What is your recovery like for MUA following a TKR?

Posted by abuelitadee @abuelitadee, Jul 30 8:19am

I had my Left TKR in August 2024. Came home and found I could walk w/o any cane/ walker so I did. Did take a cane along for outside just in case. But that led to massive swelling and unable to do some of the bending exercises. And the oxy and tamerol made me sick so only was on Tylenol. Recovery was OK, could play tennis, golf, pickleball but stairs, biking and hiking were hard. So now ~ 2 years out had the MUA procedure done to break up that scar tissue. Will I have to do PT daily forever to make sure the scar tissue does not return?

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Tracy | @fwintracy | 6 days ago

I had one TKR in Jan ‘23 and one in Jan ‘24. My surgeon is a friend of mine and we spent hours discussing what I knew was coming (arthritis, etc) and I recall him telling me that my body would attack his work with scar tissue for 9 months to a year post-op before my body would relent.

Accordingly, I got in the habit of daily PT that I continue to this day. Each night, for example, I stretch/fold the lower leg under me on the mattress as I head to bed. I also have found that yoga 2-3 times a week and weights 2-3 times a week are extremely beneficial. I’m 69 and sure do benefit from the activity - knees and otherwise.

He always told me that I’d never confuse his fine work with my God-given knees and he’s sure right about that. My advice is to stretch and exercise as much as you can as you’ll never regret the effort.

Good luck and great health to you!

mia28 | @mia28 | 5 days ago

I had an MUA 3 months after my TKR as I had a lot of thick scar tissue and could not get the range of motion I wanted. I was at 100, but lots of swelling, pain and heat. I had faithfully been doing outpatient PT 3 days a week and at home PT daily. We could not break up the scar tissue. I did 7 months of preop PT and had a decent ROM of 130 going into surgery. 100 was not giving me the ability to do what I needed to do, including the steps in my townhome. My surgeon did not want to do the MUA, but finally agreed. I am now 13 months from the MUA. I have diligently continued outpatient PT 3 times a week and also work on home PT daily. The strength training has helped a lot, balance exercises and stretching, all important. Stationary bike as well. My ROM is 136-138 now. I still have some stiffness, but greatly improved and I do believe that if I continue with the PT exercises even the stiffness will improve more. Bottom line is, as stated above, the new knee will never be the same as the original knee. I am 74 YO and now know that everything I am doing at PT will be a lifetime commitment, not just for my knee, but for the benefit of the aging process overall. Sounds like you are on the right path. Wishing you well ,and remember, the lifetime of PT exercises is a gift to your overall health.

marsha2026 | @marsha2026 | 2 days ago

In reply to @fwintracy "I had one TKR in Jan ‘23 and one in Jan ‘24. My surgeon is a..." + (show)

@fwintracy Great advice. tKR both knees. I didn’t do daily PT/yoga and now can’t kneel and have considerable loss of range of motion. 78 yrs old 5 years after replacements.

Tracy | @fwintracy | 2 days ago

Marsha2026, I’m so very sorry to hear of your mobility issues. My doc said it’s almost never too late - just harder. Start today, go slow but steady and I’m sure you can see improvements! Every little movement will help.

Take a Tylenol (or equivalent) to help with the post-movement pain and soldier through. Don’t give up!