I had my TKR 11 months ago and the fact that there is no arthritis pain is great. However, in the last 4 or 5 weeks my knee has felt stiffer and tighter and when I woke up today my knee was badly swollen. I'm a bit concerned and disappointed. I've never had full bend since the op but things were going reasonably well. I can walk well but when I get home my knee does swell up though not like it was this morning. I see my surgeon in two weeks' time so I hope all will be well!
So do I. It's been three months. My knee always feels stiff and tight whemI walk. Swelling is still there but not much pain. Straightening leg out at night is my problem. Brenda
Mine is tiff again, 6 months after having it opened up again (a year after the TKR) for scar tissue removal.
I am in constant pain attempting to walk and cannot straighten my leg.
I think that you are very fortunate to have no pain, but the swelling seems unusual to me at that stage.
I'm sure that your consultant will be able to reassure you though.
Hello Patsy - my revision is really stiff too. I am back to taking daily painkillers - it's either that, or be moaning about pain all the time! I have pain to the right of my (right) knee, it feels hard, but is swollen. I'm now into 17 months of hell if you count the year before the revision. I feel old, stiff, no longer full of fun & depressed. I see the revision consultant in 3 weeks, but seeing as he told me it would take up to 2 years, & there was a possibility I would be on painkillers for life, I'm not holding out any hope. - Veronica
All sounds familiar! I have no pain in my new knee when walking but I have difficulty going downstairs normally so I go down backwards! I can get up stairs though it is tricky. After I've walked my knee usually swells and tightens up. My other knee is just about gone so that isn't helping my recovery. Straightening my new knee is no problem. The main occasional pain I get is at night if I'm lying on the same side as my new knee. Sciatic pain wakens me up now and again shooting up the leg to my hip. I do stretching and bending exercises and take medication but like you Veronica since the TKR op I've really not felt well and feel my life is on hold awaiting something to happen so that my new knee clicks into place!
I wish I had a crystal ball - I would have tried anything but this! We seem to be in the same boat Dode, & I want to get off it!
Hi Veronica
Like you, I've tried to stay upbeat through both of my TKRs (first one Dec 2012), but there comes a point when it's difficult to keep up the brave face.
I said to a friend of mine, about a month ago, that I regret having this second one done now.
Since I went back to work this time, it's seized up again and I'm back in the position that I was before the scar tissue removal last Sept.
Work is affecting me so badly that I've actually applied for redundancy. It's the only way that I can see any chance of getting my life back...and that has to come first now.
I hooe that your consultant has some positive suggestions for you and that we can both start looking forward to better times.
I hope you've been icing and resting today and the swelling has gone down. You seemed to be getting on really well when I read your last post.
My bend hasn't improved for weeks despite bending and stretching, nothing helps. My other knee is getting worse now, I suppose with the extra pressure I've put on it it was bound to happen.
You and Veronica have just put into words the way I'm feeling. I'm trying so hard to put on a brave face but I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel.
I went back to work 2 weeks ago after being off for 5 months and I'm doing my best but it's a struggle. There is a possibility I may loose my job because they don't think I'm fit enough to be working. They are sending me for a health assessment in April.
Hi Patricia
5 months is a long time off, and I wold imagine very difficult to get back into work. I went back to work after 6 weeks following both of my TKRs, but knew after the second one was opened up again that I needed more time.
My manager asked me recently if my knee was affecting my work but, actually, work is affecting my knee. I don't Want to have to worry about my work and my knee anymore. I'm hoping that the painkillers and hydrotherapy will get me through this. I never thought that I'd be in this position this far down the line!
When did you have your knee done?
I know exactly how you feel. I am still on knee number one, having had to go through the ordeal twice & I feel like I have lost one & a half years of my life. When you reach your 60's - that's the last thing you want to lose! I have watched my neighbour with interest. This is the one who went to a surgeon in Southampton - it's less invasive, he drove after 7 days, started riding his Harley at 12 days, & as we speak, is in Cape Verde with his girlfriend (he's 71 yrs old) no limping & no problems. He had his right knee done on 18th January, & has the other done a week on Monday.
He had private health insurance, but as my left knee is also supposed to be going under the knife, I may use some of our precious savings up & go to Prof.Barrett instead.
On a lighter note - I have been out delivering Easter gifts to our lovely young grandchildren - it has lightened my day!
I had both of mine done privately (I have health cover at work) and my second knee was made for me. I do wonder if I'd not had the bespoke if it might have been better.
I'm going to be 56 in May.
I decided to just have a quiet Good Friday indoors...doing washing and cleaning (exhausting when you can't stand and walk comfortably), but my Dad and I are going to a nice hotel tomorrow.
Hope you have a lovely Easter.
My tkr was done September 2015 and MUA in November. I thought I would be back at work by Christmas but how wrong I was. I can't believe you were back at work after 6 weeks.
WI didn't have to leave my house to work, but the sitting did not help at all. I had MUAs at 5 months and 6 months respectively, but probably could have done with them before then. The trouble is that I didn't know anyone else who had knee replacements, so thought it was all normal.
I am going on 17 months after my TKR and still in pain continuously. I did this to relieve the pain and not to have to suffer everyday. My first surgery was in May of 2014 and the second December of 2015. Now I have OA in both hips and my good knee. I will have to have surgery on my righ hip, because it is becoming debilitating. I have decinded to go Gluten Free as much as I can, become a Flexagenarian (Partial Vegetarian) and do a lot of juicing and smoothies. Hopefully, it will help. I see I am not alone is this challenging Journey. Want to keep my Positive Mental Attitude together.