Posted , 39 users are following.
I am three weeks out from TKR surgery on my left knee. My surgeon assures me that swelling is completely normal following all that takes place during knee replacement surgery. I am curious to discover what others have experienced with SWELLING following surgery.
3 likes, 104 replies
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MarieMichelle cheryl90571
Posted
cheryl90571 MarieMichelle
Posted
Icing seemed to just make me COLD! I got considerable success with putting my compression hose back on! Mine are thigh-high and open-toe and very hard to put on even using a plastic bag to get me started, BUT they really do reduce swelling!
Also, Ibuprofen and drinking lots of water and limiting salt all helped me.
Once healing is done (this takes a REALLY LONG TIME!!!), the swelling will go down. TKRs require much more patience than any of us can even imagine!
Wishing you success on your journey!♥️
suziec3 cheryl90571
Posted
Hi im 10 months out & have still got some swelling. My knee has recently swollen up more for some reason so im back to elevating & icing it. The consultant said it can take 12 to 18 mnths for swelling to go. Seems like its just something that will go in time. Ive had my other knee replaced several years ago & the swelling wasnt as bad as this one. Its really frustrating.
Cindy1982 suziec3
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suziec3 Cindy1982
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Hi Cindy no how you feel. Mines not been too bad io till recently. Been able to do my keep fit class & go for walks. Was still swolken but not as bad as it is at mo. Presume youve had an x-ray & follow up apt with consultant? I was told everything was ok. Consultants jus dont wanna no as long as joints ok. Im due to see my physio later in month for a shoulder replacement that i had in Aug 2017. I'll ask him about it, see if he can shed any light on it. Ill post back on here if he can give me any ideas bout it. Personally i dont think sitting around resting it at this stage helps much, im jus gonna get on with what id normally do & see what happens. Doubt it can get much worse. Take care
ingrid03074 cheryl90571
Posted
The first was such a breeze, swelling for a week or 2, back to Shape Master my “gym” a week after the surgery and off crutches as soon as I was out of hospital and no heavy drugs after that either. Like you, same surgeon etc. 4.5 months later i had the second knee done, and 4 weeks after surgery it is nowhere near as strong and stable as the first. I have had lots of swelling, and have had one really bad night where I hit the drugs hard, after overdoing one excercise (lateral pressure). Again no crutches, frame or stick.
Every knee and every op is different. I have learnt to listen to my body and not overdo things. I used much more ice and pressure bandage this time, and have reduced the exercise. As one wise contributor said, it’s not a race, and these knees have to do us a long time, so its worth a bit of discomfort in the short term.
cheryl90571 ingrid03074
Posted
Hi Ingrid!
Yes, learning to listen to our body is a smart thing to do! It isn't always easy to do that, though!
My knees had been holding me back for at least four years. I was FED UP with it! Was VERY motivated to get back to shopping and gardening and walking and keeping up with all my long-legged family members! SO HAPPY I got both knees done! Yes! The temporary discomfort certainly WAS worth it!
I hope you continue to do well!??
rick_78049 cheryl90571
Posted
yolanda02982 cheryl90571
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I am 2 1/2 month post surgery and I seem to be having more pain and swelling recently. Of course, I had a period of intense pain and swelling for about a month and half and then things began to get better. Swelling went down a little and I seemed to be able to walk better. 3-4 weeks ago things changed. I began to get pain and swelling after physical therapy and for the next day or two afterwards. It hampered walking and this has been the cycle for the past month. Yesterday I was up limping around the house more than usual and for the first time my whole leg swelled all the way down to the foot. It was shocking because it was at least 1/4 size bigger than the side that didn't have surgery. My foot was puffed up. The only thing I can think is happening is I am building up scar tissue. I am a scar tissue former. I had my right knee meniscus repaired 15 years ago and my leg completely froze. I had to be put under sedation and have my leg manipulated to be able to move it again. On my knee replacement surgery I feel like I have a big thick piece of cardboard covering my whole knee area and it's been taped on very tightly. When I bend my knee it feels like I have to fight to bend a big, thick piece of cardboard and it hurts really badly. My doctor says keep moving it, keep moving it. Yeah, easy for him to say because it appears what is happening is that I am breaking up scar tissue every time I go to PT, walk, or bend the knee in any way. That causes pain, swelling and immobility and I'm supposed to go back to work in a week and half. I'm an RN and I work at a busy outpatient oncology center and I'm afraid because I'm limping so badly that I will lose my job. I just don't know what to do. Things shouldn't be this bad almost 3 months out from surgery. Doctor won't manipulate the leg under anesthesia unless the flexion is 70 degrees or less and I'm at 104 degrees but I'm losing it. I was up at 110 degrees and I can't seem to get back to that. I'm very depressed.