TKR and Accupuncture

Surgeons push what they do; surgery. I’ve yet to find one that has a broader interest in PT, accupuncture, or anything else. My orthopedic surgeon didn’t even recommend a PT with an OCS certification (2,000 clinical hours plus testing to get the orthopedic certification). The difference between an OCS and non-OCS PT is night and day.

My surgeon, Dr. Robinson, and his team at SE Orthopedics in Jacksonville FL have been wonderful. They have given excellent care at each stage. Their 2 hour required education Pre op tells "everything." Surgery went without a hitch. They have been very responsive post op and readily available to answer questions. They have their own PT department which helps with coordination. I am 5 weeks post op and at 127. I could not have asked for better care.

My TKR has been a struggle. At 8 weeks after TKR I had an MUA because I was only at 100 degree bend. Unfortunately I had a heart issue in recovery and didn’t get released for PT for 5 days and scar tissue developed (I have a history of building scar tissue quickly).

At 8 months I was at 85 degrees and my surgeon told my therapist to throw everything in the book at me. I know have scrapping (Graston technique), dry needling, dry needling with electro, and now NMES. After these procedures I’ve gotten to 105 degrees and have now purchased a TENS & NMES machine for personal use on days I do t have PT.

I absolutely believe these additional treatments with my PT have helped me gain the 20 degrees. I’m hoping to see continued gains with the continuation of my treatments.

Wow! Kudos for your determination.
This is what it takes to fully recover from joint replacement. My PT told me successful surgery is only 20% of the formula. The other 80% is the patient's own work and "sticking with the plan" as long as it takes. I am 8 month out from rotator cuff surgery and still doing home PT 3 times a week.
@heyjoe415 Here is our new "Poster Person" for TKR recovery.

Please be careful about pushing through pain after TKR surgery. You can end up tearing your tendons and get tendonitis and bursitis. Forcing a swollen, inflamed wound to bend is the worst advice I ever got. It has set me back months and months and wrecked my IT band. Please, please read everything you can find and get some new opinions.

Why thank you Sue for your kind words. For some reason, RC-repair surgery seems to take a lot longer than a TKR. Not sure why. I guess it's the surgeon is trying to repair soft tissue and that is a) difficult and b) takes time.

I'm getting an anatomical TSR in early August. It will be anatomical because fortunately, ny RC is intact.

Thanks again Sue!

Joe

Excellent advice genie, and thank you.

I've had both knees replaced and the recoveries went well. Your advice is critical to a good rehab - especially when flexing (bending) the knee - do not go past the point where pain begins! Each day you will see some small progress, but only if you respect what your body is telling you.

What I found is that I could flex my knee just a bit farther after PT sessions, and each time the pain seemed to diminish. That process took me two months, and I was ahead of schedule. So please - do the rehab and be patient with the process. If nothing else, tell yourself the pain was bad and getting worse before the surgery. Now you're making slow-but-sure progress. Good for you!

Ironically the injuries you describe are from people who are dedicated to recovery. Even so, pain is the best guide.

Best wishes to all.

Joe

Yes, so true! I’ve had TNR w/ all of PT and only 90 best ROM. Then Revision w/ MUA, horrible results, ROM from 43 to 73 at best and 50 PT session’s. Recent Cat scan found Patella Baja w/ thickening of patella tendon and quad tendon is irregular and “attenuated”. This is result of Revision in 8/2024 and possibly MUA 10/24. So be careful and don’t overdue exercise.