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11 weeks post PKR and can’t fully straighten leg.

Posted , 6 users are following.

lesa90752
lesa90752

Hi all, has anyone had a partial knee replacement and been in terrible pain when trying to walk with full extension? I have great bend ,no pain when at rest. I can’t get Knee all the way flat ,all around need cap is so tender it hurts to touch but it is fine when not in full extension. Surgeon said x-ray looked good last visit. I get another one next week but am feeling very defeated not being able to walk normal. This is one depressing surgery , I did this so I could walk without pain, I’m worse off now than before .

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • jan01779
    jan01779 lesa90752

    Posted

    I had TKR12 months ago. If you had a fixed flexion deformity pre op it's going to take a long haul to get it straight. The ligaments and tendons need to stretch and it is painful. Take your meds do your physio to improve range and stop scar tissue build up. If there's a problem the x Ray might pick it up but they will send you for other tests if needs be. I am still - 1 degree from full extension withb120 degree bend and am so happy a 15 minute walk took me nearly an hour before and this summer managed to walk it in 15 ( coastal path) You will have highs and lows . Keep at it dip in and out of here and listen to.lots of music ! P.s I am up early with elbow pain and the other knee lol!

    All the best and let us know how you get on

    Jan

    • lesa90752
      lesa90752 jan01779

      Posted

      Thank-you for responding. I didn’t have any issues with flexation before hand both my knees actually hyper extend. I’m pretty sure it’s not scar tissue build up as it’s not a stiff pain it is so sensitive like a bad bruise to the touch but only when leg is extended . If I try to walk normal relaxing bottom part of leg the pain I get is excruciating . The surgeon said he hope the uncemented prostheses grows into the bone. I have finished with physio for now as there’s not much more they can do for me so I just do exercises at home . Hopefully if the next X-ray says things look fine he sends me for other testing to figure what this is caused from. I’m 48 and very active so it’s definatley taking its toll. Sorry your in pain to sad
  • tricia1954
    tricia1954 lesa90752

    Posted

    Hi Lesa. I am sorry things are not working out for you yet, but they will I'm sure.

    I am six months past partial and at eleven weeks had a good flex, don't know the number I would think about 128. With thick calves and thick thighs I wouldn't think I can get to some of the numbers on here. I could straighten fully, however, I had tremendous pain below the kneecap when walking. The whole of it was painful to touch. My surgeon said it was probably a bit of arthritis and healing???

    Not sure about his answers but I persevered with my exercises and now at six months do not have a problem. There is still some pain when walking for longer than about an hour (a long shopping trip or trying to stride out ) not what I expected I thought I would be pain free.

    All I am saying is I think it all just takes more time than we thought. Try not to get depressed (hard I know, some days I still cry, although that's because my other leg has now gone the same way) there is still light at the end of the tunnel and I don't actually believe the surgeons have all the answers as everyone heals in a different way at a different rate. I've been depressed reading the stories on here lately of marvellous  miraculous recoveries, I thought that would be me especially with the amount of dedication and exercise I put in. But that's life I suppose. Chin up and good luck.

    • lesa90752
      lesa90752 tricia1954

      Posted

      Hi tricia , it’s nice to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel. This pain I’m having is so frustrating and depressing . If I fully extend when walk the pain feels like a bone snapping -excrustiating then goes as soon as out of extension . When extended like with a towel under ankle all around knee cap is so tender to the touch ,but fine when at rest . I hope surgeon can give me something positive next week as we leave on a cruise in 3 weeks that was booked a year  and a half ago for our 25th wedding anniversary . It’s nice to know I’m not alone in this recovery.I pray every day things will get better I’m only 48 and did this to get back to what I love doing and that’s walking . 

       

    • tricia1954
      tricia1954 lesa90752

      Posted

      Hi Lisa. I hope you enjoy your cruise I am sure you will. Walking is my life, it's all I want to do as well as being a necessity. I haven't managed to get back to 5 miles a day yet it two is possible.  Just 13 weeks after my op I too went on a cruise, there were times when I had to use a stick (hated it far to aging!) my physio said to use one would just take off some of the weight on the new knee and told me not to,be vain😊. There were excursions I had to alter (they were booked a year ago too) but it was lovely. My Fitbit recorded 102 miles in a month although I should say shuffle. Take a collapsible stick with you for support, my husband carried one for me in the rucksack. My collection of high heels had to be left behind that was worse. I had to buy my first pair of flats ugh! We only go for this operation as a last resort so I hope yours is eventually successful. 

    • lesa90752
      lesa90752 tricia1954

      Posted

      Hi Tricia, well that makes me feel better as I’ll be 14 weeks. If I could just walk normal I’d be happy. It is so much work on the rest of the body when your gait is off. Yes I have one pair of heels that I will put on for a quick pic on our anniversary other than that will be flats to😏. We are in Miami for 3 days prior and I’m so happy they have bikes to use . I definatley will be taking my cane , I honestly thought about renting a mobility scooter . I might get a knee brace to help support the knee . Sigh. I’m such a debbie downer lately . I think once surgeon can tell me what’s going on I’ll feel in a better head space . I’m so happy I joined this forum as hard to talk to your friends as they have no idea what it’s like and the emotional ride to. Thank-you and happy healing to you🤗

  • dawn220
    dawn220 lesa90752

    Posted

    Hello. I had my tkleft done about 6 wks. ago. Are you in PT? Have they massaged your knee area? Maybe time for more than Xray? Maybe its internal scar tissue? I, too had this operation to better my knee as it was not working good...I was walking stiff legged(some times)....I am determined to walk "normal" again. This is a process for sure....

    • lesa90752
      lesa90752 dawn220

      Posted

      Hi, I was in PT but it seems it’s not scar tissue ,as when I have knee extended with pressure on it and even touch above the knee it’s so sentive and painful . If you apply just a small amount of pressure it shoots aweful pain to the inner knee. This is also what happens when leg goes in to full extension to walk , so my gait is off to avoid the pain. I did go to massage therapy last week but still isn’t improving. This is beyond frustrating as I feel everything else is going well. I had a uncemented medial replacement . It feels like when it gets to a certain point something is hitting or rubbing the wrong way. It’s still warm to the touch so I pray I’m still healing but it has been like this from the get go. I hope I get some sort of answer on Tuesday after another X-ray. 
  • pauline4852
    pauline4852 lesa90752

    Posted

    Hi Lesa, I have only just joined this site and am 11 weeks post op PKR. My bend is 120 so that is pretty good but I cannot fully straighten my leg. I look down on it and I know it is still swollen but  it's driving me mad to not be able to fully straighten it. I  am doing all the exercises that I should be and I am walking quite a lot with very little pain but just discomfort if I do too much. I can only describe the feeling as having a brick in your knee but I rarely take any pain relief as feel I don't need it. I just wondered if your leg had straightened any more?

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