4 months after tkr and still painful walking?
Posted , 29 users are following.
i had a tkr including resurfacing of the kneecap 4 months ago and surgeon was pleased with the X-ray result at my 6 week check. I am a fit 61 year old lady, the knee replacement was needed because of damage after many years of long distance running. The scar is neat and although pain at night has gone, I am still in a lot of pain when walking /standing for any length of time, and still need some pain medication. This is deeply frustrating for me, as I had hoped to be in less pain by now! My ROM is good and pain eases when I sit. I use a stationary bike and do some exercises every day for quad strengthening.
Is it normal to be in such pain when walking after 16 weeks? My bones are weak and I take meds for osteoporosis, so was wondering if this may be a factor. Any ideas welcome?
2 likes, 27 replies
CharleyCrabb catherine62931
Posted
I was feeling discouraged up to 4 months. And then things improved quickly. My issue was my leg couldn't get straight.. 4 degrees off. Went to a PT that helped. Here's what I did. Walk 15 min, streghed the leg for 10. Bike 15. Stretch another 10. Elliptical 15. Followed by another stretch. Sometime I do 6 sets. I'm 60 and the hard work is paying off. Lots of walking I think is key.
Mollycat1 CharleyCrabb
Posted
Question: what do you mean by straighten or straighten? What exercize r u doing? Thanks
frank59005 catherine62931
Posted
I had my right TKR exactly 4 months ago and feel somewhat discouraged because 4 months after my left TKR I could engage in any activity with no discomfort or difficulty. This time I have diffivulty supporting my self when I first stand, my knee wants to give way. After a few steps it is OK, but from time-to- time I have pain running down from the edge of the left side of my knee joint and down the keft side of my Tibia for about six inches. This was the main pain I was having before surgery. Now I am wondering if there were some injured tendons in that area that were not repaired during the surgery. Once I get started walking it doen't hurt until after about a mile. It also hurts when climbing steps.
angela_87006 frank59005
Posted
Frank, I have exactly the same situation as you described right now. I am 4 months post surgery from my second TKR and have all the same symptoms as you do. Have these improved at all for you? I'm a bit discouraged because after my first surgery, I was snorkelling and hiking with absolutely no issues after 3 months.
margaret02114 catherine62931
Edited
I am 77 years old and 3months after tkr I have severe pain when walking it is on the lateral side of the knee and is accompanied by clunking. It feels like there is a joint there which is rubbing (probably mechanics) it doesn't feel like a healing pain but like something is out of place. My GP says it could be some tissue which has lodged itself and just may take time to loosen. I had an X Ray 5 weeks ago and the specialist was happy with it, but the pain has worsened since thenI'm considering asking for an MRI but I know the are expensive. I'm becoming very frustrated and just want my life back, has anyone else experienced this kind of thing.
tonywardale margaret02114
Posted
Hi Margaret
Poor you - sounds awful. My TKR is 7 months and it's no easy ride. I think 'clunking' is quite normal although when accompanied with pain needs investigation. Have you been on a site called 'BoneSmart'? It has a specific forum for post TKR and there are dozens of active posts and they will give you advice on your circumstances. I'm sure there are many others with the type of pain you have. Anyway it's worth having a look. Good luck and hope it gets better soon!
Tony
madeline27614 margaret02114
Posted
Your comments sound exactly like what I am going through. I am 74 and frustrated and still in pain as I write. I don't hear clunking but the rubbing definitely and mine doesn't feel like healing pain. I have had two xrays and doctor says all looks ok. Well it isn't ok and although i hear constantly it takes time and i understand but this pain doesn't seem normal.
I have been riding an exercise bike and it felt good but then I ramped up my stretches and I am in terrible pain. I just don't know where to go from here. Very frustrating and having constant pain while taking Ibuprofen and Tylenol which only slightly helps has been my way of life and I don't like it at all.
Hope you get some answers. P.S. Doctor said he would do manipulation but hesitates . I don't hear very many good things about having it done and really don't want another surgery.
Did you have any bruising after surgery. They used a tourniquet and I bruised terribly and my thigh looked all purple and ached for months.
jenny80029 catherine62931
Posted
carol8104 catherine62931
Posted
I am almost 4 months out from TKR and suffering the same as you. I too was a runner and very avid sports person my whole life. I have just got out of the hospital today after an ultrasound as I have fluid surrounding the knee and a bakers cyst in back of knee causing knife like pain. The doctor is getting me some knee rub medication that I can use with the severe pain. My problem is I have Hypogammaglobulinemia so I am allergic to everything. I need to find an arithitis doctor but now just take turmeric as I am
Not fond of medication. I also ride bike, do yoga, and weights so I feel great when working out but am just in major pain the rest of the time. Let me know how you are doing with your knee. Thank you.
madeline27614 catherine62931
Posted
Hi Catherine. I had Total knee replacement 4 months ago and I am struggling. I did PT for 3 months and have been doing at home PT with three main stretches. I find my self worse and I too am frustrated.
I think I overdid the stretches and bike and now I am in constant pain. I am going to see my surgeon AGAIN today. I feel as though I am much worse after 4 months than I was originally. He has xrayed several times and says knee looks good. Very little fluid and says it takes time. I tested the knee several times walking less than a mile twice and I had to stop in between because of pain.
My constant pain is mostly on the outside of the knee radiating down to calf. My calf muscle is so sore when I touch it. The tightness when bending it is just like I had before my surgery so I think my problem really is more than knee cap although now my kneecap is painful.
I had robotic assisted surgery and my doctor was all excited. Me skeptical. He said it's more accurate with measurements. Well I am not doing well and although I did not jump into this surgery, (I waited 4 years) while getting injections twice a year with Euflexxca (gel cushion) which really did help to keep my out of surgery. The only reason I stopped and agreed to surgery was that the Euflexxca stopped working.
Right from the beginning with 2 opinions I was told I was bone on bone but only one doctor pushed me to get it done. I went with the other doctor and it have me 4 years of relief and I did most everything I had wanted to do.
Now I am second guessing myself because although I don't have pain while sitting and getting up I have dull pain all the time and it gets worse if I'm on it. I am frustrated and am going to ask more questions today as to if scar tissue or size of knee replacement could be my problem.
I do have osteoarthritis and it has gotten much worse. I am 74 and was very very active and this has stopped it in my tracks. I now feel my age and am feeling very down and hate complaining which I seem to do all the time.
Best to you and all who have commented. It has helped me realize it's not just me with so much pain and discomfort that I was told TKR would improve my quality of life.
rebecca17599 catherine62931
Edited
I'm in the same boat as you. I had a partial knee and ACL reconstruction in 2018 and was climbing 14'ers in six months. I had a TKR in April and hiking a 14'er is certainly not going to happen this time because I can't even walk to my stop sign without pain. They keep saying it'll get better but it sure is discouraging. The best to you!