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Total knee replacement 3 months ago

Posted , 8 users are following.

brenda10862
brenda10862

ddegrees 130  walking with some pain. Cannot do stairs comfortably. My problem is at night. My leg bends on its own and it is really stiff to straighten out unless I use my hands. What can I do?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • tom809
    tom809 brenda10862

    Posted

    I too am 3 months and have lateral knee pain which has been consistent for the last 2 months. I have full extension (straightening) but find I have to do so slowly in the morning to minimize the pain that occurs lateraly. I don't have an answer for you.
    • tom809
      tom809 brenda10862

      Posted

      Maybe stretching the IT band. That is if your pain is lateral
  • john76554
    john76554 brenda10862

    Posted

    Wish I could help but I never had that problem. Maybe you need a brace. Good luck
  • jannette1
    jannette1 brenda10862

    Posted

    Hi Brenda, I am about 14-15 weeks post tkr surgery now and I still find night time the worst. I find that if I ice my knee all evening then when I go to bed I do the stretching exercises. Lie flat on back with legs straight then push the back of your knees into bed, hold for count of ten then relax then do five times or ten if you can and then I find the stuffiness goes easier,. I do the same every morning before I get up too. I hope this helps. It's such a hard recovery period, I seem to go two steps forward then one back. All the physio says is I am doing well and it takes a full year to recover and to be patient. Best wishes Jannette
    • brenda10862
      brenda10862 jannette1

      Posted

      Thanks . I do try stretching before I go to bed. Sometimes it helps .Patience is right on..when you are used to doing things , it's not easier. It's more than I bargained for. Brenda
    • jannette1
      jannette1 brenda10862

      Posted

      I know I thought the recovery would be a few weeks, I have to have my other one done once I get over this, it's not something I'm looking forward to. I thought I would bounce back to normal and be pain free and just get on with life. It's so hard. Hope things improve with you soon. Best wishes Jannette
    • brenda10862
      brenda10862 jannette1

      Posted

      You expressed what I feel. People ask how is it? I say I have not reached the point of being glad I did it. Supposedly that will come. Right now my other knee will not be done. I do not know how people have had both knees done at the same time.   Brenda
    • suzidownunder
      suzidownunder brenda10862

      Posted

      Hi Brenda

      Just wondering how far in you are post op?

      I'm 16 months post TKR and still not 100% happy. It still feels stiff . I have pain walking down stairs and pain on the outside of the knee when moving it in bed. I'm not overweight and I walk regularly. Like you, I'm still not totally happy I had it done. Though my husband says I've forgotten hie bad it used to be before the OP

      Best wishes to you

      Suzi

    • Lywn
      Lywn jannette1

      Posted

      Thank you for sharing this.  I'm 12 weeks out and very discouraged.  Will try this. I need help with my hamstring, too.  

  • sueisobel
    sueisobel brenda10862

    Posted

    Your knee is bending because you are relaxed, when you wake, your brain thinks it is going to hurt and you tense up.  Try to relax, lay on your back and, using your other leg, ease it straight.  First thing in the morning is always a pain, so go downstairs backwards, then you'll find the rest of the day easier to bear
  • tom809
    tom809 brenda10862

    Posted

    PATIENT just sent me a recap of my comments from 2 years ago when I was complaining of lateral knee pain following TKR. This continued to the point that I convinced my self that I had peroneal nerve entrapment since the nerve is right in this area. (I am a retired doc and know too much) Well the EMG was normal and there was nothing to do but wait. AND the pain slowly went away. I am not again 2 months post op in the other knee and again have lateral knee pain. Yes they say stretch the IT band which is difficult to do but I do my best but really I am just hopeful that in spite of the doctors not being able to precisely explain the pain it will go away like it did last time. I guess my advice is patience. 
    • tom809
      tom809

      Posted

      excuse my typos
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