Kneeling after TKR

I kneel no problem . I use knee pads or something soft. I do yoga and I am an artist who likes painting big, so I often kneel when painting on the floor.

I don't do positions in yoga which involve putting all my weight on one knee and i don't do the kind of kneel where you actually sit on your heels with the weight on them.

It probably depends on what kind of kneel. I was kneeling reasonably comfortably, though it felt a bit odd, from 6 weeks post op.

I cannot see why kneeling on all fours would be damaging as long as you had cushioning under the knee.

But it may vary depending what the surgeon has done, what type of knee you have and many other factors.

I started trying to kneel very early on on my bed , as it was a good way to work on the bend , and I really wanted to kneel in the future. I didn't want my psychological aversion to the very odd sensation to put me off! I think I started around 5 weeks post op, very gently, very gently, on the mattress of my bed and leaning forward a lot. It caused a bit of discomfort, but I didn't do it more than once a day. And very gently.

I would find it very restricting if I could not kneel at all. Still feels a bit odd sometimes. I am almost one year post op, TKR,

Hi Sandra. I can kneel on both knees however it's an unpleasant feeling. I use a cushion, one for each knee, or a pillow. I had to kneel to exit a plunge pool 12 months after surgery. It is possible although I try to avoid it!!! Feels strange and the device does not enjoy it either. xx

Bullpucky!!! 

First, the knee is freaking METAL!!!  You can't damage that by kneeling on it.  Second, after months and months and months and months of healing (a full recovery almost always takes a full year), you'll find that you can kneel on it on soft surfaces...your bed will be the first.  As you progress, you will find that the sensation of kneeling doesn't come from the joint but the surrounding NERVES that have been affected.  So the "pain" you will feel will be some nerve "tingling".

I'm almost 2 years post-op and I kneel down all the time to do things.  Rules: 1. NEVER kneel on a hard surface (tile, cement, dirt, ANYTHING...).  It's gonna hurt; 2.  Indoors, have a nice 3-4" foam pad around.  Great for scrubbing floors, cleaning bathrooms, etc.  You will feel nothing.; and 3. Outside, get yourself a pair of padded tactical knee pads...yeah...SWAT stuff.  Great for gardening, etc.

Will this ever completely go away?  The old pros who are 10+ years post-op say yes but I don't believe it.  I think there will always be some residual nerve sensations that will never go away.  However, if you take the above precautions, kneeling will not be a problem.

Finally, more important than the kneeling is the list of do's and don't after a TKR.  In summary, you cannot do ANYTHING that either pounds or twists the knee...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/do-s-and-don-ts-after-a-tkr-a-typical-list-541794

Running, jogging, competitive sports, etc. are all verboten...time to find a cutthroat shuffleboard league.

Meanwhile, here's some thoughts pre-op...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-pre-op-expectations-622045

I'm being very realistic...not scary.  This is a major op that includes a lot of short-term pain coupled with a long recovery time.  You have to do everything in your power pre-op (prepare your home, strengthen your body, hydrate a lot...) and post-op (handle the depression, meds, sleeplessness, exercising and more) to stay sane and focused.  Click on my name and then "See All Discussions" for a lot of information about tons of topics.

Your body, mind, heart and soul will all be challenged...be prepared...you can do it just as we all have done.  This Forum is a great place to ask questions and get support when you think you're alone.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!  This is difficult but absolutely doable.  Know that it is NOT LINEAR!!!  There are advances, setbacks and plateaus.  Post this on your fridge and look at it every day!!!

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038

All the work will pay off down the road when you can walk and climb stairs all normally with no pain.  But to get there takes three things: time, work and patience.  There are no schedules or timetables.  Everyone is different so don't compare your recovery to that of anyone else.  Give up ALL your expectations of what you think this will be or how long it will take.  Most of all, love yourself...be kind to yourself.  It helps a lot.  Good luck!!!

Hi Sandra,

?I can kneel, however, regardless of whether I have a padded cushion or not, it is so uncomfortable (BUT NOT PAINFUL) just very uncomfortable, I choose to limit my kneeling to those household tasks or other mundane tasks which require me to kneel - or else I don't kneel at all.

?Can't remember now I exactly experimented with kneeling, probably just after I returned to work at 11 weeks - certainly not before that.

John

YES-at least I Can kneel on my right knee which I had replaced about 11 years ago--kneel on it with no problem--at least at church on padded kneelers-but I doubt I could kneel on a hard floor. I haven't even tried to kneel on my recent left knee at church--8 weeks post o.  I honestly can't recall how many months post op it was for my right kn--but I feel good knowing I should be able to kneel with both knees eventually.

However, I still wish to God I never had it done. My old knee was better than this; I am 18 months out. I will never have the other knee done, it is bone-on-bone but I refer to it as my ‘ good knee’. 

Good luck to you.