Can't straighten leg or walk 5 weeks after Total Knee Replacement.

I HAD TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT BACK IN MARCH AND STILL HAVE PAIN WHEN I WALK, MY KNEE STILL DOESNT LOOK LIKE MY KNEE, I AM STILL CAREFUL WALKING UP THE STAIRS AS THE PAIN IS AWFUL I GO BACK TO SEE MY SURGEON IN APRIL 2019 AND TO BE HONEST I STILL CANT WALK THAT FAR WITHOUT TERRIBLE PAIN, DONT WANT TO ADD TO YOUR PROBLEMS BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL IN PAIN 3 YEARS ON, SO I WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL APRIL, WHEN I FIRST HAD IT DONE I WAS ON GABAPENTEN AND IT HELPED BUT MY HEAD WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE I CAME OFF IT AND JUST PUT UP WITH THE PAIN, AND THATS WHERE I AM NOW. HOPE YOU IMPROVE QUICKLY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello JIM, i am 7weeks post op LTKR and like you i was under prepared. You NEED pain medication to do all the exercises etc! ice/elevate often. Mostly the increased fluids is to keep the cells/muscles fully hydrated and under less stress to heal/perform better, and to help the bowels cope with the side effects of stronger medication. I'm now having a strong pain tablet before bed as i find sleeping/pain is worst at night. Panadol during the day. I had a dip at the beach today, and at the end of the day, i was as tired as a 2yo!! It's a long slog.

Good luck, we all understand. Mary.

Hi Jim - My recovery has not gone as predicted either. (had TKR on July 18) I used a crutch for about 3 months, then progressed to a cane. Now I'm walking without a device, able to take care of short distance errands without too much walking required, able to get out a bit for social events, etc. Standing for long periods such as for cooking a meal or cleaning up after is painful.

I sought a second opinion at about 4 months as my surgeon basically blew me off, telling me he didn't know what the problem was/is, but letting me know he didn't do anything wrong. The second dr. said if I wasn't better in 2 months, he would recommend starting over with a complete revision.

I am getting better, VERY SLOWLY, but it seems there is either a mechanical problem or muscle damage to the quads.? I have little to no pain when I take it easy, but I didn't have the surgery just to take it easy! I see the second opinion dr again this week. I'm almost to 6 months post TKR.

I urge you to at least get a second opinion. Not sure what my end result will be, but I wish you the best!

We ALL thought the same thing before surgery and ran right into that same brick wall. It is shocking, depressing and frustrating...but behind it all are the expectations we had. In TKRVille, there are ZERO expectations...everyone is different. However...

Although there are those who skate through this in six weeks and others to have protracted recoveries, for most of us it takes a year. The first 3 months are the worst and focused on getting your 0 / +120 ROM back. Most are also back to work pretty much pain free in 4-6 months depending on age, job, etc. However, this requires doing the muscle rebuild that takes the pressure off the knee and puts it back on the supporting musculature. This is mandatory to walk correctly, regain your balance and start doing stairs again alternately like a normal person.

By nine months, you start "feeling more like" yourself and then you dance at your one year TKR anniversary party. The recovery takes three things: time, work and patience...if you don't have the latter, you will learn it. The knee can be a harsh taskmaster.

Click on my name, Discussions, and then See All. I have about 30 topics out there that should be of some help.

I am the opposite to you, I am having trouble bending my knee but can straighten my leg. I don't know much about drinking water, other than it is supposed to be good for us. Keep in touch. Susane

Hi Jim well patience is the answer. I was told to keep hydrated water galore and I did. I was walking without aid after 6 weeks. You have to rest elevate and ice a lot lot lot. It helped me as well as voltarol behind the knee helped sleep at night. I'm 8 months tkr and doing really well second knee booked in next month. It will get better just stuck but remember listen to your knee when it aches you Must rest. Good luck x

I think we all react differently to this op, I was lucky as although very bad pain at about 8 weeks it went and havent really had to take pain meds since. Had very little swelling , I didnt overdo the physio , just made sure i could flatten and bend knee , found lying in bed best way for me to do it. Used a cane for walking the dog for a while , mostly because hes big and can pull, but havent really limped since about 3 months post op . with straighening your knee have you tried putting ice on it then pushing it flat on the bed using your hands? I dont think at 5 weeks i could walk without crutches , so dont worry give it another 6 weeks but you will probably still need a cane .