Poor range of motion after TKR and manipulation: What to do?

I understand and can relate. I've had a replacement, manipulation, scope and revision all in 2 yrs and I'm now only at 70 degrees and my knee is twice the size of my other. I'm being tested to see if I'm allergic to metals, nickle and the cement that used in surgery. Pt did nothing but cause me pain and discomfort. Your husband should be more sympathetic it's a pain you don't understand until you've experienced it.

Amen?💗

I had picture evidence of my knee bent +135* during my MUA. The surgeon reported that he could feel and hear the scar tissue breaking up (nasty). I'm not sure the evidence of a Dr. saying bending "easily" to 120* while under anesthesia means anything. You can do all kinds of movements to a patient under anesthesia!
A second opinion Dr. had told me that no other surgeon would consider a revision unless I had tried an MUA initially. And to heal for a year.
I empathize about your situation- 90* is not a functional joint. Water therapy couldn't help a fixed joint IMO either- it just might help you to feel more normal and relaxed perhaps- but nothing lasting.
Keep advocating for yourself to your surgeon that something is wrong.
I am over 6 months out from my MUA. I have to work daily on my stretches, exercises, stationary bike, Motrin and sometimes extra strength Tylenol still. The damn knee doesn't like going down stairs and tightens up if I sit for more than an hour. It still seems to have arthritic pain when the weather changes as well. WTH?

Unfortunately if you are reading this you either have issues or had issue…. I feel for all that are stuck in a world of pain with no flexion and limited ….
But I am with you and I want to thank you for sharing all you go through and been through…..some might know I have had tkr, manipulation next year a revision …. Now few years later still pain stiffness dr want to remove scar tissue …. But reading everything and knowing my body I am done …. We have to remember Dr they want to operate that’s what they do they feel that might fix things , that is where we come in do our research and know our own bodies….. now I try anything noninvasive, graston technique, mfr, sound wave therapy, always looking for new things …. But like I said moving for me best medicine until I am totally better from car accident I know not possible …..but someone said one step at a time they are right I hurt every time I go to gym I feel so much better afterwards… I am 62 I am pretty active right now I struggle to walk I find my right foot drag a little after while frustrating but I don’t stop lol …… I refuse to let this take over my life so each day for 15 min I put my knee over wedge which is painful as you know my flexion last checked 85 at my best was 100 but that was great …. It’s amazing what we can get used to hopefully pool help me get back to 100 after accident ……so find what works for you … slow and steady…. Dont allow anyone else to physically push on you ….. you know what pain you can tolerate and having someone else do it cause more scar tissue to form …..but do what you are comfortable with just my experience….

I hate to say very normal after manipulation…. I had manipulation went down just like you was suppose to go to therapy everyday for a week made it two days was to swollen they sent me home to ice and elevate…..went back to therapy the next week not much changed I regressed …, I left there called got second opinion …. That is when I found out my knee was 3 sizes to big he put in … I had to wait a full year to get revision… so yes get second opinion you never know Dr a far from perfect

I never had allergic reaction …. But from what I read they do blood test skin scratch test to test you…

First of all, hang in there! Has your knee condition been evaluated as having excessive scar tissue, or just poor ROM due to a less than ideal PT arrangement. Having the pain you’re experiencing sounds fairly normal , especially if your situation is caused by scar tissue. And having a lot of scar tissue causes a lot of pain in PT, walking, etc. You’re always stiff. Make sure you get an X-ray of the operative knee post MUA to make sure there is not a crack causing your pain. Speaking of excruciating pain, my femur got a crack in it after my 1st manip at 8 weeks post 1st TKR, but doc did not inform me it was. After I recovered from that, I found a new fabulous surgeon who did a TKR revision, & rod insert in femur, and surgical removal of scar tissue 7 months later (Nov 7) Unfortunately, even after immediate and frequent PT therapy, I didn’t go beyond 70 degrees. I reluctantly agreed to a manip on Feb 11 (yours Feb 10!). 3 hours later I was in PT, the beginning of a 10 consecutive day regimen to maintain what the dr. got during the 2nd MUA (a little over 90). Because of what happened in the first MUA and the thickness of my scar tissue, dr and i agreed he would bend my knee only as far as he thought would be “safe”, so he said he stopped somewhere past 90 when the scar tissue stopped “crunching” (🫢- I know!). It’s been a 10 month journey (to you know where and back). I measured 81 /90 after the first PT session, 86 on 2nd and 3rd and 90 on 4th and 5 th. The fact that I can ride a recumbent bike and walk almost normally is a true miracle for me. I will never be the “gym rat”- Spinner, 4 mile/day walker, active person I was before the TKR, but what I have makes me very grateful! You’re ahead of me at 110 - I think you’ll get there. Stick with the best therapist you can get. Don’t know what you have available, but I go to a PT facility associated with the research hospital where I had my surgery. SO MUCH more medically focused than many of the “commercial” PT “stores”. Be as strong and determined as you can, and figure it will take a year! Best of luck, prayers, and positive thoughts!

My massage therapist does myofascial, released and cupping during our massage sessions. Can’t say it improved anything long term, but good to get the blood flowing through those muscles, which helps lessen the pain some. Also, use a rolling pin, roller ball or racquetball to massage several times a day on your own for 3-5 minutes. It all helps!

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement! I did fire my PT yesterday, and it's been like removing a 100lb weight off my shoulders! I actually slept through the night for the first time in months! I spoke with my doctor who's very supportive of whatever I decide to do. He wants me to continue doing my home exercises until I find the right PT! I was at 103 ROM on Friday. My doctor got 110 through the MUA. He didn't push it because I've got osteoporosis already which I'm taking Reclast for. It can leave you suspectable to bone fractures. Now I'm going to look at finding the "best" PT for me. I have to believe not all of them believe there is only success through pain! Thank you again!💖🙏

Love your proactiveness! Doctors, therapist, etc. - we don’t have time to stick with losers. We’ll all get through this! The “village” of contributors helps our mental and physical well being too. My daughter’s boyfriend is a physician, and kind of jokes with me when I talk about pain. (He has a great bedside manner). He’ll look at me and say (in a “yoga” type voice), “What is Pain?” I’ll kind of laugh, but you know, I kind of think, yes, what is pain….i can get through this. Btw - 10 minute morning warm up with Dr Samantha Smith on you tube helps me become a little less stiff. I even have my 78 year old husband (I’m 75) doing it with me. Helps his arthritis. Good luck!