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PT for TKR - Pain from stretching & Other rehab questions

Posted by ssbionicknee @ssbionicknee, Jul 11, 2018

I had a TKR on May 14. PT has been going well. I can bend to 125. My leg does not completely straighten. I can get my fingers under my knee. I really started pushing myself to get my hamstring straight. After PT 2 days ago the back of me knee began hurting really bad. I have shooting pain in the back of my knee when I stand on it now. I was doing well and walking pretty well until this happened. I also was having very little pain. Now I am in severe pain and am having trouble walking. Has anyone else had this issue? I am afraid I have injured the hamstring and have undone all the progress I had been making.

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mari | @mari | Aug 10, 2018
In reply to @topdog11 "I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling..." + (show)
@topdog11

I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling and then snapping back of my knee. It started about 6-7 weeks, happens every time I go from sitting to standing, and starts about 10-15 minutes when I walk. Is this anything like you have? My OS doesn't seem concerned either, but by the end of the day it really is hurting. It seems like I traded one pain for another. I have really been working on strength exercises thinking maybe if I build my muscles up more it will stop. When I suggested to my OS that I see a different kind of doctor for it, he out and out told me no one's touches my knee except him. I politely as possible told him if it still hurts like it does at my 6 month checkup either he addresses it or I will be seeing another doctor. He believes by 6 months I shouldn't be having this problem. We shall is.

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Dr. seems pretty arrogant - see another Dr. and don't tell him. Mayb you won't need him at the 6 month mark?

REPLY
mari | @mari | Aug 10, 2018
In reply to @mari "New knee. The pain is HELL - in spite of meds. (Oxycodone) leg is black/blue. PT..." + (show)
@mari

New knee.
The pain is HELL - in spite of meds. (Oxycodone) leg is black/blue. PT + nurse are amazed at my capabilities - "phenomenal" and with great flex.
I regret having it done. I was bone on bone. PT is painful, recovery long. Write your Senators re Stem Cell Research with Placenta. I Should have explored Stem Cells out of the country!
(Baby delivered, throw placenta away or inject into my knee?!!) Which makes sense? Which is cheaper for Medicare and Your taxes?

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Was driven to dentist and shopping today. On 3rd day post op, range was 100. I believe I'm doing so well because of v-ball, getting into pools / ocean and walking and PT and Stem Cells/PRP prior. (Stem cells injected in US are not expected to help bone on bone).
All I can say is, if you have joint pain - don't be stoic, get thee some 1) PRP, check it out $500. give it time then 2) Stem Cells. If all efforts fail, then Surgery. Just think of the time and pain you'll save, and you won't have a 7" scar on knee + 2 punctures above and below knee to allow robot to align leg.

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Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Aug 12, 2018
In reply to @topdog11 "I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling..." + (show)
@topdog11

I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling and then snapping back of my knee. It started about 6-7 weeks, happens every time I go from sitting to standing, and starts about 10-15 minutes when I walk. Is this anything like you have? My OS doesn't seem concerned either, but by the end of the day it really is hurting. It seems like I traded one pain for another. I have really been working on strength exercises thinking maybe if I build my muscles up more it will stop. When I suggested to my OS that I see a different kind of doctor for it, he out and out told me no one's touches my knee except him. I politely as possible told him if it still hurts like it does at my 6 month checkup either he addresses it or I will be seeing another doctor. He believes by 6 months I shouldn't be having this problem. We shall is.

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@marram, if you don't mind me asking, what is your range-of-motion? Do you also suffer from scar tissue as a result of your knee replacement? I am also not a candidate for scar tissue removal as they worry about infection. I suppose I am happy enough with my 0-110 or so (depending on weather!).

REPLY
mari | @mari | Aug 12, 2018
In reply to @topdog11 "I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling..." + (show)
@topdog11

I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling and then snapping back of my knee. It started about 6-7 weeks, happens every time I go from sitting to standing, and starts about 10-15 minutes when I walk. Is this anything like you have? My OS doesn't seem concerned either, but by the end of the day it really is hurting. It seems like I traded one pain for another. I have really been working on strength exercises thinking maybe if I build my muscles up more it will stop. When I suggested to my OS that I see a different kind of doctor for it, he out and out told me no one's touches my knee except him. I politely as possible told him if it still hurts like it does at my 6 month checkup either he addresses it or I will be seeing another doctor. He believes by 6 months I shouldn't be having this problem. We shall is.

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Ask Away! 3 days after, it was 100. don't know now? Will get PT in 6 days - then I'll know. I'm 2 weeks out from surgery, nurse and PT think scar looks great- I will have to see? When everyone talks about scars - do they mean on top of skin or something that goes deep.

REPLY
marram | @marram | Aug 13, 2018
In reply to @topdog11 "I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling..." + (show)
@topdog11

I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling and then snapping back of my knee. It started about 6-7 weeks, happens every time I go from sitting to standing, and starts about 10-15 minutes when I walk. Is this anything like you have? My OS doesn't seem concerned either, but by the end of the day it really is hurting. It seems like I traded one pain for another. I have really been working on strength exercises thinking maybe if I build my muscles up more it will stop. When I suggested to my OS that I see a different kind of doctor for it, he out and out told me no one's touches my knee except him. I politely as possible told him if it still hurts like it does at my 6 month checkup either he addresses it or I will be seeing another doctor. He believes by 6 months I shouldn't be having this problem. We shall is.

