If i had not found Tony’s videos, I think I would have totally given up and been in a deep depression. No one tells you about how The pain can be so overwhelming, the effects of lack of sleep and dependence on pain medication. Most Importantly prayer. I’ve never been to such depths. Bless you Two for your public service, compassion and understanding.
I am watching this video, 2 years after it came out. I am 6 weeks post op. I had manipulation at 5 weeks. My knee is hot, swollen and just not getting to 100. My surgeon told me this week, that he was able to touch my heel to my bottom during the manipulation. To which I replied “I’m sure, I was out!”. My P.T. is awesome, and she told me that it is neurological and that I just have to keep working and be patient.
Thank you to both of you so much. I'm 66 yrs old woman with RA and 12 days post op of Rt Total Knee Replacement. It's been brutal. I appreciated this video because I was starting to think it is all my fault, something I'm doing wrong in these first few weeks. Despite doing everything my Dr has instructed...elevation, icing, compression and home PT exercises on days in which I don't have PT in office, I have excruciating pain and limited stamina. I did get to 90 °Flexion and 6°extension by 10 day post op. Anyway, the pain is in my way of increasing my movement. It's refreshing to hear Russ talk about his experience. I feel encouraged. The two of you make a great team. Thank you ❣️
Hi, how are you doing today with your knee? I am 59 with RA fibromyalgia and Sjogren's along with Osteoarthritis. I'm going in Nov 15 and I am worried about it. Any tips or thoughts to share?
Dam this is exactly what I am facing. This guy is 100 percent in my head. I feel exactly what he is saying. I am really considering not doing the other one. I am 4 months in my surgery. Russ you are right. No one did anything wrong but I had no idea this was the pain I was going to be dealing with. The pain. Is the worse at night.
I kept hearing that people who had this surgery had a new leaf on life yet I forgot to ask how the pain was after surgery. Although my knee pain was bad before the surgery and the swelling was bad, I’m 5 weeks post surgery and I rather have not had the surgery. I’m looking forward to where I can say that this surgery gave me a new leaf on life 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
Me too! Pain is the worst at night. Regret having it - worst decision. Had tkr Aug 15. Over 2 months and have typical burning kneecap constantly, zingers pain shoot out of nowhere. Bursa below kneecap on inside of calf got cortizone shot it hurt so bad - so it’s weak. Pain is all on inside from calf thru thigh as well as kneecap burn. Outside of thigh and calf is fine…l. Trying new phys therapist in a couple of weeks…. Sorry I did this - really. Would never do the other one…
Thank you for this conversation. I think it's so important to talk about the depression. Like Russ, I would listen to just the 100% comeback stories. Truly idealized recovery but no one readied me for the impact my mind would have. Thanks for bringing light to the mental aspects and to the pain that it entails.
Mr. Meritado , thanks for having Russ talk about his experience. What happened to him reminds me much about what happened to me. I had a torn meniscus (a goose had chased me during a walk--lol) and the doc opted to do knee replacement because of the arthritis around the knee and how close the bones were. I had it done--and a month and a half after my total knee replacement, I needed knee manipulation because of scar tissue. I only had 91 degrees of range of motion. During the knee manipulation, the doctor was able to bend the knee at 140 degrees, which was great. Right after that, about a half hour later I had PT, which I found tiring but it had to be done. I was able to do 94 degrees during this therapy but the therapist kind of slowed me down because she didn't want me over dong it. Now, wit my reg therapist I am bending to 115 degrees, and the goal is 120. Some days I can only do 112. I wish I could do 120--but I am actually taking a pain killer before therapy is done; I was I was advised by a doctor. I feel as if the knee will break if I try any more. Now, my quads is a problem because of weakness, and I am working on this more. I am still with a walker 4 weeks after the manipulation and am graduating to a cane, but the knee is still very stiff in the morning, and I feel very helpless because I am not sure when I'll be able to walk normally again. Like Russ, I always say to anyone who asks, I would not recommend this surgery to anyone except someone who was unable to walk properly or had a knee that was totally useless. I could have had the scoping for the meniscus--but I chose this--and I am hoping my feelings will change for the positive in the future.
My case unfortunately I didn’t have a choice. I’m having a hard time as well. I just hit two months and I’m on crutches my leg bends to a 95 motion, and I don’t have enough quad muscle to hold me up to walk. It is very depressing and unfortunately, being on short term disability, don’t pay very much to survive. It’s an emotional roller coaster.
Thank you so much i’m 8 weeks post op and i had a total meltdown/ panic attack yesterday 😢 for me things are getting worse which of cause I didn’t understand hence the meltdown, my expectations where just to high, thinking I would be running around now.. beautiful people just hang in there, hopefully 🙏 I will start improving instead of getting worse…🙏
How are you doing? I’m 5 weeks post bilateral knee replacements. I’ve been so upset ….I feel I’m getting worse. I have MS which is complicating things. I haven’t cried this much - and I’m a 67 year old woman!
I'm 69 and had a total left shoulder in October. Completely pain free and 100% successful. Able to throw a ball overhand for the first time in over 20 years. Can barely see the incision which is amazing. Went so well I decided to have my completely shot total left knee procedure done in February. Range of movement day after surgery 120+. My problem is the swelling and bruising. For the first 2 weeks after surgery I had fluid under the flesh on the knee to the point I was worried the incision would split open. Finally the fluid went away. Compression sock did nothing but push the fluid above and below the knee. Therapy would massage the knee area and dark bruising would show up in different places within hours. Always had pain at night. Had to get up and walk it off. Range of movement was never an issue. The bruising looked terrible and continued for two months. I stopped therapy and the bruising swelling got somewhat better. Out of frustration of not making much progress I decided to try swimming. On my back using only my legs and feet I completed two laps. (can't use my right shoulder to swim, left shoulder is great) Within 4 days the bruising and swelling was nearly gone. The pain at night is much less. I have been swimming four times in the last 2 weeks and the bruising and swelling is almost completely gone. The low impact swimming made a big difference. I believe the swimming exercised the muscles in cool water while being horizontal which helped the circulation carry away the bad stuff in the tissue. I need a total right knee and shoulder procedure but am going to wait until this left knee is perfect to do so.
Glad I found this video , I’m a photographer and take photos at race tracks and do a lot of walking on dirt and uneven surfaces and my right knee isn’t 100 percent yet after 5 months and it doesn’t help that my left foot has Charcot
Photographer here too a few years ago. Landscapes, animals, and weddings, etc. Running jumping kneeling to capture that one shot that tells a story! PLUS activities as a kid to several falls onto my right knee didn't help. Ouch! I'm 37 days out from 10.11.22. I'm happy I found Tony & Russ. Each one of us is different just the way God made us. I am placing my hope on the Lord for healing & that could be "whenever". The pain from my surgery is different than the pain from before. I too feel I wished I had known more info. I not sleeping well & have breakdowns to tears every now and then. Have a BLESSED day!🙏
Thanks for sharing it was encouraging because all I ever hear is the positive outcomes, I thought I was the only one who do not fit in the knee replacement timeline.
By the way I’m 79, 5months out, still having pain but I know everyone heals different. I’m exercising, still doing my knee exercises and getting On a plane next month for a month in Australia! Live your life!
This was extremely helpful. I'm almost 3 weeks out and I can barely bend my knee. I'm an athlete and extremely active in my job. Prior to my surgery. I had torn my ACL and my meniscus when I was 15 years old playing basketball I decided at 45 to have a total knee replacement because I wasn’t able to walk long distance without being in a lot of pain. After the surgery, my knee and leg and foot was about four times the size as my other leg. It was so swollen and I had black and blues from my foot all the way to my thigh, completely full of black and blues on the backside of my leg. I definitely have a high tolerance for pain. I’ve had four kids with no Anastasia naturally. I think I would rather go through four pregnancies all over again than to deal with this knee pain constantly. I go to therapy three times a week and I dread it. It’s like torture at this point they are pushing down on my knee just to bend it I ice and walk all the time trying to get the swelling down and it has gone down a lot after the surgery but my range of motion in bending seems almost nonexistent. It seems like it’s only about 20% and I literally work it every day trying to gain more flexibility, but it feels like my knee is going to rip open. It’s so painful. I definitely feel like my surgeon should go back in and try and get more flexibility but I’m scared because of how swollen and bruised. I was after my first surgery. I’m scared that I won’t get the flexibility I want to had before the surgery.
