Stiffness?
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi everyone.....I’m now eight weeks post op left TKR. I think I’m experiencing the usual things, ie pain which we all seem to be mentioning on here. I’m doing pretty well regarding pain control, the pins and needles and burning sensation has gone now. I’m left with excruciating pain on and off at the side and under the knee.....like a knife being dug in. It prevents me walking without a limp. Has anyone else experienced this?
Also, although I’m doing my exercises everyday, including ten minutes on exercise bike, every morning when I get up from a nights sleep, my knee is so stiff and painful, it feels like I’m starting all over and have to work through the pain barrier again. This is the same when I go on the exercise bike, I have to work through the pain. Is this normal? Is anyone else out there having similar problems?
Any reassurance would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! 😳
0 likes, 10 replies
Scotty2960 linda68082
Posted
I am 9 weeks in and have no pain or stiffness .Excercise is key here .Perhaps you should stop the cycling and conentrate on leg lifts .
BEST Regards
Snoozy69 linda68082
Posted
Hi Linda I'm 4 months post op from a left TKR I am also stiff first thing in the morning which eases off after a few steps. The bike sounds familiar to I have to adjust the seat everyday to be able to pedal it round, the flexion I have at the end of the day has gone by the morning I often say you don't get rewarded for the effort you put in but I do believe this will improve over time, I mean it's still healing. As for the sharp pains I experience this at the bottom of my hamstring and top of my calf and I have found stretching these muscles helps with that. Good luck x
clive45466 linda68082
Posted
Some are lucky, but stiffness followed me for over six months or more, before I really started not to think about my knee when moving.
We are all different, a sports physio told me if my knee was painful after exercise for more than 30 minutes, my knee was not ready for exercise.
I can only say I did little excercises after my right knee TKR as I was in too much pain. I relied on hot baths where I did some leg straightening and bending, once my knee was really hot.
Good healing
bobbymac57 linda68082
Posted
Hi Linda.
You could have just substituted my name for yours. The only difference is I am 9 weeks and it's the right knee. I still see improvement with mine every week but like you I have to break through the pain and stiffness barrier everyday. Good luck with your continuing rehab I believe it will all be good in the end just need time and patience.
linda68082 bobbymac57
Posted
Just as a matter of interest, do you get excruciating stabbing pains at the base of your knee? All other pain has abated apart from this. It’s causing me a lot of discomfort during the day, walking and at night. I dnot know if it’s normal or not and when do I seek a doctors advice?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
bobbymac57 linda68082
Posted
Hi Linda. To answer your question,no I haven't had any pain at the base of my knee and certainly not any pain approaching excruciating. Right now I'm fighting a real achy pain above my knee along with it's become very weak feeling. I think if I were having the pain your having I would schedule a visit with my dr especially if it's something that has been prolonged. If nothing else it will give you some.reassurance if there is nothing out of sorts (and I'd bet it is fine) but if your in constant agony you need to get it checked out. I'm starting to find that I have a new pain and/or symtom every couple of days now. I hope your just experiencing a normal abnormality but you probably should go to your dr and get that checked. Good luck and I wish you the best in your recovery.
jenny80029 linda68082
Posted
What pain relief are you taking and are you icing and elevating?
If you are worried about the pain under the knee I think I would see your GP and get their opinion.
Are you having physiotherapy, and If so, what have they said?
linda68082 jenny80029
Posted
Hi Jenny.....yes I’m icing frequently and elevating my leg. I’m only on paracetamol which keeps the pain at bay most of the time, apart from these sharp knife like pains under the knee at random times. If the pain gets really bad at night I take 👍Meptid, 200mg. I really don’t have any other pain now apart from this stabbing pain.
I went to Physiotherapy today and explained, (I was upset actually as the stabbing pain was dreadful whilst there), but the young lady told me it’s all normal, along with the stiffness every morning, and it will improve in time. Swelling can take several months to completely go which will affect our movements.
I was also told the reason I am limping is probably nothing to do with the stabbing pains, but more a habit I’ve gotten into since before the op. So I’m very conscious of how I’m walking now.
The physio assured me it will get better and stiffness will stop eventually. I just need to be patient! .....easier said than done eh!! 😳??
jenny80029 linda68082
Posted
That's good to hear. I do have vague memories of quite a lot of pain behind my knee ....stretching is good!
Yep...patience! I am 11 month post op now.. it is worth all the effort!
My new knee leg is lovely and straight! Shame about the other one, but even just one bionic one makes a huge difference!
robin15577 linda68082
Posted
I am 5 months post op and still struggle with some stiffness and swelling. I exercise and do heelslides which helps but long for the day I can not be reminded of my knee. Pain is very minimal. I can walk well but I also still really struggle with energy and a bit of depression now. Not sure if related.
I am hoping the stiffness is normal for us. I see surgeon on the 9th of February. Best wishes and I think the important part is for us not to get discouraged. We just need to keep moving forward. 😘