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Total Knee Replacement
I am at 4 months out of bilateral total Knee Replacements. My surgeon at Mayo would not allow me to use the ice machines or CPM machines. He stated there are no proven stats that one is better than the other. So I did all the icing and movement exercises all day myself. I asked my PT therapist about it and he said maybe because the brain works with the exercise when I do it myself as for where using the CPM machine for constant movement it is automatic and doesn't use the brain. The voluntary/involuntary brain thing. I should say I wanted the electric assistance but did as my surgeon prescribed.
Because I did them at the same time, I promised my surgeon I understood how hard PT would be. I committed to him that if he would do both I knew it would be hard and I was prepared. All went great. Especially as the doctor reminded me I wouldn't have a good leg to stand on for real. He felt that would make physical therapy much harder. I was walking without a walker and no type of assistance after the second week. My PT therapist says because I worked so hard and constantly, I jumped out early on getting my extension and flexion.
Finally, I reached 0 extension which was very very hard and from 90 degrees to126 degrees flexion. My first personal goal was 120 and now 130. My Therapist released me. I don't know if I will be able to get more flexion without the therapy. Anyone know any good stretches I can do at home for flexion? I went a couple of days without exercises ( other than bending ) they got tight and I dropped to 114 degrees. I went back to PT this week and after 1 visit I am at 122 with his assistance. I have worked very very hard for each degree but think I may be at my limit? I may have to settle for getting back to 125 and work at home on maintaining it.
How do you gain flexion on your own?
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I am So impressed by your story/progress! You are my New Super Hero! I don’t know how you’re doing it. I wish you lived near me so you could be my Coach. It’s just been 8 days since my “one” total knee replacement surgery. I am using the CPM as well as my PT exercises. I have pretty good flex 90 and 0 extension. I am really Trying, but I feel I should be doing better. Getting the pain under control/manageable was or is my biggest issue. Finally figured it out yesterday. And Thankfully my PT therapist was pleased with where I am. My question is, Is there something in particular that you might recommend by Way of exercise, meds, or other, that might help? My Best Wishes to you.
My PT always tells me not to compare myself and I read that. Your journey sounds like your off to a good start and 90 degrees at 8 days is really good. It took me awhile to get to ). I watched so many rehab utube videos. Also in the bed, I very often bend the knees and especially before getting up each day. Work up to 50-100 bends. That helped loosen them up and helped with the pain. I think your doing good and only time in therapy will help you get past that 90. I recommend icing every day, sometimes a couple of times a day. And at your stage elevating. Take your rx meds as prescribed. I took them an hour before every physical therapy Appt. That way you stay ahead of the pain to better exercise. As soon as I could I think maybe a month out I switched to Aleve. Movement truly helps the pain more than anything after you begin to heal your incision. At 16 weeks I still have to exercise and stretch them every day. Walking is a great exercise. You will get there just stay positive and stay with therapy. There are some great PT videos you can add to your regular ones. Best of luck. You got this!
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1 ReactionYou may also want to constantly rub the tissue around your knee and incision. I am so afraid I will get scar tissue I still massage around the area often.
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1 ReactionThank you for your input. I hope to do as well as you. I’m going to keep trying. Thanks.
I'm 5 months out from a partial knee replacement and still don't have complete extension. At 6 weeks my range of motion was 15-90 and I was threatened with a manipulation. Physical therapy after that was very vigorous and painful. My flexion came before my extension did. At my last PT appointment 3 weeks ago I was almost straight, and my flexion was at 125-130. At that visit I was told to resume my normal activity as much as possible (daily walks or going to the gym). I still can only walk about a mile before my knee gets really painful (was walking 3-4 miles daily before the OA hit). I see my physical therapist again on Tuesday and as long as my range of motion hasn't gone backwards I will finally be discharged (I was in PT since last March when my knee first started bothering me...getting sick of seeing him LOL).
I'm constantly bending and straightening my knee during the day...especially when sitting at my desk at work. Every other day I lay down on my stomach on my bed with a 3 pound weight on my ankle and my feet hanging off the bed to also help woth my extension. And, like I said I'm starting to walk again and on days I can't get outside to walk i ride an exercise bike.
Good luck to you! With everything I've been through with this dang knee I can't imagine doing both at once.
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2 ReactionsI can’t either. I have a couple of friends that did both at once. They did well but personally I don’t think I am young enough (almost 70 yrs. old) to go through that. This is difficult enough for me! Hope you continue to do better and that your knee heals very well.