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Knee stiffness

Posted , 11 users are following.

jeanne_06699
jeanne_06699

Does anyone know how to get rid of the stiffness in your knee? I do the knee bends but every time I ice and elevate the stiffness comes right back and I can hardly bend my knee when I walk.

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • chrishappy
    chrishappy jeanne_06699

    Posted

    How far along are you hon? Different levels I would say, early days it's from swelling and pain, then it's muscles tendons and nerve endings waking up, each with its own intensity and all normal!!😃 I'm 12 mths left tkr and 9 days right tkr. I still get stiffness from my first leg mostly of a morning before stretching and if I've done too much walking .my new one is stiff with swelling post op.
    • jeanne_06699
      jeanne_06699 chrishappy

      Posted

      I am almost 4 months. Done with PT. Never seem to see any improvement in stiffness. It is there all of the time.especially bad after exercising.
  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 jeanne_06699

    Posted

    Stiffness can be a long time leaving. Just keep doing excercises and as scar tissue breaks down it will improve. That's part of not really owning the knee for a year or so.
  • sue37592
    sue37592 jeanne_06699

    Posted

    Hi Jeanne, How many weeks post op are you? I am 13 and really suffering from stiffness at the moment. It has got worse this last few weeks and especially after exercise: riding the bike or walking. I am getting very frustrated by this and would love to know how to gwt rid of it too. I was at my GP on wed and she said it would be like this for a year--18 mths post op and I would just have to be patient. Thanks folks x
    • jeanne_06699
      jeanne_06699 sue37592

      Posted

      14 weeks for me and feel the same as you. I feel like I am not doing enough. I ride my exercise bike 3 times a day for 8 minutes at a time, do my exercises for about a half hour but not that much walking.
    • lyn32416
      lyn32416 sue37592

      Posted

      Hi sue I am same PO time as you. And yes my knees are both stiff. It's a real problem but I am learning to ignore the stiffness and keep moving, as much as I am able. Take care. You are not alone!
    • sue37592
      sue37592 lyn32416

      Posted

      Hi Lyn, I too a trying to keep going but it is frustrating exercising and then being stiff. over the last day I do feel it is a bit better. Are you back to work yet? My gp won't let me go back as it is so stiff at times and has done bloods as very hot on one side. Thank you, take care, xx
    • lyn32416
      lyn32416 sue37592

      Posted

      Hi sue. I am 64 and work occasionally. I would not consider standing on my feet for longer than 30-60 mins, so I just declined a day's work at $430 because it was 12 hrs on my feet. I am just not comfortable standing for long periods. All the best, Lyn xx
    • sue37592
      sue37592 lyn32416

      Posted

      Hi Lyn, I'm a teaching assistant so on feet for 8 1/2 hours with ony 1/2 hour break so definately could not do that yet. Asked to go back doing admin work or work with children with additional needs as you can sit but have not got back to me. At least summer holidays will soon be here and then off for few weeks but really want to get back before school closes. Best wishes Sue x
  • carol94892
    carol94892 jeanne_06699

    Posted

    Hi Jesnne. I am 9 weeks post TKR and experience the same thing. My Ortho Doctor said to expect healing over the next 2 years.

    Carol

    • carol94892
      carol94892 jeanne_06699

      Posted

      Yes, those are my thoughts too! The doctor understood my frustration with the healing even though I was only 4 weeks along when I had thst discussion with him. Some days are really good and the swelling and stiffness don't last, other days I seem to spend much more time on ice and elevating and stretching and bending. I heard from a colleague who had a double TKR a few years ago that ice will become my best friend. How right she is.

      Please be encouraged as there are so many of us on the same journey. Carol

    • jeanne_06699
      jeanne_06699 carol94892

      Posted

      I still find that icing makes me stiffer. Does anyone else have this problem?
    • carol94892
      carol94892 jeanne_06699

      Posted

      Hey, Jeanne. I didn't mention this but my knee tends to be very stiff in the morning. I have a heating pad that I use on it for about 10 minutes on those mornings. This seems to help me get it moving. Carol
    • moandrieu
      moandrieu jeanne_06699

      Posted

      Icing can make it stiffer, but it's more for the pain and to stop any swelling from exercise. I'm 20 months po and still have a little stiffness and other odd things that happen. I've decided it's my new normal. The stiffness is no where near what it was before my TKRs, so I just choose to rejoice at that.
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