgeon recently told me that walking backwards was an excellent way to improve extension. (you would have to determine your own ability here) I just returned from a medical vacation where I spent 25 of 30 days of self directed rehab. Warm up in the sun, get in pool & stretch gentle but firm, swim & walk backwards about 100 feet.
I gained approximately 3 degrees of extension & can touch my heel to butt when kneeling. Set small goals & work slow. One or two degrees improvement every 10 days is great.
I gained approximately 3 degrees of extension & can touch my heel to butt when kneeling. Set small goals & work slow. One or two degrees improvement every 10 days is great.
Polkadot
graduate
Good idea to walk backwards in a pool, as the water will keep you steady! I'm sure I couldn't walk backwards on dry land without stumbling--I'm a total klutz.
RE your question about when the gait starts feeling 'natural:' I am about a month ahead of you, and I can tell you that just in the last couple of weeks, walking has gotten easier. I'm not favoring the TKR leg as much, I don't have to watch my feet or the terrain as much, and sometimes during the walk I forget about the knee completely. Yes, I have had moments when the leg feels as though it could give way; notably, on a hill going down. But I think it's more my brain playing tricks on me than the joint actually failing--as soon as I note the sensation and stop to "test" the knee, it mysteriously solidifies and seems rock-solid. That's not to say that knees don't buckle. But that has not been my experience.
A few things that seem to help me with walking naturally: My husband is forcing me to go slowly in adding distance to our walks, which allows me to focus on my gait because I don't overdo it. If I want to go further, he goes with me at a later time. Another thing that has helped is therapeutic massage. My tight hamstrings, quads, and the popliteus muscle in particular, hamper my movement on the TKR side. The masseuse concentrates on these--also the IT band. Seems to help--he compares the good side and the TKR side and says he can tell I'm using both more equally now. That equals less limping! Finally, I think that multiple 10-minute uses of my little desk-er-cycle per day keep my knee limber and less likely to limp.
RE your question about when the gait starts feeling 'natural:' I am about a month ahead of you, and I can tell you that just in the last couple of weeks, walking has gotten easier. I'm not favoring the TKR leg as much, I don't have to watch my feet or the terrain as much, and sometimes during the walk I forget about the knee completely. Yes, I have had moments when the leg feels as though it could give way; notably, on a hill going down. But I think it's more my brain playing tricks on me than the joint actually failing--as soon as I note the sensation and stop to "test" the knee, it mysteriously solidifies and seems rock-solid. That's not to say that knees don't buckle. But that has not been my experience.
A few things that seem to help me with walking naturally: My husband is forcing me to go slowly in adding distance to our walks, which allows me to focus on my gait because I don't overdo it. If I want to go further, he goes with me at a later time. Another thing that has helped is therapeutic massage. My tight hamstrings, quads, and the popliteus muscle in particular, hamper my movement on the TKR side. The masseuse concentrates on these--also the IT band. Seems to help--he compares the good side and the TKR side and says he can tell I'm using both more equally now. That equals less limping! Finally, I think that multiple 10-minute uses of my little desk-er-cycle per day keep my knee limber and less likely to limp.
OP
OP
RadioGal
junior member
@Polkadot Good stuff there, so encouraged by that, thank you! All my muscles are pinging on that side and crying out for relief. I had massage, but long story, insurance is being a pill about it. I'm working on getting it rectified. Meanwhile. PT is incorporating it into my sessions, thankfully!
@MyTest Besides the quad being so stressed out right now, stairs are not an issue. I am foot over foot down (up, much easier) but still tentative because of the muscle tightness. I'm hoping to see an improvement as the muscles become more toned and supple. As for recovery, doc didn't really go into details regarding the length or anything, but it is truly like picking up where you left off, minus the stop sign my knee had before when it comes to bending. Hope that makes sense.
@Bikesouth Brilliant! Walking backwards. I'm putting that one on the list to do.
@MyTest Besides the quad being so stressed out right now, stairs are not an issue. I am foot over foot down (up, much easier) but still tentative because of the muscle tightness. I'm hoping to see an improvement as the muscles become more toned and supple. As for recovery, doc didn't really go into details regarding the length or anything, but it is truly like picking up where you left off, minus the stop sign my knee had before when it comes to bending. Hope that makes sense.
@Bikesouth Brilliant! Walking backwards. I'm putting that one on the list to do.
I am going to decide next week what to do.
liam2015
post-grad
my gait has felt natural now for at least a couple of months. i am almost 5 months post op. just recently i've been able to go down the stairs alternate feet a lot better than a couple weeks ago. my problem now is that i am "guarding", hanging on to railings on either side and going slowly. i am practising every day, hanging onto just one rail and going down a bit faster. i have tried "letting go" on the last step and i go "off balance" with the momentum. clearly my thighs need strengthening. i find going downstairs backwards helps to loosen my knee up a bit and gives proper form. i still have swelling no matter what i do or don't do. we'll get there!
becticu
graduate
Great news @RadioGal! I was so stressed about my MUA and frightened it could make it worse if something went wrong. It was the best choice for me. Like you, I didn't have that much pain afterwards but did swell. I'm a month out yesterday and still swell. Take it slow and easy and you will get there. My OS said I definitely had scar tissue because it popped when he did the MUA. I went from 90 to 130 so very much successful for me. I did go back to work last week and would have been difficult with a flexion of 90. I still get stiff when I've been on it too long. My left knee which is five months old is wonderful, I forget about her most of the time! Keep us posted.
OP
OP
RadioGal
junior member
@MyTest Make the best decision for yourself! I followed my instincts and have no regrets. I'm still waiting for the "pain" to catch up to me, but nope! Make sure you do this for yourself, either way you decide to go. I look forward to your future posts and progress.
@liam2015 Relaying your experiences helped a ton, thank you!
@becticu I was actually inspired by your posts/journey to go ahead with my own MUA. I remember thinking, "she can't possibly be this happy with it" after all the reasons I'd heard and read not to do this. Now, in retrospect, I flim-flammed too much over it. It was definitely the right decision from the word go. I wish I'd had a normal recovery, but I had a major setback at the beginning (long story) that set the wheels in motion for this. In the end, it was my only and best option to get things moving again. Thank you.
@liam2015 Relaying your experiences helped a ton, thank you!
@becticu I was actually inspired by your posts/journey to go ahead with my own MUA. I remember thinking, "she can't possibly be this happy with it" after all the reasons I'd heard and read not to do this. Now, in retrospect, I flim-flammed too much over it. It was definitely the right decision from the word go. I wish I'd had a normal recovery, but I had a major setback at the beginning (long story) that set the wheels in motion for this. In the end, it was my only and best option to get things moving again. Thank you.
kmak81230
post-grad
Hi @RadioGal - glad the MUA has been working out well for you. I will be 18 weeks tomorrow and my gait has felt normal most of the time for about the past month. If I overdo it and get extra swelling (I swell very easily) then I have to be more intentional about my gait as I easily fall into limping. My extension is not yet 0 but have also been working on that and it is improving - ever so slowly. Keep up the good recovery work!
Polkadot
graduate
I think you're over the hump! A great success!
Staff online
-
Roy GardinerStaff member since February, 23, 2013 -
JocketteStaff member since March 18, 2018
