Week 4 - My own ROM-com(edy)...
I can't seem to change my thread title anymore, anyway, here's my report up to the 4 week point which falls today. Could one of the moderators change my thread title back to 'Rob's TKR Recovery Journey'? Thanks in anticipation.
This has been the most frustrating period so far for me. I've generally been OK but have had two physio sessions this week and been told my flexion isn't good enough at 3.5 to 4 weeks (compared to others). He even mentioned the potential of having to have an MUA, which of course I know is a possibility for anyone, but it's not like I'm not trying.
I estimate my flexion to be about 90 degrees at absolute best, and maybe less at times. My extension is still around zero, so pretty good. I changed my approach to the exercises I've been doing, by doing more bending and heel slides - every hour (which I generally do sitting on a chair rather than laying down as I get a better result), and to also do some gravity assisted bends with my leg up supported by a roller. I think doing more bending has helped a bit, but it's difficult to know for sure. I also sit for periods with my leg down to help with it being bent, rather than being up and straight a lot of the time, but most of the time it's elevated (I use a Lounge Doctor).
My knee is still on the lighter side of 'light to moderately swollen', less so in the morning as one would expect. I ice about 5 times a day for about 30 minutes.
The bend does seem to feel like it is being hindered by the swelling, the scar and perhaps the quads a bit and maybe even the hamstrings on either side of the underside of the knee (but I don't know how they would limit flexion). It also feels at times like it might just go a bit further of it's own accord. I remember that same feeling when I had my ACL done many years ago, and one day it did just go further, probably as a result of the reduction in swelling - I'm hoping this happens soon for my TKR too!
My preoperative flexion was only around 120 degrees because of a slight accident I had in November, and was probably a bit better before that. My pre-op extension was +20 (so I'm winning in the extension stakes at least!). Maybe the restricted pre-op ranges doesn't help? Also I spent the first 10 days after surgery slightly restricted because of a cellulitis infection. I know, it sounds like I'm making excuses now
.
On Wednesday and Friday this week the physio had a go at improving my bend, but it hasn't changed materially in my opinion. He did some concerted efforts at massage on the back of me knee and around the front (but not scar as some of this is still scabbed) and then some gradual bends to the furthest point, just where I could feel the onset of pain, and then held it there. I feel it helping a bit, but then today (Sat) it is stiffer than yesterday, probably as a result of the physio yesterday, but I can still get about the same ROM at least.
On Thursday I started back on the co-codamol (500/30 x2 x 4 times a day) to see if it would allow me to bend further, but I don't think it has made a huge difference, so I'll probably come back off that and revert to paracetamol as required. Most of the time I am reasonably pain free, other than at night when I get some aches, but even that seems a bit better in the last week.
So I'm getting a little concerned that in just under two weeks time (8th March) at the 6 week point I'll be seeing the consultant and may still only be at around 90 or even less. It doesn't seem to have changed much over the last two weeks. I may be expecting too much, or I may just be slacking, but either way it is a concern for me.
I'm beginning to think my early successes were me being over optimistic (or perhaps more medicated)! Any advice would be most welcome!
United Kingdom
You’re on track even with when and how you decide to join the ODIC. This is the part of recovery where people get excited because they’re just starting to feel better. A little better. And the mind goes, “I’m over this!” (Minds... all or nothing.) Only the knee isn’t over it yet. The knee is just STARTING to feel a little better. So it gets subjected to too much and, well, unhappiness follows.
) 
