knee manipulation

Hello
I had a rtkr on May 1. I went to see my os two weeks later and he was talking about a manipulation. He gave me a week of agressive therapy went from 82 to 90. Went back to see him and he wasn't to happy. He has given me another two weeks to improve.  He just wants me to get the most out of my new knee which is understadable. I really don't want to do this. I talked with my pt and asked about pool therapy. So I have been going on my own twice this week. It seems to help. I have a book total knee replacement which showed some exercises to do in the whirlpool and then walking in the regular pool. Has anyone had this done and what were results? I am told some people get big numbers and others remain the same. The pain and more aggressive therapy is what I am told will be for a couple of weeks. If  I don't get this done will I always be at those numbers? Can I improve this over time? Please help I don't know what I am going to do.
thank you
Earthlady

[defender]

Like you i have just had TKR surgery and after five weeks of following all the exercise routines i have a badly swollen knee and restricted movement.

My physio has informed that the surgeon will carry out manipulation some time next week ( like you i am not looking forward to it).  I note that it was July when you posted your comments on this web site. I would be interested to know how you are today.

Thanking you in advance
Ron
Lancashire UK

[sonu78]

Hi,
Though we are having a lot of advancements taking place in our field, it is really not possible to replace the nature's gift.
Once you have an artificial total knee replacement, you are expected have good range of movements and activities as close as possible. But this does not mean that you can run about all over the place as it would have been with a normal joint.

[Shelly3582]

I had a lt. Total Knee replacement 5/17/07, and a manipulation on 10/25/07, while the Dr. was able to break up a good amount of scar tissue and had my knee to 110 degrees under anesthesia.  I did intense physical therapy every day for 14 days and then every other day for 14 more days. When I finished with PT my range of motion was only 85 degrees and the debilitating pain I have had since surgery returned.  The manipulation procedure of course cause me no pain and my surgeon filled my knee full of anesthesia so I had about 18 hours pain free.  When the anesthesia wore off it was painful but I just took my pain medication and did my PT faithfully.  Unfortunately, the manipulation did not help me and by one month later I was back to the horrid pain & 85 degrees of flexion.  On Dec 7, 2007 my surgeon removed massive scar tissue arthroscopically and is hopeful that this will take care of my pain & limited ROM.  All componets looked good and he felt no need for a revision TKR.  Today as I write this my pain is back and my motion is about 65 degrees.  I hope your manipulation turned out well and that things are going well for you.  I have been on Opiods for pain and am following with a Pain Mgmt Dr. for my pain meds as my orthopedic Dr. is being pressured by his clinic manager to get me off of the Opiods.  So many people do not understand the importance of having your pain controlled.

Shelly3582

[dot157]

shelly I been going through the same problems you have with my rt knee i had knee replace on july 2009. I have had three manipulation in 2010 went thru pt like i was supposed to,my doctor on mar 2010 taken out scar tissues was able to manipulation at a 110. when im at pt i cannot get it bend at 85 if pt force it it will bend at 90.i had another manipulation on may 2010 i still at the same degree after going thru pt. My knee had pain and alway's swollen,my doctor say there nothing else he could do. everyone i talk to said get a second opiono i dont what good that would do, because i am not going to be cut on again.

[Lola55]

I'm 54, and I felled on ice on Jan. 30 2010. I had to have a knee scope on Feb. 5. The pain was weight bearing, so I had to have a TKR on May 5. I couldn't bend my knee but up to 75 degree with extensive PT. My knee had build up a lot of scar tissue and it was very painful,so I had to have a manipulation on July 13. Immediately after my manipulation surgery,my anesthetic wore off and I was in so much pain.I had to go to PT right afterwords. My PT forced my knee to bend 120 degree. I screamed so loud because I couldn't bear the pain but they wouldn't stop bending my knee.  My  knee began to swell up so big. After that, I decided not to return to PT. I decided to use the CPM machine at home and to work on my own knee.I can bend my knee with the machine up to 125 degrees. My scar tissue has come back and I am still in much pain. I don't know what else to do to get rid of the scar tissue. Putting vitamin E oil on it has help some but its still preventing me from bending my knee. I definitely don't want to have another surgery. I am physically and mentally tired, but I am continuing to pray everyday.

[Rachel2468]

Hi, lola
OMG is all I can say, I totally can understand where your coming from. I am so sorry I am in tears as I write to you. I had my TKR on my left knee on Dec. 28th 2010 I can only bend my knee 55 degrees my ortho surgeon wants to do a manipulation this week but I'm so afraid that the pain will be so bad that I might go insane because I'm just about there now. I have been going to therapy 3 x a week since the surgery not to mention I was in an accident and have a messed up back and neck and now my hips hurt and my good knee is in horrible pain I take pain meds every three hours just to try and keep it under control when I wake up in the morning I can barely walk it takes hours to get this pain fix to where I can some what function I don't know what to do please let me know how your feeling.

[weimty1]

Hi, I'm 33 yrs old and had a tkr in Nov. I can only bend my knee 55° and have to wear a dyna splint to help with my flexion every night. I'm having a knee manipulation on Monday, I am concerned about my recovery... I just want to walk normally. I have been dealing with my pain since I was 16, when I had my 1st sx..... I do understand where u r coming from and I hope ur knee gets better!!!

[talleyho1954]

I underwent a TKR May 7th 2012, developed a serious infection. I have had a PICC line in since 6/12/2012 and am receiving infusions 2x per day 7 days a week.  To date I've received 43 treatments. I'm  getting 2.5.gms Vancomycin 2x day and another 2.5 gms in afternoon along with Rochepin.  Because of this I could not take P.T. for 11 weeks which screwed up my window for bending then knee.   At present I have a 65 degree bend.   My ortho wants to do a manipulation, however, I am concerned  about another infection.  I get about 4-5 hrs. sleep @ the most per night and that's broken up, not consistent.   I work very hard at P.T. my pain lever is never below  a 5  and that's with taking 15mgs of oxycodone every 4-6 hours. To be quite honest I don't know if I can take the pain of the manipulation, I'm at my wits end, plus I'm not very happy with the surgery that my M.D. did, the fact that he went on vacation for 4 wks after my surgery.  If it weren't for my General Practitioner I probably would have lost my leg.  Is there any suggestions out there from anyone who has experienced this or something similar? I appreciate  any input anyone may have............Thank You, Goldie

[Ricojr]

I am 62 had TKR on Jan 15,2013. Saw my surgeon on Feb 13, he gave me 2wks to improve rom. Only got to 68, had manipulation March 5, pt right after got rom to 76, was given cpm, did 2hrs 3 times a day went to 92, but as soon as I ice it the knee goes stiff again at pt yesterday march 12, the therapist massaged knee and without warning tried to bend the knee farther. I screamed so loud the next building heard me now can not make it to pt today, pain is just like it was after the manipulation. Will see Dr. today, will let you guys know....Great site

[Ricojr]

I am 62 had TKR on Jan 15,2013. Saw my surgeon on Feb 13, he gave me 2wks to improve rom. Only got to 68, had manipulation March 5, pt right after got rom to 76, was given cpm, did 2hrs 3 times a day went to 92, but as soon as I ice it the knee goes stiff again at pt yesterday march 12, the therapist massaged knee and without warning tried to bend the knee farther. I screamed so loud the next building heard me now can not make it to pt today, pain is just like it was after the manipulation. Will see Dr. today, will let you guys know....Great site