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6 months TKR and in pain

Posted , 52 users are following.

suzidownunder
suzidownunder

Hi everyone. I'm now 6 months post TKR right knee. It's healed very well. No problems and I try to treat it the same as the other leg.

Walking stairs etc are fine

I can put up with the nerve pain - annoying though it is but the muscle pain is really getting me down.

I still have that tightness above the knee which I can feel when walking.

And on standing or trying to exercise the muscles in the side of the leg and thigh are very painful and I need to hobble a few steps before I can walk.

I have good bend @ 130 but only 2 degrees

for straightening (but still trying)

Is this the same for everyone? Pain wise?

3 likes, 92 replies

92 Replies

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  • roberta06485
    roberta06485 suzidownunder

    Posted

    I’m going on 4 months with my TKA, I get muscle spasms and they bring tears to my eyes. Had my other knee done a year ago and had no problems but the right was a different procedure! It hurts very much when trying to ride the bike upright, the incumbent bike I do better with. I do the exercises he tells me to do faithfully twice a day but when I stretch the knee back the spasms start and they hurt my lower back and I have back problems also. I do water exercises but I have to watch out on those also. Is there no end to this pain, well I see my Orthopedic this week and he will probably push the leg back to get it at 90 degrees( what fun)! I know he had told me if it wouldn’t bend then he would go in and manipulate the knee. Has anyone had that done and did your knee get better? Also the cold weather bothers my knees also sometimes I feel if as though I have my old knees back. Does anyone feel the same? Good luck to everyone who is going through the same thing I am. God Bless.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  • linda80011
    linda80011 suzidownunder

    Posted

    I’m 7 months post op with TRKR and doing ok except when I get in the therapy pool my knee feels stiff and heavy. Anyone else experience this?  Surgeon says I’m still healing but you would think the warm water would relax it. 
  • roberta06485
    roberta06485 suzidownunder

    Posted

    Hi I’m Roberta, I do water arobics and yes when I get in the water my knees do get stiff also. After exercise I go into th hot tub and then my knees fill loose. Even when it’s cold my knees feel stiff my doctor say it happens.
    • roberta06485
      roberta06485 linda80011

      Posted

      My right knee it’s been 4 months linda80011. My left has been 1 year last Oct., my doctor says it happens and to feel like your knees years.  My doctor tells me warm water makes your muscles loose, and that’s why I do exercises in the hot tub. My left knee also gets stiff in the water it’s a weird feeling. I do pray you get some relief but just remember keep working it. I want to start the rowing at the gym that’s going to be my big challenge. Good luck. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  • debilyne2
    debilyne2 suzidownunder

    Posted

    YES pretty much! But it is encouraging to me that after 1 year you are doing so Good! June the 11th will be 6 months for me since TNR , and everyday is a struggle and I'm thinking leg and knee exercises are now a part of my life. I've been told even after 5years or more you get stiff if you don't exercise it. I recently joined a GYM for the swimming class and exercise bike. Wish me luck and send prayers. DEBILYNE from Calif.

    • roberta06485
      roberta06485 debilyne2

      Posted

      My Orthopedic sent me to therapy on my 6 month it helped but not much, I continue with the spasms but not as bad he says they will go away. Now, he want me to lie down and use a towel to bend my knee, it feels very weird and at times my knee gets stiff after exercises. I do the bike, treadmill, rower and the squat machine. Well I guess it’s exercising everyday! There will be a day hopefully everything will calm down. Best of luck debilyne2
  • Buttons1966
    Buttons1966 suzidownunder

    Posted

    I hard as TKR surgery on December 20, 2017. I have full range of motion, full range of bending, however

    I have severe pain directly behind my knee cap, and continuous poppy, with swelling and locking of the implant. Sometimes the pain is so powerful that it takes my breath and I literally pass out and fall. The knee also locks and causes me to fall, and it locks in place. Is this a normal thing.

    • roberta06485
      roberta06485 Buttons1966

      Posted

      It doesn’t sound normal, better check with your doctor. I know the popping sound is normal and eventually goes away. I still have pain in my knee but I believe that cause by me pushing it back like he wants me to cuz the next day I limp. Yours locking and all that doesn’t sound normal. I still have swelling but I go to the gym and do the incumbent bike and I’m up to 3.67 miles and at times I go at a fast pace so I think that’s why my knee swells. I really don’t think the doctors really know what goes on with the TKA! I’m always thinking maybe he didn’t do something right cause my oyher knee came out fine. Well I hope you find answers and go talk to your doctor if all that is going on and if he says it’s normal I would get a second opinion. Good luck!
  • nancy87674
    nancy87674 suzidownunder

    Posted

    I too am six months out and very disappointed in where I am with pain and ability to walk. I am taking gabapentin for the muscle down the inside of my knee and leg. It helps some with pain and sleep but not with my ability to walk or stand for extended periods. I feel totally handicapped and most people think I should be further along in my recovery and that I must be doing something wrong. Glad to hear there are others feeling the exact same way. Any exercises that might help me more? Thanks

  • sonia44096
    sonia44096 suzidownunder

    Posted

    Ms. Suzydownunder, Please hang in there, and all the good folks with great replies.

    Wow!!! read all the replies and glad I'm not alone or crazy! Had bilateral knee surgery going on eight months, and still having stiffness, pain, hamstring, numbness, and sharp pain in knee cap area in both knees. Doctor said it is normal but I'm tired of the pain and especially sleepless nights. Hoping it gets better, and it has but not as I had hopped it would. Some-days walking is good and riding the stationary bike , and struggling with going down the steps. But I really thought I would be doing much better by now. But not losing hope!!!

    R/Sonia

    • Haylemill
      Haylemill sonia44096

      Posted

      yes i agree and feel the same im six months and keep getting told its early days i suppose i need patience

    • eileengap
      eileengap sonia44096

      Posted

      Ive been 10 mo since TKR. went through 7 weeks of therapy then had a manipulation under Anesthesia, then 2 straight weeks of therapy everyday! After that i felt so done that i got a new therapist that works in hot water. It was very good for me to stop all the painful therapy and start healing! I did that for a month and then went back to work. I still have some stiffness and pain. i do yoga and ride my stationary bike everyday and walk. Its always a better day when i walk and really move my knee. EVERYDAY gets a little better! Hang in there!

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 suzidownunder

    Posted

    Try not to worry... Things continue to improve for around 18 months! It's a long process... but well worth it in the end when you start reaping the benefits! Hang on in there! Best wishes for your continued healing! Jenny

    • Lscott0723
      Lscott0723 jenny80029

      Posted

      it took me 12 months to fully recover from my first tkr . three years later i did my other knee. i was so discouraged at 12 months the second time. now after 16 months its 95% recovered and i couldnt be happier. patience and physical therapy pushing to a place you dont want to go. i'm done with tkr and am so pleased

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