I was following your post reading it as if I was speaking and had to make sure I hadn’t written it… I am fearful of having any kind of manipulation because of osteoporosis and bones that are very fragile that could break during that process… No one seems to mention arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue… I’m only at 70 at six weeks, so I’m really struggling and my thigh muscle tightens up so much I cannot push through the pain thatbut I think it’s just a matter of time… I will give it time and keep working and not give up and you shouldn’t either! Good luck
Thank you both so much for sharing this video. I found Total Therapy Solution yesterday and watched probably a dozen videos. I'm heading to Russ' channel. I'm recovering from a right knee revision done 4 years after my right knee replacement. The past 4 especially the last 2 years I was on crutches a great deal of the time. Prior to the revision my knee would swell to twice the size every 1-2-3 weeks. I'm praying for a much better result with the revision dealing with pain stiffness and what feels like nerve pain now. These videos have helped me and I will continue to watch both channels. Thank you both
I had been led to believe by numerous acquaintances that after a TKR I could practically crawl off the operating table and dance. I wish I had been aware of Russ prior to my surgery. No one mentioned scar tissue or range of motion to me until at least three weeks after surgery. According to the hospital therapists, my home therapy was mostly inadequate. So by the time I got to hospital PT lots of scar tissue had built up. I have to decide whether to ask for a MUA or just learn to live with 103 degrees.
Great video. Im 10 weeks post op for a TKR right side. It has not been fun and although my surgeon says I should eventually get the left done he will have to pay me first. Haha. Ive dealt with it all and am currently dealing with some pretty extreme IT band pain at the knee. Thankfully my daughter and son in law are personal trainers and are helping me through this. I could go on for hours but I just wanted to thank Tony and Russ for making an honest video about how difficult this surgery and recovery can be. Thank you
I definitely was not prepared for the total agony straight after surgery, I totally regretted having the surgery. I gave birth to 6 children with no pain relief so I generally have high tolerance for pain. I’m only 3 weeks post surgery and I’m finding some days good and some days bad. I worry that I’ve done something to injure myself, i get weird different pains, trying to navigate what is normal and what isn’t. Thanks for the video it has definitely helped my mind set.
So great to hear from you together! Left knee is 13 months and right knee is 8 months out. Flexion is no problem but I don’t have straightness. It’s hard to walk past a block. Also having a hip replacement in the spring. The stiffness also drives me crazy. Pain is sometimes but I’ve developed a mind over matter attitude so I don’t dwell on it and it doesn’t bother me. But all in all I’m disappointed in how it all turned out for both knees.
I'm getting my right knee done end of Jan 24. Nine days away!. What I have found is, I have researched and watched youtube videos to such a point that I have over researched. What I mean by that is, I went into the journey with total enthusiasm, only to get to the point where negatives were/are creeping in, What ifs!. Instead of focusing on the positives. I think the secret will be to push myself when I can and pull back when I need too.A little each day is better than nothing at all . Great Vid guys.
Hi, how did you get on with your TKR.. hopefully it went well for you and you are well on the way to recovery. I had mine in june and just 3 days ago had MUA, i wasnt prepared for the pain after MUA, it hurts really badly.
Thank you both. Iam on month 6 post knee surgery and still struggling with pain and stiffness. The depression needs to be in cooperated into the care. The experience for me was horrendous. Iam in a better place but there are many things the doctors and physiotherapist don't discuss with patients. Often they tell you only about patients doing well which makes you even more frustrated.
I had bilateral at three months apart. I'm now eleven months and eight months post surgeries. One had manipulation done during second knee surgery and it has been doing well, smooth as butter. Second one still has tightness and aches at night. I can have decrease tightness and back to more tightness and aches all in one day. This years is all about knee recoveries and rehab trying to go back to pain free. It's my second full time job literally. But I 100% agree, nobody prepared me for the mental challenges. My friends who had same knee surgeries and same surgeon had full recoveries pain and tightness free in six months so the naive me think I would be the same. Reality set in, the mental part was equally challenging. Depression and anxiety set in for a good three to four months. I think meds had something to do with it and the fact that I wasn't able to be as active playing sport with friends and teammates play another factor. Luckily I realized that knowing I need to reach out to friends and family to talk about it. It was a vulnerable time letting people know my challenges but I'm ok with it. We are human, we do not live alone. Working from home diverted my attention as well. My therapist and the PT office became my family. They cheered for me when I had good days and encouraged me when I had sobbing days in the PT office. What drove me and still is to try getting better and do everything my therapist tells me is the fear of the progress reverting back. The other motivation is to be able to play sport and to start a new sport after full recovery. Yes a good supporting system plays an important part of the whole journey. Had I known the physical and mental challenges was more than I had anticipated I would probably had"chickened"out of both surgeries. I had doubt with my second one knowing what I had to go through for the first one but I wanted a normal life for sports and be able to travel without pain. The fact that I knew I had a top notched surgeon operated on them also pushed me to seize the opportunity and went for my second knee surgery as well. To date, I still have tightness but I'm not giving up. One more interesting fact I noticed is that my knee is less tight and able to bend more in warmer weather while I was in a warmer state for a few days. As soon as I returned to the Midwest, the tightness has become more noticeable and bending has become a little more challenging. I also exercise in warm therapy pool at my gym, it helps big time for bending while I'm there. So, my new motto is spring and summer will be my time and I am so looking forward to it. Hopefully by then with my continuous recovery exercises, I will be tightness and ache free in coming spring. Thank you for the video. It is really helpful. I thought I was the rare case out there who had mental challenges during recovery. Strong support system is equally important throughout the recovery journey.
Excellent! The balanced , honest discussion between two with real experience on the knee replacement issue ...an interesting range and definitely helpful .. and for those researching ahead .. thank you !
im so thankful i found your channel. im on week 6 post op knee replacement i’ve had alot if these feelings and depressed. wasn’t ready fir the mental component of this recovery. I have. tightness and inflammation im battling ROM 112. i feel im gonna have a full pain free recovery. When? who knows? This is an unpredictable recovery Thank you again for sharing your. stories snd expertise
I’ve had two hip replacements anterior. Breast cancer. I’m very scared and I’m 72 was very active slowing down and frustrated. So glad for all of your videos. Wish I could go to your clinic.
18 months out from my surgery, still working on my range of motion. I’m at 110 now, but know I can get better. It is a mental, physical consuming force in my life. He sounds like me.
I have all the problems Russ has... Thanks so much... My MUA scared me to death, and I told my DO, and he said what did they do cut back on the anesthesia, and I said I woke up mad, scared, and the nurse was trying to get away from me while talking me down; she looked scared too. Anyway, I am slowly gaining, I have gone from less than 90 ROM to about 94...later my friend
Agree, after my 1st MUA, the quads and calf muscles were so tore up due to new atrophy after my TKR. My TKR was so painful and I am not a wimp when it comes to pain! My first MUA was so painful they had to to a femoral nerve block to be able to go home. My knee swelled up big. Without the arthroscopy after the MUA, more scar tissue was lied down causing a bent knee gait with worse ROM, 85, less than 25. After a few weeks, I had to have another MUA with an arthroscopy. You got to get that torn tissue out or it continues to build! Again, muscles were once again torn up, had lots of swelling, pain... and the lost ROM despite home exercising. I cried often during PT from the depression and i would always walk out with nausea. However, in the weeks that followed, I continued PT, went to the fitness center everyday, did home stretches with PT strap even during the night because you really don't sleep. I swam in the pool with my dive fins...I am slowly getting better ROM. I find the row machine the best. I use the foot straps to inch up flexion and hold. The row machine is great for extension too! I came off hiking the Appalachian Trail prior to my TKR so I was ready but I believe my prior 3 arthroscopies and my osteoarthritis played, plays a big role in my intense level of pain and scarred down. I'm in my 16th week, with 111 flexion, less than 6. As the swelling does down, the more work I do AM, PM, the more my hamstrings, quads and calf muscles relax, the more ROM I slowly get. I am still having patella tendon stiffness and restrictions. Perhaps, it too is scarred up now but I am hopeful that next year, I'll be back on the AT. I still need the other knee done but will wait till more is known and thete is a treatment for arthrofibrosis. Hang in there all!
Hi Tony and hello to your guest. The operation for me, despite all the pain that I go through, was necessary because I can no longer walk or climb the stairs, I am still now training to climb the stairs for a month after the second operation, and even standing for a long time is still very painful, I must be patient and continuous exercise.
Thank you for these videos. I am 69 yo f who used to be very athletic. I am 15 wks out on Rt TKR and I have really been struggling to get to my current 12/15 deg.ext. and 90/100 flex. Still get very stiff and swelling around the patella. All looks great on xrays. I've had 1 MUA. The VA did my surgery. They got 120-Flex and 5-Ext under anesthesia. Now I'm trying not to overdo my exercises (I have a flexanator/extension but listening and learning from your videos. Still in phyical therapy. I started learning "Tapping" and starting psychosomatic bodywork (body/Mind communication) as I think a lot of trauma memories manifest in the body. Maybe not for everyone but I'm staying open to all possibilities!
