I am three weeks post op from a right total knee replacement. My knee is nowhere near straight and the pain is not subsiding. I am walking on one stick inside the house but have terrible lower back pain, something I didn't have before the op. Has anyone else had this issue? Thanks in advance. Carol
Yes had bad back pain after op but not immediately . At three weeks your pain will be bad, mine didnt improve untill 7-8 weeks . All quite normal
Yes had bad back pain after op but not immediately . At three weeks your pain will be bad, mine didnt improve untill 7-8 weeks . All quite normal
Thank you Jenny, its good to hear the experiences of people further on.
I had TKR 7 years ago. It was a long and hard recovery period but I can’t recall actually getting any back pain.
I assume you are having physiotherapy?
Hang in there it does get better with time.
Take care and keep in touch.
Sarah xx
Hi Sarah,
Had the first session last week, another tomorrow.
It’s been harder than I imagined but only 3 weeks post op so maybe I am expecting too much.
Many thanks for replying.
carol xx
Perhaps, inside the house, you still need to use your crutches. I used my crutches for six weeks, inside and outside, although I would let one crutch dangle while I carried a cup of tea from the kitchen through to my lounge after around three weeks.
Early days! Back pain could be caused by lack of exercise. You could try gentle chair Pilates. I am 8 months post op and can just about get around indoors using a Walker. It will get better in time. I’m afraid Surgeons seem to have an inflated optimism about recovery times as I have found out.
Hello Gillian
I did wonder if i have overdone it. Will try 2 crutches and see how it goes x
Ain’t that the truth! I’m learning now that it could take many more months to get back to normal or near normal.
It can’t do any harm. Good luck. x
Hello James
thank you for the reply. Yes, i think you are right. There seems so much pressure to be back to ‘normal’ certainly from the hospital physio’s.
I hope you recovery continues. all the best carol x
Thank you Carol, I was discharged after three days, completely unable to walk. It took me half an hour to get from the car to my front door and 1½ hours to get upstairs. I can only put a little weight on the leg, but it is improving. It seem a bit of a conveyor belt system for the operation and not enough after care. I wish you a speedy recovery . x
I’m so sorry!! my knee is straight, but I was left with a drop foot, no feeling and severe right lower back/hip pain! I was given a nerve block in my key and a spinal. I think I have nerve damage from the block. I’m seeing a neurologist to figure out where the damage is and if its permanent. My back pain keeps me medicated and with next to no sleep!!
Every case is different, Gillian. My sister had the same op. as me and she walked out of hospital, on crutches in two days!
there’s no going back to work after even 3 months!!!
I am 6 weeks post op from LTKR. My surgeon says he was able to straighten my leg during surgery (I had been walking with the knee bent inward due to OA damage and bone on bone). He thinks maybe straightening the leg might have changed my gait and that is causing the back pain. Sure hope time takes care of this!
Sorry to hear that Denise hope you get some answers soon x
You too James, all the best x
i am at 8 months and the pain does get better. I suspected the back pain was due to my gait changing as i was favoring the new knee. For me stretching helps. i stand on the bottom stair and go up on my toes for 5 seconds and down for 20. i really push the down stretch. This helps. I need more surgery to realign my patella.