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Still Stiff 11 Months Post BILATERAL TKR

Posted , 5 users are following.

vickylynnp
vickylynnp

Had both knees replaced Dec 2016. My knees are still stiff, especially if I sit for a long time and still experience minor pain. It feels like my knees are pliers that need to be greased.

Everyone says it takes a year. Should I expect a turn in the next month or so?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • laurel65763
    laurel65763 vickylynnp

    Posted

    I'm 6 months post LTKR and find I am better moving around every hour or so otherwise my knees feel stiff. Leg warmers help to keep muscles supple, I was amazed at how they make my knee more comfortable and less stiff. drinking water to stay hydrated also helps relieve stiffness. A big part of recovery is forcing myself to do the stretching and mobility exercises daily. I alternate exercises from day to day and do repetitions 2-3 times a day to break exercise or stretching into 20-30 minute segments as I work on building stamina. My chiropractor had a TKR and hip replacement 6 months apart two years ago and he does the exercises daily to stay limber. Epsom salt baths are relaxing for muscles as well as magnesium supplements.  

    I hope this helps you... 

     

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 laurel65763

      Posted

      Good tip about the leg warmers!

      Interesting about your chiropractor, I am thinking I will carry on my exercises to keep my legs in optimal condition.

      Sounds like you have got a great routine. It's all good, this exercising business in the end!

  • peggy15811
    peggy15811 vickylynnp

    Posted

    I am 16 months post op on LTKR and my knee is still tight and feels like it needs grease! My sister-in-law said hers took 2 years to go away and she still has days when weather is bad that it feels tight. I think that first 6 months of PT is SO important to loosen it up, mine was interrupted when my hubby needed back surgery. I was close to my goal but not quite there. This year hip surgery on same leg. Knee and thigh are traumatized in hip surgery too, so back to stiffer knee and thigh pain too. Hip is not tight though...thankfully.  I would say just keep working those knees. Biking or Exercycle is good. Eventually they should loosen if you don’t let scar tissue form from non activity. It;s a long processsad
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX vickylynnp

    Posted

    First, all of you bilateral maniacs are our heroes!!!  Could never imagine doing both at once.  Bravo...

    Expect nothing...experience everything.  That being said...  Don't know about bilaterals, but most of us see a significant return to sort of being our "old selves" starting around month 10 and extending to pretty much a full recovery by the one-year mark although some symptoms (stiffness, tight "band-like" feeling, clunking sounds and others) in the form of petty annoyances can last 12-18 months.  They are never like what you went through during the year-long recovery...just twinges here and there.

    Sitting for long periods of time is never recommended.  We all feel stiffness of varying degrees when we do that.  I'm 20 months out and I still get it from time to time.  Just avoid doing it.

    Remember, there are no real timetables as we are all very different.  What takes one person 9-10 months may take another 12-14.  No way of knowing hence no expectations.  They just mess with your head and you start using the dreaded phrase "I should be...".  There is no "should".  You will be better when you are better and not a moment sooner.

    You have every right to feel very proud of what you have accomplished so far!!!

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