KNEE ARTHRITIS - Total Knee Replacement :
problems with range of motion - - Posted by Hubbmama (Hubbmama), 18 January 2005
I had a total knee replacement 10/20/04. Everything was going along well until the day before Thanksgiving. At therapy, while doing a chair sitting band exercise, I heard and felt a loud pop. After that I was unable to lift my leg without assistance. I went to the ER and the OS there told me he thought I had ruptured my quad muscle/tendon. They set me up to have an MRI. Saw my OS the following Monday and he told me that the MRI showed no tear & that they thought I would get movement back. They put me in an immobilizer for a week, then moved me to a limited motion brace. It has been several weeks now and I still am limited in my range of motion. I cannot get the last 30 degrees of straight extension. I can do it if someone lifts it for me, but no matter how hard I try, I cannot do it alone. I have an EMS +2 stimulator I use 3-4 times daily, excercise daily, and still nothing. I have had an EMG, nerve shock test and there is no nerve damage. I had an ultrasound and they said there was a tear, then they said there is no tear. I am geting very frustrated. I also can't seem to get past 67 degrees on the bend. It is painful and feels like something is holding me back. I am also getting sharp stabbing pains in my leg. I should also tell you that this is my 4th surgery. I had a bone wedge done about 5 years ago, very successful. I then had to have all of the hardware removed 6 months later. Two years ago, my knee locked and I had a scope done to remove fragments. The knee then locked up again Labor Day weekend and I was on crutches until the last surgery. I am at a loss and don't know what to do now. Any suggestions?
Posted by Jan_L. (Jan_L.), 19 January 2005
Hello Hubbmama,
I have no idea what's wrong with your knee. My suggestion, is for you to get a 2nd opinion right away, preferably from a joint replacement specialist. If you can't get into see a specialist you should get into see another surgeon right away.
Hopefully someone here might be able to tell you what they THINK is wrong with your knee.
Good Luck!
Jan
Posted by Hubbmama (Hubbmama), 19 January 2005
Thanks very much for your response. I am getting very frustrated and it helps to hear another voice. Thank you.
Posted by Jan_L. (Jan_L.), 19 January 2005
Hello Hubbmama,
I certainly understand your furstration!! Basically we are all here at this web site because our surgery didn't go well and/or we are suffereing with knee pain.
Being able to talk with others in a simular situation has been so helpful. 99 % of all TKR go off with out any problems, it's so awful to be in the dreaded 1%. Sometimes people have acted as if my poor outcome was my fault! The emotional support I have received here has helped me and I hope that will be true for you also. At times I think I needed just to talk with someone more then I needed information. So let me know if I can be of help to you in any way.
Hang in there!
Jan
Posted by Hubbmama (Hubbmama), 21 January 2005
My OS called me today and he is sending me the the Dr. that did my EMG because he doesn't know what is causing my problem. He said the other Dr. is more specialized in muscle problems and that I should continue on with him. I don't see him until the 26th.
Posted by Jan_L. (Jan_L.), 23 January 2005
Hi Hubbmama,
Good luck with your doctor on the 26th. You must be anxious to find out what's wrong your knee, I know I would be.
In the mean time you might want to start trying to track down a different OS in case you need a second opinion. It can offen take weeks /months to see a new doctor, so it wouldn't hurt to schedule an appointment, you could always cancel it latter if you don't need it. That way if this doctor says you have a orthopedic problem, (and your OS has already said he doesn't know what's wrong with your knee) you won't have to wait as long to see someone new.
Please let me know what you find out. Good Luck!!
Jan
Updated Tue Dec 2 2008