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Knee replacement

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beryl11857
beryl11857

I had a knee replacement on my right knee three and a half months ago, and been in a lot of pain. However, approximately three weeks things started to improve.  Then one day, out of the blue, suddenly I had pain radiating upwards into my calf from my Achilles tendon .  This lasted for about five days then went away.  Yesterday, I was out shopping and was hit with the most excruciating pain in the same area, and had to ring for a taxi to take me home.  What could be causing this?  I don't want to keep having repeat experiences. I cannot understand how having a knee replacement can affect my Achilles tendon.

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Pibpaula
    Pibpaula beryl11857

    Posted

    I also get shooting pains in my Ankle at odd times. Physio said it was my body getting used to walking differently after years of walking with a bent knee. Paula
  • debbie35639
    debbie35639 beryl11857

    Posted

    I would tend to agree with the therapist. Our legs are basically separated when we have them replaced. All the muscles and tendons have to relearn how to do the job right again after so long of a time doing it wrong.
  • catherine73953
    catherine73953 beryl11857

    Posted

    Sounds like your tendon is tighting up.  If you walk a little different it will affect your It band and your tendons.  As we age they tighten anyway.  I stretch every morning and sometimes (which I should do more) at night.  If the side of my leg really starts hurting I will bend over, no matter where I am, and touch my toes for a count of 30-40 seconds.  That brings immediate relief 9 out of ten times but it is an indication I need to do more indepth stretching.  I am 2 months post op TKR but had problems like your describing before surgery.  My tendon was removed because it was shot but I do get pains like your describing because of a tight IT band, which (I have learned) needs to be stretched out more indepth.
    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 catherine73953

      Posted

      Stretching is so important, I totally agree. It wasn't stressed at all in my rehab, but I stretch a lot with yoga so it was part of my routine. Your post is really informative and interesting.

    • catherine73953
      catherine73953 jenny80029

      Posted

      it was informative, Thank you.  I found a couple of stretches that were never part, of at least my pt.  1) put your foot on a chair and push forward, this one is really difficult for me.  2)  stand on the good leg and lift the surgical leg behind you and try to get your foot closest to your behind as you can.  This one is hard for me too.  I can pull my foot all the way under a chair.  I can sit.  I have a hard time doing these 2 and walking.
  • beryl11857
    beryl11857

    Posted

    Thank you all for your kind  help.  I do six sets of exercises twice a day as recommended by the hospital physiotherapist, and one of these appears to target stretching the ligaments in the back of my leg.  So I am still at a loss as to what causes the flare up of pain.  I did wonder whether perhaps I'd been stretching too hard, so today have given myself a break from the exercises.  

    Best wishes.

    • catherine73953
      catherine73953 beryl11857

      Posted

      I actually would do the exercises every other day and that seemed to really help.  I do different exercises now, including going to the pool and doing those.  I am a little over 2 months and am not nearly as good with doing those exercises that I used to.
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX catherine73953

      Posted

      This is correct.  If you go to a gym, you NEVER repeat work on the same muscle group two days in a row...never...

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527

      Do the key legs, glutes and core one day and then shift to upper body the next.  Exercising breaks down the muscle; the day off builds it back up stronger.  Rinse and repeat.  I takes many months to rebuild those dead quads, glutes and core...then you'll have the strength to take on stairs again.  Time, work and patience...

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX beryl11857

    Posted

    We unconsciously change our gait to avoid pain.  This can cause a reliance on other muscles and tendons to pick up the slack.  Hips out of alignment and sciatica problems are very common.  The fact is that we don't even realize we are making these "adjustments" to the way we walk and move.  They all have ramifications.  For me, a chiropractor helped immensely.  All pain gone in a few weeks as everything got realigned.  No drugs.  Simple...

    • catherine73953
      catherine73953 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      This sounds good.  I don't have any sciatica pain but I do walk bad.  The outer part of my knee cap is in constant pain when I walk and my foot goes to sleep when I keep walking.  I am going to use a mirror in my room to walk and see how I walk, so I can fix my gait.

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