I'm now just shy of 8 weeks post TKR. I've managed to get 110 degrees post physio massage and have been doing some aquarobics (unsupervised hydrotherapy) which is feeling good. My questions is this though....I've stopped all pain control and find the knee to be painful (uncomfortable) on the outer side of the scar and also on the area near the bottom of the scar (at the base of the kneecap I guess you could call it). It's really wearing me down but my question is would this be totally normal? It still has that restricted and heavy feel too. Thanks in advance.
Hi Lorene,
To me your pain sounds completely normal. I had my TKR way back in February but I've had several other procedures since. I still get pain under the knee/into the shin. I queried this some time ago and was shown my X-ray. I basically have scaffolding drilled through my shin so was told this could take a year to settle down. Whilst you may not have so much through your shin, you will still have some. Your bone has been messed with, it's just getting over it.
Unfortunately I can't really comment on your other pain, that is the area where I've had a camera put into my leg....bizarrely I can't remember if this was painful prior to 2 weeks ago, I just know it is now.
I think we all have different areas of concern though. I still had bruising at 8 weeks so would think your pain is just part of the trauma and completely normal x
yes that pain is normal you are doing very good 110deg wow most of us only dream of a bend like that well done ,giving up all pain relief is abit soon and it is most likely why you have pain just beause the bend is great you have an awful lot of healing to be done in there no matter what way you look at it the bones are severed and alot of hammering and pulling and dragging of the knee during the op so dont be too brave keep up smoe pain meds for awhile it will make you feel so much better i hope your straightening is good too dont neglect it
Hi Lorene,
8 weeks is so early to be off all pain meds. It is totally normal for it to feel heavy and stiff at that point. It will feel that way for along time though it will get better gradually. I'm 5 mo bolster TKR and it still feels thay way when I don't move enough or when I move too much. Sounds like you are doing very well so far! Be patient with yourself. The surgery is a brutal one that takes a long time to recover from...keep icing and doing your exercises but don't over do...good luck,
Joyce
Get back on the pain meds. You really won't heal properly if you are on pain. You will start fVoring the leg and limping and then the system starts getting screwed up again. 8 weeks o s still early. I had my 6 wk checkup Friday and because of my history of staph and having had the Knee opened 5 x's I am being carefully monitored. I have a strange new noise when I move the Knee which the Dr attributes to scar tissue. He said he thought it would it would start breaking up in the next 3 months. I never had it on the previous 4 surgeries so as usual, there is the unusuAl. I would suggest pain meds and get back on the excercise routine and icing. If at 13 weeks it isn't better then talk to the Dr. Keep in mind nerves are the last part of the damage to heal. You may have tingles and twitches and unusuAl things for a years or so
Slow down your pace & make sure each step is being taken properly. We get to feeling better and start going from smooth and steady to quick and jerky and progress starts unraveling. Good luck and let us know how you are doing
Hi Lorene.
You are still quite early on in the recovery process and it is very normal to have the symptoms you have described. I had a lot of pain around the knee cap with both of mine (and still have with my second one, due to excess scar tissue which means that it is now quite bent). The scar will ease off in time and your physio should be massaging it for you.
Patsy
Hi Lorene
Yes this is normal you have to rest with raised leg when it get really painful and take a painkiller at night to help you sleep listen to your body your doing very well ...can you get on a bike with raised sadal it will exercise the knee without weight and tone muscles without strain keep going exercise is the key to getting back to normal
I would say that is perfectly normal . . at least, it was exactly what I felt, although I didn't get to 110 by eight weeks, more like three months. . .the heav y, tight feeling goes on and on and on . . .at eight months, it is much less, but still numb on the outside of the knee and thigh, and feels tight. Only got to 125, but given up trying for more now! Maybe you should not have given up pain control so soon?? My whole leg still ached a lot at eight weeks. .
Thank you kathryn
Thanks to you irish linda.
Thanks so much for your advice joyce.
Thanks oldfatguy1. As usual, great advice. I've started "clunking" in my knee. The physio says this is OK, but that's what my old knee used to do (as well as my still bad knee) - I thought it would be gone now! lol!! Cheers.
Hey Patsyrose. Yes, my physio massages my quad and around the scar. I also massage my whole knee area, at least 2-3 times a day and have bought Bio-oil which was recommended for the scar itself. Thanks for the advice.
Thanks Pauli. I've started the bike but can't quite get up and over with the pedals yet - I'll try raising the saddle - thanks.
Hi and yes, I think you might be right about giving up the pain killers too soon. I've started taking one again as needed instead of trying to put up with it. Cheers and thanks.
Lorene it will seem daunting at first time on bike since knee replacement but with saddle up higher than you would normally have it should begin to get easier after a few weeks baby steps first increase daily you will see a difference .may say at the start do it wth a bike in the gym first after four weeks then try a normal bike outside ...its all about a bit extra exercise each day pushing yourself that bit further each day ..you will see a diferance within a week or two ...good luck Lorene