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I am 5 wks after partial knee replacement knee feels really tight and swollen

Posted , 70 users are following.

robert39119
robert39119

I thought I was doing OK after 5 wks following partial knee replacement, I have been back at work driving 50 miles each way after 4 days knee has got quite painful again so back on the codeine. Is it common to have set backs when it gets more painful again before getting better again.

Any comments appreciated,

Thanks

3 likes, 158 replies

158 Replies

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  • kelly44994
    kelly44994 robert39119

    Posted

    Hi am in week 6 of partial knee replacement recovery. Looking to return to work after 8 weeks with a phased return to work. Employer has been amazingly supportive especially my floor manager. 

    Bit scared however of returning as work in retail. Can you or anyone tell me at what point did you feel you were turning the corner?

    Any advice would be welcome.

    Just a helpful tip to everyone - I have been using TENs pain relief system since before my op which is great for a non chemical alternative especially in the early morning hours.

    • julie1508
      julie1508 kelly44994

      Posted

      Hiya. I'm five week post partial knee replacement. Going phased return in ten days,terrified! Was doing really well until this weekend. My knee is so swollen and soresad

      I work in a pharmacy so I don't get to sit down. I'm worried about how bad I'm going to be after a shiftsad

    • debbie72922
      debbie72922 julie1508

      Posted

      Hi Julie

      I am 3 weeks PO Partial knee replacement outside right knee. Am planning returning to work on week and a half . Am in sales do sit but also a lot of up and down and walking up and down hallway . ( not to long ).

      Wondering how you are doing at this point . I started driving and working on stairs ( laundry etc). I just don't want to go from couch right to work , well now I am in agony feel like have a brick for s knee and I'm just so dissapointed . Are you still swelling after your on it ? Hope your coming along well.

      Debbie

    • Guest
      Guest julie1508

      Posted

      How did it go? Im do back in 4wks and im freaking out as an icu rn 12hr shifts. Did it get better. You're 9months out now....

  • emelda0606
    emelda0606 robert39119

    Posted

    I had partial knee replacement 5 1/2 months ago. I'm taking it one day at a time. I still have a lil pain but you can't let the pain stop you. I have not gone back to work at this to me but I drive everywhere. I gave up my walker pain meds and my cane 2 months ago. I always keep in mind that with every passing day my knee is getting better and stronger. The first few weeks were the worst but I'm doing great so far. Good luck and happy healing to all of you.
  • emelda0606
    emelda0606 robert39119

    Posted

    Continue P.T. ice your knee as soon as you get home elevate it massage the muscles. Get enough rest too!
  • rob09303
    rob09303 robert39119

    Posted

    I am  5 weeks and 3 days out, and have been off the pain meds since week 2, however I do take one before physical therapy. If you are not taking PT you should. I'm 70 and am nearly back to my everyday activities, but still have swelling in my ankle and foot after being on the leg for a while. Avearge thearpy time is 18 weeks and about 4-6 months to total recovery. I can bend my leg to about 113 degrees shotting for 120, however I still cannot straighten it out. It's a long tough road to recovery and anyone telling you anything else is selling you a story,. Hang in there.
    • scrannel
      scrannel rob09303

      Posted

      Hey Rob,

      ​About three years ago I had dual, symultaneous full (not partial) knee replacements -- which in the US you can no longer do.  Two days after surgery checked myself out, drove home and was walking pretty well in three days.  Threw pain meds away immediately.  Anyway. here's a tip: if in PT the therapist is forcing your knee to bend by compressing the lower leg, you've likely noticed that is incredibly painful.  There's a better and totally painless way (which I lreaned after being shot in the arm): use a knee curl machine at your local gym. 

  • scrannel
    scrannel robert39119

    Posted

    One last thing: if you get knee replacement, and you are overweight, recovery can be a lot, lot longer. 
    • suzanne84804
      suzanne84804 scrannel

      Posted

      Yes I am working on that. Have lost 16 lbs in 6 weeks. Need to lose another 50 to reach 150 at 5 ft 5.
  • jenifer27899
    jenifer27899 robert39119

    Posted

    Glad to be part of this discussion.. I'm seven weeks out of a partial knee replacement. Doing well for the most part but still achy and sore all the time.. Not pain. Just soreness. And it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I guess I was hopeful because things improved so quickly in the beginning .. But it sounds like this is normal. One weird thing I have is a soreness on the bottom of my big toe. So strange. And I went back to work after a month. But I work at home.. No driving.

    • scrannel
      scrannel jenifer27899

      Posted

      Not sure about a partial.  I'm having none of those issues with TKR.  Does sound odd. 

    • Guest
      Guest jenifer27899

      Posted

      I had numbness, soreness on left big toe. It came and went during week 3-4. Im po8wks now, dont get it any more.
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