pain in knee cap.

I have knee injury and its soft tissue damage at 21 weeks, slow is definitely the phrase I hear most, have you overdone it do you think, if so give it a rest for a few days and ice it and heat maybe.

Are you doing physiotherapy

Sara, I think most things are fairly common with tkr. I had super easy surgery, no pain untilI started PT 2 weeks later. Since then I have had weird little pains most everywhere around my new knee, also the patella area. I am now 5 months post tkr and still have days with a lot of pain, usually because I have done too much. I still need left hip replacement and right knee replacement so it has hindered my recovery. There many times seems no rhyme or reason to my pain. Some days I wake up great and barely use my cane, other days I can barely walk. Overall I am improving though, there are more good days than bad. My doctor says my recovery will just be slower but will happen regardless of my other joint problems. I am so happy when I walk to the bathroom or somewhere, forgetting my cane and my knee. Those are my small victories. There are depressing days when I am so over this, but have no choice now except to trudge on as best I can. I have learned to try to just go with it and recognize I had no idea how long this recovery is, but it will come. Most pains are normal unless you've fallen or get an infection going, if those happen see your doctor ASAP. This group is a huge help in letting you hear all the issues, all the victories and setbacks. More then anything tkr teaches patience and that we all recover at different paces. I wish you well.

My other arthritic knee started playing up and giving way and was so painful.This put extra strain on my replacement knee. This is when it started to be more painful.I had to leave off physio fior a while. I still do a little but need to get more bend. My 'good ' knee is easier now.

Hi saralice..I'm 14 weeks as well and have new pains surrounding my knee...I havnt iced it for a few days..I feel very fragile again as every day brings something new to heal. I'm learning to go with the flow and accept my steps forward and backwards..and rest when I need too...So hang in there and surround yourself with positives....and have champagne and celebrate......Mwuh Shaz

Thank you for your kind replies. I just want to be back to normal so I have been doing the normal things. I try to do everything I did before but I know I can't but I do push myself.I don't ice anymore and I just do the bending and straightening   exercises as the swelling is improving.

I am beginning to enjoy life again and get out and about. I feel lazy if I sit down too much during the day but I'm beginning to think I should just rest  my knee(again) for a couple of days. 

I also don't take painkillers as I feel by now I should be doing without.The only ones which work for me are Ibuprofen but I cannot take them continually because of stomach problems.

I still have quite a way to go so I think I should get back down to the gym and use the bike again.I overdid it last time.

It's so disheartening when you feel you are going backwards but I suppose that is just part of the TKR journey.

.

 

Slowly is good...it is a new knee and does have a break in period.

Perhaps a neoprene knee compression sleeve...it is specifically made to cradle to patella, knee cap. One should be available from the pharmacy. you will need to measure the circumference of your knee in order to determine the correct size.

It is best to elevate your knee above your heart while placing a frozen gel ice pack beneath the knee as well as on top of the knee for an hour while you read, telly, chat, knit or whatever.

Then extend your leg straight up and hold it up for 30 seconds. Now slip the sleeve on. Be sure to properly allow the sleeve to cradle your patella, the knee cap. Flex your knee a couple of times to ensure that your patella is able to properly glide without impingment.

In about another hour you should have much less discomfort and pain. You may sleep in the sleeve. You may walk in the sleeve.

You will be pleasantly surprised at how much easier walking and range of motion exercises will become because the swelling will come way down.

Hi Sara,

I am almost 7 months post TKR op. It went really well, but like everyone some pain is part and parcel I'm afraid.

The best advice I had from people on this wonderful forum is RICE - Rest; Ice; Compress; Elevate. I won't favour one over the other, but Rest now, there will be lots of time be busy.

The other big thing I learned is listen to your knee

It's your knee and every human being is different (Thank God), so everyone has slightly different experiences.

Also? I was about 12 week's before one day I just felt no pain and alost back to before pain. Go at your own pace, some people will say they're bending 120 degrees after a couple of weeks, but I was at less than 100 for up to 10 weeks, then in the following couple of weeks I went to 115, I guess I'm around that now. But I do get the odd pain, some throbbing some like a 'spark' for a fraction of a second. Apparently this will continue on and off for up to 18 months. The god news is I am walking up to 2 hours in the beautiful hills of County Wicklow and get no pain. This makes it all worthwhile. This site has been a huge part of my recovery, there are some super and very knowledgeable people contributing.

Upwards and onwards,

Take care,

Alan

Apologies for typos.

Hi, I had TKR done a year and seven months ago and am doing AOK. This is one bear of a surgery and slow and steady is the way you want to go. You will have some setbacks but the improvements make up for them. The pain in and around your knee cap could be because of the build up of scar tissue. You can take care of this by massaging the area with some kind of oil, like Bio Oil, cocoanut oil, or Palmers. You should be able to move the knee cap up, down and side to side. It will feel funny at first but you need to break up the scar tissue. Doing this will help with bending and flexing your knee. You should still be icing your knee and elevating your leg. When my PT showed me how to massage and move the knee cap, I couldn't believe the difference!!! Less pain and better bending and flexing!!!  Good luck and remember slow and steady. It is a long road to full recovery but we all make it sooner or later.