Total Knee Repair Revision: A Success Story

Hi all 68 days now…. I have been stuck for little bit now at 100-102… I got a little frustrated a little down … than I switched some things around ….. I searched through these pages I am going to try graston technique, I just have to find a good place to go ….. pt was going twice a week now I am doing once a week and started pool therapy twice a week …. I am also continuing mfr and my chiropractor….my surgeon has me hooked up to this site called force tracks everything my steps where I was at where I am at now ….. I went and looked at it today ….. you know what I am doing ok I read people have 130 140 3-6 weeks out but that’s not me …. I just have to keep on working my surgery I have to remember little more complicated with a revision….. I already was dealing with scar tissue among other issues….. at the end of the day does not matter I am so grateful today today I am 102 this time last year I was maybe 65-70 ….. I work my butt off for every degree …. But we all do that is the nature of a tkr …..so all my fellow tkr thank you for all your support means a lot….

This is really remarkable progress for a revision! And you are so right - not only are we all different, but every surgery is different as well. I remember 2-3 months from my last hip revision, I felt stuck for a few weeks, but water therapy really helped me turn the corner.

Wishing you good luck, and don't forget, ice may still help by reducing internal swelling to give you an extra degree or two!
Hang i9b there.
Sue

Good luck I certainly know how you feel being stuck with no flexion …. Gave me hip issues and back …. I am so happy I had the revision surgery …. I hope you feel same about yours …. My prayers go out to you…. Have your team in place the more support the better

I just had s revision, 5 weeks post… much better but my leg is now about 5/8” longer than other! I feel so depressed. I go back to dr in 2 weeks. I traded one problem for another. Has anyone ever experienced this? I was never told this could be a complication. My shin bone is still sore. I really am frustrated living with complications.

Yes, definitely get a Dr who specializes in knee revisions. They’re out there. Ck the stats & reviews.

Playfairy so sorry to hear …. First thing I read was you feel much better…. I know you have another issue …. I know I am asking a lot but take a moment just breath ……take one step at a time you got the revision it helped the initial problem that is awesome ….. I know it created another but you are early out so don’t give up hope they find a way fix it …..I am over 9 weeks out my shin still little sore so that is normal to still be sore … I do mfr to help with that ….. I also massage on my own …. Continue with your exercises and all your therapy…. I know tuff but focus on the good that you are doing , try stay positive as you can ….I know for me if I am not getting anywhere in my recovery I can start getting down …. That is when I change it up …. For everyone it’s different for me the first tkr was getting a new dr and second opinion that led to revision…. Now when I am stuck I change pt add water therapy look into other treatments that will help scar tissue…. What I am saying is I keep my mind busy looking reading finding different ways that may help ….. some might other not so much but I know one thing it helps get you out of depression gets you more active in your own recovery …. I just can share what I have done and gone through just like so many others on this site …. This site is the best tool in my tool box lol ….it will get better

Sue,

Can you elaborate a little on your water therapy? This isn't for me but an in-law who s trying therapy before surgery. (I know that for bad knees, the breast stroke is a no-no. Wondering if there are similar exercises to avoid for hips.)

Thank you.

Joe

The best water therapy for me was:
- walking in chest deep water - forward, backward & to both sides.
- quad strength building using a pool noodle or elastic band. Simply hold the band or noodle between the hands and step down.
- squats & lunges in waist deep water.
- bicycling the legs in water (our pool has a bench along one side to facilitate. At the therapy pool, they put a shower bench in the pool for this exercise.

I always suggest people wear shoes (I have dedicated mesh walking shoes) for stability when exercising in the pool.

I frequently introduce this exercise regimen to my winter Texas neighbors to do before they go home for spring surgery & after their incisions heal in fall/winter.
Sue

Hi all I know I just updated the other day but felt wanted to put this out there …. I went to my chiropractor who I was sharing my frustration … she does graston technique also … she told me I was too early out for that technique on my knee it can cause me to have less flexion than more also can cause more scar tissue to develop she did add might be able to do behind the knee…. So thank goodness I have people on my team that know there stuff … she was very helpful.., telling me I am not that far out that I am doing great that the changes I made with pool are enough…. She also said sometimes we do to much we don’t know what helps what does not or what could be making it worse…. It has been so important for me to have a support team.

I have this issue with my legs - had a difference prior to hip replacement, hip revision was complicated, resulting in a 3rd surgery, which unfortunately increased the difference to 1/2". The ortho was very apologetic, but to get my hip to not dislocate repeatedly, it was necessary.
That was 11 years ago, and I have learned to live with it (am grateful the difference is not greater - my brother has a leg difference of over 1")

So, I wear a 1/4" lift in the shoe of my short leg, or when I wear my orthotics, that one is built up an additional 1/4" and no walking barefoot or I get sore.
Sue