Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 7/31/2009

Question
I broke my femur above my knee replacement and had a hard cast on for one month.  I am now in a locking brace for a couple of more weeks and not putting weight on the leg yet.  When I press my foot against my wheelchair foot rest, the ball of my foot tingles.  Is this normal?  Another question is how long will it take for me to get full range of motion in my knee?  I am not at 90 degrees yet and it is very painful if I let my leg hang down without the brace.  Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi Paula,

Yes the tingling is normal its not unheard of as the nerves are signaling back feedback from the foot when contact is made and due to the trauma and the fact you are not weightbearing on the foot its hypersensitive right now.

Depending on what your range of motion was prior to the fracture you should get that back with no trouble and it may take 2-4 weeks of concentrated work with application of heat prior to exercises for 30 minutes prior.

Again it will depend on how mobile the knee was prior to the injury. Muscle has memory and will return with work.

Sincerely
Richard Haynes PTA/CPT
http://www.richardhaynes.com
http://www.rhaynes.blogspot.com