Hi all
I have had a real slow recovery - but getting there. However, my knee is still incomfortable, & I have 3 swelling areas, on the sensitive side of my replaced knee. I had to see my GP yesterday for another matter, & he asked to see the knee - he said I had to make an appointment for 4 weeks time, & if the fluid swellings were still there, he'd like me to go back & see the consultant. Does anyone ele have this problem? Do they do anything about it?
Hi Veronica. I am about the same stage as you and my knee is still swollen on the outside. Even my osteopath hasn't got rid of it with lymph massage. I'm not worrying because although there is still some discomfort the pai nof pre op has gone. I think the swelling will go eventually , it's still early days relatively.
Thanks Carol. I've had a rotten time with it, & can't bear the thought of going back to see the surgeon! Mine are 3 definate swellings, not one swollen knee, like 3" lumps.
Are they soft or hard?
Soft. If I press my hand down, it leaves a white mark. It's on the side of my knee which is extremely sensitive. The other side, has gone back to normal (whatever that is!).
It sounds like fluid and a good lymph drain should do it.Mine is still rock hard and I have realised that I'm now about 22 weeks post op. Best to do as your doctor suggests but there's probably no need to worry.
How do they do a lymph drain? Just massage?
Yes it's massage. No pain.
Hi Veronica, I'm 14 weeks and I have swelling on the inside of knee above and below knee, dr doesn't seem to worry yet but I am. I think with the swelling my bend is only at 95, anyone else have trouble bending because of swelling?
I am 4 1/2 months post TKR and my knee is still very swollen, Slowly going down so I know there is hope.
Yes, I have had trouble bending from the start. It's still only 95 & the physio commented last week (I have now had all my sessions) that it was the fluid causing the excess pain & trouble bending. The GP made my appointment yesterday with him for 4 weeks time (having bp trouble) so perhaps it is best if he does make me go back to the consultant!
Thanks for that Suzy - I certainly came into this operation with my eyes closed - I never thought I would have so much pain & trouble! Because one side of the knee is very sensitive, the side with the swellings, I dislike touching it - but I'm forcing myself to cream it, & the physio mentioned "brushing" it too - it could take a year though, (she said) for the swelling to go. I hate putting tights on, as I hate anything touching it.
Hi Veronica, I am 5 months post op and my knee is still swollen but I know it will eventually go down. It does mean my bend is not brilliant but I can go up and down stairs properly and also straighten it totally. Today I managed to get on the floor to look for a mouse under the sofa and got back up again, so definitely some progress. I think everyone is different and some peoples swelling takes longer to go down. I never expected. Quick recovery as when I had an arthroscopy years ago it took about 6 months for the swelling to go down and that was only keyhole.
I have a swollen puff on the bottom inside and I can't get the bend past 92-95 and I think that's the reason. I'm 11 wks post op today. I see my surgeon on mon for a clearance for work. I'll see then what he says about it. Veronica, sometimes all they have to do is drain the fluid with a needle and its painless and its fine after. Don't worry about it. We all seem to rush our recovery, but it takes a long time for the body to adjust to the foreign object. Sometimes it takes a year.
I suppose i shall just have to wait these 4 weeks & see what happens then. I never ever thought it would be this bad, with so many post-operative problems. Thank goodness for this forum!
Goodness - did you find the mouse! At 16 weeks, I still cannot go up the stairs properly & coming down is 100% out of the question. I had arthroscopies 6 weeks apart some 10 years ago on my knees, & had no problems at all, so this operation, & the past 16 weeks, have been like living in a nightmare!
Hi, I'm at 13 wks now and my bend won't bend because of my swelling. I'm stuck at 82 degrees. I have a lot of old scar tissue and surgeon seems to think this is holding my swelling in place. In turn, I'm booked in for a manipulation on the 2nd March. I'll let you know how I get on!
It never ends 😞