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Swelling

Posted , 7 users are following.

sylvie_95085
sylvie_95085

My knee is still swelling 15 months after a full knee replacement . Is this normal?

Thanks

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Wenbon
    Wenbon sylvie_95085

    Posted

    I'm out 18 months and still have swelling which also causes stiff feeling. Im told this is normal and it usually takes 2 years. Hope it is true!

    • dawn44823
      dawn44823 Wenbon

      Posted

      Hi Sylvie,

      Well, I dont want to be the bearer of bad news but I had mine done in August 2016 and it still swells and gets hot. I think that it will always happen, in my case certainly.

      Its not really huge or anything , but it always looks bigger than the other knee and more swollen. Ive learnt to live with it now. Hope you can too.

  • paula70281
    paula70281 sylvie_95085

    Posted

    Mine too except its been over two years. Turns out mine has failed and will have to be redone. i just can't wait to go through all the time, money, pain and mental anguish again.

    • jean02698
      jean02698 paula70281

      Posted

      Paula....i just had a replacement after 10 months. I am now at 11 weeks. I actually had less pain with the replacement and am much further ahead than the last surgery. i had a different surgeon for the replacement. he told me its a slower process and not to push the knee. I was in the hospital 6 days and wore a brace for 3 weeks after surgery. Replacements are a 2 year healing time. good luck

    • martha08360
      martha08360 jean02698

      Posted

      Good to know. Im having a revision in April... two years this coming Jan.

    • martha08360
      martha08360 paula70281

      Posted

      Im having a revision done also, in April. This jan. will be 2 years. Not one day has gone by that I have not had pain, swelling, stiffness, etc. Yeah, NOT looking forward to surgery and the mental anguish again, but, Im hopeful that this one will be the one that works. And, a different surgeon this time too.

    • jean02698
      jean02698 martha08360

      Posted

      Paula...i looked forward to the revision surgery. I was excited to get a solution to a 10 month problem. i had a knee cap on the side, couldnt do leg raises and had to swing my leg out to walk. I had less pain, used fewer drugs and did my own rehab. I was surprised at how much easier it was. i also had just gone through it so I knew all my coping strategies. Dont stress about it in advance. GOOD LUCK

    • paula70281
      paula70281 martha08360

      Posted

      Hi Martha-

      Yes, its gotten so bad I am kind of looking forward to it. Having some testing done on the 27th to figure out exactly what has failed. This knee has never been right and I knew it almost immediately.Different surgeon for sure. I wouldn't let the first one touch it again on a bet.

      I have also had pain and swelling constantly since the replacement in November 2017. What really gets me is I know so many people that have had replacements and do great. I have to wonder if its me or the surgeon. I hope your revision goes well and you have a better result!

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX sylvie_95085

    Posted

    It just takes time. First, don't compare yourself to anyone else. Second, there is no "normal" for any given person. As applied to the universe of TKR patients, swelling gradually subsides over the 6-18 month period. It also depends upon whether you push the knee beyond what it is capable of on any given day. Miles and time walking are irrelevant; it's the STEPS that put the load on the knee. Get a pedometer; the software will chart your progress and make you aware of your current limit if the knee swells. No pounding (running) or twisting the knee...ever...if you want it to last 25 years. Example: Nurses doing 12-hour shifts are in big trouble if they go back to work before the knee is fully healed and they have done the muscle rebuild (which takes the pressure off the knee and puts it back on the muscles where it belongs).

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