Burning & hot to the touch in my TKA.

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Does anyone else experience burning with their TKA. I also have hot to the touch & a lot of swelling. I'm 9 wks out.

Any advice?

Thanks !

Leta

2

Hey Leta,

I'm 14 weeks out and still have the hot to touch and swelling. Mine acts up when I have overdid the exercising, walking, etc. I can tell when I overdo it as my knee will stiffen up. Ice is my best friend right now, I still ice 4-5 times a day. I'm not working but I do go to the gym 3-4 times a week since my therapy is over now. Its a long process and everyone's recovery is different, but just remember it gets better or you have changes everyday. This is the best site ever though to be able to talk to people that are going thru the same thing. Keep your head up. 😊😊

3

Warming and swelling are normal.  I'm almost 15 months post-op and it feels a bit warm-ish on occasion.  Could last 18 months...one of those "lingering" effects.

Swelling is totally normal for 9 weeks, especially after PT or if you try to push the knee too far.  Going forward, the only real swelling you'll get is if you overwork the knee.  It will ALWAYS come back and bite you.  My recommendation is to get a pedometer (Fit Bit, Smart Watch, etc.) and track your steps.  When the knee swells, check your steps...back off...resume gradually,  You CANNOT PUSH A KNEE...period.  You can avoid the swelling by checking your steps regularly.  When you get close to your current limit, STOP.

Did 8,200+ steps 5 weeks post-op and had a hot-air balloon for a knee.  Never did that again.  Checked my steps every day...never swelled again.  By 8 months, I was doing 11,000+ steps (5 miles).  It's all under your control.

Get some Voltaren Gel (RX in the US).  Second best topical anti-inflammatory on the planet.  Great 15-minutes before bedtime.  Helps a lot.

4

Hi Leta,

I'm almost 17 weeks post op and still have heat and swelling. My consultant said it's very normal and can last up to 12 months gradually getting better.

I don't ice any longer as my physio at my last visit at around 10 weeks said it would no longer be beneficial but I still elevate whenever possible.

5

I'm about 18 weeks out bilateral TKR and I still get a bee stingy, pins and needles sensation in my knees but not hot to touch. And, I was told it'a everything healing; nerves, etc. Hope this is helpful. 🙏☘️

6

Hey Fay!!!  Long time...no bubbles...  Good to see you're doing well.  Gym: Remember to alternate days.  Never work the same muscle group two days in a row.  Bike and elliptical are fine but don't weight-train those same muscles every day.  They need to break down, rest and rebuild.  Alternate with core and upper body.  Remember the plan...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527

Have fun...  Sometimes there are miracles...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/a-tkr-miracle--593110

 

7

Contact orthopedic doctor. When my knee was like that, I had cellulitis and had to have antibiotics.

8

The "pins and needles" are the nerves regenerating and healing.  At almost 15 months, that's pretty much gone except when kneeling.  Normal...

9

Yes, so hard to know what you mean. If in doubt, get it checked out.