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TKR 3 MONTH AGO

Posted , 11 users are following.

mariana71899
mariana71899

I did have TKR 3 month ago. the therapy went pretty well,i do have a flexion of 138 on both knees,no cane or walker,but my both knees feel very tight like in a vice..i do my exercises twice a day,and walk a lot,but this tight feeling is very uncomfortable.. any advise? how much longer?

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

  • deb1205
    deb1205 mariana71899

    Posted

    Hi

    Do you elevate your leg and put ice packs on. I am 6 weeks post op, I find ice packs soothing.

    Best wishes

  • brent77382
    brent77382 mariana71899

    Posted

    I’m pretty much the same Mariana I’m 9weeks into recovery everything seems to be going to plan apart from if I go for a walk for around 30 mins my knee tightens up and my knee movement reduces as if it swollen up and it looks that way as well. I’m hoping it’s normal maybe expecting too much too soon.As it’s been stated numerous times it’s a marathon not a sprint.

    • mariana71899
      mariana71899 brent77382

      Posted

      Well I guess we all TKR need a lot of patience and hope... thank you 
    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 brent77382

      Posted

      It takes a while, mine improved a lot at four to five months...now at seven I forget it's there! It's amazing, I can walk for hours. Can be a bit achey at end of day if I have been on my feet all day, but reaping the benefits. It's the other one that holds me back a bit now! Ah, blast! Never mind!😁😃

  • louise_48509
    louise_48509 mariana71899

    Posted

    I'm the same too, I'm nearly 6 weeks. At times it feels like my scar is going to burst open. I'm sitting with my ice pack on now because it's stinging. Must be normal if we're all feeling it

    • mariana71899
      mariana71899 louise_48509

      Posted

      Yes at 6 weeks I did feel that tightness even more, now it is just a tight rope.... 

      thanks for reply 

  • Pibpaula
    Pibpaula mariana71899

    Posted

    Oh yes it’s common. I had my 6 week check last week and they said swelling and tightness could last up to a year! It’s like someone’s holding a tight band around your knee. Icing does help and I’m hoping it gradually gets less. 
    • mariana71899
      mariana71899 Pibpaula

      Posted

      😰😰one year is not what I am hoping but yes I was told the same... 

      already over 3 month and still sooo tight!!! Thanks for reply

    • jenny80029
      jenny80029 mariana71899

      Posted

      Could be less.., Hope for six months. I don't know I have had it done at seven months post op..apart from a bit of an ache at the end of a very busy day. Whst is different is that i can walk in a way i have not been able to for years...well worth it!

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX mariana71899

    Posted

    Could last 12-18 months, continually decreasing.  People call it "vise", "tightness", "stiffness", "band-like feeling", etc.  You will start to notice it less and less over time until you don't notice it at all.  Totally normal.  I'm at 19 months and I can't remember the last time I felt it.

    • mariana71899
      mariana71899 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thank you Chico!very good answer and tho I do not like it as far as the time I am happy to hear I am not alone and it takes awhile . Thank you.
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX mariana71899

      Posted

      Down the road, you will actually feel a tightness one day and can't remember when the last time was.  It will be that infrequent until you just forget about it.  It just takes time and patience...especially with yourself.  Do the work, get healthy and active again gradually...time will take care of the rest.

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX mariana71899

      Posted

      Youzeguyz are OUR heroes!!!  Can't ever imagine doing a bilateral.  Wow...

    • dolores84206
      dolores84206 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Chico, I had a TKR Jan. 25, 2017., so I am around 9 months out. I can walk miles but still have some pain & stiffness. I started having muscle twitching in both legs in May. I saw my G.P. and he told me to give it some time & if not better see a neurologist. I have an appointment Nov. 17. These twitching sensations have gotten worse with occasional twitch sensation in other parts of my body. I have never had problems like this before & am wondering if it could be from the nerve block or something else surgically related. I am so scared! Have you ever heard of any one having these problems after knee replacement? My appointment can’t come soon enough, I need peace of mind that this is not serious! Thanks for listening, I have to keep busy and walk around so I do not feel these sensations.

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX dolores84206

      Posted

      Remember that you have nerve involvement from the surgery plus you're rebuilding all those atrophied muscles...so twitching could very well be normal...but all over your body???  Haven't heard that.  I know that I got a case of sciatica at 5 weeks that took a month to fix.  That was more like lower back pain and shooting pain down the leg.  Nerve "tingling" is quite normal; for the TKR leg and could last a while.  What does your chiropractor say?  That's the least invasive way of dealing with this stuff...

    • dolores84206
      dolores84206 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      I have been going to a chiropractor who specializes in the Blair method. He doesn’t put his hands on you the adjustment is done through a table & he scans your neck first to see where the misalignment is. I went to him with neck pain. I also had an MRI which did not reveal much. He said it was a pinched nerve, but thought going to a neurologist would be beneficial for the leg twitching. His expertise seems to be upper cervical issues. I am wondering if I should see another chiropractor who deals with peripheral neuropathy. I just want to do the right thing!

    • ellen68241
      ellen68241 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Hi Chico,Thanks for info you gave about TNR. I had left TNR August 31, 2017. It's two months,and I'm still feeling "pins &needles down my leg,stiffness,knee is hard as a rock,pain has diminished,but with the "sensations" of numbness,pins/needles,I can't sleep at night.My Ortho Dr.said it would eventually "pass",but it will take up to one year! That frustrates me to no end! I pray all these feelings will truly pass my right knee is bone on bone,but I will NEVER go through this again,as I suffered immensely because I had a severe reaction to all the drugs,opioids given me! I cant take any opioids,ever again!So,for 5weeks I was in agony without pain meds.I'm slowly improving,but the drugs also compromised my immune system. One day at a time,I guess.

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX ellen68241

      Posted

      Pins and needles = nerve regeneration

      Decreasing stiffness can last 12-18 months.

      Yes...most TKR'ers are back to normal in about a year...very common.

      Frustration is irrelevant and futile.  The knee will be better when it's better...not a moment sooner.

      Some people can't handle the opioids...but...

      You have to find the right one.  Oxycodone, hydrocodone, Tramadol, Dilaudid, etc. 

      Sleep tips...

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/trouble-sleeping-post-tkr--539591

      The power of rest...

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-power-of-rest-some-great-strategies-to-try-on-a-tkr-617892

      Stay strong!!!  This is NOT easy for any of us.  You will get past it.  Time, work, patience...

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