Anita (Germany, age: 56)
9. Sept. 2024
In January 2024, I had a total knee replacement. Following the surgery, I began physiotherapy, Continuous Passive Motion (CPM), and lymph drainage, all managed within a pain-free range thanks to medication. Ten days after the operation, I was discharged with a 75-degree bend in my knee, which felt like a small victory at the time. However, my optimism began to fade when I started rehabilitation on the 11th day post-op.
The routine included more physiotherapy, CPM, and equipment training, but despite all my efforts, my knee’s bending ability did not improve significantly. I became concerned and asked my therapist if I might have arthrofibrosis. He dismissed my concerns, and I was eventually discharged with an 85-degree bend.
The weeks that followed were tough. I was still in pain, and muscle cramps plagued me at night. Walking became a daunting task; my leg felt as heavy as a stone. My knee was persistently warm, requiring frequent elevation, and even sitting was uncomfortable. I continued with physiotherapy, but it brought little relief.
The doctor confirmed what I had feared—I had developed arthrofibrosis, and my knee was now only capable of a 70-degree bend.
In March, I finally had an appointment at the clinic. The doctor confirmed what I had feared—I had developed arthrofibrosis, and my knee was now only capable of a 70-degree bend.
In April, I underwent another surgery: an open lysis, mobilization, and an inlay exchange. This was a grueling process, followed by intensive medication, CPM, and what felt like brutal physiotherapy sessions. My knee was forcibly bent to 100 degrees during these sessions, which was incredibly painful but necessary.
Back at home, I used the CPM machine for eight weeks. This period was a bit of a relief—I found the CPM therapy soothing, and my knee was regularly iced, which helped manage the discomfort. I continued with physiotherapy and lymphatic drainage and relied on crutches to get around. By the 10th week, my knee was showing some promise; I could walk with the help of crutches and bend it to 115 degrees.
But then the CPM machine was taken away, and my progress quickly unraveled. Without the CPM, my knee began to regress. Today, I’m back to an 80-degree bend, accompanied by persistent pain and a slight increase in temperature. The tissue around my knee is becoming increasingly stiff, and it feels like my knee is tightening all over again.
One doctor even told me that I was to blame for my condition due to insufficient movement after the surgery.
To make matters worse, I don’t have access to any doctors or physiotherapists who truly understand arthrofibrosis. One doctor even told me that I was to blame for my condition due to insufficient movement after the surgery. It was a devastating blow, especially since the best I had felt was when I was using the CPM machine and crutches.
In response, I’ve taken matters into my own hands. I’ve adjusted my diet, started taking Omega-3 supplements, regularly cool my knee, and rely on pain medication. I’m even considering purchasing my own CPM machine to try and regain some of the mobility I’ve lost.
Every day is a challenge—climbing stairs, walking, and the constant fear of losing my job weigh heavily on my mind. I can’t help but wonder if my knee will ever fully recover.
What’s most disheartening is the long wait until January 2025 for an appointment with an orthopedic specialist who understands arthrofibrosis. Living with this condition is incredibly difficult. It forces me to give up so much, as my knee can’t tolerate any strain, and I often have to elevate it to manage the swelling and pain.
I wish there were more knowledgeable doctors and therapists who could help people like me. Right now, I feel lost, with nowhere to turn for treatment and no one to advise me on what to do next.
I’m grateful to the IAA for the valuable information they provide. I’ve learned more from them than from anyone else, and I’m hopeful that I’ll continue to find helpful insights.