Concerned after almost 5 months tkr

I just read Jen's reply, this may still work for some tkrs. I know that for me that cold and ice right now actually bother my knees. I would much rather have them warm, maybe not heating pad warm, but warm ...but that's just me. Always best to find out what works best for you.

Hi Barbara, sounds like you should still be icing regularly to help with swelling .. have to admit I did stop elevating around that time as I found that the swelling would go but come back dr said that while elevating the fluid had to go somewhere so was going down to my rear end.  I'm now at 10.5 mths post op and are still icing due to swelling and tightness occassionally I use heat but I do find the ice works better and the heat is great if any muscles are feeling a bit tight.  Have to admit I'm still very slow going up and down stairs .. as I never have to use them but it I do I use a rail and sometimes when I'm out at the shopping centre I use a crutch just to make others aware .. suggestion by surgeon/dr/physio.  My bend and straightening are good but still suffer with alot of swelling which I was told for some knees that this is normal.

Take care and remember it's a long journery 12-18mths for most and every knee is different on it's recovery and listening to it is the best you can do.... Tracey

I had my TKR done a year ago this past April. About 2 months post op, I was told to start massaging the scar area (this helps break up any scar tissue) as well as the rest of the knee. Also while massaging to move the knee cap up, down and side to side. Yes it does move!!!  It is a bit uncomfortable at first but it does help with any swelling, stiffness or soreness. I iced my knee as long as I had PT which was about 6 months. Massage 10 minutes, 3 times a day with something like Palmers Skin Therapy Oil, Bio Oil, coconut oil. It really does help!!!! I still massage my knee if it feels like it needs it, even though it's been over a year. The stairs take some doing, my problem was going down and having to bend the knee, coming back up was no problem. This all takes time and a lot of patience!!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. After all this was one bear of a surgery!!!! They are not kidding when they say it will take up to a year or better to get back to normal. Hang in there as things will get better.

Hi Barbara just see your post today. Plenty of good advice on here and positive too. I'm 4 months post LTKR and doing OK. I too have swelling and pain/soreness left side of knee. It is also numb left side to touch?? I'm flying on Tuesday so hope the swelling isn't too bad.. we'll get there eventually. 😊

Barbara, I am 6 months post TKR and still swell daily.  Now my swelling is mostly above the knee...where my thigh muscle has not totally healed.  If icing is not great for you then don't.....elevate.  I sometimes lay in my bed and put my feet up on the wall.  This always elevates the swelling for me.  I think we will be swelling for some time.  I can do up and down stairs early in the day, however after I swell I also have some discomfort.  I know my muscles are not healed and am sure this is the issue.  I actually go down the steps backwards when it becomes too uncomfortable to do normal.  

You our are doing good...I had the same thoughts a month ago.  I just have o remind myself how much better I am than the month before.  Healing takes time and it will come.

speedy recovering!!

pam

I'm 5 months and still swell and hurt on stairs.  The more I do the more I hurt.  I think that's just how it is for a year for me.  Hang in there!  Cathy