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Hello Justin. My flexion is only 70 on a good day. My surface scar has always been clean. I’ve had tests that confirm that the implant is well placed, solid and free of infection. It just is blocked with scar tissue that would likely recur after open surgery. Infection, of course is a concern.

REPLY
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Aug 13, 2018
In reply to @topdog11 "I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling..." + (show)
@topdog11

I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling and then snapping back of my knee. It started about 6-7 weeks, happens every time I go from sitting to standing, and starts about 10-15 minutes when I walk. Is this anything like you have? My OS doesn't seem concerned either, but by the end of the day it really is hurting. It seems like I traded one pain for another. I have really been working on strength exercises thinking maybe if I build my muscles up more it will stop. When I suggested to my OS that I see a different kind of doctor for it, he out and out told me no one's touches my knee except him. I politely as possible told him if it still hurts like it does at my 6 month checkup either he addresses it or I will be seeing another doctor. He believes by 6 months I shouldn't be having this problem. We shall is.

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@mari, from my own experience, I am talking about the internal scar tissue that prevents flexion of the knee. Mine was so aggressive that initially, I only had about 15-45 degrees of range-of-motion! It took two manipulations and about 18 months of work until I finally got to 0-110 or so. It was ultimately less than I wanted, but I am pain free on most days so it has been worth it. I also have to admit that when I was 19, I don't think I was as motivated as I would be now to push through the pain to complete my PT more thoroughly.

Being at 100 three days after the surgery is great Mari!

REPLY
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Aug 13, 2018
In reply to @topdog11 "I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling..." + (show)
@topdog11

I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling and then snapping back of my knee. It started about 6-7 weeks, happens every time I go from sitting to standing, and starts about 10-15 minutes when I walk. Is this anything like you have? My OS doesn't seem concerned either, but by the end of the day it really is hurting. It seems like I traded one pain for another. I have really been working on strength exercises thinking maybe if I build my muscles up more it will stop. When I suggested to my OS that I see a different kind of doctor for it, he out and out told me no one's touches my knee except him. I politely as possible told him if it still hurts like it does at my 6 month checkup either he addresses it or I will be seeing another doctor. He believes by 6 months I shouldn't be having this problem. We shall is.

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@marram, that is frustrating and I can relate to a certain degree. I did ultimately end up getting to 110, but it was not the conventional route. After surgery and no progress with range-of-motion I had to try all sorts of things. I had a full leg cast made that had hand cranks in it to force my knee to bend. It was the middle of the summer and this was so unbearable, I had to have it removed. I had two manipulations, but each time the scar tissue came back aggressively. It honestly wasn't until I was playing catch football with my friends that I jumped up for the ball, landed, heard a pop, and within the next few days was able to bend my knee to about 90. Weeks past after that pop and I eventually got myself to 110. As I mentioned to @mari, at 19, I don't think I was as aggressive with my PT and stretches as I should be, despite my dad's best efforts. 70 is functional, but not ideal. I am guessing that 2 years post-op you are not a candidate for manipulation anymore either. Have any possible solutions been proposed marram?

REPLY
marram | @marram | Aug 15, 2018
In reply to @topdog11 "I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling..." + (show)
@topdog11

I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling and then snapping back of my knee. It started about 6-7 weeks, happens every time I go from sitting to standing, and starts about 10-15 minutes when I walk. Is this anything like you have? My OS doesn't seem concerned either, but by the end of the day it really is hurting. It seems like I traded one pain for another. I have really been working on strength exercises thinking maybe if I build my muscles up more it will stop. When I suggested to my OS that I see a different kind of doctor for it, he out and out told me no one's touches my knee except him. I politely as possible told him if it still hurts like it does at my 6 month checkup either he addresses it or I will be seeing another doctor. He believes by 6 months I shouldn't be having this problem. We shall is.

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Thanks for your input Justin. I must press my OS on why he doesn’t recommend surgery for me. He thought an open procedure wasn’t a good idea. I’m going to ask home about arthroscopic procedures. From what I’ve read, there aren’t a lot of surgeons who are experts in this particular procedure but he might know of someone in my region who has done a lot of them. In the meantime I will continue to remain active and strive to remain fit.

REPLY
marram | @marram | Aug 15, 2018
In reply to @topdog11 "I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling..." + (show)
@topdog11

I am about 4 months PO and have a pain like a tendon or ligament pulling and then snapping back of my knee. It started about 6-7 weeks, happens every time I go from sitting to standing, and starts about 10-15 minutes when I walk. Is this anything like you have? My OS doesn't seem concerned either, but by the end of the day it really is hurting. It seems like I traded one pain for another. I have really been working on strength exercises thinking maybe if I build my muscles up more it will stop. When I suggested to my OS that I see a different kind of doctor for it, he out and out told me no one's touches my knee except him. I politely as possible told him if it still hurts like it does at my 6 month checkup either he addresses it or I will be seeing another doctor. He believes by 6 months I shouldn't be having this problem. We shall is.

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That should read “him” not “home “ in line 3.

REPLY
stretchystretch | @stretchystretch | Sep 5, 2018

I've just come out of rehab it's been 4 weeks now with total knee replacement bilateral I am anaemic and nausea all the time get spasms and twitches a lot there is something still showing up in my liver so I need more blood tests next week . One knee was done under work cover and the other knee through my top cover health fund which has complicated things is there anyone that went back to full time work after 7 weeks ? I'm a school teacher - kindergarten and even though I am 98 in one knee and 90 in the other I feel I won't be ready yet. How much should you walk, is a massage chair any use? How much hydrotherapy is good and will a rowing machine do harm? When can I use a tread mill?

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