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Limited ROM 5 years after TKR

Posted by roknrol101 @roknrol101, Sep 27, 2019

Can someone please help me! Had TKR 5 years ago, both knees! Went to PT on the first one bit it hard and it’s great, no pain excellent ROM, not so on second, went to different PT and not as aggressive on Theropy, now have limited ROM on second knee, and swelling and stiffness, is it possible to regain ROM after that long without surgery

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mel 726 | @mwatts91757 | Oct 11, 2019
In reply to @donheads "Hi l had a full knee replacement over 1 year ago. I still have swelling. But..." + (show)
@donheads

Hi l had a full knee replacement over 1 year ago. I still have swelling. But what is really a problem got me is that l cannot bend my knee St all. So getting into a car or stairs is really tricky. I am waiting for a second opinion. Other knee is painful but there is no way l will risk another operation. Feel very down and it is affecting my job.

Jump to this post

Hello
I had a right TKR about 14 months ago and have extreme stiffness in that knee .
I have a stryker prosthesis and I was told by two MDs I cannot have an MRI .
I have since found out that I can and I think that’s the only way to find out whether it’s scar tissue or a malfittingprosthesis .
I cannot climb stairs well in my recumbent bike is a joke the first 15 minutes on it I struggle I just warm up and it takes me a long time to get into the rhythm of it and I won’t say it’s ever gentle on my knee. I only have 86° flexion and I’ve had to manipulations and 60 sessions of physical therapy .
So the first surgery was at the Baptist and I think I am heading into Boston again for a third opinion .

REPLY
2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Oct 11, 2019
In reply to @mwatts91757 "Hello I had a right TKR about 14 months ago and have extreme stiffness in that..." + (show)
@mwatts91757

Hello
I had a right TKR about 14 months ago and have extreme stiffness in that knee .
I have a stryker prosthesis and I was told by two MDs I cannot have an MRI .
I have since found out that I can and I think that’s the only way to find out whether it’s scar tissue or a malfittingprosthesis .
I cannot climb stairs well in my recumbent bike is a joke the first 15 minutes on it I struggle I just warm up and it takes me a long time to get into the rhythm of it and I won’t say it’s ever gentle on my knee. I only have 86° flexion and I’ve had to manipulations and 60 sessions of physical therapy .
So the first surgery was at the Baptist and I think I am heading into Boston again for a third opinion .

Jump to this post

@mwatts91757 There are so many great orthopedic doctors in Boston so you can’t go wrong if you choose carefully. A woman I know had a problem for two years and it was finally diagnosed and fixed by a Dr. Thornhill. I believe he’s at Brigham and Women’s. My TKR was done by Dr. Fitz at the same hospital. I think he’s great but I don’t know if he does revisions.
JK

REPLY
1 reply
donheads | @donheads | Oct 12, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@donheads I didn’t think of that as being a possible cause of limited ROM, but it..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@donheads I didn’t think of that as being a possible cause of limited ROM, but it definitely should be looked into. I knew a woman who walked in pain for two years before finding a doctor who found the problem, the new knee didn’t fit right.

I hope that this second opinion offers you a solution. Please let us know.
JK

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Thank you for your reply. I am just waiting for a appointment for second opinion, as this is at a different hospital to where the surgery took place.

REPLY
mel 726 | @mwatts91757 | Oct 12, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@mwatts91757 There are so many great orthopedic doctors in Boston so you can’t go wrong if..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@mwatts91757 There are so many great orthopedic doctors in Boston so you can’t go wrong if you choose carefully. A woman I know had a problem for two years and it was finally diagnosed and fixed by a Dr. Thornhill. I believe he’s at Brigham and Women’s. My TKR was done by Dr. Fitz at the same hospital. I think he’s great but I don’t know if he does revisions.
JK

Jump to this post

I would be very receptive to go to Brigham and women’s however my insurance doesn’t cover either Dr. Fitz or Dr. thorn Hill Unfortunately. I am limited to go to Beth Israel Hospital .

