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I Just had a rod placed in my femur
In Feb. 2023 I had a total knee replacement. Recovery was difficult and the best bend I ever attained was 102. Then almost two weeks ago I fell in my kitchen and broke my femur. They put a rod in my leg. I am now wondering what my limitations will be with this new rod. Also, am I doing all I can to make this a positive outcome.
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Hello @skshapiro, I'd like to invite @mikeship, @coonassbill, @lindsayweeks, to share any insight they can in regards to having a femur rod. I'd also like to invite @jelliott31, who also recently posted about the difficulty of having a knee replacement as well as a rod in the femur among other things in their discussion, "Knee replacement with a titanium rod that goes through the knee," - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/knee-replacement-with-a-titanium-rod-that-goes-through-the-knee.
@skshapiro, were limitations and rehab procedures/exercises discussed with you after the rod was replaced?
My dog caused me to fall on a hip replacement and break my femur in 2019. I had a rod put in and was then sent off to 2 weeks in rehab. I have been able to continue walking 30 minutes a day but one thing I can't seem to do is gain the former strength I had in the fractured leg. I have used a stationary bike, etc. It is still weak and I have trouble walking down stairways. Also, it ruined my yoga because I can't get up and down off the floor without real effort.
Hello Justin,
Thanks for responding. This has been a totally unexpected problem. I had a knee replacement
last Feb. and I never got past 102 degree bend. I was managing but I never regained the activities I love. Now with this will my bend be even worse??? Yes, I have home PT and she gives me exercises to do. The ones with the bend backwards is extremely painful and I avoid bending my knee when I walk with the walker which I know I need to do. I see my surgeon on the 29th and my question to her and anybody out there with exercise and whatever else is out can I regain my bend???
My wife had a Rod put in her leg, from her hip to her foot. The Dr. has approved her to drive. but we cam not figure out how she can drive with her right leg being totally straight. She does not want hand controls on the steering wheel.
Please Advise
Yes,
When you see your Dr. ask him if he can put you out again and Manipulate your leg. My dr had to do mine to get to the 115-120 degree mark. Just advising only!
Sorry this has been soooo long in responding. I just cam across this in my junk mail and I thought I would update.
My femur has healed really well. I have had no complications. My femur surgeon gave me no limitations but my TKR knee was collapsing so she put me in a hinge brace which I haven't had to use for months. But my TKR rom is still around a 100. If I over do it my knee swells and if I sit too long my knee gets stiff . . .so do this delicate balance. Right now I do pt weekly, home exercises, water exercises . . . is there any other treatments that would benefit me???
I just saw your reply and question. After my TKR in Feb of 23 in May of the same year I did have MUA done and did PT 2x a week the CPM machine and could get to 120 but never could hold it on my own. I think my biggest culprit is a very defective quad muscle that I think I injured very young and it never healed properly and consequently never got addressed. Right now I feel stuck but open to other things than PT and water aerobics.
The problem might be scar tissue from your earlier quad injury. I'd verify with a Dr and find out if there are any options. Scar tissue is problematic because it can't be stretched.
Sorry I don't have more for you. FWIW 120 degrees of flexion is the minimum standard after a TKR, but other conditions may make that unreachable.
Joe