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Author Topic: Knee bending  (Read 963 times)

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Offline Ryanaldo

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Knee bending
« on: April 26, 2021, 10:03:57 PM »
Hi there,

I had arthroscopic surgery on my cartilage behind my knee cap 8 and a half weeks ago. It became infected and a week later had an emergency op to clean inside the knee. It’s now 7 and a half weeks and now walking without crutches (although not a natural free flowing movement).

The problem and worry I have is the bending of the knee. The swelling has reduced a lot compared to what it was and I have had physio on average 3 days per week and doing exercises on my own as ‘homework’

I’m in intense pain when trying to bend my knee. I feel like it’s stuck and after 7 and a half weeks after the 2nd surgery I’m starting to really worry. During physio its agony. My main question is, is this normal after so long?

Thank you

Online vickster

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Re: Knee bending
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2021, 10:13:33 PM »
What does the physio say?
Have they consulted the surgeon for their opinion on your pain or referred you back?

Extension is more important than flexion after surgery but certainly shouldn’t be agony to bend 8 weeks out.

I’m a week out of rather extension arthroscopy and although it’s uncomfortable to bend to about 90 as it feels tight, I’d not describe as agony (and I’ve had restricted ROM for about 2 years).

Are you using ice and heat regularly on the knee, the latter before the exercises to warm up the muscles and the former to address any inflammation after?
Came off bike onto concrete 9/9/09 (lat meniscus, lat condyle defect)
LK scopes 8/2/10 & 16/12/10
RK scope 5/2/15 (menisectomy, Hoffa’s fat pad trim)
LK scope 10.1.19 medial meniscectomy, trochlea MFX
LK scope 19.4.21 MFX to both condyles & trochlea, patella cartilage shaved, viscoseal, depo-medrone

Offline Ryanaldo

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Re: Knee bending
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2021, 10:24:58 PM »
The physio keeps telling me it’s normal but I just have a feeling it isn’t. I’m becoming worried and a little angry about it. I have also consulted the surgeon and he also says not to worry.

I’ve worked really hard on it. Icing, homework, been consistently hard working in the physio and it’s still only at 90 degrees and painful when it is at that angle.

Extension isn’t the best but not too bad.

Online vickster

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Re: Knee bending
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2021, 10:37:17 PM »
90 isn’t too bad, especially as you’ve had work done to the kneecap. Keep at it.
Realistically, arthroscopy recovery can take 6 months and that’s without complications as you’ve had. You’re probably a month behind due to the infection. See how it is in a couple more months. If the and physio surgeon aren’t too worried, you shouldn’t be. Recovery isn’t linear and everyone recovers at a different rate. There’s no normal.

Are you able to get into a hydrotherapy pool with a physio or if not a (not too deep) swimming pool, the water is fantastic for rehab, you can do much more with the support of water than on land

Good luck :)
Came off bike onto concrete 9/9/09 (lat meniscus, lat condyle defect)
LK scopes 8/2/10 & 16/12/10
RK scope 5/2/15 (menisectomy, Hoffa’s fat pad trim)
LK scope 10.1.19 medial meniscectomy, trochlea MFX
LK scope 19.4.21 MFX to both condyles & trochlea, patella cartilage shaved, viscoseal, depo-medrone















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