I'm 4 months post-op I still have stiffness I have terrible pain I feel like it was the worst decision I made in my life I'm slow as a turtle now I'm a fall risk like a 90 year old person and I'm 54 I was a caregiver and now I need a caregiver LOL I think this was the worst decision of my life and mind you I have full extension 120 on my Bend I walk with the limp and I've been doing PT the whole 4 months
Great interesting viedo Tony/russ i am 13 weeks out from total knee in Australia got to 100 last best rom since the operation had mua got to 85 from previous 60 before things have improved a lot last few weeks but still very stiff with the muscle / fibers on the outside of the knee like a big band just won't budge and painful when i try to move my physio said its because they align your knee in a more normal position in the operation and your body has to get used to this in the stretching has you start to get more movement so now i am feeling a lot better has things improve its a long journey just have to be patient the surgeon never properly explained the nightmare/pain you are going to go through i have been going to a hydrotherapy pool last 5 weeks 3 times a week this has been the gamechanger for me besides the 2 days a week physio , i went through the public system and wish i had taken the option of rehabilitation for few weeks because after the operation you need lot help physically/ mentally .
This is amazing ...someone understanding exactly how i feel..6 months po tkr 77° bend in constant pain i feel so desperate this has helped me so much..im not on my own in this traumatic experience
Every one is different and will have different results. The more active you are before TKR the more likely your are to recover faster. Will there be pain. Yes and you may never be completely pain free. My TKR (right knee) was 8 1/2 years ago and there was always some pain at times. In the past 7 months have had Revision TKR on the right knee, MUA 6 weeks later and TKR on left knee. Doing great from all and pain level is generally no more than 3-4 on the left and no issues on the right. The one question I found interesting was "When should I have it done?" When the pain in your knee is to much to deal with get it done. Also stay as active as possible. The less us use your muscles the more they are going to hurt when you start to use them again. And yes the Quad is a big muscle and will cause a lot of pain if it is inactive for a long period of time. Such as using a scooter for years rather than walking.
Can i ask why you had a revision surgery so soon? Im currently recovering from partial knee replacement and have been constantly worrying about revision in the future and how long the implant would last. I am 43 which causes me to worry about the future. It causes me anxiety to think i may have to go thru with it again and how long it would last🥺
@@Lila77722 May not have been clear on the Revision Surgery. Had TKR in March 2012. Sometime around 2018 starting having some problems with movement and also additional pain. In 2019 the left knee was also causing problems. When we went to doctor about the Left knee they did x-rays on both. Found out that the cement was starting to breakdown in the Right Knee. Had the Revision surgery in May 2020 (8 years after original surgery). Doctor discovered parts of the replacement had moved and was not allowing the knee to bend. At this time I am at 120+ on bending and at 0 for straight. My doctor said that this (problems I had with the original TKR) is not normal and most, at least 80% or more, never have to have a revision. And the Left knee is doing great at 5 weeks. Glad I had both done. Not sure how all this applies to a partial replacement and any future surgeries. Good luck with yours.
@@davidroman1654 Thanks for responding! Even though i had a partial knee replacement on the medial side (inner part if knee )the outer part of knee could still go bad in which case i would have to convert to a total knee replacement/revision which caused me ti worry since i have only read that outcomes of revision surgery is harder than original surgery. There is not alot Of info regarding revisions. But hearing your revision went well and you are not in pain puts my mind at ease. Thank you!
I am only in my 4th week post op. My biggest battle is against myself! I now take my pain meds properly and they are long acting opioids (Targin 5/2.5 twice a day). I am choosing to acknowledge my ROM stats, but not compete with myself or others. I have decided to just plod, do my physio and do the best I can day by day. And I am restarting hydrotherapy.
I’m glad I’ve watch this. My doctors are worried since from 8 weeks from surgery I still don’t have muscle in my quad and I can’t bend pass 95 degree. I’m so depress 😢
Thank you both of the insight. LTKR November 6, 2020. I am finally able to get at least 3 hours of sleep at night but finding a comfortable position is very hard. When I awake I feel like my leg is frozen straight and I have to warm it up with a few exercises just to go to the bathroom. In the night. So far ROM is good but I really have to work at, sometimes I still cry myself to sleep. I really enjoyed the interview and thank you both.
Sleeping is worse. I’m finally getting about 5-6 hours of sleep but it’s definitely interrupted with tossing and turning trying to get in a comfortable position.
Just as i watch this video i myself had a right knee replacement on feb14 of this year and have limited rang of motion also. Tony mention about our brain saying that you have pain and i will not move cause of this pain! I believe that i have this problem also! I' have no pain in my knee but a feeling of resistence across the top of my knee
Not knowing enough before surgery! Your same case. Doing everything right, and everything went wrong. 14 months after TKR. No, some of us should not have the surgery. Problem is how do we know..? 😢😢
Awesome video I was the one who did not use walker 2 days post op and soon was 135.. now my IT band has set me back but getting cortisone injection for this very tight IT BAND HAS SET ME BAVK I HAD SURGERY JULY 27..2023 I’m 7 weeks out but the tight IT BAND IS A PROBLEM AND I WAS AT 135 3 weeks later
I’m 6 weeks out from my 2nd TKR. My first one was a similar experience to your’s. I had to have a manipulation under anesthesia- it was brutal! I feel like that was super hard on my protecting muscles. My hamstring, quad and lateral calf muscle- just fired up to protect the knee. This 2nd TKR was much better. I had 90/10 in the first week. I’m Doing so much better, but I think my stiffness and lack of getting to my total ROM is being held up by the drum tight swelling. I do it all- anti inflammatory diet, PT, easy Pilates &, yoga - and weight lifting when I have the energy. maybe I’m doing too much. My mistake was going off theNASIDS too soon. I was advised it was better to sacrifice gut health for a few months in order to be out of pain and get mobility. It’s all so individualized. Researching has helped so I don’t feel alone! Thanks for your channel!
I have so many of the same exact issues. My body goes crazy making scar tissue. So much that when I was getting a MUA my leg wasn't bending even with me being under anesthesia. The doctor then removed my scar tissue then proceeded with the MUA. My leg is still extremely stiff and I can't walk unassisted. It's a slow progress. The doctor is having me fitted for the JAS this week. Fingers crossed it helps. I will also start taking muscle relaxers since my muscles refuse to loosen up. I'm a very tense person in general. I don't wish this frustration and pain on anyone but it is nice to know that there is another person that knows what I am going through. It's horrible. I have heard so many times "after this it will be a lot aa better" but I never have the typical positive outcome. I keep telling myself it will eventually get there. I am just really late to the race lol. Good luck to anyone who has had to go through any of this.
Great discussion! I am facing an MUA in about a week, and still have many questions. Tony, the part where you mention that scar tissue does not build up in just a few hours really touched a nerve with me so to speak. My surgeon told me that after they close you up, they bend your leg back-and-forth to make sure everything works OK, but yet the same day and the next day, I was only able to bend to about 55°. Here I am about nine weeks later, and can only get to about 95 after extreme pushing. My main question for Russ would be this, and I wish it was addressed in the video: do you think you could have got to 120 without the two MUA’s you did, because it still took a long time after that with lots of PT. Thanks again for all of the great videos, I am subscribed to both of your channels, and they really have been a Godsend!
Thank you Tony for sharing Russ's interview. I can fully relate to it Tony. I had left TKR almost 8 months, still my knee is tight and I have heal pain and edema. Going for Ultra Sound, so make sure there is no blood clot. Every week deep tissue massage that is helping. But I do feel tightness around the knee. I want help what to do about the tightness? Any suggestions? Thank you.
I’m one of the lucky people who got to 127 deg about 5 weeks after surgery on my first TKR and have almost 120 deg now on my 2nd TKR 4 weeks ago. I’ve worked on it but it’s been fairly easy.
I'm a 59 yo RN, and I'm Russ too. But not as far as he has come, only at the 4th month waiting on manipulation. I wish I never done it. And never doing other knee either. My implant is not straight by looking at xrays but Dr won't acknowledge. I'm looking for attorneys already.
A 2 fer the price of one. I've learned so much from Tony I can only imagine the vast amount of personal experience people have out there that will benefit others!
Hi Tony! Waching your videos give me some hope.I have had Tkr on my left knee, three months ago and I'm in the same situación as Russ, thanks God in not only me , my dr want me to have a MUA because mi flexion is only 95, the thing is that I'm scary of more pain after all.
Great information.. My husband had knee replacement for both of his knees at same time. It's been 2months but still his knee looks to be in bend position. Surgery doctor recommended to continue physio and try to give force at knee to make it straight. My husband is a Parkinson person as well. His recovery after operation is taking much time. He has improved but not yet started walking individually. Whether he can walk normally in coming days ??. Please provide your guidnace. His knees have some heat sensation at some times. Is it normal ?
