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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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  • saralice
    saralice robert39119

    Posted

    Please can I  say how much I admire those of you who get back to work within a few weeks after a knee replacement. I know you will not have found it easy yet you have still got on with your life. I'm lucky that I am retired but as a former teacher there is no way I could have returned to work so early. Even now eight months later I would have found work difficult. 

     

    • debbie08326
      debbie08326 saralice

      Posted

      Sacalice

      I think partial knee replacements for most part ( I suppose my opinion but seems many on here as well ) go back to work sooner . I wish I could have stayed out longer . I know if I had had a total my Dr would have kept me out much longer . I went back at 4 weeks but did have challenges.

      Debbie

  • suziq12847
    suziq12847 robert39119

    Posted

    I had partial replacement on left knee 4 weeks ago. It's doing just great however my right knee is now aching & sore in the same spot. Am I overdoing it with my right knee or is it all in my head? I have never had any problems with it befotr!

  • claire00457
    claire00457 robert39119

    Posted

    Hi I can't believe you're back at work and driving all that way I think you are doing too much !!  !! I'm 7 weeks on from a half knee replacement and until this evening thought I was doing well . Physio 3 times a day and going on an exercise bike for ten minutes a day and going for a 10 minute walk in the evening. When I went to the physio on Monday she said I should be proud of how well I was doing. Just back from my little walk and sat down to dinner and when I got up arrrrr..... in so much pain , whole of the knee but especially under the new bit !! I could cry , feel like I'm back to week 1 , unless I'm feeling better in the morning I'm going to have to go to the Drs. Has Anyone else had anything like this ?? 

    • Guest
      Guest claire00457

      Posted

      Hi Claire,

      Yes. I felt good, overdid, it increased the swelling and then ouch! It still happens w my left knee. I had bilateral pkr nov 16. Right leg GREAT, a little ouch at 3miles but the left, swells and complains w a twinge right at the spacer. Xray showed all hardware in knee ok but there is a little narrowing under the kneecap there. So we, doc n i, figured when i swell it shifts the space and makes it hurt. Key point, i dont havr pain there all day like 1st thing in morning and after a rest.

      I got rid of walker at 3wks, used cane a few days, drove 4wks. Now, i go back to work this Monday for 6rhs a day for 2wks then 12hr days after that. I just hope the swelling is controllable.

      I would have been able to be back at 2months if i had had a desk job but standing all day wouldnt work.

      It is such a process and the emotional trauma that goes with rhis recovery is NUTS! Its good we have this forum

      :D

    • daphine28576
      daphine28576 Guest

      Posted

      well  I must agree Aunt EG about the emotional trauma!  4 weeks out from Partial Knee replacement with a repaire of a meniscus tear and problems with a Baker's cyst stillsstiff leg walking is difficult but put the cane down two days ago. At the end of this week will be four weeks,pain is horrible! I feellike it will never subside! Tired of pain meds too! Great expectations of free from pain wrong ? 

  • donna85849
    donna85849 robert39119

    Posted

    I am 10 months post PKR. My knee is still hurts when I'm on my feet for a time. Not only knee pain but now I have shin and the top of the foot pain. I can't kneel and half my knee is totally numb. I'm wondering if a TKR would have had a better out come. My Dr told me I still have arthritis in my knee. Anyone have similar symptoms? I'd like to hear from you.

    • suziq12847
      suziq12847 donna85849

      Posted

      Hi Donna. Sorry you're still having problems. My doctor told me that my knee would remain numb for a while and might possibly be numb and places the rest of my life. I do have some pain at times and feels like arthritis just like it did before. I am about 12 weeks or 3 months after surgery but I feel like my knee is much better than it was before. I don't understand why your doctor didn't go ahead and do a tkr if you still have arthritis in the knee. I don't have much pain anymore except once in awhile it hurts just like it did before surgery. I have another appointment with my surgeon next week and if I find out anything else I'll let you know. He told me before surgery that he would check everything and if it appeared that I needed a tkr he would go ahead and do it rather than wait two years and have to have one at that time. I guess if I were you I would go back and see what other remedy your doctor would recommend. In the meantime price on it as much as you can during the day. That's what they tell me and it seems that my PA and Doctor think that ice is a miracle cure! Haha, they just don't know do they?

  • donna85849
    donna85849 robert39119

    Posted

    I am 10 months post PKR. I still have pain after being on my feet for a while. My knee is stiff and numb. I can't kneel on that knee. I can't get down on the floor to play with my grandson. I have pain in my shin and the top of my foot. I've been on a high dose of Gabapentin for nerve pain with minimal effect. Anyone else feel this way? I'd like to hear from you. I wonder if a TKR would have been a better choice. I know I'll never run again.

  • latanya76450
    latanya76450 robert39119

    Posted

    i had a total knee replacement in Nov on the 27th and I'm stillin a lot of pain why? And my knee is extra tighter

  • mick11878
    mick11878 robert39119

    Posted

    I am 12 weeks in after a partial knee op on the right knee. The pain isn't to bad , but swelling is a problem just keep using the ice pack on the knee. I have being told you can have setback's but just take the possessive's each day. I am able to walk about 5 miles a day , just keep on going.

  • paulette_19862
    paulette_19862 robert39119

    Posted

    I’m 9 weeks out - had a partial done on both knees at the same time! I dropped oxycodone after 4 weeks and take tramidol with either Motrin or Tylenol. I do physical therapy at home twice a day and ice - go to PT at hospital one a week - after adding weights I noticed much more stiffness and pain and struggle to get out of chair without pain. I’ve dropped the weights - hope that helps - I’m trying not to get discouraged as I felt like I was going backwards- I am determined to be successful and have never not done my pt - from everything I’ve read - what I’m experiencing is perfectly normal and I must not give up as time will pass and this experience will hopefully be just that. P.S. I struggle to find comfort at night - I get up so much - I hate nighttime- now I find naps help out!
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