Knee Replacement Stuck at 110 ROM

Posted by dkapustin @dkapustin, Apr 2, 2019

Hi everyone, I had a RTKR 9 weeks ago and seem to be stuck at 110/0 for the last few weeks. My OS saw me a couple of weeks and scheduled my next appointment for 3 months out. My PT said that I can gain ROM for months and that a person can live a full like at 110 and not worry about it. Well, I am worried about because I do ALL of my exercises religiously, push myself, am still swollen and in pain, and walk like I have a wooden leg using my cane. At 9 weeks, I feel as if I should be doing so much better and I'm becoming scared and depressed. Has anyone else had a slow and frustrating recovery like this? Anyone at 110 Rom at 9 weeks and then improved at a later time? Thanks in advance.

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@johnbishop

@captjamesh, My surgeon prescribed oxycodone to help if I had pain for the first few weeks. I didn't have to use any of the prescribed pain pills but I did use some Tylenol the first couple of weeks when I had some pain. Did they prescribe anything to help you with the pain or have you talked to your surgeon or care team about how you are doing?

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Yes they have prescribed pill form morphine

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With my first knee I also had the opposite problem. Couldn’t get to zero extension until almost 3 months! My PT wouldn’t let me give up! So technically it shouldn’t have improved after the initial stage but it did! So keep up with PT and don’t give up hope! I’m at week 2 1/2 with second knee and this one is the opposite. Full extension is no problem but flexion is 90 at best so far. Last time I made it to 130 by the end of PT. Having the right PT really matters! My PT friend had both knees done before I did. She knew what a good PT looks like. She was not happy with her first knee PT. She chose a different place and PT the second time and it made a world of difference! Good luck to you!

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@danielad

@dkapustin -- I am sorry about the amount of pain you are in! I don't have any experience regarding pain with Total Knee Replacement; however, I do know pain! So, if it were me, I would make an appointment with the surgeon. We all feel we are being "silly" for going "ahead of schedule", BUT we are all different, not to mention that there could be other reasons for your pain. Let the surgeon tell you if everything is OK. And if it is, maybe he can give you advice on how to handle the pain, or medication suitable for your level of pain. Stay well!
-- Dee

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This is an unusual question. But what is the surgeon's responsibility 21 months post surgery? Not sure they really want to know of complications - maybe do not wish to acknowledge them. My 2nd TKR, like my first with a different surgeon, was not really painful (that's good). Recovery was good - I did my exercises and go to gym 4 days/week. My ROM with #2 is about 110-115 (that is OK). But that leg has always been a little swollen. Have seen surgeon several times, but I think I have discovered the problem. The nerve must have been injured or cut. That leg has been "slightly numb" since right after surgery. My coordination or balance are a little off. I am starting to bump into things sometimes (NEVER had this problem. I am athletic; play sports). Going downstairs is slow and takes some concentration. Going upstairs my leg(s) are a little weak sometimes. I believe I do not pick up that foot/leg as much as I should. I think the whole episode is due to damaged/cut/clipped nerve. New side effect: when I run playing Pickleball that leg (only RECENTLY) does not have full ability - it's as if the message in not getting fully through (???) Maybe it is pinched nerve? Maybe damaged nerve? What can be done? What should the surgeon do? He tells me to strengthen my core. (???) I just went to a physiatrist and he is sending me to PT to see what can be discovered. Wonder if I should return to specifically post-op exercises?

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