Worried Sick

[lee28]

I just had my 3 month follow up and my Dr. does not seem concerned and says I'm doing good. But I can help but worry. I still have stiffness and sometimes I wonder if it will ever go away. I can bend pass 90*, I do my exercises twice a day and also try to force the leg to bend more and more. To the point that I now have other muscles hurting. Does anyone else have this stiffness? Should I be worried? Am I expecting to much to soon? Any advice would be helpful. I just want to put my mind to rest, one way or another.

 

[referee54]

you will have on-and-off stifness for some time. It will come and go. Do not worry---it takes a year to get back to "normal." Take your time---you have to be patient with this...trust me.

Tim C.

 

[gatiger]

Doug is the "ROM Master", I'll sure he will be along shortly to give you the scoop. There are sooo many variables to consider to even 'think' about why is this , or why is that, but bottom line if want bend you have to push. Are you getting help from a PT? What was your ROM before the TKR? How often are you working it and to what extent? Getting ROM has definately been the hardest part of the whole experience for me. Painful, frustrating, and LOTS of other 'bad words'. It can be done as evidenced by others. God bless you and keep you and give you Peace.

 

[Doug]

Lee, first I would recommend that if you have time, go back through our post for the past couple of months..Most of us have shared our frustrations with ROM, sleep, aches, sharp pains, constipation and pretty much life in general.
Don't be worried sick..If your Dr. is satisfied for now, then you must be doing something right.
I pretty much practice ROM most of the day. I am 9 weeks post op. Last week I was at 0 for extension, and 130 for flex.
Couple of ideas for you.
Hot tub. Get in a hot tub and soak the leg in hot water. Put your feet at the end of the tub and slowly slide down in the tub. Hold at that point for a count of 20 and then come back up. Reach forward and stretch the hamstrings. Do this 6-8 times. Each time attempt to get more bend. It works very well. This was my ninth knee operation and I've used this technique for all of them to regain my leg so to speak.
Secondy, If you can get to a gym with quality stationary bikes, do so. Most gyms do have an option of one month membership for therapy issues.
Start with the seat high. Warm up. Every 3-5 mins lower the seat one setting. Go as low as you can. When you get to the uncomfortable point, you may need to start out with peddling backwards. Then go forwards and rock with the motion. It will hurt but after awhile you will loosen up.
One big caution, don't over do it. I have a bad tendency to do that. Ice, ice and ice.
Hopefully this helps. Please let us know. God Bless.
Doug

 

[faith]

I bought one of those pedal things they have at PT. I found it on the QVC website, (with shipping about $35). My Dr and therapists have been really supportive of this device. Its hard to overdo, yet by creeping your chair up closer and closer I'm getting results. It definitely drives the morning stiffness away. I usually start my day with 20 mins and then use it before PT to warm up a bit.
The PA at my Dr's office asked me for the item number so she could recommend it to her other patients!
Faith

 

[Doug]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[NuNeez519]

I am thinking about purchasing one myself. PT for me seems to involve alot of cycling, which is fine with me. I have a brand new bike that I had brought right before my TKR to use as motivation.
As far as PT goes, I have been to my first out patient on Tue (today I am 21 days Post RTKR) and will go again today and Sat. My ROM was at 75 when I had left. It had been at 70 before my 1st out patient session. I pushed myself and had made about 13 full reps on the bike. I had not been able to do a full rep on a bike for about 6 months before my TKR. It was a painful session but i have to admit seeing and feeling progress is a positive sign to me. I wil not have enought PT sessions to go for more than 7 weeks, but I will start going back to my own gym when I can drive everyday and continue to work out and use the pool. It will take lots of time but I plan on getting there.

 

[Skeet]

I have one and its been really helpful. The only downfalls are that it still moves a bit while I'm using it so I have to use something to keep it in place, and it doesn't cycle as smoothly as a stationary bike. But I got one from Amazon.com for $20. Not a bad price at all.

 

[blondie42550]

What is the "pedal thing" called, besides a pedal thing? What do I search for? I wonder if we could find one on ebay?

 

[Skeet]

Mine is called an Isokinetics Pedal Exerciser. Isokinetics is the brand name. It was $19.95 on Amazon. I think they would be on eBay for sure. Good luck! If you order it online, make sure you consider the shipping cost since it is heavy. Dang shipping can be almost as much as the product some times.

 

[blondie42550]

Thanks so much Skeet. I had therapy yesterday,and now I am at home putting out the fire with ice! Only my left knee is being rebellious! I AM determined to get it to bend more though. I will be happy if I can get it to bend enough to ride my bicycle. As of now, it won't go, so maybe the "pedal thing" might help! Thanks again, I will go surfing to fin]d one...might even be able to find one locally. Luv y'all!

 

[dw6928]

$11 shipping on Amazon. just ordered one.

 

[Skeet]

Yes, that's about what I paid. I love mine. And it doesn't take up all that much space either.

 

[blondie42550]

I got the Stamina 15-0120 InStride Cycle XL for $38.10 and free shipping from Amazon.

 

[Skeet]

Let us know what you think of it Blondie.

 

[Rowdy66]

You guys are indespensible for those of us who are just having or are going to have tkr in the near future. I really feel prepared for the whole procedure because of this forum. Thanks a lot.

 

[blondie42550]

You know I will Skeet, I haven't been shy here! Should have a grasp on it within a week!

 

[Nursepair]

Rowdy, I keep forgetting you haven't had your surgery yet, when are you scheduled for?

 

[Laurierocs]

So, I'm curious about these "Pedal" things. At PT, we lower the seat to get more stretch. Exactly how do you get more of a stretch with these things? I looked them up online, not sure what kind of chair to use with it. Any idea's?

I'm having my MUA done in a couple of weeks and want to make sure the scar tissue stays away until I'm a good 130 degree's or better. The "Pedal" thingy looks like it might help that.

Laurie

 

[Skeet]

To use the pedal exerciser, I just sit in a regular chair and to simulate the lowering of the seat on the bike, I move forward more and more on the chair seat. Once you have one it should make sense. Moving forward causes your knees to bend more.