Full knee replacement?

Question

HOW LONG AFTER SURGERY DOES IT TAKE BEFORE WE ARE ABLE TO BEND OUR LEG LIKE THE OTHER ONE ,I HAD IT DONE ON THE FIRST OF DEC.I FEEL I WILL NEVER GET THERE.

Answer 1

Most of the healing will take place in the first 12 weeks as mentioned above, but maximum benefits are achieved over the period of 6 months to a year. Most people will finish outpatient physical therapy sometime between week 8-12 at which time the goal for flexibility is at least for 115 degrees of flexion and zero degrees of extension. Some may get more, but 115 allows for most functional activities such as partial squatting, decending stairs and ability to get up off the floor. It also depends on how well you could bend the knee prior to surgery as adaptive shortening of the muscles and other soft tissues may have occured.

As far as the CPM, don't bother, there is no good research that demonstates that the long term outcomes are any better or faster than those who don't use it. The maximum amount of flexion available on the machine is limited. Furthermore, it is usually very difficult to set it up to attain your full range of motion. For those who are struggeling against scar tissue...namely those who have yet to attain 90 degrees of flexion within the first 2-4 weeks, I usually recommend a static progressive splint such as the JAS splint which demonstrates a significatly faster/larger gain in range of motion versus those who use a CPM.

Hang in there...you've still got a ways to go! Yet, if the flexibility really isn't coming along by week 6, follow up with your surgeon because if a manipulation is needed, the best results are obtained if done before the 8th week.

Answer 2

I'm a rehab nurse and help patients every day with total knee replacements. The poster "Charlie" was correct.......obey your physical therapist and do your recommended exercises at home. Dont' hesitate to call your doctor for any concerns. That's why they make the big bucks. Be patient with yourself; I'm sure you are doing great.

Do you have a CPM machine to use at home? If so, use it as much as you can tolerate it.

If you qualify for inpatient rehab, you would see quicker results. But it all depends on what your insurance policy says.

Also, if your knee is swelling, use an ice pack. If the incision is healed and the staples are out and there is no more swelling, heat may feel better. But make certain there is no swelling before you apply heat.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I have 2 total knee replacements. At 3 weeks after your surgery you should be going to therapy every day for about 8 more weeks. Also need to do your exercises at home like your therapist teaches you. Your therapist can measure the number of degrees you can bend your knee and can also tell you what a resonable goal is. Usually by about 12 weeks after surgery you have as much flexibility as you are going to get. Your therapist should be very demanding and you need to be very devoted to following his/her teaching. That is the key to healing and getting a good result. Three weeks is a very short time, so have a little patience. Sounds like you are gung-ho to go forward, so I am sure you will do well. I am a nurse and went back to work after 13 weeks with the first one and 10 weeks with the second one.. Hope you do well.

Answer 4

Depends on the age/condition of the patient. Be VERY careful and get multiple opinions from different surgeons on this. The wrong replacement can cause a lifetime of problems... but the right replacement can allow the patient to lead an almost completely normal life.

Answer 5

Unlike the hip, a knee which had been replaced takes a little longer to rehabilitate. Even with a correctly done knee replacement, it takes a while for flexion and extension to return fully. You just have to be patient with your rehab. Give yourself about 6 weeks for rehab. You should be OK by then if you don't get impatient.

Answer 6

Knee replacement surgery has become very common nowadays. My cousin also got her hip replacement surgery in India through the forerunners healthcare .She is more than very happy with the results. She is totally pain free now. She just paid 25% of the amount she was quoted in USA and is all praise for this forerunners healthcare company.


Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines. I have read a lot of their patient stories also. They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low price, as all joint surgery is not covered by insurance in USA or by NHS in the UK. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that your surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

Many patients travel from United States of America and UK to get low cost surgery in India. Indian corporate hospitals are comparable to hospitals anywhere in the world. In fact, India has medical facilities that are comparable with the USA, UK and Canada. India offers World Class Medical Facilities, comparable with any of the western countries. India has state of the art Hospitals and the best medical experts. With the best infrastructure, the best possible Medical facilities, accompanied with the most competitive prices, you can get the treatment done in India at the lowest prices.


http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.