I saw a video where a patient was doing good after 3 weeks and at night he would put a plastic wrap like your wrap Sarah wrap around the knee after the staples or stitches have been removed at night while he slept to slowdown the pain. If there is a little open flesh he would wrap paper towel around knee before wrapping the polygraph over night. It helped with the pain over night and swelling wasn't as bad for him. I'm going to have left knee done in the future. I found doing all the bun exercise, all the knee flex, all your videos and other therapist is getting my knee surgery prepared,but what I really learned is the mako Robin is less invasive and using the sticker parts a has less recall. Future patient really need to study who to do the surgery and what product that
How often should we use a recumbent bicycle when we're dig nosed with arthrofrinosis. It's been 5 months and I'm still going through the what Russ has and I'm in my youth. What can I do
Thank yous both watching youre videos inspiers me so much im 68 yrs old lives in Chicago Illinois i had my knee replacement done on December 14th 2023 im going on 2mths doing my therapy at home nd going to pt 3 days of the week im frustrated cause my knee range is only 65 cant move it all the way back can u specifically tell me whats the issue is it to early need more time on it .
OxyCondone nor norco are helping me with any pain. I’m 5 weeks post surgery and I’m in horrible pain. My surgeon doesn’t want to refill my medication and therapy started really getting intense. I have refused to go back to therapy and just doing therapy at home when I feel like I’m not in too much pain or I do some stretching while I’m in the hot shower. I’m about 85 degrees flexion. I’m getting myself to 90degrees but my knee swells so then I back off.
Thanks so much for taking time to let us know what you went through. I had left TKR on Oct. 8th and right TKR on Nov 19th. I was doing SO well until this pat Tuesday, following PT. My left knee gives me the most intense pain I have ever had when I go from straight to bend to sit. My PT said muscle there was really tight. Felt a little better after PT yesterday, but now a 10 on pain scale when I go to bend it. What can I do?
Thanks for watching my interview with Tony! Wow... two knees done so close together! I saw another guy at my PT sessions who also did that and he finished in 2 months. Hang in there. Hopefully you will get better soon. I think some days, our pain is more difficult to deal with than on other days. I hope you will get it under control and get back to your therapy success. Good luck to you! - Russ
Essential oils are helping to relax my muscles. I watched videos about resisting the pain. I gain 5% quickly. I also use a diffuser to help relax me. I did saved the oxi for PT. My doctor has a 6 hour routine of 20 minutes stretching and 40 ice/elevate. I had to slowly add PT stretches. I can do the stretching but 10-15 at a time so after the 2 weeks I have stayed on this schedule. I am thankful I did prepare for 6 months of just working on my health. I also prepared thirty days of food ahead of time. My doctor also gave a list of everything I would need and also suggested support groups. Even with all of this I have had periods of depression I have to push through.
Hey Tony I've seen tons of your videos just had my right knee replaced today is my 2-month anniversary. Still having a lot of clicking and pain in different places hoping that's going to get better soon. If you feel like learning some guitar stuff try one of my videos I'm called Dave the guitar guy on UA-cam. Thanks for all your help and your care and all that you do I wish you were my physical therapist!!! My insurance only covered 12 visits and I'm on my own now. I've gotten more information from you than my surgeon and therapist put together no offense to them they did a great job.
Hi, I have had both knees but pkr not full knee done in the last 12 months. I was very active before, last knee done 4 months ago. Movement is great, I am so fed up, if I do half a days light physical work I am really sore for days afterwards and have to rest. Am I expecting too much? Jerry UK
One question. I am at seven weeks and walking great but still some pain at times around the kneecap and when I put my hand over my knee and flex it I feel crepitus. What is causing that and should I worry
I have still pain and warm knew after 2 years of operation. I would recommend not do the operation as long as your leg is straight and the pain is not serious.
So your quad muscles from the tourniquet were sore and I had 3D knee replacement surgery four 1/2 weeks ago and my left quad is really still sore but deeper down. And I had a ton of bruising around the upper thigh from it. All I can say is the surgeon’s team must have cranked that way down to stop the blood flowing. I have never seen this on video because it most likely would scare everyone away. This is very dangerous especially when one is 72 years old. Even though I was in great conditioning before surgery.
Tony what do you think my chances are of recovring and getting my knee back to normal. im 15 i play soccer and i tore my acl, i had surgery on 19th june 2019, and till this day i cant go past 118 degrees flexion, my knee looks bigger and its also stiff. 5 weeks ago my knee flexion was 110 but i started seeing a physio again because of covid and he got me doing strengthening exercises and it went to 118. ever since my surgery ive been doing knee flexion exercises multiple times a day every day till this day and i cant full flex it, then my physio tell me to do les flexion exercise and more strenghtening exerices and i improve 8 degrees of flexion. im very frustrated because im still young and ive been playing soccer my whole life. what do you think about this?
I had total knee i 2017 3 months later my tiba portion came apart surgery to replace it 3 months after that my femur went surgery to repair it 3 weeks later infection and clots back to operating room another surgery 8 months later a scope now its so lose i have to have another surgery this time a total revision again take everything out and put another new one in been crazy
My Flexion was not to bad i got to about a 100 .The problem is why everything kept failing and why everything is so lose . My surgeon is also puzzled maybe my body is rejecting things .its so lose if i sneeze my knee clunks and moves all over .So 2 surgeons are doing my next total revision he said its a big surgery and will take along time to recover . Ugh
Hi what is a manipulation. I have my knee 2/19. I am still in pain and cannot walk much. I had 12 in home visits. Now i need more my knee is clicking and still have trouble with pain and movment. I cannot get my shoe on . What is this manipulation?
I’m five weeks out and was pretty much pain free. The past three days my knee has been hurting like it was a couple of weeks ago. I’ve done nothing different, still exercising and walking. I don’t get it. I can hardly sleep at night. My numbers are still good at 135 and 0 for ROM.
I'm 5 weeks out now and the very same thing is happening to me, I was at the point of hardly any pain and today after PT, I'm in pain to the point I was at, at 2-3 weeks, I tried to take a nap and my knee just started screaming at me....are you all healed up now?
I got so many instructions prior to my surgery. I don’t know where this guy was. Sounds like he was pretty checked out. Sounds like he’s a big baby. Sorry.
Maybe he was like me because my knee blew up pre op and from the time I saw my GP until I had the operation was 5 weeks. My knee is now absolutely crap 11 weeks post op and I do physical/hydro therapy every day. Lucky you that everything went well.
Wow. How rude. I got very little instruction before my surgery either. Or after. I felt like I was left flapping in the wind. I was super fortunate to have a friend who is an RN who not only had tkr herself but was an OR nurse too. If it hadn’t been for her I’m not sure where I’d be. She got a lot of pre-operative instruction and was surprised I didn’t. So no Marjorie not everyone has the same experience.
Thanks both for the info and advice I’m 43 years old and I had my surgery of total right knee replacement on July 18 and even now I don’t have no range motion no flexibility 😢and I do my therapy as my PT telling me to do so and they did manipulate an nothing they just did surgery to remove scars tissue wish I had a lot the doctor said and other manipulation after surgery I went straight to do my therapy surgery was on 12/21 now we on 01/09 I start feeling stiffness and electric shock numbness, painful tingling and the swelling and my leg get hot specially on half of my leg on the inside part, doctor say is the nerve block but since the surgery to now I’m feeling worry about it because is so sensitive the I can’t resist my clothes on the part of my leg is anyone feel like this oh is just me I’m sorry I’m single mother and I haven’t been able to go back to walk without help and neither working 😢I’m faithful person but I’m not understanding this situation any kind of advice. I really appreciate any information to help me improve myself to get better. 🙏🏽♥️🦬
If i had not found Tony’s videos, I think I would have totally given up and been in a deep depression. No one tells you about how The pain can be so overwhelming, the effects of lack of sleep and dependence on pain medication. Most Importantly prayer. I’ve never been to such depths. Bless you Two for your public service, compassion and understanding.
I am watching this video, 2 years after it came out. I am 6 weeks post op. I had manipulation at 5 weeks. My knee is hot, swollen and just not getting to 100. My surgeon told me this week, that he was able to touch my heel to my bottom during the manipulation. To which I replied “I’m sure, I was out!”. My P.T. is awesome, and she told me that it is neurological and that I just have to keep working and be patient.
Did you have to take any time off of work after the MUA?
Was it painful after?
