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15 months post TKR discomfort

Posted , 9 users are following.

suzidownunder
suzidownunder

Hi. 15 months after right TKR and still having discomfort. Wondering if it is fluid as the back of my knee is swollen and my thigh Is slightly larger than the other one.

Still having some nerve pain mid knee and down. A lot of sensitivity there.

Bend and straighten OK. But bending past 100 degrees is uncomfortable both in front and behind the knee. I walk a lot and feel good.

But wondering if it took as long to recover for others.

A young 65 fit and not overweight.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Blee83
    Blee83 suzidownunder

    Posted

    Hi Suzi

    I'm 68yo and had my right TKR in September. I have total bend although still a little stiff, but the more exercise I get the better. I have an exercise bike which I find very helpful. I don't know if this is relevant but young ladies like yourself maybe prone to swelling in certain circumstances perhaps a visit to your surgeon or GP may answer your worries, especially the pain aspect. This has been a major operation and different people take longer than others to fully regain normality. I am sure a lot of people who reply to your query will have had similar experiences, but don't worry your knee will get back to normal before too long. Keep doing your exercise but a bike is as good as any. Good luck, but don't worry see your GP.

    • suzidownunder
      suzidownunder Blee83

      Posted

      Thank you for your kind words.

      I do have an exercise bike and go to the gym.

      There seems to be a little fluid around the knee which I think is causing the discomfort it's a stiffness more than anything. I sit a lot at work so that doesn't help i did go to my gp but he just said it would improve over time. I'm not 100% glad I had it done.. Then my partner reminds me how much it used to hurt to walk up the 6 flights to our unit.

      I see the surgeon in may so he's in for a lot of explaining lol smile

    • sheila91498
      sheila91498 suzidownunder

      Posted

      if there is fluid behind knee it could be a Bakers cyst, which they say you should NOT have AFTER TKR.  That is how my problems started, and I was ultimately diagnosed with PVNS. No fun, I would get it checked out.  My own PT diagnosed it before the dr did.

       

  • jennifer86104
    jennifer86104 suzidownunder

    Posted

    Hi Suzi, I had a left TKR July 2014 and, although I feel I've recovered well I still get some discomfort/stiffness. I haven't really got any swelling but get some nerve pain, especially at the back of the knee. I suspect this is the sciatic nerve as I've struggled since the op with a tight piriformis muscle that has caused pain, tingling etc down the back of my leg. This has got a lot better but, as I said, I still get some discomfort behind the knee. 

    I know this isn't quite the same as you describe but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in still getting some discomfort. I can only hope that things will continue to improve as, if I've learned anything from this experience, it's that things take a long time to heal. I hope this will be true for both of us.

    Jen 

  • ruby95450
    ruby95450 suzidownunder

    Posted

    Hi I had my right tkr in August 2014 and I too am still in a fair bit of discomfort.  The knee and leg is still quite swollen but the bend is good and I can straighten it with no problem.  It's just still tight and sometimes painful.

    i go to quite a few gigs and when sitting for more than half an hr the knee becomes so uncomfortable and painful that I have to stand up just to straighten it!  Very embarrassing as those behind me are not too happy about me standing up!! I also get awful cramp afterwards.  I don't want to stop going to concerts as I really enjoy them, but I really expected things to be so much better than they are! I guess this op really does take a long long time to heal. Hang in ther Suzi and Jennifer, I think we have an even longer journey than maybe we first thought. X

  • patsyrose
    patsyrose suzidownunder

    Posted

    Hi Suzi

    I had to have MUAs on both of my knees, as they got to the stage whereI couldn't straighten them.  The second one the had to be opened up again on the year anniversary, as it was so bent and consulant said it was excess scar tissue...and so painful to try and walk with.  That was last Sept and I stated off well again, but it's now bent again and painful again.  I am really struggling and have kept hold of the CPM machine that I've hired.  I've also bought a small TENS machine.  I'm hoping that it might get easier again, particularly when the weather gets a bit warmer (and drier).

    I hope that you see some progress soon, too.

    patsy

  • suzidownunder
    suzidownunder

    Posted

    Thankyou ladies! It is comforting to know it's not unusual! It's annoying that we are told 6 weeks and you'll feel fine! And then ,1 year and you won't know you've got it!

    I wonder if massage would help? Just a thought.

    Best wishes to you all smile

  • susan12461
    susan12461 suzidownunder

    Posted

    hello Suzi

    i had my tkr last March 22nd 2019

    ive tried so hard to do everything my physios told me to do

    after years of being lazy i joined a gym and was really getting somewhere

    i climbed Arthur seat last July and the Peaks in September and then worked out so hard at the gym until lock down

    ive been running up and down the stairs at work no problem since end May last year

    i started walking at the start if lock down 2 and a half miles up to probably 5 miles most days

    then i got a bit down a couple weeks ago and the weather got bad so i didnt go out until today and did the 5 miles

    i am in quite a lot of pain tonight- it started to get painful whilst i was walking

    its like deep inside like the arthritic pain i used to get before replacement

    dont really know what to do?

    how are you now?

    any tips that could help with the pain?

    i cant have anti inflammatories due to donating a kidney xx

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