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My TKR journey at 7 weeks: Should I get manipulation (MUA)?

Posted by knittygirl @knittygirl, Jun 5, 2022

Hi all,
I underwent TKR on April 18th. I’m a 50 year old female. My knee before surgery had 3 meniscus tears (lived in England for 3 years and the only tool in their box was PT, which didn’t fix the problem). I incurred another tear in October and was told that my knee was so riddled with osteoarthritis that the only option was TKR. My leg was deformed by my surgery date.
Fast forward to today. Due to insurance I had to delay PT for a week, then only was able to have outpatient PT 2x a week. I’m currently at 100 degrees ROM and my Dr. Is extremely upset with me. He says I should be at 120 or further. He’s threatening an MUA and I’m just trying to get a feeling for if that is normal at this point. I’m off pain meds. I push myself past the pain 5 times a day. My insurance is currently reviewing whether or not to give me more sessions (2 weeks wait), but in the meantime I’m pushing myself up to 6 times a day. Is this enough? What else can I do? Thanks for reading. KG

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krista1220 | @krista1220 | Jan 11, 2023
In reply to @knittygirl "Wow! You had a nice surgeon. My surgeon chewed me out for not pushing hard enough..." + (show)
@knittygirl

Wow! You had a nice surgeon. My surgeon chewed me out for not pushing hard enough through the pain and then called my PT and chewed her out. Yes, I rest and elevate when in pain after exercises . I have a little under the desk cycle that I use. It’s the only one I have access to.
Basically he told me that if I don’t improve 20 more degrees in 2 more weeks, I’m getting an MUA. I’ll try these exercises and just cross my fingers they work. I’m not having much hope.
Thanks for responding!

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Just joining this group. I am 7 weeks left TKR.

Wonder how you are faring now, 7 months later. Did it all resolve nicely for you @knittygirl ?

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1 reply
krista1220 | @krista1220 | Jan 11, 2023

I got the exact same lectur…you have to be at 120 by 2 weeks from now or MUA.

From what I’ve read, the window for tackling the flexion & extension of the knee is the 6 week mark. BUT, there is some wiggle room. As in I read in peer reviewed, scientific journals about there being more of a range. 6-12 weeks. But different professionals have different practices AND depends on whether the TKR was because of an injury to the knee vs osteoarthritis. Folks getting TKR such as you, I believe, have more of a window to work with. Again, just learning as I go, because it appears we must be “on the ball” with making sure we advocate for our health needs and concerns. It’s hard to know what to say when caught off guard like that. The reprimanding. I’m sorry about that. It sure woke me up. Geez. 😳

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continentalred | @continentalred | Jan 12, 2023
In reply to @knittygirl "Yes! I have tons of ice packs. I rotate them out throughout the day after exercise...." + (show)
@knittygirl

Yes! I have tons of ice packs. I rotate them out throughout the day after exercise. Less now that I’m 7 weeks in and not in as much pain. I’m trying to get in as much ADL and exercises as possible before this next critical appointment, so I’m exercising about 6-7 times a day and icing/elevating 30 min all day.
Thanks for the response! KG

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Hope by now your knee flexion has improved. Did your doctor ever say why you might not be able to flex your knee as far as he would like.
I had TKR on September 8th and my knee flexion has been stuck at 125 for a couple months because of a Baker’s Cysr behind my knee. This can be quite common and it feels like someone has placed a ball or rolled up towel behind my knee hence preventing me from bending it painlessly or as much as my non surgical leg

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knittygirl | @knittygirl | Jan 12, 2023
In reply to @krista1220 "Just joining this group. I am 7 weeks left TKR. Wonder how you are faring now,..." + (show)
@krista1220

Just joining this group. I am 7 weeks left TKR.

Wonder how you are faring now, 7 months later. Did it all resolve nicely for you @knittygirl ?

Jump to this post

Doing much better! Flexibility is descent and pain levels are low. 🙃

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