Thank you to both of you so much. I'm 66 yrs old woman with RA and 12 days post op of Rt Total Knee Replacement. It's been brutal. I appreciated this video because I was starting to think it is all my fault, something I'm doing wrong in these first few weeks. Despite doing everything my Dr has instructed...elevation, icing, compression and home PT exercises on days in which I don't have PT in office, I have excruciating pain and limited stamina. I did get to 90 °Flexion and 6°extension by 10 day post op. Anyway, the pain is in my way of increasing my movement. It's refreshing to hear Russ talk about his experience. I feel encouraged. The two of you make a great team. Thank you ❣️
Hi, how are you doing today with your knee? I am 59 with RA fibromyalgia and Sjogren's along with Osteoarthritis. I'm going in Nov 15 and I am worried about it.
Any tips or thoughts to share?
Dam this is exactly what I am facing. This guy is 100 percent in my head. I feel exactly what he is saying. I am really considering not doing the other one. I am 4 months in my surgery. Russ you are right. No one did anything wrong but I had no idea this was the pain I was going to be dealing with. The pain. Is the worse at night.
It is so wonder that @Russisright has been willing to share so much of his story.
I kept hearing that people who had this surgery had a new leaf on life yet I forgot to ask how the pain was after surgery. Although my knee pain was bad before the surgery and the swelling was bad, I’m 5 weeks post surgery and I rather have not had the surgery. I’m looking forward to where I can say that this surgery gave me a new leaf on life 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
Me too! Pain is the worst at night. Regret having it - worst decision. Had tkr Aug 15. Over 2 months and have typical burning kneecap constantly, zingers pain shoot out of nowhere. Bursa below kneecap on inside of calf got cortizone shot it hurt so bad - so it’s weak. Pain is all on inside from calf thru thigh as well as kneecap burn. Outside of thigh and calf is fine…l. Trying new phys therapist in a couple of weeks…. Sorry I did this - really. Would never do the other one…
@@allymia9696how did you get on? I’m 5 weeks post bilateral partial knee replacement, and really struggling.
Thank you for this conversation. I think it's so important to talk about the depression. Like Russ, I would listen to just the 100% comeback stories. Truly idealized recovery but no one readied me for the impact my mind would have. Thanks for bringing light to the mental aspects and to the pain that it entails.
Mr. Meritado , thanks for having Russ talk about his experience. What happened to him reminds me much about what happened to me.
I had a torn meniscus (a goose had chased me during a walk--lol) and the doc opted to do knee replacement because of the arthritis around the knee and how close the bones were. I had it done--and a month and a half after my total knee replacement, I needed knee manipulation because of scar tissue. I only had 91 degrees of range of motion. During the knee manipulation, the doctor was able to bend the knee at 140 degrees, which was great. Right after that, about a half hour later I had PT, which I found tiring but it had to be done. I was able to do 94 degrees during this therapy but the therapist kind of slowed me down because she didn't want me over dong it. Now, wit my reg therapist I am bending to 115 degrees, and the goal is 120. Some days I can only do 112. I wish I could do 120--but I am actually taking a pain killer before therapy is done; I was I was advised by a doctor. I feel as if the knee will break if I try any more. Now, my quads is a problem because of weakness, and I am working on this more. I am still with a walker 4 weeks after the manipulation and am graduating to a cane, but the knee is still very stiff in the morning, and I feel very helpless because I am not sure when I'll be able to walk normally again. Like Russ, I always say to anyone who asks, I would not recommend this surgery to anyone except someone who was unable to walk properly or had a knee that was totally useless. I could have had the scoping for the meniscus--but I chose this--and I am hoping my feelings will change for the positive in the future.
My case unfortunately I didn’t have a choice. I’m having a hard time as well. I just hit two months and I’m on crutches my leg bends to a 95 motion, and I don’t have enough quad muscle to hold me up to walk. It is very depressing and unfortunately, being on short term disability, don’t pay very much to survive. It’s an emotional roller coaster.
Thank you so much i’m 8 weeks post op and i had a total meltdown/ panic attack yesterday 😢 for me things are getting worse which of cause I didn’t understand hence the meltdown, my expectations where just to high, thinking I would be running around now.. beautiful people just hang in there, hopefully 🙏 I will start improving instead of getting worse…🙏
How are you doing? I’m 5 weeks post bilateral knee replacements. I’ve been so upset ….I feel I’m getting worse. I have MS which is complicating things. I haven’t cried this much - and I’m a 67 year old woman!
Keep the faith in having a hard time as well. I’m not walking either and it’s depressing
I'm 69 and had a total left shoulder in October. Completely pain free and 100% successful. Able to throw a ball overhand for the first time in over 20 years. Can barely see the incision which is amazing. Went so well I decided to have my completely shot total left knee procedure done in February. Range of movement day after surgery 120+. My problem is the swelling and bruising. For the first 2 weeks after surgery I had fluid under the flesh on the knee to the point I was worried the incision would split open. Finally the fluid went away. Compression sock did nothing but push the fluid above and below the knee. Therapy would massage the knee area and dark bruising would show up in different places within hours. Always had pain at night. Had to get up and walk it off. Range of movement was never an issue. The bruising looked terrible and continued for two months. I stopped therapy and the bruising swelling got somewhat better. Out of frustration of not making much progress I decided to try swimming. On my back using only my legs and feet I completed two laps. (can't use my right shoulder to swim, left shoulder is great) Within 4 days the bruising and swelling was nearly gone. The pain at night is much less. I have been swimming four times in the last 2 weeks and the bruising and swelling is almost completely gone. The low impact swimming made a big difference. I believe the swimming exercised the muscles in cool water while being horizontal which helped the circulation carry away the bad stuff in the tissue. I need a total right knee and shoulder procedure but am going to wait until this left knee is perfect to do so.
Glad I found this video , I’m a photographer and take photos at race tracks and do a lot of walking on dirt and uneven surfaces and my right knee isn’t 100 percent yet after 5 months and it doesn’t help that my left foot has Charcot
Photographer here too a few years ago. Landscapes, animals, and weddings, etc. Running jumping kneeling to capture that one shot that tells a story! PLUS activities as a kid to several falls onto my right knee didn't help. Ouch!
I'm 37 days out from 10.11.22. I'm happy I found Tony & Russ. Each one of us is different just the way God made us. I am placing my hope on the Lord for healing & that could be "whenever". The pain from my surgery is different than the pain from before. I too feel I wished I had known more info. I not sleeping well & have breakdowns to tears every now and then.
Have a BLESSED day!🙏
Thanks for sharing it was encouraging because all I ever hear is the positive outcomes, I thought I was the only one who do not fit in the knee replacement timeline.
By the way I’m 79, 5months out, still having pain but I know everyone heals different.
I’m exercising, still doing my knee exercises and getting On a plane next month for a month in Australia! Live your life!
This was extremely helpful. I'm almost 3 weeks out and I can barely bend my knee. I'm an athlete and extremely active in my job. Prior to my surgery. I had torn my ACL and my meniscus when I was 15 years old playing basketball I decided at 45 to have a total knee replacement because I wasn’t able to walk long distance without being in a lot of pain. After the surgery, my knee and leg and foot was about four times the size as my other leg. It was so swollen and I had black and blues from my foot all the way to my thigh, completely full of black and blues on the backside of my leg. I definitely have a high tolerance for pain. I’ve had four kids with no Anastasia naturally. I think I would rather go through four pregnancies all over again than to deal with this knee pain constantly. I go to therapy three times a week and I dread it. It’s like torture at this point they are pushing down on my knee just to bend it I ice and walk all the time trying to get the swelling down and it has gone down a lot after the surgery but my range of motion in bending seems almost nonexistent. It seems like it’s only about 20% and I literally work it every day trying to gain more flexibility, but it feels like my knee is going to rip open. It’s so painful. I definitely feel like my surgeon should go back in and try and get more flexibility but I’m scared because of how swollen and bruised. I was after my first surgery. I’m scared that I won’t get the flexibility I want to had before the surgery.
I was following your post reading it as if I was speaking and had to make sure I hadn’t written it… I am fearful of having any kind of manipulation because of osteoporosis and bones that are very fragile that could break during that process… No one seems to mention arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue… I’m only at 70 at six weeks, so I’m really struggling and my thigh muscle tightens up so much I cannot push through the pain thatbut I think it’s just a matter of time… I will give it time and keep working and not give up and you shouldn’t either! Good luck
Thank you both so much for sharing this video. I found Total Therapy Solution yesterday and watched probably a dozen videos. I'm heading to Russ' channel. I'm recovering from a right knee revision done 4 years after my right knee replacement. The past 4 especially the last 2 years I was on crutches a great deal of the time. Prior to the revision my knee would swell to twice the size every 1-2-3 weeks. I'm praying for a much better result with the revision dealing with pain stiffness and what feels like nerve pain now. These videos have helped me and I will continue to watch both channels. Thank you both
I had been led to believe by numerous acquaintances that after a TKR I could practically crawl off the operating table and dance. I wish I had been aware of Russ prior to my surgery. No one mentioned scar tissue or range of motion to me until at least three weeks after surgery. According to the hospital therapists, my home therapy was mostly inadequate. So by the time I got to hospital PT lots of scar tissue had built up. I have to decide whether to ask for a MUA or just learn to live with 103 degrees.
