Im 11 weeks post op TRKR and my knee feels fine when I wake up bends well with no pain. I shower, exercise then it begins to stiffen up and just gets worse through the day. I can now barely bend it and is getting me down to say the least. I'm having a review with my physio on Wednesday and I've had five sessions in the hydrotherapy pool which helped. I'm exercisin, icing and still taking anti inflammatory drugs. I never realised how hard this op would be! Anybody else experiencing this problem with their new knee? Thanks, I love this site. xx
You may still need to strengthen the quad-muscles more. If they aren't strong, your knee won't have the support when you walk on it. Plus even full on walking needs to be moderate since there is a longer time frame when the bones heal from those inserts. You do need to back off when it hurts. Why not try your bending of it when it's warmed up in the shower? I think exercising in a therapy pool would be best also. Just need to know the limit and not do more than that till the knee is stronger. My knee would hardly bend after a session with an aggressive therapist. You have a set back now and it needs rest. You could take pain meds and plow through it, but I think it will not get better doing that.
Agree...need an exercise program to strengthen your quads and core. Check out the Exercise section of my big post...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499
Understand that recovery is not a linear process. There will be highs and lows, advances and setbacks. I agree with Lynn...know your limits. You cannot push a knee. I found my FitBit helpful in tracking my steps. If you get swelling, check the FitBit...set a current limit and then increase gradually.
Recovery doesn't stop with PT. Gotta continue at home or the gym...
Hi Kay, I think your pretty much going through the normal recovery stages of Tkr surgery. No need to fret. As long as you keep up your exercises and attitude helps as well along with patience patience patience, you'll get there. This is a tough surgery, not for the faint of heart, try your best to stay strong. We're all here to keep you on the right path. As for an example of myself... I had Tkr in March, my rom is as of two weeks ago 110/2, still have sps (swelling pain stiffness, good days not so good days. May take 6 - 12 months to completely heal or sooner or later. Hang in there, best of health to you, kathy p
Kaysknee, what you are describing is normal at 11 weeks post op. Heat from shower may be causing some internal swelling. I had to start showerring in the evenings...prior to hour of rest and elevation before bed. That always makes the knee stiff. Hope you are still icing and elevating.
For or me when I was at this stage I had to ice and elevate to relieve the swelling, then the bending was better. I also swelled a lot on the back of the knee...this made bending almost impossible. I learned to ice both sides of knee at same time. I also elevated 2 times a day for an hour....this was extra elevation and rest time. I also iced and elevated after each set of exercises....and after daily walking.....20 minutes.
I am 6 1/2 months post op now and I remember feeling like you. Hope this helps.
speedy recovery,
pam