18 months after partial knee replacement

Hi Debbie

You are correct we don't seem to get many partials on here. Perhaps because most don't experience any problems so. Don't need assistance. I'm hoping that's the case😊. I too had a partial knee ((medial) replacement in June this year. I did find it more difficult than I expected (or was told!) I have full bend and full straight leg actually hyperextension. At four months I can only walk slowly. After about 30 to 40 minutes constant walking it just becomes too painful. A short rest and I can do it all again. In September my Fitbit said I walked 102 miles although I think most of that was a shuffle. I am trying to build up muscle as like you I am keen to exercise again. (I'm 62 and very active) how long did it take you to get back to normal? I'm still not very good at stairs I can only do one step at a time, that's why I'm trying to build up muscle. Do you have any other advice or indication as to how long "recovery" takes.

It's nice to hear from other partials and see their stories unfold. You sound as though you are doing marvellously as does Michelle. Maybe it is early days for me yet, at least that's what I'm hoping and not that this is the best I can be. X

Hi Tricia!

You are doing great at 4 months!

I went back to work at 4 weeks . I sit and stand both . It probably made my recovery longer . I basically crashed out each day and iced and elevated . I would say I really turned a corner around 4-5 months where I started to forget I had it done . But I was not walking more than a few miles at a time , same as you , for long time . I started back at the gym I think around 8 months with the barre classes and still was walking . Just think it was all too much .  I really watched / watch how I eat now since the activity levels are less . 

Like I said in my last post after the flare up I have laid off all intense exercises . 

I do now believe it does take good year to fully heal and we should not do crazy workouts at all for first year or even after if we want to a. Have it last long time and b. Not have flare ups with pain and swelling .

I also do ride stationary bike and use free weights at same time . Great workout while being off the knee . 

I kept iceing and elevating whenever I could throughout the first year. 

You are doing very good . You sound like me just anxious to get back to your life before which I've come to except it is now the " new life " wonderful with new knee 😊Have life back , but it has to have changes. I for one do not want to go through this again !

Have good day ! Be kind to yourself and your new knee , you both deserve it because you've both been through so much . In time you'll look back and be writing a note helping someone else with your story .😉Glad your on forum .

Debbie xo

Thanks for the encouragement Debbie. For some reason, probably the surgeon, I thought by this time I would be much further along. As the surgeon said - it's not a total knee!

His euphemism was I would be skipping at three months ha ha! 

Oh well onwards and upwards gently with my exercises.

Hi Tricia

Thanks for your comments on this it's lovely to hear from others in the same boat x

You seem to be doing very well it's early days for you keep up the good work but don't push yourself too much my surgeon said listen to your knee if its hurting don't do it x I too like I think Debbie said took a good six months before really feeling improved I had an awful lot if swelling up until then mine still swells now when I've been on it for a long time or exercised x I had my op in March and didn't even consider exercising till probably November time when I started Zumba gold which is quite a gentle Zumba after a couple of months I started normal dumber and then kettle size I do however have to downgrade some of the more impact moves so everyone else is jumping around as I step it through lol x I'm hoping mine is just a blip and I can back to it all feeling a bit old before my time at the minute any way keep up the good work and take care lovely hearing from you and Debbie x

Shell 

Hi Debbie 

Thank you Di much for replying its nice to know I'm not alone with this  I too have to keep reminding myself how it was before the pkr x it's just everything was going so well with being able to exercise and take long dog walks up until this week x I've stopped all the exercise and left the 3 - 4  mile dog walks to my husband and just sort of pottered around this week (feeling very lazy) along with the pain in the knee I'm getting a real ache in the leg above and below and especially at the back of the knee ( have you experienced this at all )

I really appreciate you taking the time to have read and replied to my post 

Shell x 

My surgeon said “piece of cake” to my hubby after surgery since it was “just a partial “.!  I have since watched lots of videos and shared with my family and although it was just a partial have learned that the recovery is not much different!  Some days wishing I would of had a TKR knowing that it will need to be done eventually 😏.  Sorry, I am just feeling a bit down this week

Hi ! 

Yes I had pain behind the knee as well as pain on opposite side of knee that lasted for weeks . I had to keep walking with the cane to have any relief . Thought it would never go away and then one day it was gone and never returned 👌🏼. It's long journey for sure . It's all normal what you are experiencing .

Debbie xo

Also wanted to add that you can ask , vent , complain anytime you wish if it helps to get you through one more day , one more minute . No worries ever ! This site saved me - literally !

I agree with you Ellen. Although the partial is deemed a success, when the surgeon went in he found arthritis in the patella, none in the outside compartment. So I too probably face another operation in the future - I am at a loss as to why a total wasn't done at the time, especially as I signed consent if it was necessary. We can both only hope it won't be necessary. 

Sorry you are feeling a bit down😢It happens to us all. Hope you feel better soon.

My doctor said partial knee should last lifetime . I don't see why the partials can't . Isn't it basically same thing but half the knee and of course they don't touch kneecap .  I'm not sure . I still believe recovery was way shorter in terms of getting around again ( at least my case )I am going to be hopeful . Can't even bear to think about going through a TKR.

Hi Debbie, mine said the same but when they do a partial there are 3 different compartments that can be replaced.  One of them is most definitely the kneecap because that is what I had replaced; patella femoral replacement so not sure who told you they don’t touch the kneecap ??

Hi Ellen !

My kneecap was not touched . Positive on that . The Surgeon that did mine is world reknown and invented this partial . It's just two pieces . I've seen and and know for sure what was done and what the insert / new pieces look like . But interesting as I thought they were all done same way . Thanks for informing me . At end of day we all want the same thing right . 

Debbie  xo

Nope not all the same.  They can replace the inside, outside, patella...any one of the three or they can do a total.  My problems were all in the kneecap and the surface underneath.  Look up patella femoral replacement.

Doesn’t really matter at the end of the day!  They all hurt and am finding out that recovery is pretty much the same!

Hi Ellen

Ok this so interesting . I don't believe I've ever read of anyone on here having partial where knee cap was replaced only .also didn't realize that was still called a partial . Wealth of information on this forum ! I will look it up , my other knee while not nearly bad like the one I had done has kneecap issues . I fell few years ago and fractured the knee cap . Since  then it's given me some issues . Basically I treat the new knee and the other one with same care . But I did ask if that knee would be candidate for partial . Doc said that the knee would need a new knee cap but not to even think about it now as it wasn't that bad . He also said that it is a tough surgery to recover from .  

I'm interested to continue to hear about your progress . 

Be well !

Debbie 

Debbie, I'm intrigued with your post! Ive been diagnosed with patellofemoral arthritis in both knees. Was told that these cases are more rare than TKR.

all that to say, would you share your surgeon's name so I can research his invention?

This forum is giving me the REAL skinny on PKR and TKR, along with realistic recovery times.

Hi Debbie, I have had knee problems for some time and have just confirmed that a partial knee replacement is okay to do. Please could you tell me who did yours?

i had a partial December and i am still battling horrible tibia done pain. doctor tells me it is nerve pain. he is not listening. after reading up on it. it helps to know that i am not alone. i walk with a crutch and find it extremely hard to walk for any length of time without the help. i fell my life is on hold. it is so frustrating

my knee cap wasnt touch either , but have anyone experience after two years cant straighten knee completely out and while laying on my back have to turn knee to the side to lay flat because i cant lay flat its to painful ? but i use to be about to so this before