Measuring the maximum bend is not an easy task. Once your total knee arthroplasty has recovered enough, it’s time to do stairs. 2-6 weeks 115 degrees – … Building range of motion takes continued effort and continuing to set bigger and badder goals for yourself. Lie on your back with a rolled towel supporting the back of your knee. A fully bent knee will maximum out at about a full range of motion of 135° degrees of flexion. In the seated position, slide the surgical leg back as far as you can and hold for 10 seconds. Use a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine every day for the first several days following surgery. A fully bent knee will max out at about a full range of motion of 135° degrees of flexion. This does not mean you need more opioid pain medication! The first 90 days are definitive in your recovery. Before knee replacement, I was measured between 120-125 degrees of flexion. Here are some of the top things you should be doing to improve your ROM after surgery: The couple of hours of physical therapy you will do each week with your physical therapist isn’t going to cut it. I was in pain and trying to do my exercises (read more about my physical therapy after surgery). Each person will have knee surgery for different reasons and experience successes and challenges during each person’s recovery. Keep your non-surgical leg flat (read my article on heel slides). My straight-leg extension was 7 degrees, which meant I could not fully straighten my leg. 3-12 weeks 125 degrees is great, 135 degrees is excellent (whether you have had TKR or not). In the early stages of my recovery, flexion exercises caused me the most pain and I had to practice self-discipline in order to keep going and do my exercises. Six days after surgery, again during exercise, I measured 88 degrees. After knee replacement surgery, you and your care team will likely zero-in on one crucial measurement during ReHab: range of motion. The floor should have a smooth surface (you can also use a plastic bag under your foot to help your foot slide on the surface). This website is part of the Amazon Associates Affiliate Program, a program designed to provide commissions through advertising that link to Amazon.com. If you are considering TKR, speak with your doctor about preparation, exercise, recovery, and equipment. It was also painful when I tried to use leg machines at the fitness center. This could be adding additional medications, changing certain medications, or simply adjusting the timing and dosage of those medications to more adequately address your pain and allow you to maximize your therapy.". I did this 20 times each day. 12 days 100 degrees. Lie on your back with your legs straight. Knee push-downs. The increase in your range of motion not only indicates that youre progressing throughout your recovery, but tells your physical therapist and surgeon a number of things. The better your movement before surgery, the easier it will be to gain ROM in recovery. Ask yourself, “what is/was my maximum bend before surgery”? Its now going on 5-6 months and I have a stiff knee stuck at 100 degree flexion at best. I hope you can learn from my experience. If you are hitting the 2 week, 6 week, and 12+ week marks without notable improvements to your knee flexion (a key range of motion measure), this will be taken quite seriously by your care team. You may remember me from such titles as: "Diabetes & Joint Replacement 101" & "Sex After a Joint Replacement". A study that measured the knee flexion in 100 knees a year after a total replacement saw a mean flexion of 125°. Try and build strength and movement in your joint before surgery. Be optimistic and be prepared to work hard during recovery. It’s much more difficult than it sounds. We define ‘good flexion’ as a minimum of 110º bend. It was not easy but the results were amazing. Did you know the human head weighs 8 pounds? Impress your physical therapist and care team by knowing some of the basic terms and important measures surrounding your range of motion. After knee replacement surgery, you and your care team will likely zero-in on one crucial measurement during ReHab: range of motion. Within a week, your knee will technically be able to bend 90 degrees, though it may be difficult due to pain and swelling. Gorczynski explains knee anatomy and wound healing after total knee replacement. Hello: I'm a 52 year old male and had TKR on my right knee Jan 8, 2020. You need to be supplementing your in-class time by putting in hours at home--there’s no way around it. I was, however, able to completely straighten my leg to 0 degrees. As a general rule, a knee flexion of about 125° … A well-rounded ReHab program includes daily exercises like heel slides and single leg stances, gets you up and moving, and encourages lifestyle changes that promote better healing. For instance, a completely straight knee joint measure 0° while a fully bent knee clocks in at about 135° degrees of flexion. Stiffness can require additional surgery or mean that a recipient won’t ever get the full benefit of their artificial knee. Passing into the 3 month mark and beyond, you’ve hopefully made leaps and bounds, have little pain, and are able to do everyday activities with ease. According to the data, 5% to 7% of knee replacement patients develop stiffness after surgery. The information and reviews presented on this website are my opinions and personal experience. With your new artificial joint you have the ability to gain far more movement. Dr. Frisch adds to the conversation on pain, "One problem I often encounter in patients who are struggle to achieve their range of motion is that their pain is not well controlled. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, which offers a means for websites to earn advertising fees by linking products to Amazon.com. With my first TKR , I lowered the seat so the knee would get flexed. Connected Health Challenge, and more. GOAL: 65-90 degree flexion or greater. Lie on your back with your legs straight. You need to remain under total hip precautions for about 12 weeks. Sometimes the pain, limited motion, and joint degeneration are too severe, and surgery is necessary to restore optimal function of your knee. This post was co-authored by Grace McClure and Dr. Nicholas Frisch, M.D., OS, MBA. Note: From week 2-6 is when I noticed the biggest increase in knee bend. Wahoo! 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