Knee feels tight and strange following PKR
Posted , 5 users are following.
I had a PKR on May 17th this year and experienced some issues in the early stage of recovery, particularly swelling and pain in the thigh most probably due to the tourniquet. Since the week 5 mark, things have improved significantly. I now have almost full ROM, I can cycle, walk good distances, swim and do stairs and hills. I can even kneel (though it hurts a bit). I've done lots of work to rebuild my quads etc.
However, my knee still doesn't feel right. It feels heavy and tight and like it doesn't belong to me. It's like it's a mechanical body that's connected to me by tight elastic bands, so while I can bend to 140 degrees quite easily and do all kinds of activities, it's just not comfortable and I am constantly aware of it and feel every movement.
Also, I frequently experience great discomfort below my knee cap. Frankly, it feels like the edge of a spade or shovel being pushed up under my kneecap, without severe pain but with all the discomfort. This is most notable after activity. I also still get quite a bit of pain in the back of my knee, odd painful twinges below the knee and the whole knee itself is still tender to the touch, as though it's bruised. Furthermore, it's still fairly swollen and wearing narrow legged trousers is blooming uncomfortable as my knee rubs against the fabric and feels so tender.
To be honest, apart from the absence of the horrendous crunching sound I had before the op (I had no cartilage left), my knee doesn't feel less painful than before the op. It feels rather more stable I suppose (I don't feel it would give out on me) but I am definitely in greater discomfort (and pain really) than I was pre op. I know it all takes some time but many people seem to be jubilant that they are pain free post op, but I just can't claim that. I wonder if perhaps other people had much more pain than me pre-op (I was still managing most activities, including mountain hikes pre-op) so the improvement in pain is felt more quickly by them? Or is something wrong with my PKR for me to be feeling these things?
0 likes, 5 replies
Wenbon Caitibean
Posted
that feeling gets better over time. I'm a year out and do feel better, not 100% but i know i will get there. hang in there!
ann18637 Caitibean
Posted
Hi it does take time I'm afraid. Had my first last year and second 5 months ago both tkr too. My recent knee is pain-free no stiffness and walks etc great as for my first knee it still feels stiff but the surgeon did have to reopen it this year along with my other tkr so possibly that's why. It's still early days mines still swollen slightly since although it doesn't appear noticeable I know for when I put my jeans on a bit snug around my knee and calf. What you're experiencing is all part of the healing process time and patience. Good luck
lynda49844 Caitibean
Posted
It all sounds pretty normal for 3.5 months. It was a good while before mine felt normal and not like something alien. Even now, because of this IT Band issue I still have more pain than before the op, although it's a very different pain and, like yours, my knee is far more stable now and less stiff.
All knees are different and everyone has a different recovery experience. It's still a year to full recovery so you're only just over a quarter of the way there and that's the reason surgeons don't like to do anything else to a knee until the year is up. As you have a good range of movement and can do what you're doing it sounds fine. Maybe the pain under your knee is where the Iliotibial band attaches to the tibia? Try googling some stretches for it to see if that helps. If it's still quite swollen maybe you're doing a bit too much. Keep icing and elevating when you can and maybe try cutting back on activities for a few days to see if that helps with the swelling abd avoid narrow trousers if it aggravates.
Deigh Caitibean
Posted
I had surgery December 10th, 2018 and I am still feeling the tightness and everything else you describe. I was doing my physio exercises daily and felt worse after each time I did it. My surgeon told me to stop physio and just live life. I am finding more relief by not pushing my exercises and just doing everyday activities. I elevate and ice as much as possible and it seems to help. If you have range of motion at 140 and able to do all the activity you have indicated, you are likely doing enough without pushing yourself with additional exercises. I feel a bit better every day and as difficult as it is to be patient with recovery, I have realized that is what we have to do. It is major surgery and recovery can take a longer time than expected. Good luck with your recovery.
Deigh Caitibean
Posted
I had surgery December 10th, 2018 and I am still feeling the tightness and everything else you describe. I was doing my physio exercises daily and felt worse after each time I did it. My surgeon told me to stop physio and just live life. I am finding more relief by not pushing my exercises and just doing everyday activities. I elevate and ice as much as possible and it seems to help. If you have range of motion at 140 and able to do all the activity you have indicated, you are likely doing enough without pushing yourself with additional exercises. I feel a bit better every day and as difficult as it is to be patient with recovery, I have realized that is what we have to do. It is major surgery and recovery can take a longer time than expected. Good luck with your recovery.