Still swelling a year post TKR
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My TKR leg is till swelling a year post op and feels uncomfortable though I don't usually take pain killers and it is not red or hot etc. I have lipoedema anyway, which means legs are more likely to swell and possibly get lymphoedema. I have seen the docs and they say to give it a while longer and I'm planning to get an apt at the lymphoedema clinic (not that usually is very helpful - usually get new compression tights and that is about it). I've had a very hard time recovering from this TKR and I don't feel a lot better off for all I went though to be honest. I had excessive swelling and formed scar tissue early on, losing the bend and needed an MUA, which did help the bend. I am in the UK and went through the NHS system, knee was bone to bone and had Baker's cysts prior to operation. Maybe this as good as gets, I hope it is not something that will need more intervention. No-one seems to know quite what to do with us if we don't get a perfect result 
0 likes, 4 replies
laurel65763 cynthia89958
Posted
LTKR May 2017 with post op complications left me with swollen leg and in a wheelchair for almost 10 months. I started walking with crutches about 6 weeks ago and started walking in a pool (water up to neck) twice weekly for 45 minutes to increase range of motion, two weeks ago, That is helping the edema, just below my knee on the inside, to decrease. My primary purpose in pool walking is to rebuild muscles and stamina. The reduced edema is a bonus. I plan on having the right knee done in September so I can regain mobility. Yes, it is a very painful surgery, especially when there are complications, but we all heal at different times so it seems we are on the tail end of slow healers. Despite the complications and wheelchair experience( an eye opening experience on several levels) my leg knee is stronger and not painful even though it's taken almost a year to get to this point.
Good luck for continued healing. Try walking in a heated pool. (I go to the community wellness center.)
cynthia89958 laurel65763
Posted
Hi, I'm glad to hear your water therapy is helping. There are not very good pools near me, I believe the therapy pool closed due to cost cutbacks (I'm in the UK) but I started last year going to water treadmill, though it was an hour drive away and had to get someone to drive me as my knee hates driving far. Sadly, they had technical issues and closed it not long after, then winter came and I never resumed, so I may look into whether it reopened or there are any other options.
?I'm impressed that you are regaining strength and are planning to have the other done. Best of luck and stay updated.
?I have asked to see the physio therapists again - appointment is in May as my walking is affected and not really right. Hoping that might lead somewhere, though I walk better indoors where they assess us, the uneven ground outside is much worse for me.
Blkjk6 cynthia89958
Posted
Seems like the UK has lots of problems. Sorry about that. Age? How much swelling? Noises/Cracking sounds?
I am 65 yo male, 16 months post R TKR in the US. Dr can drain 40-50 ml of fluid from my knee once a week. Scary noises with every step and some pain, up to one frowny face whatever that means. Uncomfortable but no meds. Dr wants to go in and redo the knee by putting a thicker spacer in. I'm not so sure.
cynthia89958 Blkjk6
Posted
Hi, I am over 60 too and the swelling is above knee and also some in lower leg. I don't actually have the noises that I'm aware of, though I sometimes notice a feeling of clicking slightly if that makes sense.
?I guess if we have swelling and scar tissue it manifests according to where it is situated. I don't know if we get more problems in this country or not, I feel sometimes I got left behind in this process but because the wound looked good and the bend improved from the MUA and I am not begging them for pain relief, no-one really is concerned. I cannot take strong pain meds in any case, I found that out post op.
?It sounds painful having to have your knee aspirated so often- does it feel any better when the fluid is drawn off? I guess you will have the fluid tested so they will know it is not down to infection. They seem to think my swelling is in the soft tissues rather than the joint, but so far I have had no real investigations.
?I don't know if you can ask for a second opinion, but I think I would look for one before letting them go into your knee again, though maybe you have faith in your surgeon, though you say you are not sure.
?I have read on a group that someone had their spacer changed and they felt it was better than before.
?Good luck though, whatever you do decide.