Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi all I had a tkr on the 31st Jan this year how long do you do the exercises for which physio give me got the small exercise which you sit on a chair to do still get some stiffness and pain. It's really getting me down now long will i feel no pain n stiffness thank you
0 likes, 8 replies
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natalie04381 anna59931
Posted
I had my TKR 9th January this year , I'm being referred back to PT due to pain and stiffness, I thought it would be ok by now but apparently takes 6 /12 months recovery
anna59931 natalie04381
Posted
terri21401 anna59931
Posted
Hi Anna! I had my TKR on 9/7/17. I waa told the stiffness and pain will lessen, but give it a year to heal. I'm 8 days away...still get stiff as hades, still in pain. I still do my exercises a few times a week and more if it is really stiff. I due heal slides while laying down most days before I even get up, periodically during the day and again at night.
I can tell you that for me, it seems scar tissue is my biggest enemy. But if I can keep moving and working on it, it does break up. I do everything except running and playing volleyball that I did before my TKR. Looking at getting back into running..
But coming up w/ extra time in a day to do all exercises is hard. I pick and chose and find myself leaning against a wzll in meetings foing squats.
They told me the exercises are for life (nut didn't say that before the surgery). I guess we are all in control of our own recovery. Good luck!
martha08360 anna59931
Posted
anna59931 martha08360
Posted
Hi Martha which one got recalled as I don't know which one I got.x
natalie04381 martha08360
Posted
I don't know what I've got either , only know it's titanium x
carri98750 anna59931
Posted
Hi Anna, I'm just now starting my 8th month. Had double knee replacement January 15th. I wouldn't say I have pain but my knees can get pretty stiff at times. I did have some sore areas in the back and sides of my knee that has seemed to heal and go away. But I still feel that tight "band" around my knee. Especially the left knee that has healed differently from the right. I do my exercises at the gym three times a week but not at home. When I was released from PT they told me I didn't have to exercise everyday anymore but every other day would be fine.The exercises I do are NOT the same ones I did at home or PT. I use the gym equipment and concentrate on those machines that build my leg muscles, buttock and core. And I figure, since I'm there, to include other machines to get in shape generally. I have good mobility but still go down the stairs carefully and try not to jolt my knees. My feet are killing me now; not the knees! That's a whole other sob story! IF you are still only doing the basic exercises you started out with I would guess, that's not enough now. You need to advance to exercises that build endurance and then strength. If you're not, then maybe that's why you still have pain?
CHICO_MARX anna59931
Posted
Typically (and everyone is different), you will probably have your 0 / + 120 ROM back in around 12 weeks post-op. Some get it back quicker, some later. All has to do with how much scar tissue your DNA creates plus how diligent you are with your exercises at PT and home. Here are some extra home exercises...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-rom-work-at-home-620053
The next part is rebuilding all the dead musculature that supports the knee. Everything has atrophied, especially quads, glutes and core plus your hamstrings are very tight. This is necessary to walk correctly, regain your balance and be able to do stairs normally (alternately) again. This rebuild can take 6-9 months as you start very gradually (endurance before strength) plus you have to really, really commit to doing it. You don't get strong again sitting in a chair. The program...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527
This is not fun; this is not easy. However it is necessary. Without it, all the pressure stays on your new knee which just causes more pain (which you may be experiencing) and problems both short and long term...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/other-pain-after-a-tkr-641040
The whole thing takes a year...own it. Your tools are time, work and patience. There are advances, setbacks and plateaus...be ready for all of them.
Try some Voltaren Gel (RX in the US, generic diclofenac elsewhere). Great topical anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Use during the day and especially at bedtime. Most stiffness usually resolves in 12-18 months with the rebuild. If you sit for long periods of time, you will notice some stiffness when you get up and for the first few steps. TKR veterans will tell you that unless you keep the knee active and exercised, stiffness will return in the future. This is a lifelong recovery.