Nine monthe post TKR

It is good to hear a positive side to knee replacement.  I have had both my knees replaced - the first one took place in November 2014 and the second in November 2016.  I am always still so surprised that I am able to walk normally again - it is lovely - and something that we do not value until we are hit with the pain of arthritis!   I am so glad that I live in an age where medical technology has advanced to the stage where they are able to do these operations. I can remember my grandmother having to live downstairs.  She would walk about the house with the aid of a walking stick and did not venture further than the front door. No knee replacement operations available in those days.  I know that the first few months are an ordeal to get through but so worth it in the end.  Hope you continue with your good health Ranger Jack. Take care of yourself and thank you for the blessing. 

 

Good for you!!! I'm at 8 1/2mths. And pretty much everything you describe. I do have a nagging (but not all of the time) pain on the inner part of my knee. Massaging with cold pain relief gel and icing helps. My exercises at the gym are going well. I am increasing the length of time on the machines (treadmill, elliptical, bike & leg press) as my muscles get stronger.  And I can dance again!! 😁 I have no regrets about the surgery either!! I am doing far more than I was able to this time last year!! I wish you continued success with your recovery!! Oh!! That popping/clicking sound....my surgeon says it's the plastic part rubbing on the metal part of the replacement part, and it's normal. 

Thank you so much for sharing! I am five months post op...life has never been better. Lots of the minor issues you mention I find also...But sooooooo great to have a knee I can rely on!

So nice to  hear some positive reports about TKR.  I am now 9 weeks out from my surgery and still going to therapy 3x a week. I am doing well with minimal pain.  I still cannot sit for very long with the knee bent.  I find I need to keep it elevated a good part of the day and I cannot walk very far yet.  I am no longer relying on a cane.  I can go up the stairs "normally" but must go down one step at a time leading with the operative leg. I am sleeping better.  I can drive, but drove for an hour + last weekend and my leg was swollen afterward. It has been hard work in therapy and keeping a positive attitude at times.  I am looking forward to dancing again!  Thanks for the encouraging reports.

Hi Ranger jack

Great to hear that you are doing well and being so very positive I'm coming up to 12 months post TKR and also the stairs up and down still a little painful but im getting around the golf course like a good un and the great thing about it is theres no pain or swelling i wish you all the good luck in the world take care.

Congratulations! You have accomplished a large part of the healing process and you are not having any pain. The stairs will come soon.  Continue to go up and down, but please hold on to the railings. One day will be the norm. I am post 10 months TKR and still cannot bend my knee to 120, but could go up and down the stairs with no problem. Everyone heals differently.  Thanks for posting your progress. 

I am 17 months post-op.  My thoughts...

"...have minor difficulty ascending and descending stairs..."  Normal.  Have to build the leg and core strength...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/mastering-post-tkr-stairs-552728

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

"...minor difficulty standing-up using the surgical leg only from a kneeling position..."  Normal...see the exercising post, above.  Will get stronger in time.

"...loud popping noise, no pain..."  Yeah...popping, clunking, etc.  Mine decreased over time but still there.  Could last for 12-18 months or never go away.  Ignore it.

"...feel pressure on the knee when kneeling, but no pain..."  There's no pain because the knee is METAL!!!  You're feeling nerve pain from the regeneration.  Could go away or last for a long time...who knows.  For indoor work, I use an old pillow or 3" foam pad.  Outside, I use a set of padded tactical (SWAT) knee pads.  Poifect.

"...minor stiffness after a long period (a hour+) driving or sitting..."  Normal.  Should get better in time.  I now sit 4-hours at a time and still feel a little stiffness the first few steps when I get up.  Should take more standing breaks to stop it.  Minor issue.

"...continue using ice due to occasional minor swelling after strenuous activities such as an hour of stationary biking or treadmill walking with 4% or 5% elevation..."  Swelling ALWAYS indicates that you overworked the knee...ALWAYS.  Find you pain point...back off...increase gradually.  A pedometer works great for your steps.  Try using an elliptical instead of a treadmill.  Running is forbidden; excessive walking may be the stressor.  Experiment to find what's causing the swelling.  Back off and increase one exercise at a time.  Evaluate.  Move forward to find the pain point for each exercise.

"Other activities such as upper and lower body weight lifting and swimming have increased cardio endurance and strengthen legs."  Refer to the exercise program, above.  The focus is on endurance (reps) and not the weight...which comes in time.  You may be overstressing things.  The swimming is GREAT!!!!!

"At 68 yo and retired, I am blessed to have a pain free and mobile life again."  I'm almost 70 and will NEVER retire...love what I do too much.  And, yes, it's great to be mobile again pain-free.