Great video. Im 10 weeks post op for a TKR right side. It has not been fun and although my surgeon says I should eventually get the left done he will have to pay me first. Haha. Ive dealt with it all and am currently dealing with some pretty extreme IT band pain at the knee. Thankfully my daughter and son in law are personal trainers and are helping me through this. I could go on for hours but I just wanted to thank Tony and Russ for making an honest video about how difficult this surgery and recovery can be.
Thank you
I definitely was not prepared for the total agony straight after surgery, I totally regretted having the surgery. I gave birth to 6 children with no pain relief so I generally have high tolerance for pain. I’m only 3 weeks post surgery and I’m finding some days good and some days bad. I worry that I’ve done something to injure myself, i get weird different pains, trying to navigate what is normal and what isn’t. Thanks for the video it has definitely helped my mind set.
So great to hear from you together! Left knee is 13 months and right knee is 8 months out. Flexion is no problem but I don’t have straightness. It’s hard to walk past a block. Also having a hip replacement in the spring. The stiffness also drives me crazy. Pain is sometimes but I’ve developed a mind over matter attitude so I don’t dwell on it and it doesn’t bother me. But all in all I’m disappointed in how it all turned out for both knees.
Hi Linda, sorry to hear that. Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing.
How are you now?
I'm getting my right knee done end of Jan 24. Nine days away!. What I have found is, I have researched and watched youtube videos to such a point that I have over researched. What I mean by that is, I went into the journey with total enthusiasm, only to get to the point where negatives were/are creeping in, What ifs!. Instead of focusing on the positives. I think the secret will be to push myself when I can and pull back when I need too.A little each day is better than nothing at all . Great Vid guys.
Hi, how did you get on with your TKR.. hopefully it went well for you and you are well on the way to recovery. I had mine in june and just 3 days ago had MUA, i wasnt prepared for the pain after MUA, it hurts really badly.
Thank you both. Iam on month 6 post knee surgery and still struggling with pain and stiffness. The depression needs to be in cooperated into the care. The experience for me was horrendous. Iam in a better place but there are many things the doctors and physiotherapist don't discuss with patients. Often they tell you only about patients doing well which makes you even more frustrated.
I had bilateral at three months apart. I'm now eleven months and eight months post surgeries. One had manipulation done during second knee surgery and it has been doing well, smooth as butter. Second one still has tightness and aches at night. I can have decrease tightness and back to more tightness and aches all in one day. This years is all about knee recoveries and rehab trying to go back to pain free. It's my second full time job literally. But I 100% agree, nobody prepared me for the mental challenges. My friends who had same knee surgeries and same surgeon had full recoveries pain and tightness free in six months so the naive me think I would be the same. Reality set in, the mental part was equally challenging. Depression and anxiety set in for a good three to four months. I think meds had something to do with it and the fact that I wasn't able to be as active playing sport with friends and teammates play another factor. Luckily I realized that knowing I need to reach out to friends and family to talk about it. It was a vulnerable time letting people know my challenges but I'm ok with it. We are human, we do not live alone. Working from home diverted my attention as well. My therapist and the PT office became my family. They cheered for me when I had good days and encouraged me when I had sobbing days in the PT office. What drove me and still is to try getting better and do everything my therapist tells me is the fear of the progress reverting back. The other motivation is to be able to play sport and to start a new sport after full recovery. Yes a good supporting system plays an important part of the whole journey. Had I known the physical and mental challenges was more than I had anticipated I would probably had"chickened"out of both surgeries. I had doubt with my second one knowing what I had to go through for the first one but I wanted a normal life for sports and be able to travel without pain. The fact that I knew I had a top notched surgeon operated on them also pushed me to seize the opportunity and went for my second knee surgery as well. To date, I still have tightness but I'm not giving up. One more interesting fact I noticed is that my knee is less tight and able to bend more in warmer weather while I was in a warmer state for a few days. As soon as I returned to the Midwest, the tightness has become more noticeable and bending has become a little more challenging. I also exercise in warm therapy pool at my gym, it helps big time for bending while I'm there. So, my new motto is spring and summer will be my time and I am so looking forward to it. Hopefully by then with my continuous recovery exercises, I will be tightness and ache free in coming spring. Thank you for the video. It is really helpful. I thought I was the rare case out there who had mental challenges during recovery. Strong support system is equally important throughout the recovery journey.
Excellent! The balanced , honest discussion between two with real experience on the knee replacement issue ...an interesting range and definitely helpful .. and for those researching ahead .. thank you !
im so thankful i found your channel. im on week 6 post op knee replacement i’ve had alot if these feelings and depressed. wasn’t ready fir the mental component of this recovery.
I have. tightness and inflammation im battling ROM 112. i feel im gonna have a full pain free recovery. When? who knows? This is an unpredictable recovery Thank you again for sharing your. stories snd expertise
Im so glad for this video3 months out 3 surgeries later im still IN pain and yes depression !! I would never ever recommend it to anyone
I asked my doctor for muscle relaxers to take on the ruff days of pt and it really helped. I was 128 after 4 weeks.
Glad you found something that helps.
I’ve had two hip replacements anterior. Breast cancer. I’m very scared and I’m 72 was very active slowing down and frustrated. So glad for all of your videos. Wish I could go to your clinic.
18 months out from my surgery, still working on my range of motion. I’m at 110 now, but know I can get better. It is a mental, physical consuming force in my life. He sounds like me.
I have all the problems Russ has... Thanks so much... My MUA scared me to death, and I told my DO, and he said what did they do cut back on the anesthesia, and I said I woke up mad, scared, and the nurse was trying to get away from me while talking me down; she looked scared too. Anyway, I am slowly gaining, I have gone from less than 90 ROM to about 94...later my friend
Agree, after my 1st MUA, the quads and calf muscles were so tore up due to new atrophy after my TKR. My TKR was so painful and I am not a wimp when it comes to pain! My first MUA was so painful they had to to a femoral nerve block to be able to go home. My knee swelled up big. Without the arthroscopy after the MUA, more scar tissue was lied down causing a bent knee gait with worse ROM, 85, less than 25. After a few weeks, I had to have another MUA with an arthroscopy. You got to get that torn tissue out or it continues to build! Again, muscles were once again torn up, had lots of swelling, pain... and the lost ROM despite home exercising. I cried often during PT from the depression and i would always walk out with nausea. However, in the weeks that followed, I continued PT, went to the fitness center everyday, did home stretches with PT strap even during the night because you really don't sleep. I swam in the pool with my dive fins...I am slowly getting better ROM. I find the row machine the best. I use the foot straps to inch up flexion and hold. The row machine is great for extension too! I came off hiking the Appalachian Trail prior to my TKR so I was ready but I believe my prior 3 arthroscopies and my osteoarthritis played, plays a big role in my intense level of pain and scarred down. I'm in my 16th week, with 111 flexion, less than 6. As the swelling does down, the more work I do AM, PM, the more my hamstrings, quads and calf muscles relax, the more ROM I slowly get. I am still having patella tendon stiffness and restrictions. Perhaps, it too is scarred up now but I am hopeful that next year, I'll be back on the AT. I still need the other knee done but will wait till more is known and thete is a treatment for arthrofibrosis. Hang in there all!
As I read your comment, I couldn’t believe anyone could be experiencing exactly what I am. It is giving me hope. Without that one, can do nothing.
Hi Tony and hello to your guest. The operation for me, despite all the pain that I go through, was necessary because I can no longer walk or climb the stairs, I am still now training to climb the stairs for a month after the second operation, and even standing for a long time is still very painful, I must be patient and continuous exercise.
Thank you for these videos. I am 69 yo f who used to be very athletic. I am 15 wks out on Rt TKR and I have really been struggling to get to my current 12/15 deg.ext. and 90/100 flex. Still get very stiff and swelling around the patella. All looks great on xrays. I've had 1 MUA. The VA did my surgery. They got 120-Flex and 5-Ext under anesthesia. Now I'm trying not to overdo my exercises (I have a flexanator/extension but listening and learning from your videos. Still in phyical therapy. I started learning "Tapping" and starting psychosomatic bodywork (body/Mind communication) as I think a lot of trauma memories manifest in the body. Maybe not for everyone but I'm staying open to all possibilities!