REPLY
1 reply
mclgracie | @mclgracie | Oct 12, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@mclgracie I can understand why you would not want a second TKR under those circumstances. It..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@mclgracie I can understand why you would not want a second TKR under those circumstances. It is just the scar tissued that is standing in your way? How was your ROM after the reconstruction? Did it improve and then get worse again?
I know little about this, I have had two TKRs but if I have scar tissue it's not severe. My ROM never got beyond around 118 in one knee and 120 in the other -- depending on who does the measuring.

@donheads When we are in pain or have a medical problem it really does affect us. I have had other issues and am feeling somewhat down about them. I am retired, but they have made me rather cantankerous at home and with friends. What does the doctor say about your lack of any flex? Is that from scar tissue also?
JK

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Thank you for understanding. Unsolved knee issues like low ROM (about 26) creates another issue - - Not enough exercising! Thus, there becomes a weight gain challenge. More weight = more pain. Gain1 pound = 4 pounds of additional weight on the bad and the worse knees. I do not know who to go to. I'm still pushing to do work for my church and Historic Society and American Legion Auxiliary volunteering does make me very tired. But I still have an open mind to any suggestions..Thanks.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Oct 12, 2019
In reply to @mwatts91757 "I would be very receptive to go to Brigham and women’s however my insurance doesn’t cover..." + (show)
@mwatts91757

I would be very receptive to go to Brigham and women’s however my insurance doesn’t cover either Dr. Fitz or Dr. thorn Hill Unfortunately. I am limited to go to Beth Israel Hospital .

Jump to this post

@mwatts91757 I have never been to Beth Israel but it has a very good reputation so I’m sure there must be great orthopedic surgeons there too. Have you researched them?
JK

REPLY
tkrshepard | @tkrshepard | Sep 27, 2022
In reply to @mwatts91757 "Hello I had a right TKR about 14 months ago and have extreme stiffness in that..." + (show)
@mwatts91757

Hello
I had a right TKR about 14 months ago and have extreme stiffness in that knee .
I have a stryker prosthesis and I was told by two MDs I cannot have an MRI .
I have since found out that I can and I think that’s the only way to find out whether it’s scar tissue or a malfittingprosthesis .
I cannot climb stairs well in my recumbent bike is a joke the first 15 minutes on it I struggle I just warm up and it takes me a long time to get into the rhythm of it and I won’t say it’s ever gentle on my knee. I only have 86° flexion and I’ve had to manipulations and 60 sessions of physical therapy .
So the first surgery was at the Baptist and I think I am heading into Boston again for a third opinion .

Jump to this post

Oh my goodness. That sounds terrible. I'm so sorry. I had a terrible experience at the Baptist. Well actually the surgical center in NH. Stephen P. Murphy. My scar tissue happened immediately. MUA. Then PT. Just finished my fourth round of PT. I've gotten to 130 but it seems to want to stay around 105-110. Good luck! I hope you find the relief you are seeking.

REPLY
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Sep 28, 2022

Hi roknrol,

I'm sorry to her you're having ROM problems. If you weren't aggressive about doing ROM exercises IMMEDIATELY after surgery, yes that could lead to scar tissue and stiffness and less-than-ideal ROM.

I'd have it checked by a surgeon to assess if it is scar tissue, and if so, to what extent. I've heard myofascial release, sometimes under anesthesia, can help break up the tissue. It's that or a revision surgery to get rid of the scar tissue (if that's the problem).

I suggest finding a very good PT to try and work to extend ROM through ankle slides and other similar exercises that stretch the knee.

All the best to you friend. I hope you find an answer.

Joe

REPLY
dieseljuice | @dieseljuice | May 3 4:34pm

I had my left knee done about three years ago and recently I wound up in the hospital for about a month. My rom went from -1 to 137. Now its hard to get it past 45. Should I see the therapist after consulting with the surgeon? I started exercising it and the knee started complaining. Its stiff but seems better after I do the small fake bike and I also am doing heal pumps

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