After MUA: What You Need to Know

If you have had an MUA, using the X10 will help you avoid a second MUA and give you a higher quality outcome. Obviously, if you’ve recently had an MUA, or are facing an MUA in the near future, your recovery strategy has failed and you ought to consider a change.

As Albert Einstein famously said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

  1. If a surgeon has brought up a Manipulation Under Anesthesia then he is concerned that your range of motion is below expectations.
  2. An MUA is simply your surgeon bending your knee to break up scar tissue while you are under anesthesia.
  3. Most surgeons do not like to “manipulation” after 12 weeks post surgery so if your surgeon has you scheduled for an MUA he feels that it is time to start your recovery again
  4. Between 4 and 7% of all knee replacement patients require a Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)[1]
  5. The reasons for MUA vary but include knee condition prior to surgery, knee injury/surgery history, being overweight, smoking, aversion to pain, opioid allergies, ethnicity, younger age and poor motivation.
  6. It may be that something in your recovery just did not go according to plan and the race against time, against scar tissue, just did not go your way.
  7. 25% of MUA patients require a second MUA as their recovery was not acceptable after the first MUA procedure.[2]
  8. If you have an MUA you are 2-3 times more likely to need a revision knee replacement surgery earlier than you would otherwise.[3]
  9. MUA patients do not achieve the same range of motion as non-MUA patients.[4]

In the video below meet Bruce who had to undergo two Manipulations Under Anesthesia before using X10 for his recovery. it took less than two weeks for Bruce to finally get the recovery that he expected after his original total knee replacement. 

You also meet Tim, a U.S. Marine veteran who had double Manipulations Under Anesthesia after Bilateral Total Knee Replacement.

How the X10 solves your knee recovery after Manipulation Under Anesthesia

After MUA you want to get right to therapy on the X10 at home. In most cases we pre-deliver the X10 a few days prior to the procedure. Our X10 Technician spends as much time as you need in your home teaching you how to use the X10. He positions you properly on the X10, aligning your knee with the arm of the X10. And you learn how to manage the Range of Motion, Dynamic Strength and Concentric programs.

When you get home you begin you recovery immediately. No pain needed as you gently begin you march to recapture the range of motion that your surgeon was able to achieve in the operating room. We use Range of Motion to get the knee bending. We use Dynamic Strength to push out the swelling. We use Concentric to transition from passive to active motion, getting you to move to new bending angles comfortably under your own power.

Usually the recovery lasts 12-17 days and you will be ready for life after the X10. You will be on a stationary bike, seated normally, pedaling around without twisting and turning. You will be doing stairs. Your new PT concern will be regaining lost strength. You will be safe from more trouble and finally getting back to your life.

The X10 Machine, plus our Setup Technician, plus your own X10 Recovery Coach, plus our Physical Therapy staff, our email series, our discussion groups filled with patients ready to help… we are like a knee SWAT Team. We are ready to swing into action and solve this knee problem once and for all.

The X10 is available through your insurance (in some cases) and as a short-term-rental. Most patients to not need the X10 for more than 17 days. Our clinical team is ready to help you at any time with your knee surgery recovery. You can reach us with a phone call at 1-855-910-5633 or an email at info@x10therapy.com. To schedule a 15 minute call with us click on the Want to Learn More? image on this page.

RESEARCH REFERENCES [1]  Physical Impairments and functional limitations: A comparison of individuals 1 year after Total Knee Arthroplasty with control subjects.  Walsh M. Woodhouse LF, Thomas SG, Finch E.  [2] How often is functional range of motion obtained by manipulation for stiff total knee arthroplasty? Ho-Rim Choi & John Siliski & Henrik Malchau & Andrew Freiberg & Harry Rubash & Young-Min Kwon [3] Manipulation Under Anesthesia After Total Knee Arthroplasty is Associated with An Increased Incidence of Subsequent Revision Surgery Brian C. Werner, MD, James B. Carr, MD, John C. Wiggins, BS, F. Winston Gwathmey, MD, James A. Browne, MD [4] Clinical, Objective, and Functional Outcomes of Manipulation Under Anesthesia to Treat Knee Stiffness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty Kimona Issa, MD, Bhaveen H. Kapadia, MD, Mark Kester, PhD, Harpal S. Khanuja, MD, Ronald E. Delanois, MD, Michael A. Mont, MD