I'm 4 months post-op I still have stiffness I have terrible pain I feel like it was the worst decision I made in my life I'm slow as a turtle now I'm a fall risk like a 90 year old person and I'm 54 I was a caregiver and now I need a caregiver LOL I think this was the worst decision of my life and mind you I have full extension 120 on my Bend I walk with the limp and I've been doing PT the whole 4 months
Great interesting viedo Tony/russ i am 13 weeks out from total knee in Australia got to 100 last best rom since the operation had mua got to 85 from previous 60 before things have improved a lot last few weeks but still very stiff with the muscle / fibers on the outside of the knee like a big band just won't budge and painful when i try to move my physio said its because they align your knee in a more normal position in the operation and your body has to get used to this in the stretching has you start to get more movement so now i am feeling a lot better has things improve its a long journey just have to be patient the surgeon never properly explained the nightmare/pain you are going to go through i have been going to a hydrotherapy pool last 5 weeks 3 times a week this has been the gamechanger for me besides the 2 days a week physio , i went through the public system and wish i had taken the option of rehabilitation for few weeks because after the operation you need lot help physically/ mentally .
This is amazing ...someone understanding exactly how i feel..6 months po tkr 77° bend in constant pain i feel so desperate this has helped me so much..im not on my own in this traumatic experience
Every one is different and will have different results. The more active you are before TKR the more likely your are to recover faster. Will there be pain. Yes and you may never be completely pain free. My TKR (right knee) was 8 1/2 years ago and there was always some pain at times. In the past 7 months have had Revision TKR on the right knee, MUA 6 weeks later and TKR on left knee. Doing great from all and pain level is generally no more than 3-4 on the left and no issues on the right. The one question I found interesting was "When should I have it done?" When the pain in your knee is to much to deal with get it done. Also stay as active as possible. The less us use your muscles the more they are going to hurt when you start to use them again. And yes the Quad is a big muscle and will cause a lot of pain if it is inactive for a long period of time. Such as using a scooter for years rather than walking.
Can i ask why you had a revision surgery so soon? Im currently recovering from partial knee replacement and have been constantly worrying about revision in the future and how long the implant would last. I am 43 which causes me to worry about the future. It causes me anxiety to think i may have to go thru with it again and how long it would last🥺
@@Lila77722 May not have been clear on the Revision Surgery. Had TKR in March 2012. Sometime around 2018 starting having some problems with movement and also additional pain. In 2019 the left knee was also causing problems. When we went to doctor about the Left knee they did x-rays on both. Found out that the cement was starting to breakdown in the Right Knee. Had the Revision surgery in May 2020 (8 years after original surgery). Doctor discovered parts of the replacement had moved and was not allowing the knee to bend. At this time I am at 120+ on bending and at 0 for straight. My doctor said that this (problems I had with the original TKR) is not normal and most, at least 80% or more, never have to have a revision. And the Left knee is doing great at 5 weeks. Glad I had both done. Not sure how all this applies to a partial replacement and any future surgeries. Good luck with yours.
@@davidroman1654 Thanks for responding! Even though i had a partial knee replacement on the medial side (inner part if knee )the outer part of knee could still go bad in which case i would have to convert to a total knee replacement/revision which caused me ti worry since i have only read that outcomes of revision surgery is harder than original surgery. There is not alot Of info regarding revisions. But hearing your revision went well and you are not in pain puts my mind at ease. Thank you!
I am only in my 4th week post op. My biggest battle is against myself! I now take my pain meds properly and they are long acting opioids (Targin 5/2.5 twice a day). I am choosing to acknowledge my ROM stats, but not compete with myself or others. I have decided to just plod, do my physio and do the best I can day by day. And I am restarting hydrotherapy.
I’m glad I’ve watch this. My doctors are worried since from 8 weeks from surgery I still don’t have muscle in my quad and I can’t bend pass 95 degree. I’m so depress 😢
Thank you for sharing your experience. There are times I wonder was it worth having TKR.
Thank you both of the insight. LTKR November 6, 2020. I am finally able to get at least 3 hours of sleep at night but finding a comfortable position is very hard. When I awake I feel like my leg is frozen straight and I have to warm it up with a few exercises just to go to the bathroom. In the night. So far ROM is good but I really have to work at, sometimes I still cry myself to sleep. I really enjoyed the interview and thank you both.
Sleeping is worse. I’m finally getting about 5-6 hours of sleep but it’s definitely interrupted with tossing and turning trying to get in a comfortable position.
Just as i watch this video i myself had a right knee replacement on feb14 of this year and have limited rang of motion also. Tony mention about our brain saying that you have pain and i will not move cause of this pain! I believe that i have this problem also! I' have no pain in my knee but a feeling of resistence across the top of my knee
I agree…UA-cam channel has been a wealth of information for me. 👍👍 Thank you for doing your episodes!!
Not knowing enough before surgery! Your same case. Doing everything right, and everything went wrong. 14 months after TKR. No, some of us should not have the surgery. Problem is how do we know..? 😢😢
Awesome video I was the one who did not use walker 2 days post op and soon was 135.. now my IT band has set me back but getting cortisone injection for this very tight IT BAND HAS SET ME BAVK I HAD SURGERY JULY 27..2023 I’m 7 weeks out but the tight IT BAND IS A PROBLEM AND I WAS AT 135 3 weeks later
You both are great. Together you will be dynamite !!
I’m 6 weeks out from my 2nd TKR. My first one was a similar experience to your’s. I had to have a manipulation under anesthesia- it was brutal! I feel like that was super hard on my protecting muscles. My hamstring, quad and lateral calf muscle- just fired up to protect the knee.
This 2nd TKR was much better. I had 90/10 in the first week. I’m
Doing so much better, but I think my stiffness and lack of getting to my total ROM is being held up by the drum tight swelling. I do it all- anti inflammatory diet, PT, easy Pilates &, yoga - and weight lifting when I have the energy. maybe I’m doing too much. My mistake was going off theNASIDS too soon. I was advised it was better to sacrifice gut health for a few months in order to be out of pain and get mobility.
It’s all so individualized. Researching has helped so I don’t feel alone! Thanks for your channel!
Great video ! Thank you
Such a great perspective!!
I have so many of the same exact issues. My body goes crazy making scar tissue. So much that when I was getting a MUA my leg wasn't bending even with me being under anesthesia. The doctor then removed my scar tissue then proceeded with the MUA. My leg is still extremely stiff and I can't walk unassisted. It's a slow progress. The doctor is having me fitted for the JAS this week. Fingers crossed it helps. I will also start taking muscle relaxers since my muscles refuse to loosen up. I'm a very tense person in general. I don't wish this frustration and pain on anyone but it is nice to know that there is another person that knows what I am going through. It's horrible. I have heard so many times "after this it will be a lot aa better" but I never have the typical positive outcome. I keep telling myself it will eventually get there. I am just really late to the race lol. Good luck to anyone who has had to go through any of this.
Great discussion! I am facing an MUA in about a week, and still have many questions. Tony, the part where you mention that scar tissue does not build up in just a few hours really touched a nerve with me so to speak. My surgeon told me that after they close you up, they bend your leg back-and-forth to make sure everything works OK, but yet the same day and the next day, I was only able to bend to about 55°. Here I am about nine weeks later, and can only get to about 95 after extreme pushing. My main question for Russ would be this, and I wish it was addressed in the video: do you think you could have got to 120 without the two MUA’s you did, because it still took a long time after that with lots of PT. Thanks again for all of the great videos, I am subscribed to both of your channels, and they really have been a Godsend!
Thank you Tony for sharing Russ's interview. I can fully relate to it Tony. I had left TKR almost 8 months, still my knee is tight and I have heal pain and edema. Going for Ultra Sound, so make sure there is no blood clot. Every week deep tissue massage that is helping. But I do feel tightness around the knee. I want help what to do about the tightness? Any suggestions? Thank you.
I’m one of the lucky people who got to 127 deg about 5 weeks after surgery on my first TKR and have almost 120 deg now on my 2nd TKR 4 weeks ago. I’ve worked on it but it’s been fairly easy.
I'm a 59 yo RN, and I'm Russ too. But not as far as he has come, only at the 4th month waiting on manipulation. I wish I never done it. And never doing other knee either. My implant is not straight by looking at xrays but Dr won't acknowledge. I'm looking for attorneys already.
Russ, thank you so much. Your story mirrors mine just from the video with Tony. I would love to be in contact with you.
A 2 fer the price of one. I've learned so much from Tony I can only imagine the vast amount of personal experience people have out there that will benefit others!
Hi Tony! Waching your videos give me some hope.I have had Tkr on my left knee, three months ago and I'm in the same situación as Russ, thanks God in not only me , my dr want me to have a MUA because mi flexion is only 95, the thing is that I'm scary of more pain after all.
Great information..
My husband had knee replacement for both of his knees at same time. It's been 2months but still his knee looks to be in bend position. Surgery doctor recommended to continue physio and try to give force at knee to make it straight. My husband is a Parkinson person as well. His recovery after operation is taking much time. He has improved but not yet started walking individually. Whether he can walk normally in coming days ??. Please provide your guidnace. His knees have some heat sensation at some times. Is it normal ?
