Extension to 0 after TKR

Two weeks post op? Then an extension of 4 degrees sounds about right. Keep up the exercise and PT and it will likely get to zero. I had my PT manually push down on my knee post op to help get extension closer to zero. It worked but we're all different.

Stick with PT and home exercises. You can try propping your foot up on a high, firm pillow or yoga bolster and push gently down on the knee.

I was fortunate to get to 0 degrees one day post op as I had 6 weeks intense physical therapy prior to strengthen all my muscles

Good for you. I also did extensive PT prior to my TKRs and followed through in recovery, literally starting the same day as the surgery with a very short, PT-assisted walk in the hospital.

I'm a 69 y/o male and was bone-on-bone in both knees. The TKRs are the best thing to happen to me physically and psychologically. I was a marathoner, and even though those days are gone, I attend spin classes 2x week and row 2x week - all for cardio, and the peace of mind a great workout brings.

I don't recall how fast I reached 0 extension, as it's been several years now since my knees were done. One of the most beneficial exercises is laying on the floor, or bed if you have trouble getting off the floor, put your foot on a high, very firm throw pillow (or a 6" foam roller bar if you have one) and just let it gravity and the weight of your leg slowly pull down on your knee cap. Keep your leg limp and relaxed, and hold the position for several minutes or as long as you can stand. If you can read a book, or watch TV while doing this, it may take your mind off the time of stretch. Do as often as you can.

Hello @marged,

I have a similar experience to share, but under different circumstances. I was diagnosed with hemophilia as a child (rare genetic bleeding disorder). Before treatments improved as I got a bit older, I suffered a lot of internal bleeding in my right knee as a child and ended up with end-stage arthritis by the age of 12 or so. I had a total knee replacement when I was 19 (after growth was done).

By the time I had my knee replaced, my knee was so arthritic that I was only at 14 degrees or so of flexion. I had been at that level of flexion for close to 7-8 years at that point. When I woke up from my replacement and my knee was in an immobilizer stretched completely straight, it was excruciating. Not because of the knee so much, but all of the tendons, muscles and ligaments that had not been stretched that way for almost a decade. It took a LONG time for my recovery, but I did eventually get to 0 degree flexion.

At 19, I did not take my recovery as seriously as I should and prolonged my own recovery. All of this is to say that 0 degree flexion is possible, but it takes time and discipline. Follow your PT and stretching and give your surrounding tissues time to stretch as they are fighting years of atrophy. Your mobility and activity is impressive!

Awesome story

Just had a TKR 4 days ago. Thanks for sharing your story, I need positive stories right now.

Good for you Paul! I hope things are going well. The first two weeks are the hardest, but it's still important to keep up with the at-home exercises from the PT.

One way to look at recovery, the knee is stiff and it hurst to extend/flex, but it gets a little better each day. That wasn't the case prior to surgery.

Stick with it!!!!!! All the best Paul!

Hello I am 69 and had tkr 7 weeks ago Tuesday will be 8 weeks. To get your extension at 0, every hour sit on a chair where you can prop your foot up on a coffee table. Keep your leg straight You can put a pillow under your ankle. Do not put anything under your knee. You can put an ice pack on your knee . Keep your leg straight, toes pointed to the ceiling. Watch something on tv that you enjoy. Try to keep it in this position for 10 minutes and add to your time as you can tolerate it. I couldn’t do it very long the first week, but it helped tremendously. Another exercise that helps you can lay in bed. Straighten your leg. Point your toes to the ceiling. Dig your heal into the bed, pushing your knee down with your muscles, and hold for a count of 5. Try to do a set of 10. If you can do them again in an hour do them. My knee felt tight and I was afraid to hurt it a first. You won’t hurt it. I also found that if I iced my knee prior to exercising, I did much better. Keep these exercises up and you will have extension at 0. I achieved it during my first week and continue to have it . I only do these exercises once a day now. The heel digs I do now are 2 sets of 10 once a day! Of course I am doing more exercises now for my ex, which is at 128 now. My other leg has an extension of 140 and it needs a knee replacement. I am working the the knee to achieve 140 extension on it .
The recovery is long for this surgery, but if you stick with your exercises, you will benefit and move on to to the next challenge. Best wishes!

Thanks for the tips! The hardest (as in hurts the most) exercise for me is the one sitting in a chair with foot planted on the floor and bending knee back by scooting forward.