How Soon Can I Expect Knee Flexation After A Total Knee Replacement.

[muff13]

I had a total knee replacement 10 days ago and was told that the operation went well. I did suffer nausea and was not able to eat much or drink either for a few days after the operation which limited the amount of exercises I did for the first few days. Now I am home and feeling much better and am trying hard to do the exercises recommended. This is not easy as I am suffering great pain in my muscles while doing them (the knee itself is virtually pain free) and I am not sure that I have any greater movement in my knee than I had straight after the operation. Could this be due to the lack of movement during the first few days or is this normal? I read that I should be able to bend my knee to 90 degrees before leaving the hospital but I am nowhere near that. I do have an appointment with the local physiotherapy department next Friday but am concerned whether I should be doing more and achieving more before hand. I wonder if anyone has been through a TKR and can advise.

[Sqad]

\\\\I had a total knee replacement 10 days ago \\\\

C'mon.......early days yet, each patient recovers at different rates, there are no fixed mandatory goals.

\\\Could this be due to the lack of movement during the first few days or is this normal?\\\

I would have thought that it was perfectly normal.

Don't try to run before you can walk....;-)

No, I haven't had a TKR.

[alavahalf]

Had my knee done about 15 weeks ago. I was also concerned about lack of progress in the earlier days. On my first attempt at walking 2 days after the op I managed 2 miles .. not bad considering I would have to go back 20 years or more since I did that !
More or less pain free now with my replacement bending as much as my 'Good' knee. Still cant kneel on it though, but that's a small price to pay instead of the previous non stop pain.
Just keep doing the exercises, it will free up gradually.

[muff13]

Thanks alavahalf for replying. You have done very well. I am walking about outside but have not tried to do any great distance yet as don't want to go somewhere and find that I am too tired to return home again. Also, until today, here in the West coast of Scotland, it has been wet and not inviting to go out. I will persevere with my exercises and hope that, one day soon, I can see some improvement.

[Sqad]

Thank you muff.............wish I hadn't bothered now.

[bednobs]

hi, i have had both knees replaced. I have never been able to acheive 90 degree flexation, or 0 degrees straighten on one of them, despite having a splint and using that bend stretch machine in hospital, and having physiotherapy classes. I was offered a MUA or serial casting but i declined both as quite frankly at that time i had seen more than enough of the hospital (for other reasons) Then i became pregnant and had plenty of other things on my mind!
I actually don't mind about the reduced angles - i am free from pain and can put weight thru my leg, which o couldn't do before (i had a pronounced valgus deformity before the op. Its 80% better than pre- op and in all hoesty, i'll take that!

[muff13]

Apologies Squad for not thanking you for your reply.