I had knee replacement surgery on April 5th 2023 and I at 74 for range and motion. I will start onsite Physical Therapy. I am concerned 😟
I saw a video where a patient was doing good after 3 weeks and at night he would put a plastic wrap like your wrap Sarah wrap around the knee after the staples or stitches have been removed at night while he slept to slowdown the pain. If there is a little open flesh he would wrap paper towel around knee before wrapping the polygraph over night. It helped with the pain over night and swelling wasn't as bad for him. I'm going to have left knee done in the future. I found doing all the bun exercise, all the knee flex, all your videos and other therapist is getting my knee surgery prepared,but what I really learned is the mako Robin is less invasive and using the sticker parts a has less recall. Future patient really need to study who to do the surgery and what product that
Parts that surgeon uses. I stopped my comment too soon and contiue here
How often should we use a recumbent bicycle when we're dig nosed with arthrofrinosis. It's been 5 months and I'm still going through the what Russ has and I'm in my youth. What can I do
Thank yous both watching youre videos inspiers me so much im 68 yrs old lives in Chicago Illinois i had my knee replacement done on December 14th 2023 im going on 2mths doing my therapy at home nd going to pt 3 days of the week im frustrated cause my knee range is only 65 cant move it all the way back can u specifically tell me whats the issue is it to early need more time on it .
What does your therapist say?
They say it could be the tissue around it that's why is not letting me bend it back
I DNT know what to think anymore I do my best to try ND bend it back.
OxyCondone nor norco are helping me with any pain. I’m 5 weeks post surgery and I’m in horrible pain. My surgeon doesn’t want to refill my medication and therapy started really getting intense. I have refused to go back to therapy and just doing therapy at home when I feel like I’m not in too much pain or I do some stretching while I’m in the hot shower. I’m about 85 degrees flexion. I’m getting myself to 90degrees but my knee swells so then I back off.
Thanks so much for taking time to let us know what you went through. I had left TKR on Oct. 8th and right TKR on Nov 19th. I was doing SO well until this pat Tuesday, following PT. My left knee gives me the most intense pain I have ever had when I go from straight to bend to sit. My PT said muscle there was really tight. Felt a little better after PT yesterday, but now a 10 on pain scale when I go to bend it. What can I do?
Thanks for watching my interview with Tony! Wow... two knees done so close together! I saw another guy at my PT sessions who also did that and he finished in 2 months. Hang in there. Hopefully you will get better soon. I think some days, our pain is more difficult to deal with than on other days. I hope you will get it under control and get back to your therapy success. Good luck to you! - Russ
Essential oils are helping to relax my muscles. I watched videos about resisting the pain. I gain 5% quickly. I also use a diffuser to help relax me. I did saved the oxi for PT. My doctor has a 6 hour routine of 20 minutes stretching and 40 ice/elevate. I had to slowly add PT stretches. I can do the stretching but 10-15 at a time so after the 2 weeks I have stayed on this schedule. I am thankful I did prepare for 6 months of just working on my health. I also prepared thirty days of food ahead of time. My doctor also gave a list of everything I would need and also suggested support groups. Even with all of this I have had periods of depression I have to push through.
What is manipulation?
Hey Tony I've seen tons of your videos just had my right knee replaced today is my 2-month anniversary. Still having a lot of clicking and pain in different places hoping that's going to get better soon. If you feel like learning some guitar stuff try one of my videos I'm called Dave the guitar guy on UA-cam. Thanks for all your help and your care and all that you do I wish you were my physical therapist!!! My insurance only covered 12 visits and I'm on my own now. I've gotten more information from you than my surgeon and therapist put together no offense to them they did a great job.
Hi,
I have had both knees but pkr not full knee done in the last 12 months. I was very active before, last knee done 4 months ago.
Movement is great, I am so fed up, if I do half a days light physical work I am really sore for days afterwards and have to rest. Am I expecting too much?
Jerry UK
One question. I am at seven weeks and walking great but still some pain at times around the kneecap and when I put my hand over my knee and flex it I feel crepitus. What is causing that and should I worry
I have still pain and warm knew after 2 years of operation. I would recommend not do the operation as long as your leg is straight and the pain is not serious.
I wonder if they could give you a pain block and would that allow you to not get stopped by the pain through your PT.
Oh my...going for a second opinion. Going to be the best informed I can be before I decide.I think I will ask for physical therapy before also.
So your quad muscles from the tourniquet were sore and I had 3D knee replacement surgery four 1/2 weeks ago and my left quad is really still sore but deeper down. And I had a ton of bruising around the upper thigh from it. All I can say is the surgeon’s team must have cranked that way down to stop the blood flowing. I have never seen this on video because it most likely would scare everyone away. This is very dangerous especially when one is 72 years old. Even though I was in great conditioning before surgery.
Tony what do you think my chances are of recovring and getting my knee back to normal. im 15 i play soccer and i tore my acl, i had surgery on 19th june 2019, and till this day i cant go past 118 degrees flexion, my knee looks bigger and its also stiff. 5 weeks ago my knee flexion was 110 but i started seeing a physio again because of covid and he got me doing strengthening exercises and it went to 118. ever since my surgery ive been doing knee flexion exercises multiple times a day every day till this day and i cant full flex it, then my physio tell me to do les flexion exercise and more strenghtening exerices and i improve 8 degrees of flexion. im very frustrated because im still young and ive been playing soccer my whole life. what do you think about this?
I had total knee i 2017 3 months later my tiba portion came apart surgery to replace it 3 months after that my femur went surgery to repair it 3 weeks later infection and clots back to operating room another surgery 8 months later a scope now its so lose i have to have another surgery this time a total revision again take everything out and put another new one in been crazy
thats crazy, i cant imagine what your knee feels likes. whats the max flexion you ever got after the first surgery
My Flexion was not to bad i got to about a 100 .The problem is why everything kept failing and why everything is so lose . My surgeon is also puzzled maybe my body is rejecting things .its so lose if i sneeze my knee clunks and moves all over .So 2 surgeons are doing my next total revision he said its a big surgery and will take along time to recover . Ugh
Hi what is a manipulation. I have my knee 2/19. I am still in pain and cannot walk much. I had 12 in home visits. Now i need more my knee is clicking and still have trouble with pain and movment. I cannot get my shoe on . What is this manipulation?
I’m five weeks out and was pretty much pain free. The past three days my knee has been hurting like it was a couple of weeks ago. I’ve done nothing different, still exercising and walking. I don’t get it. I can hardly sleep at night. My numbers are still good at 135 and 0 for ROM.
I'm 5 weeks out now and the very same thing is happening to me, I was at the point of hardly any pain and today after PT, I'm in pain to the point I was at, at 2-3 weeks, I tried to take a nap and my knee just started screaming at me....are you all healed up now?
No audio.
I had both i know the oain
I couldn’t take my pain pills like they wanted to cause it made me sick
Has he Arthrofibroses ?
I got so many instructions prior to my surgery. I don’t know where this guy was. Sounds like he was pretty checked out.
Sounds like he’s a big baby. Sorry.
wow lady, that’s was not a nice thing to say…shame on you, you obviously didn’t watch the whole video
Maybe he was like me because my knee blew up pre op and from the time I saw my GP until I had the operation was 5 weeks. My knee is now absolutely crap 11 weeks post op and I do physical/hydro therapy every day. Lucky you that everything went well.
Wow. How rude. I got very little instruction before my surgery either. Or after. I felt like I was left flapping in the wind. I was super fortunate to have a friend who is an RN who not only had tkr herself but was an OR nurse too. If it hadn’t been for her I’m not sure where I’d be. She got a lot of pre-operative instruction and was surprised I didn’t. So no Marjorie not everyone has the same experience.
I didn’t get much instruction either. But I did my own research.
Thanks both for the info and advice I’m 43 years old and I had my surgery of total right knee replacement on July 18 and even now I don’t have no range motion no flexibility 😢and I do my therapy as my PT telling me to do so and they did manipulate an nothing they just did surgery to remove scars tissue wish I had a lot the doctor said and other manipulation after surgery I went straight to do my therapy surgery was on 12/21 now we on 01/09 I start feeling stiffness and electric shock numbness, painful tingling and the swelling and my leg get hot specially on half of my leg on the inside part, doctor say is the nerve block but since the surgery to now I’m feeling worry about it because is so sensitive the I can’t resist my clothes on the part of my leg is anyone feel like this oh is just me I’m sorry I’m single mother and I haven’t been able to go back to walk without help and neither working 😢I’m faithful person but I’m not understanding this situation any kind of advice. I really appreciate any information to help me improve myself to get better. 🙏🏽♥️🦬