Posted , 66 users are following.
The physios tell me this is normal but the exercises don't seem to make any difference. Does using an exercise bike help or are there any other suggestions? Saw the consultant yesterday for a follow-up appointment and he seemed to think that I should be completely pain free by now. Should I be? My reaction was that he can't possibly have much post op experience.
3 likes, 128 replies
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johnros green1
Posted
maybe it will finally straighten in time, who knows, but it is no longer my prime focus.
i return to work on Wednesday after all this time. My surgeon "recommended" (insisted) that I did not go back sooner because I am on my feet for ten hours at a time and he wanted the new knee settled in before I can wreck it😄
pit will be strange going back after so long but I'm looking forward to it.
good luck with yours
gail_78090 green1
Posted
i have had 3 yes 3 TOTAL KNE REPLACEMENTS AND 1 KNEE REVISION IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS.
FIRST ONE LEG WAS OFF ANGLE OFF TO THE LEFT.
NEW DR. MADE IT STRAIGHT AFTER 5 MONTHS. WITH 3 MONTHS HAD PAIN .NEW CONSULT BODY WAS REJECTING IMPLANT.
ON 3RD SURGERY I HAD NEW IMPLANT WITH METAL RODS INSERTED IN UPPER THIGH AND IN LOWER LEG.
IT IS NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS AND LEG IS SWINGING AGAIN TO LEG AND PAIN I FEEL LIKE PEG LEG.
WELL I WONDER IF NOT DOING ENOUGH THERAPY IS REASON BUT WITH PAIN DR SAID STOP....
I AM A MENTAL MESS
tricia2396 green1
Posted
I see both my surgeon and physio tomorrow and am dreading them both pulling my knee around to check for range of movement . . . . . . . . . I'm a bit of a coward really!
I hope to be able to gently ski in 10 weeks from now, so would appreciate any advice / encouragement from the forums personal experience,
jeanie42986 green1
Posted
anna79211 green1
Posted
5 weeks is a little early. I see some advice to hang on the bed on your bed but you have to find the exercises that work best for you. Pain free at 5 weeks is ridiculous. I am 8 months post op and I still have pain. Everyone is different. Hanging your leg on a chair is a good one, letting gravity pull your knee down. Start out slow, 30 seconds, and work up to 5 min. Using a towel under your ankle and pressing down your leg is a good one too. Healing is a very slow process. Hang in there. You aren't alone. We're here.
Nightfly green1
Posted
Kydr green1
Posted
Today is my 12th week post TKR. I have been 2 degrees short of being straight since surgery despite physical therapy. Is there a point where the knee just won't straighten? My surgeon felt my progress was great about 6 weeks ago. He said ligaments and joint were really tight and they will loosen. I will see him again next week and I'm anxious to see what he will say.
My therapist has me putting weight on my knee with the towel under the ankle. I'm doing all the other things suggested and then some. But every morning it's like starting all over, pain and really un-straight leg and almost crippling to walk. I wonder if I just need more patience ( what my husband says) which at this point my patience this condition is getting old!!
linda30783 Kydr
Posted
You are describing my situation exactly--including what your surgeon and husband said. I'm wondering how things are for you now since you're 3 months ahead of me time-wise but with such a similar pattern of progress. Did you get to full extension with the towel/weight on knee exercise?
Kydr linda30783
Posted
Keep working on your knee it will get straight. When you walk make sure you go from heel to toe. I had started walking on my tippy toe on my surgery leg which was not helping getting the knee straight.
Good luck and keep working on it and eventually it will happen.
linda30783 Kydr
Posted
Thanks! It's good to know I'm not the only one who hobbles away from the bed those first few steps, or after sitting for any length of time. I can tell if I'm not walking heel to toe because my ankle starts to hurt. It's like learning to walk all over again.
Do you ever wake up at night with a painfully stiff knee? I can stretch it out and I keep an ice pack handy, but it would be nice to sleep through the night on a regular basis.
Kydr linda30783
Posted
I was told to walk heel to toe to help straighten the knee.
I did have trouble sleeping. My surgeon gave me a low dose sleeping pill to help me sleep. I only took it a couple of times. It did allow me to get 3-4 hours sleep without waking. I used ice packs often even when I started back to work.
It gets better, but its gradual. It's been 6 months. I still have some pain, stiffness, and swelling. But it's a lot better than before surgery. Hang in there it gets better and your past the really hard part good luck.
laurel65763 linda30783
Posted
I had TKR May 2, 2017 with allergic reaction to incision glue and fluid accumulation behind knee. I thought that was the reason extension is limited to 25-30 degrees after 5 weeks. I can't bear full weight with a walker, so use a wheelchair to get around in the house. I tried going off pain meds but found standing, walking and exercising too painful so I'm back on them. I thought I was way behind until reading this website.
How are you doing now?
Kydr green1
Posted
I'm doing great now. Finally got my knee straight about 12 weeks. Can walk without a limp. July will make a year for me. Some days my leg feels a little heavy. And a couple of weeks ago I actually had to take an ibuprofen for pain. I'm so glad I've had both my knees replaced. It's made all the difference in my world. And I had a great surgeon.
laurel65763 Kydr
Posted
Thank you for letting me know! I was getting discouraged after hearing local stories of people walking with a cane after 4 weeks. I think my leg feels heavy due to pain meds and residual swelling. I'm doing 4 sessions a week of PT and a chiropractor and massage appointment weekly. Just have to be patient. I still have to do the right one- maybe next year...
Kydr laurel65763
Posted
I think I was having a pity party when I wrote that. 😂 I can even wear a heel with a wedge with no problem. I thought I was going to be in flats the rest of my life.
It will get better. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. It's easy to get discouraged. But just don't stay there. Have your pity party then move on. Good luck. ????
racpat Kydr
Posted
How's your knee doing now? Just joined the site, looking for inspiration I guess. Had TKR 1/30/17, MUA and scope to release scar tissue 4/26 and am at -4 extension at this time. I still get discouraged from time to time due to not having full extension at this point. I went back to work June 2 and still have to take pain med after a busy 12 hour shift on my feet.
Oldfatguy1 racpat
Posted
Kydr racpat
Posted
My knees are perfect. I just had my one year follow-up for my last knee replacement. X-rays and everything were good. Don't get to down on yourself. It takes time. My surgeon told me it takes a whole year to recover. So at this point you have about 6 months of your recovery left. Just keep doing
The things you did in therapy. Keep working on it and you'll get there. Take your meds and some ice after a long day to keep swelling down. I did all that as well and it paid off. It will for you as well. Best wishes.
Kim