2 years after left tkr and not as great as i thought it would be!!!

Dear Debbie,

I am so sorry you are having such a hard time with your knee.  I had a pkr in July and am experiencing similar problems.  My Ortho has ordered an MRI on my lumbar to see if there is any damage to nerves from my back down into my knee.  I also have a bone scan to be sure nothing is loose in the knee.  Have you had any of those tests?

i sure hope you are able to find the answers.

Sue

Hi Debbie, rehab rehab rehab........ bending the knee at every opportunity after surgery to work through scar tissue is the key.... I had my right knee done 3 years ago and it's been great a few little issues but so much improved ... I am seeing my surgeon today to see about the other knee today.... while the surgery is scary I know the end result is worth it..... no pain no gain 

Hi Debbie, rehab rehab rehab........ bending the knee at every opportunity after surgery to work through scar tissue is the key.... I had my right knee done 3 years ago and it's been great a few little issues but so much improved ... I am seeing my surgeon today to see about the other knee today.... while the surgery is scary I know the end result is worth it..... no pain no gain 

I think and after discussing with the physio, the way in which knee surgery is done is very invasive, and without the constant exercise to the area to strengthen the tendons and muscles that support the knee postoperatively , everyone  will

Experience pain and discomfort in varing degrees . How we handle it is very  individual..... I hope yours improves with strength and exercise ....

Hi Debbie

I had left TKR nearly 3 years ago now and know how you feel.  I struggled in the early days with huge swelling and took ages to get my bend and some of this I put down to my leg being straightened as well.  Although I am now reasonably happy with my knee, it does still feel mechanical and although my bend is now quite good, it does not feel natural and I feel slightly mystified when people tell me their TKR was the best thing they ever did.  Although the surgeon did say at the initial consultation that 80% of people were happy with the result, I did not really take this in or query what happed to the other 20%.

However, I did reach a point when I decided that I needed to accept it how it was and get on with life.   I have since found that small improvements continue, particularly my balance has improved - for a while I could trip over my own shadow, but I can now walk on a sandy beach or over rough grass without fear.  I think we probably have to keep pushing ourselves and do strengthening exercises for ever to keep things moving.

At 71 my expectations and general fitness are probably less than yours at 51 and I am happy to be able to walk 2/3 miles.  Just keep up the exercises (I find a stationary bike is good) and hopefully in time you will find that the muscle pain and stiffness eases and enables you to do what you want.

Good luck

 

Sorry Debbie, you are not happy with the TKR op.

I am much older than you and at nearly 6months post op am feeling much the same.

I try to be positive and think that due to my age etc etc. I am not going to improve much. I walk my dogs now and then on two crutches and very slowly. I have a big garden so thankfully my dogs are ok staying put. I can walk around garden/ house without sticks once I am up and stretched but with a fairly painful limp and get tired quickly. Hoping it will improve over time.

Try swimming but make sure your pool has a hoist to lift you out. Luckily I started going when an 94yr lady swims and needs to be hoisted into and out of the pool. I can get in ok but not out much to my embarrassment, but the pool staff are amazingly helpful. I think it is helping me as I can't even manage a stationary bike.

Good luck.