Total knee replacement (TKR)

I had the same surgery on Feb 8 and having the same problem. My doctor has mentioned doing MUA. This will need to be done around April 22 if things do not improve. When you mentioned the surgeon bent and straighten the knee was that a MUA.
It is so frustrating.

I had a right TKR a year ago and my left TKR yesterday! You are in the very early stages! It takes a year or more for full healing. The soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia) in the leg needs a lot of time to adjust and shift and straighten after years of accommodating the old knee. It’s great that your surgeon is happy with the joint. For me, things improved a lot around 3 months, and again around 6 months. (And I skied all winter.) I found that most of the odd pains dissipated over time, although I still feel tightness across the joint and numbness in one spot. All normal.

You are one of thousands who experience tight surgical knees. For many people, gentle movement frequently throughout the day is the answer. Keep an

Keep an eye out for swelling and have the ice pack handy.

@repsher What is MUA?

@wnorrell9
manipulation under anesthesia

Hi @wnorrell9! Yep. I posted a longer version of what I’m about to write that you can check out if you like. I’ve had 2 TKRs (Jan 23 and Jan 24) performed by a good friend/surgeon. In the lead up to my first, he prepared me (over cigars and cocktails 🤷🏼‍♂️) on what to expect.

1. expect to work hard. He said that our bodies attack his work for up to 12 months with scar tissue. You have to continue to break it loose or you’ll lose range of motion and suffer from increased pain levels.
2. You’ll never forget that this isn’t your God-given knee. That doesn’t have to be bad, but you’ll always know. Here 2-3 years post-op I still stretch my knees each night at bedtime and believe it helps.

I can no longer run gracefully but am pain-free. Getting up off the floor is often a funny exercise, but it’s so much better than my pain pre-surgery.

Don’t give up! Keep working!

This recovery will take a full year. Do your exercises and stretches, as tolerable but don't push yourself too much. Get plenty of rest.

@fwintracy thank you for the information and heads up on what to expect.

@cyndi2013 Thank you for the information and what to expect.